One of my favorite cities in the United States is Tampa, Florida. Good food, pro sports, white sand beaches and Cuban influences all help make this city a great vacation destination or in some cases a great starting point for your vacation. The following are five reasons to choose Tampa for your next vacation.
1. The Food
With Cuban and Latin influence all over the city its no wonder why the food is so good in Tampa. For some of the best Latin food around head down to Ybor City to Columbia’s for great food and live flamenco dancers. For the steak lovers don’t miss out on Bern’s Steakhouse considered by some to be the best in the country.
2. The Beaches
White sand beaches can be found in and around Tampa Bay with the most notable areas being Clearwater Beach ans St Pete Beach on the gulf side. Be sure to try the fried grouper sandwich at Frenchy’s if you head to Clearwater for the day.
3. Year Round Sports
Tampa offers sports lover year round pro sports action with the Buccaneers. Lightning and Devil Rays, all of which have made it to a championship game in the past ten years with the Bucs winning a Super Bowl and the Lightning winning a Stanley Cup. If pro sports isn’t your thing there are several minor league baseball teams in and around the city that make a great cheap night out. The University of South Florida also plays its home games in Tampa for the college fans out there.
4. Amusement Parks
Aside from the fact that Tampa is only about 65 miles from ultimate theme park destination of Walt Disney World, Tampa is home to a pretty good park itself with Busch Gardens. There is also Adventure Island for the water park enthusiast.
5. The Cruise Port
Cruises from Tampa offer a great way to extend your trip to Tampa. Currently Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Holland America have ships sailing out of Tampa and Norwegian will be joining them next fall. Prices are also usually lower than other ports in Florida so you’ll have some money left over for your Bahama Mamas on the lido deck.