Beautiful Tampa and Tampa Bay are located on the west coast of Florida and about an hour and a half from Orlando. Every time we go over there I discover something new and different, this time it was Channelside and the Port of Tampa. Of course the Tampa Port Authority is there and cruise or cargo ships can be seen coming and going at various times. There is a really great aquarium with several exhibits showing the different kinds of Florida water ways and what lives in them. They have a great little ‘water park’ area for the kids that has giant moray eels for kids to battle with water guns and a pirate ship they can explore. Channelside itself is an entertainment complex that has great nightlife, shopping, dinning and a movie theater. The Towers of Channelside are brand new, just completed in 2007, they are twin 30 story upscale condos, not a bad place to live if you like a lot of action.

Ybor City is also a place I’ve always wanted to go and got the chance to visit this time. It’s a great little section of the city that steeped in tradition of old world Europe. Ybor City was founded in the 1880’s by Vicente Martinez. Here you’ll find spectacular buildings, quaint shops, fabulous food, delicious coffee and hand rolled cigars and the nightlife? Don’t get me started. There are clubs every few feet, along with several entertainment venues, it’s a great place to spend a day walking around and a night dancing and parting with friends. There is a place for everyone to party no matter what you’re into. Coyote Ugly is a place where you can dance on the bar and chat up the lady bar keeps, they always have something to say. Club Prana has five different levels with different dance club styles on each for maximum nighttime enjoyment.

If sports is more your thing Tampa won’t disappoint on that front either. Everyone knows Tampa is home to the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This city takes their team VERY seriously, you can take a pirate ship cruise on any night of the week and there are as many pirate flags as there are stars and stripe flying around the city, all in good fun mind you.

Another popular reason to visit Tampa is the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. They have many gaming tables and slot machines the décor itself is worth the trip. Downtown Tampa is a beautiful place itself; the buildings alone are great works of architecture. They have many fine hotels with conference centers for corporate meetings and an international airport which makes it convenient for out of country guests to visit.

As I said Orlando is nearby and many people visiting there hear about fabulous Busch Gardens, in Tampa Bay, so they come over. That’s great if that’s what it takes to get you to visit but once you do plan to stay a day or two, if you don’t you’ll wish you had. Tampa is so much fun, even if you’ve been there a few times as I have, go again I promise you’ll find something new to love about it as I always do.

read also related posts:

1. How to choose a reliable Tampa airport transportation

   The transportation that is usually associated with airports is those that are reliable and provide very good levels of service for the commuters. Since commuters are dependent on the transportation in order to be on time and catch their flights without any issues, they need to be sure that they can trust and rely on [...]...

2. I-95 Through Florida – So Much to See and Do

   I-95 runs 1,917 miles along the length of the east coast with over 300 miles of it in Florida. Starting near Jacksonville, running to Miami with main thoroughfares such as I-10 to I-4 intersecting with it. If you’re going anywhere along the east coast in Florida chances are some point you’ll be on I-95. Known as [...]...

3. Five Reasons To Go For Florida Short Term Rentals

   Thousands of visitors to Disney World and other Central Florida attractions are finding out that their vacation of a lifetime can be enhanced by choosing the alternative accommodation offered by Florida short term rentals. These are single family homes or condos available for daily, weekly or monthly rental and they are great if you [...]...

4. After the Slopes Close: Aspen Nightlife

   *** Nightlife as spectacular as the view? The incredible skiing and winter sports might be the main draw of Aspen, Colorado, but the nightlife of Aspen won’t disappoint. The resorts in Aspen usually have lounges, clubs, or bars too, so if a vibrant nighttime scene is important to you, look for a hotel with a reputable bar while [...]...

5. The Restaurant Virginia Beach Offers Tastes From Every Region

   Shore break is place of resorts with beaches in many miles and an enormous number of restaurants motels and hotels, all the way to the oceanfront. It has got every convenience that make you experience at home moreover awarded for the most excellent menu. Here you can also do team parties, celebrate birthdays etc. The [...]...

6. Destined Florida Condo Rentals Your Search Ends Here!

   Most people say that Destin Florida is a paradise for a simple reason that the place is really very beautiful. If there is any paradise on earth then it has to be Florida. When people think of Florida, Destin is the place which catches their imagination, along with the white sand and turquoise water. So [...]...

7. Travel Alert: Earthquake Strikes Central Region of Italy, Abruzzo

   This is a brief overview of the earthquake that today struck the central Italian region of Italy.? We are keeping an eye on the situation, so come back for regular updates. What’s happening: Reuters news service reports (06/04/09) – Rescuers searched through the night for survivors of an earthquake that killed more than 130* people in central Italy early...

8. Which Airport for Flights to Orlando Florida?

   ***Even though the days of flights to Orlando Florida only departing from Manchester International, London Gatwick or Heathrow are long gone, many people still persist in searching for flights from these airports and paying the premiums that come with them. So which airports are best for travellers to Orlando Florida? Here are my top 10. 1. London Gatwick- [...]...