Tampa - Is it worth going for a day trip?

[rian217]

We're thinking about a day trip to Tampa but know nothing about it. Is it worth a visit for the beaches or anything else worth seeing away from the parks for a day?

[firstimer]

Its worth it for Clearwater Beach alone,about 90 minutes journey.

We also go to watch a baseball game at St Pete's.Tropicana Stadium.

[tinkerlink]

We stay near tampa so we go to a few malls there and we to have also done the baseball can highly recomend such good fun. My sister has also said about going to the Big cat rescue in Tampa great day out apparently. The aquarium also gets good reiews.

[jdybnsn]

There are several state park Springs about an hour out of Orlando...they are a wonderful relaxing contrast to the parks. :grin:

We visited DeLeon - it was beautiful....so peaceful and pretty.

We did a boat tour, the kids swam in the spring (bit too chilly for us whimpy adults), saw a manatee at close quarters...and went to the Old Spanish Sugar Mill and made our own pancakes at the table there.

Definitely recommend it if you fancy a change :thumbs-up...there is a thread about it a little further down this page.


Another place about an hours' drive on our "to do" list is to visit Mount Dora - a pretty town with old fashioned shops, boat rides & railway.

[Bats]

There's also horseracing at Tampa Bay .. we're going there for my DBF's 40th in Feb. :)

[Bullpeppar]

We took the Hummer to Clearwater last year for the day.

We had an absolute ball and it took about an hour and a half to get there (and 2 stops to get gas for the Hummer :tounge:)

Definately worth a trip. We intend staying longer next year

[bookgirl]

Can certainly recommend Big Cat Rescue at Tampa. We did the early morining tour for kids under 10 but DH went back for the feeding tour at 4.30pm and thought it was great. If you're interested in big cats this is fab. they have lions,tiger,bobcats,mountain lions,ocelot - all "rescued" or retired from Ringling Brothers circus. One lioness was found as part of a drugs bust being used to guard the drugs. she was taken to Miami zoo but they couldn't keep her becuase she'd been de-clawed. It's run by very committed volunteers and relies entirely on visits and donations. But do wear bug repellant - I got bitten !!

[scuba5]

love the aquarium and the dolphin spotting tour is well worth it ,but remember a jacket coz it can be windy. we try to get down to this every visit

[pyeds]

We're thinking about a day trip to Tampa but know nothing about it. Is it worth a visit for the beaches or anything else worth seeing away from the parks for a day?

thinking the same thing, really fancy going to clearwater, is it worth staying the night if so has anyone done this?

[parisdisneyfan]

We do Fort Myers as a day trip and obviously Tampa and Clearwater are a lot closer. If you don't mind an early start and late finish, go for it, roads are a doddle. Good luck.

[lauramcfc]

Went to the theatre there in June , saw the Lion King , was great

[Angellore]

We love the Clearwater area. We stayed there for a week last time, and we're going to do the same this time. The sea is so warm, great for swimming :)