Tampa Travel Forum

I am going to Tampa May 3-7 2007. I would like to find some beachfront hotels, things to do, places to eat, etc. Any suggestions would be helpful!! thank you!

www.doncesar.com/ this is a good beach hotel

Hi.

I lived in the Tampa area for four plus years. I've actually lived in the city of Tampa as well as the beach area. Additionally, I like many others, vacationed in the area both prior to living there and since moving away. As such, I know the area very well, both from a resident and tourist perspective.

I would be happy to provide you with info, but I would need to know if you're actually planning to stay in Tampa or near the beaches. They're not extremely close together, and the vibe is very different from place to place.

Do you have any specifics on your vacation?

Mike

Your question really cannot be answered without some more specifics, such as whether you'll have a rental car, etc.

As YVRDave noted, The Don Cesar is the best of the Tampa Bay area but it is a little isolated (which perhaps you are looking for), is on a GREAT beach, impeccable service however it is in St. Pete beach which is 25 miles from downtown Tampa.

You would probably enjoy Ybor City just north of downtown Tampa near the port. Downtown has Channelside with its restaurants, entertainment venues, etc.

Busch Gardens is the closest theme park in north Tampa, St. Petersburg has the Dali Museum, and St. John's Pass in the Madeira Beach area has a little of everything.

Two websites that can help you decide a little more specifically:

http://www.visittampabay.com/

https://brochures.visittampabay.com/

Hope this helps.

The Travel Slut

As mentioned above Tampa is not really on the beach. There is beach access in the Rocky Point Courtney Cambell Causeway area, but this beach is on the bay. The better beaches are across the bay from Tampa in Pinellas County.

There are several different beach communities in Pinellas County: St. Petersburg Beach, Treasure Island, Redington Beach, North Redington Beach, Madiera Beach, Indian Shores, Indian Rocks Beach, Sand Key and Clearwater Beach. St. Petersburg is very busy, many restaurants hotels, etc. The Don Cesar mentioned in a previous post is at SPB. Clearwater Beach is also very active with a young crowd.

If you give a price range and whether you want small mom & pop motels or full services hotels we might be able to give additional recommendations.

Please check out my Tampa and other local beach travel pages here on VT for restaurants and places to visit.

Donna