Going to Tampa!

[The Sphere]

Hi Folks~

 

Just found out I am going to Tampa for the show on October 1st. Coming from S. Ontario, Canada and have never been to your fine city.

 

Just wondering what other things we should take in while there, sights, restaurants, clubs, etc.

 

"Facts show 5 out of 4 people don't understand fractions"

[D3strukt]

My girlfriend lives in Tampa, and I WAS Supposed to go with my dad, but unfortunately we weren't able to amass the funds for it. (We live in Orlando.)

 

Sad thing is, I'll be there when they roll into town.

[The Sphere]

Sorry about your luck, D3strukt. I know there are still grass seats available for $85 if you come into it in a poker game...any suggestions for things to do while in Tampa?

[DigitalDan]

My incredible GF got us 4th row tix on Geddy's side!! I've never been closer than 23rd row before. She's from Canada though and has connections.

[EveryNerveAware]

QUOTE (The Sphere @ Sep 8 2010, 10:21 AM)

Hi Folks~ Just found out I am going to Tampa for the show on October 1st. Coming from S. Ontario, Canada and have never been to your fine city. Just wondering what other things we should take in while there, sights, restaurants, clubs, etc. "Facts show 5 out of 4 people don't understand fractions"

There are a lot of fun things to do in Tampa during your visit.

 

Busch Gardens amusement park

Adventure Island waterpark

Y'bor City historic district

Channelside shops and restaurants

Hard Rock Seminole casino and hotel (right next to the venue and where we're staying the night of the show)

 

A good source for Tampa Bay info is: http://www.tbo.com

 

Hope this helps

[The Sphere]

That's what I'm talking about! Thanks ENA - I'll check it out!

[zac2112]

If your on a guy trip hit the world famous Mons Venus club! Thee Doll House is a close second.

 

Lots of great steakhouses in Tampa depending on your budget, Berns is a must if you have the dough.

 

All the awesome St.Pete/Clearwater beaches are a short distance as well, plenty of good stuff to do, enjoy!

 

As for the show, the venue is great, should be fookin killer,im 18 rows Alex side.

 

 

 

 

[briremo]

QUOTE (The Sphere @ Sep 9 2010, 07:35 AM)

That's what I'm talking about! Thanks ENA - I'll check it out!

Ybor is a fun night on the town. lots of local flavor tyoe bars that welcome strangers. No chains.

 

Mons Venus if youre into throwing mounds of cash at big boobies

[Faithless Mover]

QUOTE (EveryNerveAware @ Sep 9 2010, 07:32 AM)

There are a lot of fun things to do in Tampa during your visit. Busch Gardens amusement park Adventure Island waterpark Y'bor City historic district Channelside shops and restaurants Hard Rock Seminole casino and hotel  (right next to the venue and where we're staying the night of the show) A good source for Tampa Bay info is:  http://www.tbo.com Hope this helps

This is actually a list of where not to go with the possible exception of Y'bor. I kid - kind of.

 

As far as restaurants go I would suggest the following, all of which are within ten minutes of downtown.

 

Upscale Gourmet: The Columbia. 2117 East 7th Avenue. Good Cuban food, multiple rooms, dance show is worth seeing.

 

Casual Gourmet: Pene Rustica. 3225 South MacDill Ave. Food is always outstanding. Daily lunch and dinner menus. Kick ass bakery and also just expanded to add a bar. We eat there at least once a week. Have never been disappointed.

 

Casual almost gourmet: Mad Dogs & Englishmen. 4115 South MacDill Ave. Small bar and restaurant. Great atmosphere. Always great food.

 

Pizza: Cappys. 3200 West Bay to Bay Blvd. Amazing pizza. They also run Pinky's across the street which does breakfast and lunch. My wife loves their breakfast, It's not my favorite but it's always good.

 

Breakfast: First Watch. 520 North Tampa Street. Yeah, it's a chain but it's always good. Simple breakfast and lunch. The kitchen is open onto the restaurant so you can see how clean (spotless actually) it is and see the ingredients they use.

 

Bar: Four Green Fields. 205 West Platt Street. Unique Irish Pub. Actually has a thatch roof.

 

Cheap Booze: Total Wine. 1720 North Dale Mabry. Just in case.

 

There are tons of bars, clubs, strip clubs to choose from. It shouldn't be hard to find what you want with a little research. Staying in Ybor is a safe bet for the most part. You can catch a lot of strippers (or ladys of the pole, if you prefer) around 4-5 a.m. at Village Inn. 215 North Dale Mabry. The food is better than you would think. (Don't ask why I know that's where the girls go after work.)

 

For family type outings there's the Aquarium (located in Channelside), the new Tampa Museum of Art (downtown) Lowry Park Zoo (275 N & Sligh Ave) and the aforementioned amusement parks.

 

If your a Yankee fan you can drive by the monolithic, absurdly proportioned house Derek Jeter is building on Davis Island. It's the one that looks like a mall stuck between two (big) houses.

 

Enjoy the heat & humidity. See you at the show. The Ford (I refuse to call it by it's new name) is a good venue. The sound is usually outstanding.

 

[D3strukt]

Whatever you do. Stay off of N. Nebraska. Anywhere around there really. E. Hillsborough, e.t.c.

 

I deal with enough bullshit to know (I come in through amtrak).

 

It's just a bad area of town.

Edited September 11, 2010 by D3strukt

[vols1118]

If I was coming from Canada I would at least stop and check out the beach.

[The Sphere]

Thanks again, all. This is great stuff, appreciate the work you put into it.

[The Sphere]

All booked in - staying at the Hyatt Regency Downtown. It looks like that makes Four Green Fields a sure thing - thanks Faithless Mover.

[roguetrader]

I am going to the Tampa show but have never been to the arena there.....does anyone know if seats in Box 37 of the VIP section are well located?

 

Thanks!