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Courtesy of Tampa Theatre

Tampa Performing ArtsTampa's spectrum of performing arts encompasses blockbuster Broadway musicals, symphony and chamber music concerts, children's shows and holiday spectaculars. Its keystone is the 335,000-square-foot David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, the largest facility of its kind south of Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center. On the east bank of the Hillsborough River in downtown, the center plays host to a great variety of cultural things to do at its venues: the 2,610-seat Carol Morsani Hall; 1,042-seat Ferguson Hall; 268-seat Jaeb Theater; and 130-seat Shimberg Playhouse. Phone (813) 229-7827 or (800) 955-1045 for schedule, ticket information and group travel accomodations regarding each of these venues.

The MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre welcomes 20,000 visitors for big name acts. Featuring both a lawn and covered seats, the venue hosts events and performances just the Florida State Fairgrounds at 4802 US Hwy. 301. Phone (813) 740-2446.

To learn about all the great things to do this weekend, grab a free copy of Creative Loafing, or the Tampa Bay Times, which are available throughout the city. The publications are filled with local news features; sections on where to eat, theater, film and music; and listings of upcoming events.

Film Downtown's 1,500-seat Tampa Theatre, a restored 1926 movie palace at 711 N. Franklin St., is a great spot to catch foreign films, cult movies, Hollywood classics and occasional concerts, especially if you're looking for unique things to do as a couple. Tours of the historic building also are offered; phone (813) 274-8981.

MusicBarbthebuilder / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
A full season of symphonic presentations is brought to the area by the Florida Orchestra Inc. and by local dance companies. Performances take place at David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts; phone (727) 892-3337 or (800) 662-7286 for ticket and schedule information.

Works for voice are presented by the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, (813) 974-7726 and Tampa Oratorio Singers, (813) 666-5942. Performance locations vary.

Theater Broadway and off-Broadway theater plays are a big hit. The Carrollwood Players, 4333 Gunn Hwy. is a little-theater group presenting a variety of productions; phone (813) 265-4000. Comedies, musical revues and stage readings are offered at The Gorilla Theatre, 4419 N. Hubert Ave.; phone (813) 879-2914.

David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts' Shimberg Playhouse features local performing companies and improvisational groups, and the cozy Jaeb Theater presents plays and cabaret shows. The Broadway series brings the best of Broadway to Carol Morsani Hall. Phone the performing arts center at (813) 229-7827 before your trip.

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Tampa, FL

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Travel Information

City Population

352,957

Elevation

27 ft.

Sales Tax

Sales tax is 8.5 percent in Hillsborough and 7 percent in Pasco County. An accommodations tax is 6 percent in Hillsborough County and 5 percent in Pasco County.

Emergency

911

Police (non-emergency)

(813) 231-6130; Sheriff (813) 247-8200

Fire (non-emergency)

(813) 274-7011

Hospitals

AdventHealth Carrollwood, (813) 932-2222; AdventHealth Tampa, (813) 971-6000; Memorial Hospital of Tampa, (813) 873-6400; Tampa General, (813) 844-7000.

Visitor Information

201 N. Franklin St., Suite 102 Tampa, FL 33602. Phone:(813)226-2752 or (800)448-2672

Air Travel

Commercial domestic and international flights entering Tampa land at Tampa International Airport (TPA). Several commercial airlines and private planes use St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE). Private and corporate planes have access to Albert Whitted Airport (SPG) in St. Petersburg and Peter O. Knight Airport (TPF) in Tampa.

Rental Cars

Hertz, which offers discounts to AAA members, is at the car rental center at Tampa International Airport, (813) 874-3232; St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, (727) 532-4801; and at St. Pete Beach, (727) 360-1631; or phone (800) 654-3080.

Rail Service

Tampa's Amtrak station is at 601 N. Nebraska Ave. in downtown Tampa, behind historic Union Station. Daily service is offered; phone (813) 221-7600 or (800) 872-7245. Bus service to Union Station is available via HART routes 9, 12 and 400; phone (813) 254-4278.

Buses

Greyhound Lines Inc. is at 610 E. Polk St. in Tampa; phone (813) 229-2174.

Taxis

Major companies include United Cab Co., (813) 777-7777, and Yellow Cab Co., (813) 253-0121.

Public Transportation

HART serves Tampa and its immediate suburbs, including shopping malls and area attractions. Service also includes the TECO Line Streetcar System, which makes 11 stops along a 2.7-mile track between downtown Tampa and Ybor City. For HART bus and streetcar fares and schedules, phone (813) 254-4278.

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