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All Articles for : Tampa
Join the Party at the Outback Pro-Am
George Lopez was teamed up with Fuzzy Zoeller and the one-liners were flying all day. George spent plenty of time talking and joking with the crowd.
Tags: Tampa, golf, sports,
Happy Campers: Florida Summer Kids' Camps
The kids may learn how to walk a tightrope, swim with dolphins or launch a space mission. But surely after a summer in Florida, they’ll impress their teachers with the fall assignment on “How I Spent My Summer Vacation.”
Tags: family, Kennedy_Space_Center, Titusville, Panama_City_Beach, nature, Tampa, Busch_Gardens, St_Augustine, Miami, aquariums, resorts, Naples, Amelia_Island, sports, Orlando,
Theme Parks: Tampa
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is known for animal attractions such as Rhino Rally that offers an off-road adventure through the wilds of Africa.
Tags: Tampa, theme_parks, Busch_Gardens, driving_tours, Tours_on_a_Tankful, water_parks,
Tampa and Beyond
A good place to take in the colorful overview of the area is at the Tampa Bay History Center, a regional history museum of the area's rich culture and diverse heritage.
Tags: Tampa, driving_tours, Tours_on_a_Tankful, Ybor_City,
A Ring of Circus Attractions
Lake Placid, a town of about 2,000 residents set in Highlands County in the south-central part of Florida, claims to have the most clowns per capita of any town in the state.
Tags: theater, Lake_Placid, Tampa, Tallahassee,
Kayak Trails Across Florida
For two days, we didn’t see another soul, our only companions the occasional white-tailed deer that would wander down to the river to drink.
Tags: canoeing, kayaking, trails, Tampa, Apalachicola, Suwannee, Fort_Myers,
There's No Place Like Home
It has always been a dream of mine to swim with dolphins, so we packed up and headed south to the Miami Seaquarium, which offers dolphin swim programs at its newly renovated, $5-million Dolphin Harbor.
Tags: family, aquariums, St_Petersburg, wildlife, sealife, nature, Tampa, Clearwater, Miami,
Florida Shopping, Nightlife and Luxury
When I want to become part of the entertainment, I often check out Miami’s Studio, the biggest karaoke club in the world with more than 22,000 songs in 20 languages.
Tags: shopping, nightlife, music, hotels, Daytona_Beach, Tampa, Panama_City, Miami, antiques, Lakeland, Mount_Dora, St_Petersburg, Naples, South_Beach, Sarasota, luxury,
Lions and Lessons: Teaching Kids About Wildlife Conservation
All in one place, we saw tigers, snow leopards, ocelots, Geoffrey cats, jungle cats, bobcats, cougars, lynx, servals, carcals and lions. Each cat has his or her own story.
Tags: wildlife, family, Tampa, Busch_Gardens, nature, zoos, tours,
Florida's Grand Dames
The 1920s ushered in the golden years. Stocks were high, dresses were short and Florida grew some of its most regal hotels.
Tags: hotels, resorts, history, historical_sites, Mount_Dora, St_Augustine, Clearwater, Palm_Beach, Apalachicola, Charlotte_Harbor, Sebring, Key_West, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Tampa, Coral_Gables, Delray_Beach, Boca_Raton, Clewiston, St_Pete_Beach,
Classic Florida Rides
The Haunted Mansion has been there since before opening day. Because parts for the Florida ride were built alongside the Disneyland original, the attraction was ready six months before the rest of the park.
Tags: Winter_Haven, theme_parks, Walt_Disney_World, Lake_Buena_Vista, Orlando, Universal_Studios, Kissimmee, Tampa, Daytona_Beach, St_Augustine,
Tampa Bay: A Cultural Hotspot
After sundown, Ybor City transforms into a fun-filled retreat for adults, offering some of the area's best nightlife and venues for live jazz, blues, salsa and reggae.
Tags: Tampa, culture, Ybor_City, museums, art,
A Zoo Without Bars
Quickly, I grabbed Mo by the arm and spun him around. His face immediately lit up. “I don’t believe it – it’s a panther,” he whispered.
Tags: nature, wildlife, parks, Egmont_Key, St_Petersburg, Everglades_National_Park, Tampa, Ocala, Okeechobee,
Winter Wonderland
With flame-red bougainvillea and hibiscus blossoms, green coconut palms hung with oversized bulbs and mistletoe draped in cypress trees, Florida flora puts on its own holiday display.
Tags: Walt_Disney_World, events, Orlando, theme_parks, Fort_Lauderdale, Sanibel_Island, Captiva_Island, Delray_Beach, Fort_Myers, St_Augustine, Vero_Beach, Sarasota, Ponte_Vedra_Beach, Jacksonville, Tampa, Busch_Gardens, Lake_Buena_Vista,
Seven Countries in Seven Days
Delray’s rugged Atlantic coastline offers a distinctly international vibe, complemented by authentic treats like weiner schnitzel and sour cabbage soup served in meticulously decorated surrounds.
Tags: St_Augustine, Tarpon_Springs, culture, Ybor_City, Tampa, Anna_Maria_Island, Delray_Beach, Miami, South_Beach, Boca_Raton, dining,
Go Dog, Go!
St. Pete Beach’s Don CeSar, the region’s signature 1928 pink palace, allows dogs, and even performs doggie massages.
Tags: Tampa, Winter_Park, Miami_Beach, Key_West, beaches, parks, resorts, hotels, bed_and_breakfasts, Beaches_of_South_Walton, Dunedin, St_Pete_Beach, St_George_Island, Pensacola, dining,
Bohemian Revival
The Globe Coffee Lounge, with its mishmash of retro decor, board games, J.J. Walker poster and miscellany kitsch, is the quintessential artists’ coffee bar, attracting all ages.
Tags: St_Petersburg, Dunedin, Tampa, Ybor_City, shopping, culture, dining,
Off the Beaten Path
In the 1800s, Florida was an open range with no fences, so the great herds of cattle - some with as many as 50,000 head - roamed freely.
Tags: Kissimmee, Ocala, Tampa, history, historical_sites, parks, Homosassa,
Generation M (for Museum Going)
Imagine leaving your home forever to travel halfway around the world and battle the enemy in a strange land of alligators and dark-skinned giants.
Tags: Boca_Raton, Boynton_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Fort_Myers, Homestead, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Marathon, Miami, Naples, Palm_Beach, Pensacola, Ponce_Inlet, Sanibel_Island, Sarasota, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa, West_Palm_Beach, Panama_City, museums, family, St_Augustine, aquariums,
Florida's Smaller Marine Attractions
With a microscopic admission, you'll have plenty of spending money to rent a surrey for a family bike ride, grab a bite at one of the Pier's many restaurants or take something home from one of its souvenir shops.
Tags: Bradenton, Fort_Walton_Beach, Islamorada, Key_Largo, Miami, Orlando, Panama_City_Beach, Tallahassee, Tampa, sealife, aquariums, family, St_Petersburg,
Backcountry Slam
Although that tarpon and I dueled for nearly 30 minutes, in the end no damage was done on either side of the line. And I was now more than half the way to my Backcountry Slam.
Tags: Cocoa, Cocoa_Beach, Islamorada, Key_Largo, Marco_Island, Naples, Tampa, fishing, Homosassa,
Water World
If you'll pardon the pun, there's something totally cool about a Florida water park that's designed to look like a ski resort.
Tags: Clearwater, Crystal_River, Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, White_Springs, water_parks, family, Busch_Gardens, zoos, aquariums, museums, Lake_Buena_Vista, Universal_Studios, SeaWorld, High_Springs, nature, Walt_Disney_World,
Country Club Casual on Ponte Vedra Beach
Huge, rolling sand dunes and sweeping natural views make this a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
Tags: Ponte_Vedra_Beach, golf, Tampa, resorts, hotels,
Parrot Heads
This is a place of bikini tops and Bloody Marys for breakfast. Where the talk is about fishing, the weather and what port of call is next.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Fort_Lauderdale, Gulf_Breeze, Key_West, Marco_Island, Miami, Miami_Beach, Naples, Nokomis, Panama_City_Beach, Pensacola, Ponce_Inlet, Sarasota, South_Beach, St_Pete_Beach, Tampa, Venice, nightlife, beaches, resorts, hotels, dining,
Natural Beaches
If you count all bays and inlets - where you'll find the "secret" sandy getaways usually known only to locals - Florida has nearly 8,500 miles of shoreline.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Apalachicola, Cape_San_Blas, Fernandina_Beach, Grayton_Beach, Key_West, Pensacola, Ponce_Inlet, Ponte_Vedra_Beach, beaches, nature, wildlife, sealife, birding, camping, St_Augustine, parks, Florida_Keys, Tampa, New_Smyrna_Beach,
Malls with Style
International Plaza & Bay Street boasts the only Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom in western Florida and 200 designer and specialty boutiques, many exclusive to the area.
Tags: Fort_Lauderdale, Orlando, Palm_Beach, Sandestin, Sarasota, Tampa, Winter_Park, shopping, dining,
Boys of Spring
Among the legends who roamed the field were Babe Ruth, Dizzy Dean and many others you may be able to recall from years past.
Tags: Bradenton, Daytona_Beach, Fort_Myers, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Lake_Buena_Vista, Lakeland, Miami, Orlando, Palm_Beach, Tampa, Vero_Beach, West_Palm_Beach, sports, St_Petersburg, Walt_Disney_World,
Florida's Retro Theme Parks
Many of the rides are highly embellished versions of rides you might see at the state fair - scrambler, Ferris wheel, Tilt-O-Whirl, bumper cars.
Tags: Homestead, Islamorada, Key_West, Orlando, Pensacola, Tampa, St_Augustine, museums, nature, theme_parks, water_parks, gardens, St_Petersburg, wildlife, zoos, aquariums, sealife,
Tracing Florida's Native American History
De Soto's army left no monuments or headstones to mark their passing. But the De Soto National Memorial, located where the conquistador is believed to have come ashore, captures this moment in history that would ultimately shape the great European nation's role in "La Florida."
Tags: Bradenton, Charlotte_Harbor, Crystal_River, Estero, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Tampa, history, historical_sites, museums, culture,
Music to Our Ears
All around the state, musical organizations recognize the need to build audiences.
Tags: Amelia_Island, Clearwater, Cocoa_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Fort_Myers, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Key_West, Lake_Wales, Lakeland, Miami, Miami_Beach, Mount_Dora, Naples, Ocala, Orlando, Palm_Beach, Pensacola, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, music, St_Petersburg, Melbourne,
Family Must-Sees
Your kids will be kissed and hugged by dolphins and sea lions respectively at Theater of the Sea in Islamorada.
Tags: Clearwater, Crystal_River, Fort_Myers, Gainesville, Islamorada, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Marianna, New_Smyrna_Beach, Orlando, Palm_Beach, Pensacola, Tampa, Venice, West_Palm_Beach, Winter_Haven, Walt_Disney_World, SeaWorld, Universal_Studios, Busch_Gardens, Kennedy_Space_Center, museums, wildlife, sealife, family, Siesta_Key, Fort_Walton_Beach, theme_parks, zoos, water_parks, aquariums, Everglades_National_Park, Daytona_Beach,
Big, Bad Bass
Anglers who fish the Suwannee fall in love with its cypress swamps and spring-fed creeks. From its headwaters in "The Swamp" to the wide flood plain near its mouth, the Suwannee's scenery seems to evolve every 30 miles.
Tags: Cedar_Key, Crystal_River, DeLand, Gainesville, Kissimmee, Lake_Placid, Lake_Wales, Ocala, Palatka, Panama_City_Beach, Stuart, Suwannee, Tampa, Tarpon_Springs, Vero_Beach, fishing, events,
Four If By Sea
By sunset we were dining on gourmet seafood dinners to the tune of live tropical music, the magnificent homes illuminated like Christmas trees beneath a Cheshire moon. The perfect ending to a week of saltwater voyages.
Tags: Clearwater, Egmont_Key, St_Pete_Beach, Tampa, boating, kayaking, cruises,
Carefree Cruising
Adults can escape to the top deck to mingle, spot dolphins and check the progress of the 125 passenger, engine-powered boat.
Tags: Clearwater, Clearwater_Beach, St_Pete_Beach, Tampa, beaches, cruises, tours, boating, St_Petersburg, fishing,
Top Florida Biker Events
Biketoberfest is Daytona Beach's autumn counterpart to Bike Week. The crowds aren't as overwhelming as the city's spring event, but Biketoberfest is every bit as much fun.
Tags: Daytona_Beach, Gainesville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Ybor_City, motorcycling, events,
Biking the West Coast
Henry Ford, the man behind the Model T, visited Edison's Fort Myers home in 1915 and liked the area so much, he returned the following year to purchase his own home.
Tags: Bradenton, Cedar_Key, Fort_Myers, Longboat_Key, Naples, Sarasota, Tampa, Venice, motorcycling, historical_sites, museums,
Flights of Fancy
Exhibits, tours and lectures span 100 years of aviation history.
Tags: Cocoa, Tampa, Titusville, Kennedy_Space_Center, museums, flight,
Cultural Celebrations
Where else can you hear Scottish bagpipes and an oompah band belting out polka tunes, while snacking on spicy Thai treats or a German sausage?
Tags: Bartow, Coconut_Grove, Eatonville, Jacksonville, Key_West, Miami, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, culture, events, history, festival, music,
Downtown Tampa: Past and Future Rolled into One
Amazingly, it seems I've been transported to another era. Lamps lit with Edison filament bulbs, courting chairs and flocked wallpaper still decorate the resort.
Tags: Tampa, Ybor_City, museums, theater, culture,
Absolutely Famous
The feeling is reinforced as I pass smiling employees in the Don CeSar's hallways. "Good day," each one says, making me feel like the First Lady.
Tags: Clearwater, St_Pete_Beach, Tampa, resorts, spas,
B&B Beautiful
The Colonial Revival home is so stunning that passing cars slow down to see it. And though it's three blocks from busy Main Street, we heard nothing but songbirds during our stay.
Tags: Bartow, Lake_Wales, Lakeland, Orlando, Tampa, bed_and_breakfasts, parks, hotels, museums, historical_sites, romance, weddings,
Family Reunions 101
We dined on fresh grilled grouper, huge burgers, jerk chicken wings and arguably the best conch fritters in the United States.
Tags: Clearwater, Egmont_Key, St_Pete_Beach, Tampa, family, reunions, resorts, beaches,
Florida in Flight
Florida's 320 days of sunshine a year are perfect for tasting the sweet, delirious freedom that is human flight.
Tags: Kissimmee, Lakeland, Tampa, flight, Kennedy_Space_Center, family, museums,
Exploring Estuaries: Indian River Lagoon and Charlotte Harbor
I'm startled from my historical reverie by some movement in the grass. Could I be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the threatened Atlantic salt marsh snake?
Tags: Charlotte_Harbor, Cocoa, Cocoa_Beach, Merritt_Island, New_Smyrna_Beach, Tampa, kayaking, wildlife, parks, nature,
Estuary Adventures in Tampa Bay
The island, a major seabird nesting area with plenty of human history as well, can be reached with an hour of hard paddling.
Tags: Egmont_Key, Tampa, wildlife, fishing, canoeing, historical_sites, parks, kayaking, hiking, St_Petersburg, nature,
St. Petersburg, Dunedin and Ybor City
Downtown St. Petersburg's streets are lined by more than a hundred cafes, restaurants and eateries, two dozen fine galleries and Mediterranean-style architectural treasures, including the historic open-air U.S. Post Office, still in operation today.
Tags: Clearwater, Dunedin, Tampa, Ybor_City, historic_districts, parks, driving_tours,
Adventure For All Ages in St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Make sure you save some time to explore the Pier 60 area, with its giant inflatable slides, bungee-harness rides and huge playground.
Tags: Clearwater_Beach, Indian_Shores, Madeira_Beach, St_Pete_Beach, Tampa, beaches, family, aquariums, water_sports,
Florida's Lighthouse Trail
Through its lifetime, this lighthouse was hit several times by Union forces across the bay at Fort Pickens, sustained lightening strikes, and even the Charleston Earthquake of 1886 and a tornado, but the structure held firm and is now operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Tags: Daytona_Beach, Egmont_Key, Key_West, Pensacola, Tampa, lighthouses, driving_tours, Key_Biscayne, St_Augustine,
Secrets of the Shoreline
The scenery offers jungle-like surrounding where you and your family can swim with manatees, soak up the sunshine, hunt for fossils, or picnic on white-sand beaches.
Tags: Bradenton, Longboat_Key, Sarasota, Tampa, nature, tours, canoeing, wildlife,
Trail of Florida's Indian Heritage
Our archaeological heritage is a legacy that we are privileged to experience and obligated to protect. It is a link to people and cultures that are mostly extinct, as well as to the vibrant native cultures of the present.
Tags: Bradenton, Brooksville, Clewiston, Crystal_River, Gainesville, Sarasota, Tampa, Weeki_Wachee, tours, St_Petersburg, museums, history, historical_sites, driving_tours,
Fort De Soto: Fortified with Fun
It's that soft sand - the color of powdered sugar - and azure blue water that beckons many, but don't stop there.
Tags: Clearwater, St_Pete_Beach, Tampa, parks, beaches,
City Profile: Brandon
See the balloons lift off at dawn, enjoy activities and refreshments throughout the day and stay for the evening balloon glow.
Tags: Tampa,
City Profile: Tampa
The Tampa Museum of Art and the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center offer rotating exhibits and a stunning season of performing arts.
Tags: Tampa, Ybor_City,
Theme Parks: Orlando
SeaWorld's animal interactions are as intense as ever with "Sharks Deep Dive", the park's most daring animal interaction program where guests don wetsuits and either snorkel or scuba dive in a large shark cage for an unforgettable encounter with more than 50 sharks.
Tags: Orlando, Tampa, theme_parks, Walt_Disney_World, SeaWorld, water_parks, dolphins, wildlife, Tours_on_a_Tankful, driving_tours,
Cuban Heritage
Here you'll find exotic fruit stands, Cuban bakeries and casual sidewalk cafes where you can sample Cuban cuisine.
Tags: Key_West, Miami, Miami_Beach, Tampa, Ybor_City, history, historic_districts, museums, driving_tours,
Neighborhood Attractions in Orlando, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale
Fish from the pier. Whack volleyballs in the very capital of beach volleyball. Play on the covered playground. Rent water toys. Relax with a good book.
Tags: Clearwater, Clearwater_Beach, Dania_Beach, Fort_Lauderdale, Hollywood, Kissimmee, Orlando, Tampa, family, beaches, aquariums, museums, parks,
Kitesurfing: Riding Florida's Wind and Waves
. . . unlike windsurfing, where the most fun and difficult maneuvers take a long time to learn, the thrills of kiteboarding are immediate.
Tags: Tampa, water_sports, sports,
Art Safari
Thousands of visitors go to St. Petersburg specifically to pay homage to this eccentric artist and to explore in depth his amazing vision of the world. And with so many of his great works to appreciate, take your time and dally a little.
Tags: Boca_Raton, Fort_Lauderdale, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Miami, Miami_Beach, Ocala, Orlando, Palm_Beach, Tallahassee, Tampa, West_Palm_Beach, art, museums, St_Petersburg, Sarasota,