Tampa
Overview
If you're a first time visitor to Tampa, start at Tampa's high-adrenaline theme park, Busch Gardens Africa, and relax on the Gulf of Mexico's sandy beaches. Head into the city to explore Tampa's vibrant Cuban district of Ybor City and take a trip to St Petersburg to see the impressive art collection at the Salvador Dalí Museum.
Background
Tampa is the largest city on Florida's west coast, spreading along the banks of the Hillsborough River as it flows into Tampa Bay. Downtown Tampa tucks itself around the river's mouth and you'll find most of its attractions, waterfront parks and shopping here. Head to historic Ybor City, north of Downtown, which thrived during the heyday of the Cuban cigar industry and remains a colourful cultural enclave. Further north, you'll find the crowd-pulling attractions of Busch Gardens Africa and Lowry Park Zoo either side of the Interstate 275 highway, just outside of Tampa.
First-time visit
Brace yourself for the thrilling rollercoaster rides at Busch Gardens Africa. Allow a full day to squeeze the best of out of the theme park's heart-pumping rides and arrive early to beat the queues. Then head Downtown to experience underworld realms at the Florida Aquarium and peek into the city's past at the Henry B Plant Museum. Travel down to the Gulf of Mexico coast to play on sandy Clearwater Beach or quieter Indian Rocks Beach. Or travel inland on daytrips to Orlando's Walt Disney World© and its many theme parks. End your day at Ybor City for an evening of Latin cuisine and salsa-filled clubbing.
Return visit
Take time to explore Ybor City's historic streets and Cuban shops, and expect to see cigars being hand-rolled in smokers' bars and cafes. Go Downtown for the Tampa Museum of Art, a contemporary art complex of indoor galleries and a riverfront sculpture park. Or head further afield to St Petersburg's Salvador Dalí Museum, home to a vast collection of original works by the Spanish Surrealist artist. On Tampa's outskirts, kids love the lions and tigers at Lowry Park Zoo and the hands-on exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry.
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