If You're Traveling Into Tampa...
Some helpful information from the Wikipedia:
The Lowry Park Zoo is a 56 acre zoo located in Tampa. It is noted for being one of the best mid-sized zoos in the United States. With its humble beginnings as an old style menagerie, the zoo now has over 200 employees, is run by a nonprofit society, and is a charitable organization. The zoo is recognized by the State of Florida as the center for Florida wildlife conservation and biodiversity.
The Museum of Science and Industry is located on Fowler Avenue in the northern part of the city. It is directly across the street from the University of South Florida and is partners with the university in many research fellowships. It also has Florida's only IMAX Dome theater.
Tampa Bay History Center displays artifacts, memorabilia, maps, military uniforms and photographs depicting life in the region from 12,000 years ago to the present. Changing exhibits also are featured. It is located at the corner of Franklin and Platt Streets.
The Tampa Museum of Art is located in downtown Tampa. The museum exhibits 20th-century fine art, as well as Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities. A large outdoor sculpture garden has also been added.
Ybor City Museum State Park occupies the former Ferlita Bakery in Ybor City's National Historic District, at 1818 9th Avenue. It recounts the history of the Latin community there from the 1880s through the 1930s. There is also an ornamental garden in the building.
Busch Gardens Africa (previously called Busch Gardens Tampa Bay) opened on March 31, 1959, and has an African theme. The theme park is one of America's largest zoological institutions, with more than 2,700 animals. Attractions include: Rhino Rally, Montu, Kumba, Scorpion, Gwazi, Edge of Africa, and SheiKra, a vertical dive coaster. The theme park is some distance away from downtown, in extreme northern Tampa.
Channelside is a district just east of Downtown Tampa, Florida, USA. It is bordered by Ybor Channel on the east and Garrison Channel on the south. Notable attractions in this area include the Tampa Port Authority, Florida Aquarium, American Victory Museum, and Channelside entertainment complex.
Adventure Island is an American water park located northeast of Tampa across the street from Busch Gardens Africa. The park features 30 acres of water rides, dining, and other attractions.
The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is located downtown on a nine-acre site along the east bank of the Hillsborough River. As the largest performing arts complex south of the Kennedy Center, the 290,000 square-foot Center provides an environment for a wide variety of world-class events. It is regarded nationally for producing grand opera, as well as presenting a wide variety of concerts, performances and events. The performing arts complex consists of five distinct theaters, a rehearsal hall, retail shops, on-site restaurants and banquet facilities. The building is owned by the City of Tampa, and is run by Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Inc., a non-profit corporation.
Big Cat Rescue is a non-profit corporation that runs the world's largest big cat sanctuary. It houses an assortment of cats, such as tigers, lions, leopards, cougars, bobcats, lynx, ocelots, servals, and caracals. The sanctuary, located at 12802 Easy St, near the Citrus Park Mall on the Northwest side of Tampa, offers public tours several times a week and offers special events from time to time.
The University of South Florida Botanical Gardens is located on the campus of the University of South Florida and consists of 7 acres of developed gardens plus 6 to 9 acres of natural greenbelt. The gardens are open to the public during weekday business hours, and on shorter weekend hours. Admission is free.
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Tampa International Airport is the city's main airport and is a located six miles west of the central business district of Tampa. In March 2003, Condé Nast Traveler magazine ranked the airport #1 in the US and #3 in the world for its creativity and interior design.Peter O. Knight Airport is a small general aviation terminal located on Davis Islands near downtown and Vandenberg Airport is another option for general aviation fliers. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is across the bay and offers another option for air travelers.
Amtrak services Tampa via the Tampa Union Train Station, located in a historic building near downtown.
Several cruise ships make use of the Port of Tampa, located in the Channel District and is the largest port in the State of Florida. Carnival Cruise Lines regularly departs from the Port of Tampa on Mexican and Caribbean cruise sailings.
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) operates streetcars as well as the bus system. HART has a signed transit deal with the University of South Florida, allowing students to ride for free on most bus routes. In addition, students from several other colleges and universities can purchases passes at half price from their school.The TECO Line Streetcar System links Ybor City, the Channel District and downtown Tampa. Despite the system's limited reach and comparatively slow speed (about 10-15 mph), the air-conditioned cars do offer a nostalgic method of getting around in far greater comfort than was possible a century ago. The line is intentionally reminiscent of Tampa's extensive early twentieth-century streetcar network, albeit much smaller in scope. Currently, the line has 10 stops along its route.
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