Tampa Vacation Highlights
85 miles south west of
Orlando, 254 miles north west of
Miami
The stand-out attraction that brings most visitors to
Tampa is
Busch Gardens, a 300 acre
entertainment park combining a world class zoo along with
eye popping roller coaster rides. This attraction appeals to
all ages and access to the animals is excellent. Busch
Gardens has several thousand animals in natural surroundings
as part of the park's African theme.
Historic Ybor City is
Tampa's major center for tourist activity and the hub of city's
nightlife. Much of Tampa's resurgence is due to the preservation and
rehabilitation of this area which has been proclaimed a National
Historic Landmark District.
Venues
such as the Florida Aquarium, fine arts and science museums, the
Channelside development, and several
spectator sports venues all contribute
to Tampa's visitor appeal.
More than 5,000 aquatic animals and plants native
to Florida are on display in the
Florida Aquarium
which includes a huge viewing window onto schools of fish,
sharks and stingrays.
There is a "Explore a
Shore" educational playground for children, a deep-water exhibit, and a
tank housing moray eels. The aquarium also has a Dive with the Sharks
program.
The
Henry B. Plant
Museum was originally the 511-room Tampa Bay Hotel, built by the
railroad tycoon in 1891. Its 13 silver minarets and Moorish style
architecture make this National Historic Landmark a unusual part of the
Tampa skyline.
The opulence of the fittings and decor are a high point
of any visit.
The
largest science center in the south west is the Tampa
Museum of Science and Industry. This is very popular with
children and has more than 450 interactive exhibits, ranging from being
in a Gulf Hurricane to exploring the human body.
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