Terrific Tampa for New Year's Eve

Tampa us such a great city for entertainment, ambience, lots of seafood, beautiful waterfront activities and fishing, and a great civic pride has made this city what it is. Their aquarium is stunning with its shell-shaped open dome above the expanses. Busch Gardens is another source of civic pride and a real draw for families who love amusement parks and good food but also appreciate a spectacularly rich landscape full of lush plantings. The symphony and other cultural entities are top-notch here. Tampa restaurants are all gearing up for New Year's Eve 2006 with special decorations and fare.

New Year's Eve Planner on Tampa Bay Citysearch The starship Dining Yacht would be a truly unique and memorable venue for a New Year's celebration. They are offering dining on their yacht Dec. 31, and include open bar, food stations, and entertainment while you count down with complimentary champagne and watch the fireworks blast through the early morning sky! What a romantic, rare New Year's this would be! I'd contact them and book early so you can be sure to have your spot kept. They welcome groups, so if you have a crew you love spending New Years with what better way to ensure you're all together for a sentimental and lovely memory this year. Call them to book your ride and to find out boarding and party time. 223 S 12th St
Tampa, FL 33602 View Map
813-223-7999

Another place you might want to consider for spending your last hours of 2006 is Il Terrazo, a very plush Italian restaurant located on the waterfront and overlooking the channel. The sunsets are spectacular and you can see fireworks from your window. It's located in a side of the Marriott Waterside Hotel. The sports bar has parties into the late night and this year will offer its same delicious food and party fare
700 S Florida Ave
Tampa, FL 33602View Map
(813) 221-4900

A third dining/party choice for this New Years is Jackson's Bistro-Bar-Sushi at
601 S Harbour Island Blvd #100, Tampa, FL. They will have a "virtual skybox" on the city where you can dine in their very beautiful surroundings.
Call them for more details and to make reservations. Their culinary offerings are very eclectic and their sushi and seafood selections are extensive. High quality beef is used for their steak lovers. The crowds are very hip and fun-loving, so the New Year's here should be a lively one. They're offering a ball drop and a special breakfast buffet till 3:00a.m. 601 S Harbour Island Blvd #100
Tampa, FL 33602-5927View Map
813-277-0112

Because of Tampa's extensive Bay area and its location on a coast replete with palm-treed islands, tropical birds, fish and flora, the city can offer up celebrations which are stunning. Fireworks over the water, tropical indoor gardens and an aquarium that is world-class make for New Year's venues not available to inland cities. I'll suggest a few of these below.

Why not spend your New Year's Eve at Busch Gardens? This extensive open park/amusement park/entertainment arena is a vast expanse of open area to view jungle animals in a natural habitat, to enjoy truly wild and exotic amusement park rides and hear some exciting bands and entertainment specialties. There's just too much here to even begin writing about. The Gardens themselves can attract anyone wanting to get away to somewhere exotic and warm for the season without having to leave this country! This New Year's offering is extended hours until 1 a.m. with three shows by Darren Romeo. Siegfried and Roy are presenting their famous act at 6:30, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., and you can also enjoy music by Southtown Fever in Gwazi Park. Ride the Roller coasters in the dark and reve up to watch the fireworks set for midnight. Dinner specials and options are available for an additional fee. There will be a live concert on Gwazi Field right before the fireworks, so this would be the ultimate New Years loaded with activities and revelry. Busch Gardens is at 3605 Bougainvillea Ave., Tampa. This event is included with daily park admission or a Passport membership and park hours are extended until 1 a.m. Their regular single-day admission costs $51.95 plus tax, adult, and $42.95 plus tax for ages 3-9, or a valid passport. On the site they quote: "Special twilight admission good after 5 p.m., $41.95 adults, $32.95 ages 3-9. Toll-free 1-800-372-1797" or www.buschgardens.com. I could not find out how to purchase tickets just for the New Year's Eve event, but maybe you can. I would call to be sure of the pricing for this since I'm sure that it is very popular with locals and those nearby. I did see that you get a discount on ticket prices if you purchase 7 days in advance, so maybe that discount will also apply to the tickets for the New Year's event as well.

Here's another different idea for the family-oriented revellers - Bring in the New Year on the waterfront at the beautiful Florida Aquarium.
http://www.flaquarium.org/html/NewYear2006.html
The event last year sold out very early so be sure to get your tickets as fast as you can in 2006. They've partnered with the Out back Bowl for advertising. The New Year's Aquarium event is Dec. 31st, from 9 p.m. to 1a.m.
But wait. Why not make an entire day of celebration? First, you can go watch the Outback Bowl, the traditional parade in Ybor City, which begins at 5:30 p.m. and goes along 7th Ave. with over 15 expert high school and college bands, floats and more. Then the parade winds up with a magnificent fireworks display finale at 8:15 p,m. This is an event that should really delight the whole family. After you've taken in the parade and the fireworks, you can leave the children with your sitter and go to the Acquarium and enjoy the rest of the evening dancing under the dome of the beautiful Aqauarium. There will be live entertainment and lots of festivity, including another fireworks display over the Tampa Harbor. Consult this website for details: http://www.outbackbowl.com/events/calendar.html It's free, of course, but make sure to follow the prohibition of glass containers, coolers and alcohol on the street during the parade. You can find out more about both events by calling Channelside at (813) 223-4250 or the Florida Aquarium at (813) 273-4568.

Busch Gardens is celebrating the New Year with special entertainment and fireworks nightly, December 27-30. You can give 2006 the ultimate "wild" welcome with coasters in the dark, including SheiKra - America's only dive coaster. Then celebrate New Year's Eve with a live concert on Gwazi Field and a dazzling fireworks finale at midnight.