Travel and Explore Tampa, FL!

Tampa, FL Tampa is located on Florida's west coast. Its central location makes it easy to get to the beaches and all the attractions throughout central Florida. Tampa enjoys a temperate, semi-tropical climate. Once a small Indian fishing village, which later became known as the "Cigar City," Tampa is now one of Florida's most invigorating travel destinations. Tampa events include: Florida Strawberry Festival, Florida State Fair, Gasparilla Parade & Pirate Fest, Taste of Florida, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Professional Football.  Adventure Island  10001 Malcolm McKinley Dr. (40th St.)  Tampa  Florida  (813) 987-5660  A water park featuring water flumes, wave pool, speed slide, and much more.  Busch Gardens-Tampa Bay  3000 E. Busch Blvd. (SR 580)  Tampa  Florida  (813) 987-5082  The theme park offers rides, live entertainment, shows, animal exhibits, shops, and many games for the whole family.  Children's Museum of Tampa  7550 North Blvd.  Tampa  Florida  (813) 935-8441  A museum offering changing exhibits and a Safety Village for your children to learn safety.  Florida Aquarium, The  701 Channelside Dr.  Tampa  Florida  (813) 273-4000  A three-story, glass-domed aquarium relating to Florida's ecosystem.  Fun Forest Amusement Park  Lowry Park, North Blvd and Sligh Ave  Tampa  Florida  (813) 935-5503  Fun for the children, the theme park feaures characters from Mother Goose and other children stories, amusement rides, and a playground.  Henry B. Plant Museum  Plant Hall, south wing, former Tampa Bay Hotel  Tampa  Florida  (813) 254-1891  The museum displays furnishings and gilded art original to the Tampa Bay Hotel and its history traced back.  Lowry Park  North Blvd. and Sligh Ave.  Tampa  Florida    The park has a children's amusement area and a zoo.  Lowry Park Zoological Garden  Lowry Park, North Blvd. and Sligh Ave.  Tampa  Florida  (813) 935-8552  The center offers over 350 exotic animal species from four continents and has the Asian Domain, Florida Wildlife, Primate World, an Aviary, and a children's petting zoo.  Museum of African American Art  off I-275 exit 26  Tampa  Florida  (813) 272-2466  The museum focuses on African-American art for people to enjoy.  Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)  4801 E. Fowler Ave., is 3 mi. e. on SR 582 from I-275 exit 34 or 3 mi. w. of I-75 exit 54  Tampa  Florida  (813) 987-6300  The center offers displays, demonstations relating to science and industry, and much more.  Preservation Park  9th Ave, next to the Ybor City State Museum  Tampa  Florida    The park features La Casita, a cigar worker's cottage.  Starlite Princess  Garrison Seaport Center in Tampa, near the Florida Aquarium  Tampa  Florida  (813) 595-1212 or (800) 722-6645  The excursion boat offers a variety of sightseeing cruises on scenic waterways.  Tampa Museum of Art  600 N. Ashley Dr.  Tampa  Florida  (813) 274-8130  The art museum has collections of Greek and Roman antiquities and contemporary art.  University of South Florida  Fowler Ave. in northeast Tampa  Tampa  Florida  (813) 974-3350  Can arrange guided campus tours.  University of Tampa  401 W. Kennedy Blvd.  Tampa  Florida  (813) 253-3333  Established in 1931, this university occupies the former 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel.  Ybor City State Museum  1818 9th Ave.  Tampa  Florida  (813) 987-6771  The museum housed in a former bakery now shows the movement into the Tampa area and much more.