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All About Tampa
Tampa is best described by what it is not. It's not crammed with theme parks like Orlando, though it is home to Busch Gardens Africa. It doesn't have a Miami-style scene, but celebrity-chef restaurants and sleek nightclubs are still on hand. And it's not just a beach destination, though it boasts America's #1 Beach.
In 1883 a man named Henry B. Plant built a railroad line to a backwater town in Florida and two important industries were born. First, Vicente Martinez Ybor moved his cigar-manufacturing plant to Tampa. And in 1891, another use was discovered for Plant's railroad line: transporting tourists.
Tampa vacations are about hitting the beaches, many of which rank as the best in the U.S. But there's so much more to see in the bay area. Families love the wild rides at Busch Gardens, educational exhibits at The Florida Aquarium, and the annual Gasparilla Pirate Extravaganza. Culture aficionados can watch artisans roll cigars in Ybor City, try Greek food in Tarpon Springs, visit the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg, and more. Sports nuts can cheer on the Buccaneers, the Rays, and even the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Book a Tampa vacation package and enjoy so much more than surf and sun.
Published by Frommer's © 2012, Whatsonwhen Ltd
Events in Tampa
Florida Dance Festival
Jun 2012 (annual)
Tampa
The Florida Dance Festival is among the country's most exciting annual dance events. Evenings are filled with performances by nation…
GOP Convention
27 - 30 Aug 2012 (annual)
Tampa Bay Times Forum (ex St.Pete Times Forum)
Don't wait for the news to hit the papers, head to Tampa Bay and see who the Republican Party nominate as their presidential cand…
Published by Frommer's © 2011, Whatsonwhen LtdVacation Tools
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