The Best of Both the Beach and City: Tampa Bay Area

Tampa

• Amusement Parks - Tampa is home to both Busch Gardens and Adventure Island. These sister parks proved you the ability to buy tickets to just one park or a joint ticket to ensure you can visit both. These parks provide the perfect day of activity for any kids, or those that are kids at heart.

• The Florida Aquarium - The Florida Aquarium is situated in downtown Tampa. This well-maintained aquarium is home to thousands of plants and animals found in different aquatic conditions. It is the perfect way to spend a couple hours any day.

• The Henry B. Plant Museum - The Henry B. Plant Museum is situated on the picturesque campus of the University of Tampa. It has numerous exhibits showcasing the 19th century culture in Tampa. This includes the exclusive history of Theodor Rosevelt’s planning for the roughrider's invasion of Cuba.

St. Petersburg

• The Sunken Gardens - Located just outside downtown St. Petersburg the Sunken Gardens provides people the ability to stroll through a tropical oasis of more than 500 species of vegetation. Additionally, visitors can see the exotic bird rehabilitation center, waterfalls, butterflies, and more.

• The Dalí Museum - The Dalí Museum is the largest collection of art by renowned artist Salvador Dalí in the world. This museum includes some of his most icon works like the melting clocks, along with rotating collects from other artists.

Clearwater

• Clearwater Beach - Clearwater Beach is annually ranked as one of the top 10 beaches in the United States by US News & World Report. The soft white sand beaches provide the perfect atmosphere for a nice relaxing beach day, or a day filled paddleboarding, jet skis, or parasailing. No two days at Clearwater Beach need to be the same.

• Professional sports- Tampa is also home to numerous professional sports teams that provide year-round entertainment. Tampa is home to the Buccaneers (football), the Lightning (hockey) and the Rays (baseball).

Day trips:

• Located only an hour and half from Orlando, Tampa provides visitors and locals the ability to make a day trip to visit either Disney World or Universal Studios.

Tampa

• Ulele - Native Floridian fare of food along the riverwalk.

• Bern’s Steak House - This steak house was established in 1956 and is now considered one of the best steak houses in the country.

• The Columbia - Florida’s oldest restaurant serving up traditional Columbian food. Tip: the Paella is to die for.

• On Swann - Located in the historic Hyde Park serves up seasonal new American cuisine.

• The Pearl - Located in the Arena district of downtown serves seasonal seafood, shareables and provides an oyster room.

St. Petersburg

• BellaBrava - A restaurant that provides a blend of Italian food with the modern city life.

• Social Roost - In Downtown St. Petersburg, this restaurant provides an offering of eclectic global dishes.

Clearwater

• Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill - Located right on Clearwater Beach, this seafood restaurant specializes in Grouper sandwiches.