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

[amherstblackbear]

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.

 

[pgb-ohio]

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

Clearwater beach is the most touristy (is that a word?) and will have the most "attractions" of any of the gulf coast beaches...

If it isn't a word, it should be. I definitely know what you mean. We'll plan to check Clearwater out, but probably lodge a bit away from the center of activity.

There a Pirate ship tour (http://www.captainmemo.com/) ..a speedboat tour (http://www.seascreamer.com/) Dolphins swim behind it and jump in its wake. Ive never been on the pirate one but the sea screamer is a blast..

Appreciate the seascreamer tip. That could be a keeper.

South of Clearwater The sand gets darker (thus hotter on your feet) and there tends to be a lot of condos and retirement places.

For lodging, we're actually looking for something a little more laid back and are considering condo options. But we're not looking for retirement communities! With that in mind are there any areas that are best avoided?

There is a really good Pizza place here called Post Corner Pizza..I always go there anytime I'm in the area. If you go North to Dunedin there is a ferry which can take you to Honeymoon Island if you want to get away from people. The causeway to Dunedin beach is where they filmed Summer Rental (bad John Candy movie). If your headed that way, be sure to head into downtown Dunedin..its filled with eclectic shops and restaurants..I highly recommend Kellys Chick a boom restaurant (http://www.kellyschicaboom.com/kellys_home.html) There is also a bunch of pubs and bars in this area.

Both Post Corner and Kelly's sound very promising. Any others?

Clearwater beach is very easy to get to from The airport (get on 60 west until you hit water) but its a hike from the arena.

Understood. Ordinarily we'd stay closer to the rink, but this will be a different kind of Frozen Four for us. We'll make every minute of every game, but otherwise will be taking advantage of the fact we'll be in Florida. I'm guessing we're not alone.

Thanks much for the help. It's greatly appreciated!

 

[mehcky]

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

ummmm St Petersburg is a retirement community (Home of the newly wed or nearly dead) That being said,,,the retirees parents live in Sarasota

Going south from Clearwater.. Bellair beach is a extremely wealthy area.. Take a left and head into Bellair and you will see some magnificent homes.. The further south you go..the younger the crowd BUT the far worse your commute. Ive been up and down gulf Blvd but except for a couple weeks a few summers back at St Pete Beach, I havent really frequented the area to give food recommendations. IF you are for some reason in Dunedin and headed back towards Tampa..there is a GREAT philly Cheese Steak place called Delcos (http://www.delcosoriginal.com/) They actually fly the Amoroso Rolls in from Philly daily (Plus have Tasty Cakes) I used to eat lunch there daily when I was working up that way. Headed to Tampa from there you will pass countryside mall...there is a public skating rink (its small) in the middle of the mall.

For those looking to actually play hockey..there are two options. In Brandon right off the interstate is the Ice Sports Forum (http://www.theicesportsforum.com/) This is where the Lightning practice. The second is actually on the way to Sarasota (and is next to a huge outlet mall) in Ellenton called the Ellenton Ice and Sports complex (I guess we dont put a ton of thought into naming our rinks down here) http://ellentonice.com/
Across from the Tampa Times Forum is the Dave Andreychuk Grille..keeping with the ice rink naming theme..its owned by Dave Andreychuck..never been but hear good things

St Petersburg tip - If your going to the Rays game..the Streets are Numbered central..then First Ave North, 2nd Ave North, 1st Ave South 2nd Ave South etc...unless you are on Gulf Blvd (the street that takes you along the beaches) Stay away from any Avenue that's south. REALLY bad area of town (police murders...drug busts..etc) Even when parking around the stadium its better to stay North.

 

[pgb-ohio]

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

Thanks again, mehcky. That's all good stuff.

I should mention that I didn't mean to write off retirees as a group. I'm uncomfortably old myself. But there is a difference between communities where the average age is a bit older, and communities where everything is pretty much closed by 6:00 PM.

 

[mehcky]

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

haha true! Along the beaches you should be fine anywhere.. I had a friend at one of the retirement condo places in Gulfport (on the water but not on the gulf itself) and there was a huge argument over whether to make the speed limit 10 MPH or 15MPH within the community..they split the difference and there are actually signs with 12 1/2 MPH speed limits on them....

Dont forget sunblock!!!!

 

[pgb-ohio]

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

I wonder what the fine would be if you're caught doing 13 MPH. Or then again, maybe there's a fudge factor allowing for ticket free driving up to 17 1/2 MPH!

 

[mehcky]

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

I'm thinking you could probably outrun the police golf cart...

 

[Priceless]

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

I won't have a car (and don't drive anyway). I'm going to spend a fortune on cabs, aren't I?

 

[mehcky]

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

Depends.... I'm sure there will be a ton to do around the rink area as Tampa is used to hosting major events (Super Bowls, Outback bowl, Stanley Cup Finals a few years ago) ..The Trolly goes between Ybor and Harbor Island and if your desperate, there is the bus system. If your in for just the weekend there will be plenty to find to do in that area. A cab ride to the beaches or trop however will be costly...Depending on your hotel, there may be some sort of shuttle service to Busch gardens and if not, that shouldn't be too bad a cab fare.. OR Find pgp-ohio and ride in his trunk!

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

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

Paying particular attention to these details on condos and such. Planning to be down that way in a couple/few weeks to begin searching for a condo. Preferably younger crowd (being 23 myself) and close to the water. Obviously Clearwater is touristy, but whats the condo scene in Dunedin and other areas over that way? You can shoot me an email in my profile if you want to, mehcky.

 

[mehcky]

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

Sorry for delay..I haven't been online this weekend. The beach for Dunedin is actually part of a state park so there is nothing that way. For your age..I recommend Clearwater..you really wont find a younger crowd anywhere else in the area.

 

[amherstblackbear]

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

Sorry for delay..I haven't been online this weekend. The beach for Dunedin is actually part of a state park so there is nothing that way. For your age..I recommend Clearwater..you really wont find a younger crowd anywhere else in the area.

Mehcky - I'm too clueless to use the notification system.

I have a short-term contract in Sarasota. I'm in the area for a couple more months, but I'll be moving at the start of summer. Florida's nice, but in this economy and at my age, I have to go with Indiana & long-term over Sarasota and uncertain.

 

[pgb-ohio]

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

Paying particular attention to these details on condos and such. Planning to be down that way in a couple/few weeks to begin searching for a condo. Preferably younger crowd (being 23 myself) and close to the water. Obviously Clearwater is touristy, but whats the condo scene in Dunedin and other areas over that way?

Truly wish you the best in your search. But I've gotta say we found the availabilities to be extremely limited, and are probably going to revert back to hotel style lodging. With late spring breaks combining with Easter, it's going to be a really busy time on the shore. Busier than I expected, to be quite honest with you.

 

[jmh]

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

Paying particular attention to these details on condos and such. Planning to be down that way in a couple/few weeks to begin searching for a condo. Preferably younger crowd (being 23 myself) and close to the water. Obviously Clearwater is touristy, but whats the condo scene in Dunedin and other areas over that way? You can shoot me an email in my profile if you want to, mehcky.

I don't know much about the area in particular you're looking at, but if you're looking at a medium-term rental of a home rather than a hotel, you might check out vrbo.com. They're geared more towards vacation rentals (thus the "v" at the beginning of the URL) but there might be some properties that are appropriate for your needs and available for longer periods of time. Friends and I have used it to find places to stay for a group that's traveling to go to a wedding and been happy with the results.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

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

Nah, I'm planning on actually moving down there and buying a place. Been doing a bit of searching online and whatnot, going to be contacting a realtor soon who is related to me somehow on my Dad's side of the family, just found out about him today from my Grandmother.

 

[jmh]

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

Oh I see; misunderstood what you said about "short term".

 

[pgb-ohio]

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

I also misunderstood hp1015's post! But for those who may still be looking for Frozen Four lodging, I should clarify my report.

My search for a vacation condo was focused on vrbo.com. It's a great site, and we've gotten excellent results on other trips. But for our particular week on the Tampa/St. Pete Gulf Coast, openings are few and far between. The Easter/Spring Break crowd has the nightly and weekly rentals very booked up. Looking for the diamond in the rough was a frustrating experience. The few properties that reported availability also turned out to be booked: The owners and/or property managers had neglected to update the bookings calendar. Worse, they weren't particularly interested in responding to messages.

This is not meant as a criticism of the vrbo website in general. The lesson is that if you want to book a beach area condo for Florida Spring Break, you should be booking MUCH earlier! Get your first choice, deal with the more diligent owners, etc. I realize that's of no help for the 2012 FF. Just my lesson from the school of hard knocks.

In contrast, if you are a retiree or a relocatee looking to rent for a month or more, there certainly are options to consider on vrbo and elsewhere. But among FF participants, I'm guessing hp1015 is among a small, elite minority.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

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

Due to a sudden change of events, it appears as though I now WILL be going down there for the first part of April. Figure I'll head down around the 2nd or 3rd, catch the Frozen4, probably the Yankees games @ Tampa, and do my first round of house searching over the course of 7-10 days. Pretty stoked for sure.

 

[manurespreader]

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

My experience. The traffic in Tampa can be bad at rush hour, but other than that is not terrible. You have to be prepared for some delays though.

you can go to a museum in Ybor City that used to be a factory for cuban cigars, I found it interesting. I either stay near the airport, where there are some nice hotels, or in Brandon, it's cheap there.
The beaches are great. Be careful after dark in downtown.
There are some good tapas places in downtown St pete. Pretty sure you can get rays tickets any time.

 

[walrus]

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

MEhockey
You said somewhere on here that the ST Pete Forum is the coldest arena in the NHL, no shorts and Flip flops to the games? Too cold for that?