Tampa Museum of Art
Located on the east bank of the Hillsborough River, next to the round NationsBank building (locals facetiously call it the "Beer Can"), this fine-arts complex offers eight galleries with changing exhibits ranging from classical antiquities to contemporary Floridian art. There's also a 7-acre riverfront park and sculpture garden. Call or check the website for the schedule of temporary exhibits. However, if you have time for only one art museum on your trip, skip this one and head to St. Petersburg for the more innovative Salvador Dalí Museum.

MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry)
A great place to take the kids, MOSI is the largest science center in the Southeast, with more than 450 interactive exhibits. Step into the Gulf Hurricane to experience 74 mph winds, explore the human body in The Amazing You and, if your heart is up to it, ride a bicycle across a 98-foot-long cable suspended 30 feet above the lobby (don't worry: you'll be harnessed to the bike). You can also watch stunning movies in Florida's first IMAX dome theater and take a 5-minute ride in a flight simulator ($3.50 additional charge). Outside, trails wind through a 47-acre nature preserve with a butterfly garden.

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.

Mainsail All Suites Hotel
Mainsail All Suites Tampa Hotel is a condo-styled hotel located in Tampa Florida within 5 minutes of Tampa International Airport, Raymond James Stadium and near Busch Gardens, Florida Aquarium, Gulf Coast Beaches, Legends Field, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa TPC golf Course, Westshore Plaza, International Plaza, Citrus Park Mall, Performing Arts Center. In addition, the hotel is convenient to Nielsen Media Headquarters, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tropical Sportswear International, CAE Systems, ...

Sailport Waterfront Suites
Sailport is Tampa's only waterfront all suite hotel. It's spacious 1 bedroom suites have separate bedrooms, living rooms with sofa sleepers, dining areas, fully equipped kitchens, and private balconies - all with water views. Each suite also has 2 televisions, 2 telephones, CD player and free wireless internet access. Other amenities include a heated waterfront pool, sunning beach, tennis court and fishing pier, along with free coffee, bagels and sweet rolls served each morning from 6:30 AM ...

Embassy Suites Hotel Tampa-USF/Near Busch Gardens
This beautiful garden atrium hotel is located in north Tampa at the intersection of Fowler and Spectrum Blvd. just off I-275 and I-75 adjacent to the University of South Florida in the Tampa Bay area research and development park. Only one mile from Busch Gardens and strategically located between Orlando and the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Tampa International Airport 16 MI NE. Greyhound Bus Company 10 MI NE. Amtrak 10 MI ...