Whether you live in the Tampa Bay Area or you’re only visiting for a few days, there are plenty of sights to see and local attractions to enjoy. With all the opportunities for fun and memory-making, there’s simply no excuse for wasting your day stuck inside of your hotel room or cooped up in your apartment. Here are some of the most popular things to do in the Tampa Bay area:

Cheer on a Local Sports Team

Tampa is home of the National Football League’s 2002 Super Bowl champion Buccaneers, the National Hockey League’s 2004 Stanley Cup champion Lightning, and Major League Baseball’s American League champion Rays. The Bay Area also hosts spring training for several MLB teams, including the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and the Toronto Blue Jays. With so many professional sports teams playing in the Bay Area, you can attend a major sporting event practically any time of year.

In addition to a number of professional teams, Tampa is also home to the University of South Florida Bulls and the University of Tampa Spartans. Each school’s athletic program is highly regarded in their respective NCAA division, with USF standing out in NCAA Division I football and basketball and UT as a notable contender in NCAA Division II soccer and baseball.

Tampa is also well-known for its impressive high school football teams. The area is home to a number of FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) champion teams, including the H.B. Plant Panthers, the Armwood Hawks, and the Jefferson Dragons, to name a few.

Go Wild at Busch Gardens

If spectator sports aren’t really your thing, then perhaps amusement parks are. Tampa is home to Busch Gardens, an African-themed park full of roller coasters, live shows, and animal exhibits. Visitors can go from taking the plunge on SheiKra (Florida’s first Floorless Vertical Dive Coaster), to watching a short 3-D film starring their favorite Sesame Street characters, to observing zebras, rhinoceroses, cheetahs, gorillas, and a whole slew of other wild animals. There really is something for everyone at Busch Gardens.

Titillate Your Taste Buds

Though it’s no New York or Chicago, Tampa does have its fair share of award-winning restaurants. One of the locals’ favorite eateries is the Columbia Restaurant, Florida’s oldest continuously operated restaurant. The Columbia serves Spanish and Cuban cuisine and is well-known for its delicious sangria and mouth-watering flan. Diners can even enjoy a show by the restaurant’s flamenco dancers!

No discussion of Tampa’s eateries would be complete without mentioning Bern’s Steak House. Consistently earning a nod on various “Top 10” lists, Bern’s is world-renowned for its perfectly aged steaks and its enormous wine list. Those who visit Bern’s should be prepared to spend a pretty penny on their meal, but should also anticipate enjoying what they will likely cite as the best steak they’ve ever had.

Soak up Some Sun

If you’re in Florida, then you might as well take a trip to the beach, right? Just across Old Tampa Bay is Clearwater Beach, one of the nation’s most popular spring break attractions. The beach is lined with hotels that range from fancy to bare-bones, so one is sure to meet practically any family’s budgetary needs. There are also a ton of restaurants to choose from, including several that serve shrimp, crab, and other delicious seafood.

Whether you’re a foodie, a thrill-seeker, a sports fan, or a beach bum, you’re sure to have a great time in Tampa. By and large, the area’s residents are friendly, laidback, and willing to offer advice to tourists. So, if you’re still stumped for something to do, just ask the first friendly face you see!

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to travel.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to travel. http://www.topix.com/forum/city/tampa-fl/T6L2RM8O0ICTDU8LM

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to travel.

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