World Destination of the Week: Tampa
Closeness to Florida’s beaches and amusement parks makes Tampa very popular with tourists. Divided by the Hillsborough River, it’s more commercially oriented than other Florida destinations, but it has plenty to offer - grand museums and golden beaches, all flavoured with a distinct Mexi-Flori zest. There is a high-class feel about Tampa with its top-notch restaurants, designer boutiques and flashy vehicles, but there are plenty of sights and sensations to suit any budget.
Tampa sees is most popular when the weather is at its best between December and May. Daily temperatures run from anywhere between 60F (15C) to 80F (27C), and any rainfall will be brief. On the other hand, you’ll get clear streets, minimal traffic and discounts aplenty if you visit during summer. However, summer is hurricane season and can get very humid.
Getting around town can be done mostly by public bus, but the historic trolley is a good way to see downtown Tampa and the Ybor City sector.
The Tampa Museum of Art has a big collection of paintings, sculptures and photography, and is well known for its Classical displays including Greek and Roman. The Florida Aquarium has many attractions including a wetland recreation, a limestone cave, a dune-studded beach and a coral reef housed inside a giant tank. Speaking through an intercom system, divers take you on a tour through the coral where thousands of fish show off their dazzling colours.
The Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) with its 450 interactive exhibits is heaven for children. They can do everything from playing a giant pinball machine to piloting a miniature hot-air balloon. Ever-popular theme park Busch Gardens is a must for thrill seekers.
For a taste of the American golden age, go to the Fun-Lan Drive In where you can soak up some of that old time culture. The Fun-Lan opened on January 10th 1950. Admission price was 48 cents, and bag of popcorn was 10 cents. Prices have gone up a little since then (adult tickets cost 6 dollars and children’s are 2 dollars) but the atmosphere is still as great as it was nearly sixty years ago.
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