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.

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.

Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Brandon
The hotel designed by business travelers, Courtyard surrounds you with all the conveniences that make business and pleasure travel easy. The Courtyard Tampa Brandon is conveniently located at State Road 60 and Falkenburg Road behind Citcuit City just one mile from Brandon Town Center Mall and two miles from the Sabal Business Park. Downtown Tampa is eight miles west of the hotel. Marriott's luxurious new bedding package is available at this Courtyard property. Our comfortable, plush and ...

Safari Lodge
The Safari Lodge is a 2 star hotel located less than 100 yards from Busch Gardens. You can walk to the park and experience the excitement within seconds of leaving your room. Business travelers and vacationers alike will find the lodge a perfect place for conferences, retreats or as a comfortable stop during their travels.Motel is going under a major renovation,please check out our new ...

ExtendedStayDeluxe Tampa-Arpt
ExtendedStayDeluxe Tampa-Arpt is designed specifically for people who need more than just a room while away from home. In addition to the sofa sleeper, comfortable arm chair, and large work desk, the oversized studio suites feature a kitchen that allows you to prepare meals at your convenience. As a guest of ExtendedStayDeluxe Tampa-Arpt, you receive complementary movie channels, free local phone calls, voice-mail, and a two-line phone with a computer dataport. Guests also have access to a ...