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During your Tampa vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Adventure Island
If the summer heat gets to you before one of Tampa's famous thunderstorms brings late-afternoon relief, you can take a waterlogged break at this 25-acre outdoor water theme park near Busch Gardens Tampa Bay . You can also frolic here during the cooler days of spring and fall, when the water is heated. The Key West Rapids, Tampa Typhoon, Gulf Scream, and other exciting water rides will drench the teens, while other, calmer rides are geared toward younger kids. Wahoo Run plunges up to five riders more than 15 feet per second as the half-enclosed tunnel corkscrews more than 600 feet to a waiting splash pool. There are also places to picnic and sunbathe, an arcade, a volleyball complex, and an outdoor cafe. Although some people tend to go barefoot here, I suggest you wear shoes at all times -- it gets kind of nasty after a while.
Henry B. Plant Museum
Originally built in 1891 by railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant as the super-chichi 511-room Tampa Bay Hotel, this ornate building is worth a short trip across the river from downtown to the University of Tampa campus. Its 13 silver minarets and distinctive Moorish architecture, modeled after the Alhambra in Spain, make this National Historic Landmark a focal point of the Tampa skyline. Although the building is the highlight of a visit, don't skip its contents: art and furnishings from Europe and Asia, plus exhibits that explain the history of the original railroad resort, Florida's early tourist industry, and the hotel's role as a staging point for Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War.
The Florida Aquarium
See more than 5,000 aquatic animals and plants that call Florida home at this entertaining and informative attraction. The exhibits follow a drop of water from the pristine springs of the Florida Wetlands Gallery, through a mangrove forest in the Bays and Beaches Gallery, and out onto the Coral Reefs, where an impressive 43-foot-wide, 14-foot-tall panoramic window lets you look out at schools of fish and lots of sharks and stingrays. Also worth visiting are the educational "Explore a Shore" playground, a deepwater exhibit, and a tank housing moray eels. You can look for birds and sea life on 90-minute Eco Tour cruises in the Bay Spirit, a 64-foot catamaran. The aquarium also offers a Dive with the Sharks program (tel. 813/367-4005) that gives certified scuba divers the chance to swim with blacktip reef, sand tiger, and nurse sharks for 30 minutes. The $150 price tag includes a souvenir photo and T-shirt.
Marriott Tampa Westshore
The Tampa Marriott Westshore is a fourteen story hotel located in the heart of the exciting Westshore business district that includes the best nightlife, restaurants and shopping in Tampa! The airport, beaches, International Plaza, Raymond James Stadium and Westshore Mall are only minutes away. Our full-service property offers superior accommodations including a concierge level, bar and restaurant, health club, meeting rooms and the largest indoor/outdoor swimming pool in the Tampa area. Enjoy ...
Clarion Hotel and Conference Center Near Busch Gardens
The friendly staff of Clarion Hotel and Conference Center Near Busch Gardens await your arrival. Book your room today with confidence - Minutes from Busch Gardens? where you can experience the new roller coaster, SheiKra or cool off at Adventure Island. This Clarion hotel offers free transportation to / from the attractions. Clarion Hotel and Conference Centeris minutes from Busch Gardens, Tampa University of South Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center, Shriners Children Hospital and Veterans ...
Hampton Inn Tampa-Veterans Expressway
The Hampton Inn Tampa - Veterans Expressway is located on the Northside of Tampa International Airport in the Citrus Park area of Tampa. We are near the communities of Carrollwood, Westchase, and Town-N-Country. You will also find the Citrus Park Mall and Raymond James Stadium which is home to the Tampa Bay Buccanneers nearby. Tampa International Airport 4 MI N, Raytheon Aircraft Center 4 MI N, Taxi-Rental Car - fee. Westshore Business ...
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