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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.
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.
Hilton Garden Inn Tampa East/Brandon
Located in Highland Oaks Business Park, across the street from Sabal Business Park, the largest business park in the Tampa area. Hotel is convenient to shopping, nightlife, downtown Tampa, Ybor City and Channelside Shopping ...
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 ...
Comfort Inn Conference Center - Tampa
Comfort Inn Conference Center Tampa offers the leisure traveler the perfect destination location. In addition to our comfortably appointed guest rooms, we offer indoor and outdoor heated pools and two hot tubs. Discounted tickets are available to Busch Gardens and Adventure Island Parks and we offer complimentary transportation to both ...
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