Things to do with a few extra hours in Tampa

[blrgrl]

We will be cruising Legend in June. We will debark in the a.m. but our flight home isn't until later in the evening. We were thinking of dropping off our luggage and bumming around Tampa for a few hours but we know nothing about Tampa. Is there anything interesting to do see in a 5-6 hour time frame?

[tampabaytom]

take the trolly to ybor and have lunch

[tampabaytom]

take the trolley to ybor and have lunch

[SoCalKJ]

...if you don't mind making a donation to the Seminole Tribe.:rolleyes:

[jwalk03]

...if you don't mind making a donation to the Seminole Tribe.:rolleyes:

 

The Hard Rock Casino is a pretty cool place to spend a few hours. The Hard Rock Cafe located inside is one of my favorites!

[cruiser gilly]

There is a very special dolphin that lives at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, her name is Winter. A wonderful movie, "Dolphin Tale", tells the story of how she arrived here. Winter and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium inspire millions. Do not expect a "Sea World" experience---this is so much more!

 

Approximately 45 minutes from Tampa.

[Kstofflet]

Just next to the port of Tampa is the Florida Aquarium. They also offer dolphin watch tours (that's if you want to venture back on a boat). There are also two malls next to Tampa International Airport. International Plaza has a variety of restaurants + shopping. Restaurants such as The Pub, cheesecake factory, California Pizza Kitchen, Capital Grill, Bar Louie, BRIO, etc. Then there is Westshore Plaza - the malls are apprx 1 mile from each other. Westshore also has a variety of restaurants.... Seasons 52, PF changs, Mitchells Seafood, Maggianos, Grimaldis Pizzeria, etc. You could always kill time at IKEA - IKEA seems to be a HUGE time suck as you will waste 3 hours if you walk the whole store. IKEA is maybe 2 miles from the Port. If you want the local flavors then head to the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City (near IKEA). And as an honorable mention - the Casino - Hard Rock. However, if you have children under age, then this would not be an option. They also have a variety of restaurants.

Edited May 17, 2014 by Kstofflet

[SkyMaster]

All of the ideas above are excellent. Another spot to consider is "Museum of Science and Industry", which is in North Tampa, near the University of South Florida, and perhaps 5 or 6 miles from the port. Lots of very interesting things to see and do there, and the displays change from time to time, so if you're considering MOSI, look it up on line to see what's there at the time you wish to visit. :cool:

Clearwater Beach is very nice, but nearly impossible to find a place to park if you're driving.

Lots of other attractions, and interesting places to visit in the area.

WELCOME!

 

"SKY"

[keystonemama]

http://www.flaquarium.org/

 

http://www.mosi.org/

 

http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/

 

http://buschgardens.com/

 

http://www.weekiwachee.com/

 

http://www.yborcityonline.com/upcoming-events/springtime-in-ybor-city

 

Or get back on a yacht and have Sunday Brunch!

 

http://www.yachtstarship.com/

[travelgarn]

Kind of a side note. But when we did Alaska last year out of Seattle we had sort of the same issue. Best thing we did was Luggage Express...we paid a little extra and they took our checked luggage on the last night of the cruise - we then did nothing else til we arrived at our home airport and picked up our luggage. It was great. We hung around Seattle for a few hours without having to be bothered by our luggage.

 

DJ

[janette34]

There is a place right next to the terminal that will store your luggage and sells discounted tickets to the aquarium. I can't remember what we paid for luggage storage but it was very reasonable. The aquarium was fun and we probably spent 2 or 3 hours there.

[SeaPA1]

www.eboatstampa.com

 

They are located by the convention center, a short walk from the port. They rent boats that are powered by electric motor; boats are clean & comfortable. You can take a little cruise around Tampa & get a view of it from out on the water, a view most visitors never get to see. Putz around, check out the nice waterfront homes, then slide around the downtown point & go up the river for lunch & a cold beer at Ricks on the River.

[mom4mom]

There is a place right next to the terminal that will store your luggage and sells discounted tickets to the aquarium. I can't remember what we paid for luggage storage but it was very reasonable. The aquarium was fun and we probably spent 2 or 3 hours there.

 

Someone on my Roll Call board told me that the Aquarium will store your luggage for free as long as you pick it up before 3pm.

[aria48]

There is a place right next to the terminal that will store your luggage and sells discounted tickets to the aquarium. I can't remember what we paid for luggage storage but it was very reasonable. The aquarium was fun and we probably spent 2 or 3 hours there.

 

FWIW, The aquarium is 2 for $29 if you are going before June 30: http://flsave.com/flaquarium

Wish I could use the deal, but I won't be getting back to Tampa until the fall.

[url=http://flsave.com/flaquarium][/url]