TAMPA Entertainment GuideGo. See. Do.

TAMPA BAY'S TOP ATTRACTIONS

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Adventure Island

1001 N McKinley Boulevard  |  Tampa, FL  |  888.800.5447  |  adventureisland.com

Soaking, sunning and relaxing - that's what life's all about at Adventure Island.

A step through the entrance and you're transported straight to the Florida Keys and the laid-back lifestyle that made them famous.

Adventure Island's 30 acres provide water-soaked excitement for guests of all ages. Ease into island time in a place where corkscrew slides, waterfalls, a giant wave pool, a rambling river, and other family attractions create a laid-back atmosphere and hours of sun-drenched fun.

Your toughest decision? Whether to hit the slides for some fast-paced fun or grab a siesta in your own private cabana. Ni-ice.

American Victory Mariners Memorial & Museum Ship

705 Channelside Drive  |  Tampa, FL  |  813.228.8766  |  americanvictory.org

In 1944, 531 ships were built and of those, 414 were cargo ships and the remainder was transports.  272 were 6000 HP engines and the balance boasted 8000 HP.  150 were named after schools and universities, 20 were named after countries and the rest reflected geographic names.  On January 12, 1944, the very first Victory Ship, named the United Victory, was launched.

The world-class SS American Victory was built in 55 days and was delivered to the U.S. War Shipping Administration by the California Shipbuilding Yard on May 24, 1945.  After serving in WWII, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the ship went through a $2.5 million restoration in June 1985.  In October, 1996, Captain John C. Timmel learned the SS American Victory was earmarked for scrap if not acquired for memorial purposes.  Feeling that a museum would be feasible in Tampa, FL and that it would act as a purveyor or maritime memories, the ship was towed from Virginia to its permanent location in the Channelside District in downtown Tampa.  Currently, the SS American Victory is only one of 3 fully-functioning ships in the country.

Aboard the American Victory Ship, visitors can come aboard a fully-functioning 1940s era steamship.  They experience an unforgettable voyage of discovery and relive history by visiting cavernous three level cargo holds, radio and gyro rooms, hospital, galley, weaponry, steering stations, flying bridge, signaling equipment, wheelhouse, mess halls, engine room, crew cabins, lifeboats and cargo equipment, then gaze upon photographs, uniforms, medals, documents and naval equipment.

The American Victory Ship is open Sundays and Mondays from Noon to 5:00 PM, and Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission is free for members, $10.00 for adults, $8 for seniors 65+, $8.00 for veterans, $5.00 for children 4-12, and free for children 3 and under.  Tickets are available on board the ship conveniently located directly behind the Florida Aquarium. Groups of ten or more receive a discount by calling  813.228.8766.

Big Cat Rescue

12802 Easy Street  |  Tampa, FL  |  813.920.4130  |  stopbigcatabuse.com

Big Cat Rescue, a non profit educational sanctuary, is devoted to rescuing and providing a permanent home for exotic (i.e. wild, not domestic) cats who have been abused, abandoned, bred to be pets, retired from performing acts, or saved from being slaughtered for fur coats, and to educating the public about these animals and the issues facing them in captivity and in the wild.

The sanctuary is home to the most diverse population of exotic cats in the world, with 14 of the 35 species of wild cat represented among more than 100 residents.  These include tigers, lions, liger, leopards, cougars, bobcats, lynx, ocelots, servals, caracals and others, many of whom are threatened, endangered, or now extinct in the wild.

Call for current tours, hours and prices.

Big Top Flea Market

9250 E Fowler Avenue  |  Thonotosassa, FL  |  813.986.4004  |  bigtopfleamarket.com

Save 50% and more off retail prices when you shop under the Big Top. Half the fun of shopping is discovering a great bargain and that's exactly what you'll find every weekend, at Florida's cleanest, most modern flea market. More than 1200 booths offer a virtually endless assortment of incredible values.

Creative clothing for all ages, footwear, costume jewelry and precious gem settings; tools, framed artwork, antiques and collectibles; unique furnishings, pets large and small, electronics, CDs and tapes; sporting goods, T-shirts, cool sunglasses & more...

And you'll never leave the Big Top hungry! Choose from a wide variety of menu items for a hearty breakfast, lunch or snack, and if you want to take something home, there's farm fresh produce.

Step into a slice of original, colorful Florida, step into the Big Top Flea Market!

Open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Boulevard  |  Lake Wales, FL  |  863.676.1408  |  boktowergardens.org

Bok Tower Gardens, a “must see Florida attraction” centrally located between Tampa and Orlando, is open every day of the year from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM with last admission at 5:00 PM. The Visitor Center is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. General admission tickets are good for one day only and do not include specially ticketed events. You can also become a member of Bok Tower Gardens and enjoy the beauty of the Gardens 365 days a year.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

1101 Country Club Way South  |  St. Petersburg, FL  |  727.893.7326  |  stpete.org

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is located along the shores of Lake Maggiore in St. Petersburg.

The 245-acre award-winning park features:
    * More than three miles of trails and boardwalks.
    * Five unique ecosystems: hardwood hammocks, sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, willow marsh and lake shore.
    * Interpretive programming on a variety of environmental and natural history topics.
    * Part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.
    * Annual butterfly count with the North American Butterfly Association.
    * Bird of prey aviary.
    * Guided tours, group rentals and overnight camping facilities available.
    * Picnic areas, playground and gift shop.

Hours:
Tuesday through Friday     10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday     7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday     10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Trails close 1/2 hour before dusk.
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

Admission:
Adults: $3.00,
Children 3 to 16: $1.50,
Children under 3: free.
Sorry, no pets.
Annual passes are available, ask for details.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

3000 E Busch Boulevard  |  Tampa, FL  |  813.987.5000  |  buschgardens.com

Busch Gardens is a thrilling African safari and a sun-soaked Florida vacation all rolled into one. Experience up-close encounters with wild animals, and explore fascinating attractions based on cultures and legends of far away lands.

A unique blend of thrilling rides, one of the country's premier zoos featuring nearly 3,000 animals, live shows, restaurants, shops and games, Busch Gardens provides unrivaled excitement for guests of every age.

The Florida Aquarium

701 Channelside Drive  |  Tampa, FL  |  813.273.4000  |  flaquarium.org

Nationally ranked as a "Top-5 Kid-Friendly Aquarium" by Parents Magazine, The Florida Aquarium is home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and marine animals from around the world.

See river otters, alligators, stingrays and sharks! Then, immerse yourself in interactive guest-dive programs like 'Swim with the Fishes' or 'Dive with the Sharks' where coming face to face with a 250-pound Goliath Grouper is common place. Here guests can actually become a part of the exhibit in an up-close and personal experience underwater.

We've brought the Florida wildlife indoors! Learn about all the aquatic animals native to Florida and why protecting their habitats is so important for their future and ours!

And forget the acrylic windows! See African Black-footed penguins in the 'no borders, no barriers' Penguin Promenade daily or sign up for one of our special Behind the Scenes experiences like the Penguins: Backstage Pass or Shark Feeding.

New to the aquarium, Ocean Commotion is the most high-tech gallery found in any aquarium in the country! This uniquely immersive experience redefines 'interactive' utilizing state of the art technology like "smart Wi-Fi," floor to ceiling interactive displays, virtual dolphins and whales, animation and multi-media presentations. Guests can even upload their own videos to become part of the exhibit!

After you've seen everything inside, continue the journey to the 2-acre outdoor, water adventure park at Explore A Shore. But bring a bathing suit, because water canons are plentiful and children can explore a two-story, water-logged pirate ship. Parents can relax with a beverage at the Cantina while the kids play the day away.

Adults $19.95, Seniors 60+ $16.95, Children under 12 $14.95, Children 2 & under Free.  Memberships available.

Daily Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Please no outside food or drink.

Henry B Plant Museum

401 W Kennedy Boulevard  |  Tampa, FL  |  813.254.1891  |  plantmuseum.com

The Henry B. Plant Museum is housed in the 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel, now a National Historic Landmark and home to The University of Tampa. During the 1880's, Henry Bradley Plant was building an empire of railroads, steamships and hotels. The hotel was financed by Plant personally, not investors, at a cost of $2,500,000 and an additional $500,000 was spent for furnishings. It took two years to build, covered six acres and was one-quarter mile long. The 511 rooms were the first in Florida to be electrified. Advertised as completely fireproof, the structure is built of poured concrete reinforced with steel rails and cables in between floors. The building featured all of the latest luxuries including a billiard room, barbershop, shoeshine service, beauty shop, flower shop, telegraph office, formal dining room, Grand Salon, Music Room with orchestra and telephones in all guest rooms.

The grounds of the Hotel were as awe-inspiring as the building itself, spanning 150 acres. The amenities included an 9-hole golf course, flower conservatory, tennis courts, croquet courts, boathouse, hunting and fishing grounds, stables, racetrack, kennels, exposition hall with Florida products on view, casino with 2000 seat auditorium, heated indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, spa facilities and card rooms, totaling 21 buildings in all.

After the death of Henry Plant, the building was bought by the city of Tampa in 1904. It continued to operate as a hotel until 1932. In 1933, the Tampa Municipal Museum was established in order to preserve the legacy of the Tampa Bay Hotel, becoming the Henry B. Plant Museum in 1974.

Today its mission is to interpret the Tampa Bay Hotel at the turn of the century and the Victorian lifestyles of America's Gilded Age for people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of interest.

January - November: $10.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors, $7.00 for students and $5.00 for children 4 - 12 years. Henry B. Plant Museum members are admitted at no charge. During the month of December there is special pricing for the Victorian Christmas Stroll.

The Henry B. Plant Museum and the Museum Store are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday, Noon to 5:00 PM. Closed Mondays (Jan-Nov), Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo

1101 W Sligh Avenue  |  Tampa, FL  |  813.935.8552  |  lowryparkzoo.com

Recognized as the #1 zoo in the United States by Parents magazine
(2009) and Child magazine (2004), Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo features
1,700 animals on nearly 60 acres of natural habitats, splash ground
water play areas, wild rides, educational shows and interactive
opportunities to get closer to wildlife.
 
The Zoo’s Manatee and Aquatic Center, home to the David A. Straz, Jr.
Manatee Hospital, expands the traditional boundaries of a zoo, focusing
efforts on critical care for injured, sick and orphaned wild manatees.
 
The Zoo is operated by the Lowry Park Zoological Society, an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to providing exemplary programs in education, recreation, conservation and research to benefit the general public and to enhance the quality of life in Tampa Bay. Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo also exists as a center for conservation of endangered wildlife both locally and around the globe.
 
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Adults $23.95, Seniors 60+ $21.95, Children 3 - 11 $18.95, Children 2 & under Free.  Daytime admission includes unlimited amusement rides.  Free Parking.

Open Daily 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)

4801 E Fowler Avenue  |  Tampa, FL  |  813.987.6000  |  mosi.org

MOSI is a non-profit, community-based institution and educational resource that is dedicated to advancing public interest, knowledge and understanding of science, industry and technology. MOSI's core ideology is to make a difference in people's lives by making science real for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Admission to MOSI is so much more than just  access to our more than 400 exhibits (including Disasterville and The Amazing You). When visiting MOSI don't forget your admission includes access to:

    * Kids In Charge! - The Nation's Largest Science Center
    * A film in MOSI's IMAX® Dome Theatre
    * A Saunders Planetarium showing
    * A Science Works Theater 3-D Film
    * MOSI's Backwoods and Bio Works Butterfly Garden

With all of this, it's recommended that guests allow a minimum of 4 hours to enjoy all that MOSI has to offer.

Adults $20.95, Seniors 60+ $18.95, Children 2 - 12 $16.95, Children under age 2 admitted Free.  IMAX and other special attractions extra.

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday & Sunday
Open 365 days a year

Salvador Dali Museum

1000 Third Street South  |  St. Petersburg, FL  |  727.823.3767  |  salvadordalimuseum.org

The Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States, houses the largest collection outside Europe of the works of the artist Salvador Dalí and is located on the campus of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg in downtown St. Petersburg.

The museum's collection includes 96 oil paintings, over 100 watercolors and drawings, 1,300 graphics, photographs, sculptures and objects d'art, and an extensive archival library, and displays are periodically rotated.

The museum is home to 7 of the 18 masterwork paintings by Dalí (including The Hallucinogenic Toreador and The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus), the most of any museum in the world. To be considered a masterwork these paintings must be at least 5 feet in any direction and have been worked on for over a year.

In addition to displaying the work of Dalí, the museum aims to educate the public and promote understanding, enjoyment and scholarly examination of art through the exhibition of works by Dalí and artists of similar vision.

With the Dalí Theater-Museum created by Dalí himself in his home town of Figueres, Catalonia, Spain, St. Petersburg's Dalí museum has one of the world's largest collections of Dalí's works. (Wikipedia.com)

Admission:
      Adults: $21.00
      Seniors 65+, Military, Police and Firefighters: $19.00
      Children 13 to 18 & students 18+ with ID: $15.00
      Children 6 to 12: $7.00
      Children 5 and younger: free
      After 5 p.m. on Thursday: $10.00

Regular Hours:
      Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
      Thursday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
      Friday & Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
      Sunday: Noon – 5:30 PM

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

5223 Orient Road  |  Tampa, FL  |  866.762.5463  |  seminolehardrocktampa.com

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa is a gaming complex and four-diamond hotel that opened in Tampa, Florida in 2004. It is a 24-hour venue, with a nightclub that is open until 6:00 AM.

It features many displays of Rock and roll memorabilia, such as clothing and musical instruments. Rock videos and music play on multiple screens, including one displayed inside a waterfall. Many song lyrics are displayed on the walls. Among its many services are a food court and tour bus parking. Special membership cards allow points accumulated by gambling to be redeemed for retail discounts. A Hard Rock Cafe is currently being constructed and will open before the end of 2010.


In addition to Floyd's Nightclub other bars exist openly across the playing area, complementing several high-end restaurants. (Wikipedia.com)

Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

3301 Gateway Centre Boulevard  |  Pinellas Park, FL  |  727.823.3767  |  tbauto.org

The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, located in the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg area of west central Florida, features a unique collection of vintage cars and vehicles that demonstrate special creativity and imagination in their history and engineering. They include pioneering front wheel drive and rear engine cars from the 1920’s and 1930’s, and each vehicle was chosen based on the engineering achievements that made it an important part of the evolution of the automobile. These are the cars that set the standards for the engineering of automobiles today. Visitors enjoy a provocative blend of art and science in 12,000 square feet of gallery space.

Featured automobiles include Tracta, Citroën, Panhard and Voisin (France); Tatra and Aero (Czechoslovakia); DKW, Auto Union and Mercedes (Germany); Alvis, Allard and BSA (England): DeLorean (Ireland), and Willys Knight and Ruxton (USA). A special feature at the Museum is the world’s only replica of the French 1770 Fardier de Cugnot, the world’s first self-propelled vehicle. This vehicle is on loan from the Deutsche Bahn Museum in Nuremberg, Germany.

Admission is $8.00 per person, $6.00 for seniors and $5.00 for students or groups of 12 or more. Children under 6 are Free.

We are open 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday, Wednesday through Saturday
Noon to 4:00 PM Sunday
Closed Tuesday and holidays.

Tampa Bay Downs

11225 Racetrack Road  |  Tampa, FL  |  813.855.4401  |  tampabaydowns.com

At Tampa Bay Downs you'll enjoy live racing, simulcast action, poker, golf and much, much more.

The main track at Tampa Bay Downs is a one mile (1.6 km) dirt oval. The turf course is seven furlongs and includes a quarter mile inner chute. Tampa Bay Downs, which has long been famous as the only Thoroughbred race track on the West Coast of Florida, provides Bay area sports fans with live racing action from December through May.

Gates open at 11:00 AM and post time for the first race is 12:25 PM, unless otherwise noted.  The fee for Grandstand admission is free on weekday racing and $2.00 for weekend racing; Clubhouse admission is $3.00; general and preferred parking is free every day; and valet parking is $5.00.

The current live racing calendar can be found on our Sports Events Page.

Tampa Bay History Center

801 Old Water Streeet  |  Tampa, FL  |  813.228.0097  |  tampabayhistorycenter.org

The Tampa Bay History Center is more than a mere repository for historical facts. Functioning as a liaison between the past and the present, the museum honors our community’s character and heritage, stirring the spirit of adventure found in all its visitors with the generations of stories it has to tell.

Step inside the 60,000-square-foot History Center in Tampa’s bustling Channelside District and take a journey through 12,000 years of powerful stories. Follow in the footsteps of the first native inhabitants, Spanish conquistadors, pioneers, sports legends and railroad tycoons. During your journey, you will stroll through a 1920s-era cigar store, row up the Hillsborough River, ride along with a cattle drive and learn about the early exploration of Florida in a dramatic theater presentation.

Explore exhibits about the places and people who shaped the Tampa Bay area. The waterfront History Center boasts a stunning atrium, interactive and immersive exhibits, theaters, map gallery, research center, event hall, an eclectic Museum Store and the signature Columbia Cafe. The history of the Tampa Bay region comes alive within these walls.

The Tampa Bay History Center is a non-profit educational institution in downtown Tampa, Florida that seeks to preserve and teach the remarkable history of the Tampa Bay area. The Tampa Bay History Center is a 501(C)(3) non-profit corporation and is funded in part by: Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and The City of Tampa.

Adults $12.00, Seniors 65+ $10.00, Youths 13 - 17 $10.00, Students with ID $10.00, Children 4-12 $7.00, Children 3 and under admitted Free.

Open daily: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

New Years Eve and Christmas Eve: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Tampa Museum of Art

120 W Gasparilla Plaza  |  Tampa, FL  |  813.274.8130  |  tampamuseum.org

The Tampa Museum of Art is located in Downtown Tampa. The museum exhibits 20th-century fine art, as well as Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities.

The Museum is the proud culmination of three decades of cooperation among art organizations, private citizens, and government agencies in Tampa and Hillsborough County. The Museum opened in 1979 on the banks of Hillsborough River and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2009.

Museum hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Friday from 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM; and Sat and Sun from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

General Admission: adults $10.00; seniors $7.50, Florida educators $7.50, military plus one guest $7.50 (each); students $5.00; and children ages 6 and under Free.

University of South Florida Botanical Gardens

12210 USF Pine Drive  |  Tampa, FL  |  813.974.2329  |  cas.usf.edu

The Gardens experienced tremendous growth beginning in the 1990's, with the building of new structures and demonstration gardens. As a result, many new visitors have discovered the USFBG. The Plant Festivals attract plant enthusiasts from around the state to shop for rare and unusual plants. The Gardens serve as an important outreach component of USF. It is a portal the University with an estimated 35,000 visitors annually. Visitors to the Gardens have come from over 70 cities in Florida, 31 states, and 13 countries.

Today, the Gardens are part of the Department of Environmental Science and Policy in the College of Arts & Sciences. It consists of approximately 7 acres of developed gardens connected to an additional 6-9 acres of greenbelt area to the north on the southwest corner of the USF Tampa campus.The Gardens maintains a living collection of over 3,000 taxa of plants and natural habitats including: fruit trees, grasses, begonias, orchids, bromeliads, ferns, mallows, palms, aroids, gingers, carnivorous plants, butterfly garden, cycads, cactus and succulent plants, an herb and scent garden, wetland forest, temperate forest, subtropical shade garden, and Florida upland scrub and sandhill habitats.

Adults $5.00, Seniors 65+ $4.00, Students with ID $1.00, Children 6-13 $3.00, Children under age 6 admitted Free.

Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday, Noon - 4:00 PM

Closed for major holidays.