TRAVEL: Tampa Bay’s terrific temptations

MOST Irish holidaymakers heading over to Florida make a beeline for Orlando but there are lots of reasons to justify a small coastal detour to take in the delights of Tampa Bay.

With its year-round sunshine, nearby beaches and thrilling amusement parks Tampa Bay is a super family-friendly playground.

From rollercoasters to roller-skating, movie matinees to manatees, and hiking to history, it’s easy for parents to turn a summer holiday with their teens or toddlers into a memorable family adventure.

Here are a few holiday highlights to inspire families heading to Tampa Bay this year.

ANIMAL MAGIC

• Rated the top zoo in North America, Lowry Park Zoo’s live shows and educational programmes provide an amazing insight into the lives of the 2,000 animals that call it home.

From African elephants to Queensland koala bears and Florida panthers to Bornean orangutans – each living in its own natural habitat – it’s a great way to explore the world in just a few hours.

 

• With sharks, lemurs and penguins under its roof, it won’t take long to work out why Florida Aquarium is considered one of the top aquariums in the USA. And with ‘Dive with the Sharks’ and ‘Wild Dolphin Tour’ options available for the ultimate close encounters of the fish kind, a day here is sure to make a splash.

• A power station may seem an unlikely sanctuary for spotting marine mammals affectionately known as sea cows. However, the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center is one of the best places to observe these gentle creatures that set up home in its warm waters home between November and April.

BACK IN TIME

• Glazer Children’s Museum has been entertaining younger children since it opened in 2010. Set out across 17 themed areas, kids under 10 will have so much fun playing in its 170 interactive exhibitions – which include a fire-truck, flight simulator, TV studio and veterinary clinic – it doesn’t even feel like learning.

• Charting 12,000 years of history, from Florida’s first native inhabitants through pioneers and railroad tycoons to modern culture, Tampa Bay History Center is a fascinating place to spend a few hours.

Its Columbia Café also keeps the historical theme alive, recreating the authentic Cuban flavour of the original Columbia Restaurant landmark restaurant, which opened in 1905 in nearby Ybor City.

• For teenagers with an interest in cinema, the restored Tampa Theatre has all the lavish movie palace grandeur they could hope for, from its old school ticket booth to its ornate décor, including twinkling stars on the ceiling.

Celebrating the old and the new, the elaborate cinema regularly shows modern independent movies as well as older Hollywood classics.

Adding to its historic charm, all performances are preceded by a recital on its Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, providing a flashback to the era of silent films.

FAMILY FEEDS

• The newly opened Ulele restaurant serves native-inspired dishes fused with vibrant Floridian flavours. Located in a one-time water works building, inside is pure industrial chic whilst the restaurant’s spacious patio gardens overlook Tampa’s Riverwalk, making it a firm favourite amongst local families and in-the-know visitors.

• Tampa Pizza Company describes its menu as providing ‘healthy food with a hometown feel’, making it a guilt-free option for enjoying America’s favourite meal. Whether dining in its downtown or Westchase restaurant, kids big and small will find it hard to resist the chance to choose their own crust, sauce, cheese and toppings to build their own personal pizza. 

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES 

• Walking, cycling or even roller-blading along the Tampa Riverwalk is a great way to stretch those legs and get a true feel for the city.

The pedestrianised 2.6 mile walkway follows the banks of the Hillsborough River, connecting museums and picturesque parks with the most popular downtown hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Follow the Historical Monument Trail and keep a look out for dolphins along the way.

• For families that prefer to swap two legs for two wheels, the Coast Bike Share scheme is the ideal way to get around. Once signed up via smartphone or tablet, simply use the mobile app to book a bike and get pedalling.

And, with 300 bikes available across 30 locations, Downtown, Ybor City and Hyde Park are easy to explore on two wheels. 

• With its mix of exhilarating world-class rides, family-friendly live entertainment and one of the USA’s biggest zoos with 12,000 animals, there’s no time to get bored at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Falcon’s Fury, the continent’s tallest freestanding drop tower, is especially recommended for those travelling with young adrenaline-junkies in tow, whilst the newest addition to the park this year is the Egyptian-themed Cobra’s Curse Spin Coaster.

And if theme parks are the name of the game, being just an hour’s drive from Orlando puts Tampa Bay firmly in prime family amusement territory.

WATER BABIES

• What’s SUP? Stand Up Paddle Boarding is a fantastic way to have fun on the water and take in the surrounding scenery at the same time.

Great for children of all ages, and active teens in particular, Urban Kai offer one-to-one adventures as well as group lessons from their base by the Garrison Channel. SUPer fun for everyone.

• With 361 days of sunshine to boast of and some of the world’s best beaches on its doorstep, a trip to the seaside is a winning option for families holidaying in the Tampa Bay area.

From the nearby white sands of Caladesi Island State Park and Foto de Soto – named America’s best family beach by USA Today – to the well-known beaches around St Pete and Clearwater, there’s plenty of opportunity to soak up the sun by the local coastal beauty.

TripAdvisor named Clearwater Beach the No. 1 US Beach in February.

For more family holiday inspiration visit www.visittampabay.com