Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

[mehcky]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

Well...Since your coming from 22 degree weather...it may not be as cold to you as it is to me (I was in a jacket yesterday when it was 66 in the am). But ..it is right there with Buffalo as far as cold rinks go....

 

[walrus]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

Well...Since your coming from 22 degree weather...it may not be as cold to you as it is to me (I was in a jacket yesterday when it was 66 in the am). But ..it is right there with Buffalo as far as cold rinks go....

Its 50 out. heat wave. 66 I would not have a coat on, that for sure, probably have shorts on also

 

[jmh]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

Pretty sure you can get rays tickets any time.

Keep in mind: the only Rays game timed conveniently for a lot of us is Opening Day, Friday afternoon against the Yankees (the Saturday game is a night game, during the NCAA championship game, and the Sunday game is probably later than a lot of us will be leaving town), so in this particular case, the general "good seats still available" guideline does not apply. I just checked on Ticketmaster and there are no pairs (or larger quantities) available in any price range (didn't go through and check singles too), though, as you would imagine, there are thousands of tickets available on StubHub, many of them under $50.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Keep in mind: the only Rays game timed conveniently for a lot of us is Opening Day, Friday afternoon against the Yankees (the Saturday game is a night game, during the NCAA championship game, and the Sunday game is probably later than a lot of us will be leaving town), so in this particular case, the general "good seats still available" guideline does not apply. I just checked on Ticketmaster and there are no pairs (or larger quantities) available in any price range (didn't go through and check singles too), though, as you would imagine, there are thousands of tickets available on StubHub, many of them under $50.

If anybody needs a baseball fix and will be in Tampa Wednesday afternoon, the Yankees host the Mets in their final spring training game.

 

[mehcky]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

Tampa Times Forum update...
I went to the Lightning game last night and had lower bowl seats (Im usually in the 2nd or 3rd level)..The temp is actually very comfortabke if your in the lower bowl (apparently the AC blowers must be from the roof)...So shorts/flip flops/beachwear should be just fine if your sitting there...

 

[walrus]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

Tampa Times Forum update...
I went to the Lightning game last night and had lower bowl seats (Im usually in the 2nd or 3rd level)..The temp is actually very comfortabke if your in the lower bowl (apparently the AC blowers must be from the roof)...So shorts/flip flops/beachwear should be just fine if your sitting there...

I'm in the lower bowl so thanks

 

[rtshark]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

Posted over in the D1 forum and someone was kind enough to direct me over here. I am a Tampa Bay area resident and a season ticket holder to the Lightning. I know the area and the arena pretty well. I thought I would offer up help to those who have questions about either the area or the arena.

 

[rtshark]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

Tampa Times Forum update...
I went to the Lightning game last night and had lower bowl seats (Im usually in the 2nd or 3rd level)..The temp is actually very comfortabke if your in the lower bowl (apparently the AC blowers must be from the roof)...So shorts/flip flops/beachwear should be just fine if your sitting there...

I think they keep the arena about 65 or so. They did major HVAC work over the offseason and the building does stay much cooler than it was in previous years. Being a Floridian I usually wear jeans and a hockey jersey over a t-shirt and am comfortable. I have gone to games in shorts and flops, but find that a bit chilly. Those of you from up north may find it perfect though.

 

[rtshark]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

Some other options that might be less famous than Siesta Key (which is definitely worth checking out)

If you don't want uber touristy, you can head a few miles south of Tampa (excuse to drive the Sunshine Skyway over Tampa Bay) and hit the barrier islands West of Sarasota/Bradenton. Anna Maria Island is downright homey. Longboat Key is $$$$, but it probably maximizes your odds of running into Anna Kournikova in a bathing suit (several tennis celebs hang out there. It's close to Bolletieri's academy in Bradenton).

Sarasota Beach / Lido Beach is decent, and St. Armand's Key (adjacent) is home to the best breakfast shop (Blue Dolphin Cafe) I've ever visited south of the Country (Aroostook, for the non-Mainers).

Warning: The drive to any of these (Siesta, St Armands, Longboat, Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria, etc) will take you past Ellenton, and a large Outlet Mall. I'll let you judge whether this might be a distraction to one or more members in your party.

Correct. Siesta Key, while may be an 1+ hour drive is well worth checking out. Best beach in America in this years rankings by Dr. Beach.

http://www.drbeach.org/top10beaches.htm

 

[theprofromdover]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

Correct. Siesta Key, while may be an 1+ hour drive is well worth checking out. Best beach in America in this years rankings by Dr. Beach.

http://www.drbeach.org/top10beaches.htm

But, is it topless?

 

[mehcky]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

But, is it topless?

Gotta keep driving about 4 more hours south to south beach for that

 

[rtshark]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

And what you would pay in gas would be enough for a fun trip to some of Tampa's local all nude strip clubs. I suggest the one with the UFO on Dale Mabry, across the street from the infamous Mons Venus more or less.

 

[mehcky]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

And what you would pay in gas would be enough for a fun trip to some of Tampa's local all nude strip clubs. I suggest the one with the UFO on Dale Mabry, across the street from the infamous Mons Venus more or less.

Odyssey 2000.......or so I hear...

 

[walrus]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

Posted over in the D1 forum and someone was kind enough to direct me over here. I am a Tampa Bay area resident and a season ticket holder to the Lightning. I know the area and the arena pretty well. I thought I would offer up help to those who have questions about either the area or the arena.

Thanks

 

[rtshark]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

Pretty sure Florida is not part of the EZ-Pass system; they have SunPass and Epass which are not cross-compatible with EZ-Pass. Most companies will let you rent a pass when you rent your vehicle.

The Selmon these days is "pay-by-plate". They take a photo of your license plate and then send you a bill every month now. I think with a rental car you are in the clear. There are no gates or booths to go through.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

BTW, I'm not reserving a spot between games at the Firestick Grill since the game times are so close together. When I talked to the Forum originally, they were planning on a format like we used to have where there was a game at 1 and a game at 7, and we would have to leave the arena between games. Now it seems likely we'd miss the first period of game two if we ate at the restaurant. I'm probably just going to stay in the suite.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

BTW, I'm not reserving a spot between games at the Firestick Grill since the game times are so close together. When I talked to the Forum originally, they were planning on a format like we used to have where there was a game at 1 and a game at 7, and we would have to leave the arena between games. Now it seems likely we'd miss the first period of game two if we ate at the restaurant. I'm probably just going to stay in the suite.

So will we still try to meet up between games? I'll check for a thread on a meet up Thursday, when the poster cruise gets back.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

the University of Tampa is another fun place to visit. crazy architecture, pretty gardens and some cool history (Ted Roosevelt's Rough Riders gathered here).
the Bayshore Blvd is cool - miles of running, walking, biking trails right along the bay. beautiful houses too. we also enjoy eating at the Colannade restaurant on Bayshore Blvd. its touristy and a tad pricey but has good seafood and has been there forever. Ybor is lots of fun. I don't know if this bar is still there, but there was a New Orleans style place, spent an afternoon there drinking Black VooDoo and eating crawfish. the Columbia is the gold standard for Cuban food. gazpacho bloody mary's, black bean soup, 1905 salad (made at your tableside), amazing Cuban bread. has anyone mentioned Busch Gardens? its nearby if you are into the theme park kinda thing. seeing the Budweiser horses up close and personal was pretty cool. if they are in season try the crab claws - pink with black tips - very tasty. Tampa is a cool city with a great history.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

So will we still try to meet up between games? I'll check for a thread on a meet up Thursday, when the poster cruise gets back.

I was hoping to have a gathering in the suite, but only people who actually have tickets to the suite are allowed inside. There are other places to meet between games.

I'm checking, but if there are people interested in a dinner before the championship game on Saturday, I think we can reserve seats at the Firestick as early as 3PM.

 

[jmh]

Re: Things to do in Tampa (Preferably Before You're Dead)

has anyone mentioned Busch Gardens? its nearby if you are into the theme park kinda thing. seeing the Budweiser horses up close and personal was pretty cool.

I thought everyone went and saw the Clydesdales (read: went and drank free Anheuser-Busch products) at the FF in St. Louis.

(But seriously, do they still have much of the Budweiser-related stuff now that Anheuser-Busch doesn't own the park anymore? I know I read somewhere that the new owners stopped serving free beer when they bought it.)