BUSCH GARDENS

Busch Gardens is the number one tourist attractions in Tampa and second only to Disney World in Florida. Ride roller coasters, water rides, and bumper cars. See lots of wildlife including lions elephants, rhinos, and giraffes at one of the top zoos in North America. All this and more can be done at this excellent 300 acre amusement park and zoo. Busch Gardens is opened 7 days per week, hours vary from season to season.

Live and model displays of area marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles and much more.

LOWRY PARK ZOO

One of the top three zoos of its size in North America; this facility offers an Asian domain, primate area, children's petting zoo, Florida Wildlife Center, Manatee Aquatic Center and more.

The Southeast's largest science center offers high-value entertainment through interactive, permanent exhibits plus a variety of traveling shows and demonstrations, featuring Florida's only IMAX Dome Theater, MOSIMAX.

A museum, theater and gift shop which captures the history of the sponge industry.

North America's largest wild bird hospital featuring over 500 injured birds on display.

This oldest family-owned attraction in Florida, is regarded as one of the best botanical exhibits on the continent. Take a step back to nature and view an exotic collection of more than 50,000 tropical plants, birds and animals. Sunken Gardens has the South's largest walk-through aviary.

Located on the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg, The Pier, a popular festival market, offers fun, food, shopping and entertainment and features a fascinating five story inverted-pyramid with giant tubes bubbling with fish and creatures from the sea. This breathtaking centerpiece leads to the second floor aquarium filled with native and tropical fish and sharks. Hands-on educational exhibits from the Great Explorations Museum, the historic H.M.S. Bounty docked pier side, live musical entertainment, plus boat shows there's always something going on for the whole family to enjoy as well as a fantastic view with brilliant Florida Coast sunsets.

This is the state's only aquarium offering a dramatic, unique and educational look at the astonishing world of Florida's diverse water habitats.

Housed in a century old bakery building, this museum captures the political, social and cultural influences that shaped Tampa's Latin Quarter. Visit La Casita (the Little House) which depicts how the typical cigar makers lived and get a look into the area's ethnic past with a glimpse into the district with a walking tour.

A converted cigar factory which has been transformed into shops, restaurants and The Nostalgia Market, located in the heart of Tampa's Latin District. See Cuban cigar makers demonstrate their ancestors' craft.

An 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel and a national Historic Landmark. This quintessential Victorian palace features unique Moorish revival architecture and dramatic minarets. Enjoy the opulent European furniture and art treasures of the Gilded Age and visit the permanent exhibit on the Spanish American War.

Our permanent gallery contains photos and artifacts which present the history of the last 12,000 years of the Tampa Bay area, up to the 1940's. Our temporary gallery contains a variety of traveling exhibits.

Tampa's premier downtown cultural facility offers changing visual arts exhibition of collections from around the world and from the museum's own permanent collection.

A state of the-art complex is the largest performing arts center in the Southeastern United States. Provides a venue for wide variety of performances, concerts, and events as well as providing world class entertainment for the constant influx of tourists.

One of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands in the state, the park is comprised of six islands with a total of approximately 650 upland acres and more than 1,100 acres of surrounding mangroves and grass flats. Fishing, shelling, & nature studies are ways to while away your day at the park and boaters can enjoy the 99 slip bay-side marina, or in calm weather, anchor offshore. Picnic pavilions, bath houses and a park concession provide additional amenities that make a visit to Caladesi more enjoyable. Some facilities and activities are accessible to the handicapped. Ferry service is available from the mainland, weather permitting. The ferry departs hourly.

Salvador Dal¡ was known as a leader of the surrealist movement. His painting, The Persistence of Memory, with the soft or melting watches is still one of the best-known surrealist works. As an artist, Dal¡ was not limited to a particular style or media. The body of his work, from early impressionist paintings through his transitional surrealist works, and into his classical period, reveals a constantly growing and evolving artist. Dal¡ worked in all media, and the museum's collection of his work includes 95 oil paintings, over 100 watercolors and drawings, 1,300 graphics, plus posters, photos, sculptures and objets d'art. Although Dal¡ is best known for his Surrealist period (1929-1940), this collection contains works dating from 1914 and spans his lifetime.

The graceful Palladian-style building is a perfect showcase for a wealth of treasures in 20 galleries. The atmosphere is that of an intimate Mediterranean villa. There are paintings by such artists as Fragonard, Vigee-Lebrun, Monet, Moirot, Renoir, Cezanne, Gauguin and Georgia O'Keefe; sculptures by Rodin, MacMonnies and Barye; an entire Steuben crystal gallery and a Tribal Arts gallery.

Being the fourth largest Holocaust museum in the country, the Florida Holocaust Museum is dedicated to advancing public awareness, education and understanding of the Holocaust, honoring the memory of millions of innocent people who suffered, struggled and died, and to promote the lessons of tolerance, respect and responsibility.

Near Clearwater, the Gulf Coast Museum of Art is located in the heart of the Pinewood Cultural Park - an innovative interdisciplinary park with three unique institutions joined together to combine the disciplines of history, botanical science and the arts. The Gulf Coast Museum of Art, Heritage Village and the Pinellas County Historical Museum, and The Florida Botanical Gardens have given rise to the only interdisciplinary park of its kind in the nation! Over 180 acres of lush, tropical foliage, contemporary art and turn-of-the-century homes at the Pinewood Cultural Park, plus acres of hiking trails, picnic areas and lakes across the road at the Walsingham Recreational Park, guarantees a great deal of family fun and shared learning.

This water theme park features water slides, wave pools, water volleyball and swimming pools on 36 acres. The park is open March through October.

The Florida International Museum is centered in the cultural heart of Tampa Bay-Downtown St. Petersburg. It has been visited by over two million people with visitors coming from all 50 states and over 100 countries in just five exhibitions, making it Florida's premier museum for blockbuster exhibitions. Some past exhibits include the Empires of Mystery- the largest exhibition of Peruvian artifacts ever displayed in the U.S., Titanic: The Exhibition-the world s largest exhibition of artifacts recovered from the wreck site of the famous ship, plus exhibits from Eygpt, Russia, and one on Alexander the Great.

The Show Queen is a sixty-five foot triple decked river boat specifically designed for harbor cruises on Clearwater Beach, Florida. The first and second decks are fully enclosed with air conditioning. The third deck is a large open air deck which provides beautiful views of the scenic water front. The vessel features a full service bar, full service galley, state of the art sound system, restrooms on both decks and tastefully decorated interior. Call or visit the web site for more info.

Young or old, the Pirate Cruise has something for everyone. Cruise away into the fantasy world of swashbucklers and pirates aboard the PIRATES RANSOM. The journey cruises within cannon range of Captain Memo's deserted island along Florida's intracoastal waterway out into the Gulf of Mexico along Clearwater Beach. Stop by the web site to see the vessel and get the history of Captain Memo.

Kai Lani is a 50' high performance catamaran designed with comfort and safety in mind, and capable of speeds over 20 knots under sail, Clearwater's fastest. Visit the web site for more complete information on relaxing day sails, or an evening romantic sunset cruise.

Whether waterfront tours, cruising to and from destinations, scuba diving, or fishing are your pleasure, the Salty Rebel II will provide a tailored holiday experience as if aboard your own vessel without the operating responsibility.

Throughout our 12 years of business, Scuba Quest has become widely known and respected as an industry leader. With more than one location in the Tampa / Clearwater area you are sure to find the services you need for a quality diving experience.

Capt. Van Hubbard is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable inshore guides on Florida's Gulf Coast. He has been a professional, licensed guide for over twenty years. Capt. Van has paid his dues spending about 5000 days on local waters catching fish. Whether fishing for Redfish, Snook, Kingfish, Tarpon , Cobia or Trout the Captain is an expert that lives to share his experience and talents. He likes to send you home smiling.

The City of St. Petersburg, Florida, maintains and operates three golf courses. Each of the three courses is conveniently located near Interstate 275. Hours of operation at the three city courses are from sun up to sun down all year long, seven days a week, except on Christmas Day when the courses are closed. U.S.G.A. rules as well as local rules apply at each course. This site also links (no pun intended) to the ultimate Tampa Bay Golfing Guide.

Daily and evening cruises departing from Madeira Beach. Featured are live entertainment, a fabulous meal and Vegas-style casino as you tour the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.

Sunrise and panoramic hot balloon views of Tampa's ariel landscape of lakes and wildlife. Sunrise flights include complimentary champagne brunch. Call for fees.