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Tampa has become one of the fastest growing
cities in the U.S. for tourism. In fact in the past few years it has been giving
Orlando a run for its money. Imagine soaring hundreds of feet in the air and then
racing downward to be swooped back up again. Busch Gardens ( 3605 E. Bougainvillea
Ave. ) , Tampa Bay can give you that feeling with its five roller coasters each
with its own unique theme. There are also thousands of foreign animals from all
over the world within reach of your fingertips. Walking through Busch Gardens
you feel as if you have been swept away to perhaps Africa . With every turn of
your head you can see a lion running through a plain or a giraffe looking through
the treetops. Busch Gardens was recently rated one of Florida 's top theme parks.
This is the ultimate adventure for anyone of any age. A
hop, skip and jump away is Adventure Island (4500 Bougainvillea Ave.) , a thirty
acre water park with a combination of some of the most outrageous rides from a
lazy river set in a tropical paradise to hundred foot slides it accommodates guests
of all ages. There are corkscrews, waterfalls, a children's water playground and
eating facilities. Spend a whole day there or just an afternoon because with a
Busch Gardens Adventure Island Value Ticket you can move freely between the two
parks for two to three days. If you don't want to have to pay for transportation
for these two amusement parks several hotels such as the Quality Inn Busch Gardens
and Comfort Inn Busch Gardens are just down the block. For
the art enthusiast or the novice who want to educate themselves more on the mysterious
and wonderful works of Salvador Dali, the largest collection in the world is located
right in Tampa at the Salvador Dali Museum ( 1000 3rd St S ) . The exhibits are
ever changing so if this is not your first time here there will certainly be new
exhibits to see. After your surreal experience, you can pick up a memento of your
visit with a Salvador Dali replica. A
visit to the “ Ice Palace ” as it is called in Tampa is a must if you want the
ultimate Tampa experience. The St. Pete Times Forum ( 401 Channelside Drive )
is home to the Tampa Bay Lightening professional hockey team. For an exciting
fun filled time go down to the state of the art arena and watch the division champs
take on their challenger. There are also various concerts and other venues such
as the circus that pass through the forum. Be sure to check out the latest information
on who's appearing at the forum before you make your way to Tampa so you can be
sure to pick up tickets. Ybor City is
definitely an attraction that cannot be missed. Once a historical landmark that
was the cigar capital of the world, now all of those old cigar warehouses have
been transformed into trendy boutiques, larger than life clubs and world-renowned
restaurants. Stroll past 7 th Avenue and browse the exclusive shopping or stop
into the Columbia Restaurant for a bite to eat. Step into the past at the Centennial
Park , ( 8th Avenue and 18 th Street ) which recreates a period streetscape and
has a fresh market. There is also a twenty-screen movie theatre and an interactive
playground developed by Steven Spielberg, called Game Works (1600 E 8 th Avenue).
Hotels close to Ybor City include Hyatt Regency Tampa and Amerisuites Sabel Park
. For some great fun and air conditioning
explore the Florida Aquarium (701 Channelside Drive). There are over 10,000 aquatic
animals and plants from tremendous sharks to the playful penguins. It is impossible
not to be intrigued by the world down under. There are hands on tanks where you
can touch starfish and other live friendly fish of the sea. The aquarium boasts
a brand new discovery zone for children encompassing over two acres with an outdoor
pirate ship and waterslide as well. | 
