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.

Lowry Park Zoo
The opportunity to watch 3,000-pound manatees, Komodo dragons, Persian leopards, and rare red pandas makes this a worthwhile, albeit not entirely necessary, excursion after the kids have seen the plains of Africa at Busch Gardens. With lots of greenery, bubbling brooks, and cascading waterfalls, this 24-acre zoo displays animals in settings similar to their natural habitats. Other major exhibits include the Florida wildlife display, Asian Domain, Primate World, Aquatic Center, free-flight aviary with a birds-of-prey show, hands-on Discovery Center, and endangered-species carousel ride. The Wallaroo Station has kids' rides, a small water park, a kangaroo walk-about, and a petting zoo. Lowry Park has one of Florida's three manatee hospital and rehabilitation centers. The Eco Tour is very popular, featuring a cruise on the Hillsborough River, where you'll see turtles, herons, and manatees. The cost is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $7 for children 3 to 11. The zoo is also a sanctuary for Florida panthers and red wolves.

Super 8 Motel - Tampa U.S.F. Near Busch Gardens Downtown
Conveniently located at Interstate I-275 Exit 52 or I-75 Exit 266 We are the perfect home base for exploring the Tampa Bay area Minutes from Busch Gardens, University of South Florida, downtown, and the Tampa International Airport Numerous restaurants nearby Exterior corridor property, with convenient drive up access Standard single or double rooms available, as well as 2 room suites. Pets welcome in designated rooms only - $10 per night Please Call 1-800-800-8000 to Reserve ...

Howard Johnson Express Inn & Suites-Near Port of Tampa
The Howard Johnson Inn of East Tampa Welcomes You! Located at exit 3 off of I-4, this property in East Tampa features a lovely pool with landscaped courtyard and sundeck. Free continental breakfast daily plus on-property lounge, open 4 pm. Entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. Easy access to all area attractions, near Florida Fairgrounds and outdoor amphitheatre and minutes from Hard Rock Seminole Indian Casino. NEW: FREE HIGH SPEED WIRELESS INTERNET IN ALL ROOMS AND PUBLIC ...

Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Tampa Brandon
Fairfield Inn and Suites is Marriott's award winning economy lodging chain featuring clean, convenient, quality accommodations - all for a great value! Our oversized guest rooms are equipped with thoughtful amenities including reach anywhere telephone with dataport, remote control television with free cable service and a well-lit work desk. *Studio suites offer separate living and sleeping areas and feature a dry bar with coffee maker, microwave and small refrigerator plus an entertainment ...