Florida Tampa Bay Weekend

The greater Florida Tampa Bay area is a large waterworld with year round fun for everyone. Lots of waterside activities; beach bars, sailing, fishing charters, floating casinos, canoe and kayak rentals and trails, art and history museums. You can get weekly unlimited mileage passes on public transportation, which includes the beach trolley. This is a weekend getaway offering great value.

The Tampa Bay History Center is a four story, sixty thousand square foot building which spans about 500 years of Florida Tampa Bay history from the native Americans to today. Visitors can take a virtual kayak ride along the Hillsborough river. Among the exhibits will be a restored 1908 Oldsmobile REO, supposed to be the first car sold in Hillsborough county. Ten permanent exhibits cover about twelve thousand years of human activity on the 24 county chunk of central and north Florida once known as Old Hillsborough.

The History Center is at 801 Old Water Street in the Channelside district, near shops, restaurants, and a movie theater by the cruise getaway docks. Close by is the gigantic St. Pete Times Forum and Tampa Convention Center.

Clearwater beach tops the list for local things to do among the younger set. There are miles of beaches everywhere. Art and history museums and the terrific Florida Tampa Bay Aquarium in downtown Tampa. Sporting events and outdoor concerts every weekend. Great place to go. Tampa Bay is a historic sailing mecca. In downtown St.Petersburg, on the west side of the bay, visit the Muvico theater at BayWalk. The theater has a spacious lobby with a long concession stand, offering many food choices. The friendly attendants and wall-to-wall red carpeting give the place an upscale feel. There is a multi-story parking garage across the street, and the Central Avenue trolley stops at the curb.

Two blocks away is the St.Petersburg yacht club, which dates back to the 1920's. It's annual regatta to Isla Mujeres, Mexico is an international event. Public transportation is plentiful, and stop at many popular attractions. The nearby Salvador Dali art museum has moved to a stunning new building. Put this on your llst of short getaways.

Canoe and Kayak rentals are available at Weedon Island, Gulfport beach, and Fort DeSoto park, among others.
Enjoy a great bay area weekend