Worth staying in Tampa for a few days?

LOUISEACAT · 24 Sep 21, 05:54 PM

Thinking of indirect next August, either in or out of Tampa and just wondered if it's worth spending a few days to start/end the holiday in Tampa. So I know there's BG (spent a day there many years ago) but what else is there?
Oh and we won't be driving so would be cab to/from WDW.
Thank you all

ladyofleisure · 24 Sep 21, 06:53 PM

Hi there, we have a Miami fly drive booked and we have a few days booked in an AirBNB in the Tampa area to visit the lovely beaches, Anna Maria Island, St Petes and of course BG. It�s very reasonably priced compared to Orlando with restaurants, bar etc in walking distance.

It�s the Bahia Beach Townhome in Ruskin - �760 Monday to Thursday to help us get over our jet lag before heading to Orlando. Our first night in Miami we are staying at an airport hotel to get over the flight and see a little of Miami before we head up to Tampa. 5 of us, so a house is always better value. Some really lovely looking beach hotels in the Tampa area if that works better for you,

68nic · 24 Sep 21, 06:55 PM

If you have a few days to spare . I would drive down to Anna Maria Island . Just over an hours drive . Book 2 or 3 nts near there. Be lovely .

tspill · 24 Sep 21, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by 68nic

If you have a few days to spare . I would drive down to Anna Maria Island . Just over an hours drive . Book 2 or 3 nts near there. Be lovely .

This is what I would do as well.

DonnaD · 25 Sep 21, 12:36 PM

There is definitely plenty to see and do in the Tampa area but I would really want a car as it is pretty spread out.

Is there no chance of hiring a car for a few days? It would save an expensive Uber ride to Orlando too.

LOUISEACAT · 1 Oct 21, 10:14 PM

Beaches sound lovely but we don't have a car (I can't drive for medical reasons and hubby won't..) so we'll need to be somewhere central and where it's easy to get around or would you suggest to stay at BG?

DonnaD · 1 Oct 21, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by LOUISEACAT

Beaches sound lovely but we don't have a car (I can't drive for medical reasons and hubby won't..) so we'll need to be somewhere central and where it's easy to get around or would you suggest to stay at BG?

There are only basic hotels near BG. Fine for a day or two at the park itself but nothing more. If you want to explore Tampa abit, I would suggest Ybor City or the Downtown area near the Aquarium and Port. There is even a trolley between them. A trip to the beach would be quite far without a car.

Floridasun · 4 Oct 21, 07:03 PM

If you are not driving def fly into Orlando unless you have endless money for long distance cabs.

**2point** · 5 Oct 21, 12:24 PM

They have a great craft beer scene in Tampa based around Ybor City. There is a 'beer bus' that runs between a number of breweries on a hop-on hop-off basis. One of the breweries is the excellent Coppertail Brewery.