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A pirate’s life for me in Tampa Bay

TAM
25
Curated trip

Created by AAA Agent

  • Hotels5
  • Articles8
  • Points of Interest3
  • Things To Do2
  • Restaurants5
  • Videos2

Overview

Have an adventure in Tampa Bay! Ride the coasters and see wild animals at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Enjoy some interactive fun at Glazer Children's Museum. You can stay in a luxury hotel, and if you time your vacation right, have an unforgettable experience at Gasparilla when pirates invade Tampa Bay. With so many things to do, it’s no wonder Tampa Bay is one of the best places to visit in Florida.

Tampa, FL (25)

Hotels
AAA BenefitHilton Garden Inn/Tampa Ybor Historic DistrictThe hotel is conveniently located in the heart of historic Ybor City. It’s within walking distance of many of the restaurants, nightclubs and historical buildings that make this area so popular. Rooms are traditional in style and some have the added benefit of an oversized chair that converts into a twin sleeper. The inviting courtyard makes a great spot to relax after a long day of travel or visiting the local haunts. Smoke free premises. 96 units. 4 stories, interior corridors. Accessibility (Call).diamond-threeinspected-clean
HotelSeminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino TampaThe impressive property houses one of the largest casinos in the world, features pool areas with cabanas and in-pool loungers, and offers rooms with an upscale design. Food outlets are numerous. On site you will find a Gaming Room, High Limit Tables, High Limit Slots, a poker room and numerous slot machines. It’s easy to spend hours here! Take time to rent guitars, amps and headphones and enjoy lessons via a large screen television in your guest room or buy yoga equipment to enjoy a yoga class in the convenience of your room. The events center with named entertainment is a popular venue and holds 25,000 people. It can be also be used for conferences. Smoke free premises. 800 units. 12-17 stories, interior corridors. Accessibility (Call).diamond-fourinspected-clean
HotelJW Marriott Tampa Water StreetIdeally located downtown next to the Amalie Arena and the river walk, this impressive luxury hotel has contemporary rooms, a trendy lobby area and an inviting pool area with cabanas. After you enjoy the excitement of downtown Tampa, decompress by taking some time to visit the upscale spa and indulge in a bit of pampering. Smoke free premises. 519 units. 19 stories, interior corridors. Accessibility (Call).diamond-fourinspected-clean
HotelHilton Tampa DowntownThe high-rise hotel is connected to an office and shopping complex and just a short walk from several museums and the convention center. Rooms are decorated with a contemporary style. Public areas include a large tech lounge for guests’ use, expanded meeting space and an on-site coffee shop. The inviting pool area features a bar, a restaurant and it overlooks downtown Tampa. An evening stroll along the Riverwalk makes a great way to wind down your day. Smoke free premises. 520 units. 17 stories, interior corridors. Accessibility (Call).diamond-threeinspected-clean
HotelGrand Hyatt Tampa BayNext to a protected salt marsh, this hotel is spread across 35 acres of lushly landscaped grounds overlooking Old Tampa Bay. Rooms types vary, but all offer either city or bay views. There are 44 casitas located within a tranquil area of the grounds. If you are feeling energetic, get some exercise on a bike, kayak or a paddle board. There is a boardwalk that leads down through the marsh to the water where you can watch all forms of wildlife frolicking. Smoke free premises. 442 kitchen units. 13 stories, interior/exterior corridors. Accessibility (Call).diamond-fourinspected-clean
Articles
ARTICLEBest Attractions In Tampa In a city with dozens of attractions, you may have trouble deciding exactly what to do. Here are the highlights for this destination, as chosen by AAA editors. GEMs are “Great Experiences for Members.”
ARTICLEBest Restaurants In Tampa Our favorites include some of this destination's best local restaurants—from fine dining to simple fare.
ARTICLETampa In 3 Days Three days is barely enough time to get to know any major destination. But AAA travel editors suggest these activities to make the most of your time in Tampa.
ARTICLETampa Nightlife Evening options in Tampa range from weekday happy-hour get-togethers at numerous local restaurants and bars to full-out weekend partying at velvet-rope dance clubs in Ybor City. Or maybe you’d prefer an evening of mellow jazz, twangy country sounds or high-energy pop music. Tampa’s eclectic nightlife scene appeals to everyone.
ARTICLETampa Sightseeing Bus and Van Travel Tours With its scenic views of Hillsborough Bay, 4.5-mile-long Bayshore Boulevard is not only a popular walking and exercise area for residents but also a preferred driving destination. Among the beautiful residential neighborhoods to explore are Davis Islands, built on three man-made islands in the 1920s, and historic Hyde Park.
ARTICLETampa Travel With Kids Under 13 With more than interactive exhibits on topics including space, physics and robotics, MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry) (4801 E. Fowler Ave.) has fun things for kids and adults alike. They can immerse themselves in space at the planetarium and the simulated moon base, and then tackle the ropes course.
ARTICLEWhat To Do In Tampa Guide the family on a safari through Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (3000 E. Busch Blvd.). You'll be transported to the countries and landscapes of Africa the moment you walk through the arches of this extraordinary 335-acre animal preserve and theme park.
DESTINATIONTampa Historical preservation and a good measure of civic pride have contributed to a cultural richness that makes Tampa comparable in Florida to Miami. Consider vibrant, historic Ybor City, birthplace of Tampa's cigar industry and now its hot-hot-hot Latin-infused nightspot. For fun things to do, there is an eclectic mix of art, history and science museums that inspire adults and children to explore new horizons together while having loads of fun.
Points of Interest
POINT OF INTERESTBusch Gardens Tampa BayTampa’s Busch Gardens combines the thrills of a theme park—replete with myriad roller coasters, ziplines, a white rapids ride, and other rides—with the wonder of a zoo, including more than 12,000 animals from 300 different species. Across its 335 acres (136 hectares), the Africa-themed park also hosts live performances for the whole family.
POINT OF INTERESTThe Florida AquariumLocated in downtown Tampa between two cruise ship terminals and along the free streetcar route, The Florida Aquarium houses more than 9,000 animals within a 200,000-square-foot (18,500-square-meter) facility in Tampa Bay. The entire family will enjoy this aquarium, which offers nine unique habitats, an outside water adventure zone for children, and on-site café with indoor and outdoor seating.
POINT OF INTERESTMuseum of Science and Industry (MOSI)The Museum of Science and Industry, known as MOSI, is an imaginative space designed for curiosity and interaction. Opened in 1982, it’s about 10 miles (16 kilometers) outside of Tampa and two blocks from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Its IMAX center was removed recently, but the museum still boasts hundreds of immersive permanent exhibits.
Things To Do
From $30
THING TO DO

Downtown Tampa Historic Walking Tour

From 1 hour to 2 hours

See the historic site of Fort Brooke, where Presidents Andrew Jackson and Zachary Taylor would fight the Seminoles in th...

From $89
THING TO DO

Historic Ybor City Food Walking Tour

3 hours

Experience the delights of Ybor City with 4-6 food tastings and one drink sample of our staple drink in Tampa called Caf...

Restaurants
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RESTAURANTHula Bay Club Waterfront Bar & GrillThis casual option is perfect for a meal with a big group or a quick lunch. Yummy conch fritters are a great way to start your meal; coated with a tasty breading and stuffed with fresh conch. The Loco Moco is a tasty option based on a Hawaiian dish: panko-crusted and fried coconut rice topped with a burger patty, brown gravy and a runny fried egg. There’s truly something on the menu for everyone, ranging from tacos to shrimp scampi to a variety of signature sushi rolls.diamond-approved
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RESTAURANTRooster & The TillThis trendy and appealing restaurant has been a popular spot since 2013. They are known for their small plates that are paired with red and white wines. Chef prepared dishes of crispy cobia collar, lamb neck, fried quail, chicken fried grouper cheeks, gnocchi with short ribs, and foie gras are creatively presented. Desserts include a tasty walnut chiffon with cheeesecake cream and carrot gelato.diamond-three
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RESTAURANTBern's Steak HouseSteak, Seafood, DessertThe local landmark is a popular destination, and the restaurant has been family owned and operated for decades. Not only is the establishment elegant and unique in décor, it is also well known for its fresh, aged beef and appealing selection of seafood, which includes caviar. The noteworthy wine selection ensures you’ll find a perfect pairing for your meal. Service is refined and, though this is a great spot for anyone to dine, the atmosphere can easily be considered romantic as well.diamond-three
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RESTAURANTColumbia Restaurant - Ybor CitySpanish, CubanEstablished in 1905, the long-standing and popular family-owned restaurant serves satisfying Spanish and Cuban dishes. My favorite is the crispy empanadas which make a good start. For your entrée try the flavorful Ropa Vieja or the Chicken Salteado. Delicious flan and white chocolate bread pudding are listed on the dessert menu. Dining rooms are expansive and ornate. For a small charge, Flamenco shows are featured nightly, excluding Sundays.diamond-three
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RESTAURANTMise en PlaceThe elegant, contemporary restaurant is a huge draw for those celebrating special occasions, and it’s also a great date night option. Menu selections are expertly created and include American Red Snapper, duck breast the the Mise burger. The charcuterie board makes a good place to start and to end, select a satisfying dessert such as the white chocolate hazelnut praline cheesecake or the seasonal sorbet.diamond-three
Videos
VideoTampa, FL
VideoBest things to see and do in Tampa, Florida
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