Attractions
Ybor City
Ybor City in central Tampa, with its cobblestone streets and huge old cigar factory buildings, is a National Historic Landmark District that beckons visitors back to an era when this Latin Quarter was known as the cigar capital of the world. The historic enclave, founded in 1886, has been fully restored and although the cigar factories are no longer operational, the buildings now house shops, restaurants, clubs and art galleries drawing large numbers of visitors. It is still possible to watch locals demonstrate the ancient art of premium hand-rolled cigar making, or spend a wild night applauding Spanish Flamenco dancers.
www.ybor.org
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Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is a massive zoo-come-theme park, which predates Florida's more famous Walt Disney World and offers an equally exciting and entertaining experience for visitors. The park is based on an overall African theme, divided into eight different areas with thousands of animals living in naturalistic environments. The site also contains thrill rides, live entertainment venues, shops and restaurants, all easily viewed from above from the Skyride cable car that crosses the park. In one day it is possible to visit Tutankhamen's Tomb in Egypt, cross the plains of the Serengeti and watch snake charmers in a Moroccan sultan's tent.
McKinley Drive
1 888 800 5447
www.buschgardens.com
Opening hours vary according to the day and month, but the park is generally open daily from between 9am and 10am, closing between 5pm and 9pm; June and July opening hours are 9am to 9pm or 10pm
$57.95 (adults), $47.95 (children 3-9). Multi-day, and combination park tickets are also available
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Museum of Science and Industry
The hands-on Tampa Science Museum is designed to educate, amaze and amuse both young and old with more than 450 interactive exhibits. Visitors can, for example, experience what it is like to be in a Gulf Hurricane with winds of up to 74 miles per hour (200km/h), or defy the laws of gravity in space. The biology section features a unique way to explore the human body and stroll through a butterfly garden. Also at the museum is Florida's first IMAX dome theater, and the museum building is set in a 47-acre nature reserve which features walking trails.
4801 East Fowler Avenue
(813) 987 6100
www.mosi.org
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 7pm
$15.95 (adults), $11.95 (children 2-12), includes one IMAX film. Other concessions also available
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Tampa Museum of Art
In downtown Tampa on the east bank of the Hillsborough River, the Tampa Museum of Art houses a collection of 20th century and contemporary art, as well as a renowned collection of Greek and Roman antiquities. The complex has eight galleries and the exhibitions are changed regularly. The museum is set in a seven-acre riverfront park and has a sculpture garden.
600 N. Ashley Drive
(813) 274 8130
lanicz@tampagov.net
www.tampamuseum.com
Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm; every third Thursday 10am to 9pm; Sunday 11am to 5pm
$8 (adults), $3 (scholars). Other concessions available. Free on Saturdays 10am to 12pm, and every third Thursday 5pm to 8pm
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Henry B. Plant Museum
The Henry B. Plant Museum in the heart of downtown Tampa is designed to transport visitors back to the turn of the century. The ornate building is Moorish in design, featuring 13 silver minarets, said to be a copy of the famed Alhambra Palace in Spain, and in itself is worth a visit. Railroad tycoon Henry Plant built the edifice in 1891 as the 511-roomed Tampa Bay Hotel. Today it houses period art and furnishings from Europe and the Orient, and details via exhibits the history of the resort and the early days of the tourist industry.
401 W. Kennedy Boulevard, University of Tampa campus
(813) 254 1891
www.plantmuseum.com
Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm; Sunday 12pm to 4pm
$5 (adults), $2 (children)
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Florida Aquarium
More than 5,000 aquatic creatures, including crocodiles and moray eels, live at the three-story Florida Aquarium where it is possible to explore the underwater world in air-conditioned comfort. The aquarium utilizes behind-the-scenes tours, dive shows, audio tours, close-up animal encounters and touch-tanks to spice up the experience. There are also numerous informative and entertaining theme exhibits.
701 Channelside Drive
(813) 273 4000
www.flaquarium.org
Daily 9.30am to 5pm; closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas
$17.95 (adults), $12.95 (children 3-12). Other concessions available
