Have4-5 hours prior to our flight out of Tampa after cruise, things to do??

[lanceholt]

We will dock Nov 15 and fly out of Tampa that afternoon. Plan to check our bags first, will still have our carry-ons, but are wondering what we can do with 4-5 hours other than sitting around at the airport? There's an excursion NCL offers with transportation to the Tampa airport, but it really didn't sound interesting.

[NJGem]

I read with interest your post, as we will be in Tampa on that same day under same conditions. I am researching this myself. Please post back what information you found and I will do the same. Of course, it would be ideal if we had replies from either local or cruisers who have already found this information. Regards.

[NJGem]

I think we will store the luggage at the pier and then walk over to the Aquarium/Channelside area to look around. We will then probably catch the trolley to Ybor City for lunch. There is an all day pass for $5 on the trolley system (I think it also includes the buses - not sure) that is very reasonable to take in different attractions. I am sure you will receive more knowledgeable replies than mine, so I will keep watching to see what additional information is posted. Enjoy your day in Tampa!

[grrl2grrl]

NJGem, your plan sounds like a good one. Please check that the trolley is running on the date/time you are expecting. Most days the trolley doesn't start running til almost 12:30.

 

To OP, there are a million and one things to do in Tampa, but our mass transit situation is severly lacking.

 

One tip is to check to see if there is any sporting events going on the same day you'll be in town. If there is an early Lightening game, or any event going on at the convention center, or a Bucs home game your potential traffic expectations could easily turn into a nightmare and eat up 1-3 hours of your visiting timeframe.

 

In Channelside itself it is very bar/alcohol oriented. It appears less so during the day, but they also don't do much business during the day.

The Aquarium is within walking distance, and many people love it. If you are going with elemterary age children, maybe some middle schoolers it might be nice. I've been to aquariums across the country and unfortunately I found ours lacking in holding my attention. My favorite by far is the Atlanta Aquarium. (for perspective)

Ybor is interesting. It trys to be a mini Bourbon street with Cuban flair. I would eat at Carmine's and have the Garbanzo's (Spanish Bean Soup) and a Cuban. There is also The Columbia which has a bit more upscale feel, but certainly authentic Ybor. The old buildings like they're straight out of another time. I use this area a lot for photo shoots. You will see homeless on your visit, not that it's avoidable in any large town with our weather, but you should just be prepared. There are some sketchy areas in Ybor. They are mostly okay in the day, but like anywhere urban, know where you are and be aware of your surroundings. If you do some research on Ybor ahead of schedule you may be able to get a tour of the Cigar making industry, and perhaps some gossip on Ybor's mob ties. (Up until a decade ago, the resturant I recommended, Carmine's, was a cash only business....) I think Ybor has a tourist office on the main strip, but things change pretty often down there, so google your homework. I believe there is also a Segway tour in Ybor as well if you don't want to do all the walking, though I have not taken it myself.

 

There is a Museum not to far from The pier (towqrd the airport, but not the most direct route) called the Henry B Plant Museum, which is also the University of Tampa. If you like the 20's era head here. It is right on the river and you will see it's turrets before you arrive. The grounds are very pretty, and the history explained inside on the plaques and cases almost feel like the walls could tell you stories. There isn't really any lunch or food options available here, but it's not a really adventurous stop either... For this location you would either really have to like the 20's time period, really enjoy local history of the places you visit, or really just want a relaxing walk through a beautiful location. I don't think kids would be interested in this at all.

 

I wouldn't go to any of our beaches in the bay after just getting off a Caribbean cruise. Our immediately local waters are not clear, nor blue most of the time, and often smelly. Sadly...

 

If you are up for adventure across the bridge in St. Pete is the Dali Museum. They have a specific childrens room with activities, their grounds are on the water, and the art is something impressive to see. Art is subjective, but I think it's one of our more unique and interesting highlights of the bay. I walk through the museum in about an hour. If you like to read all the cards, take the tour (which I recommend if you're not familiar with Dali), or like to contemplate the meanings it could easily become a 3 hour visit if you like. They also have a cafe onsite, though over priced.

We also have MOSI in Tampa. It's not on your path between the pier and the airport, but it's fairly easy to navigate to, but you will need transportation of some kind, taxi, bus if that's an option... If you have never been to an Imax dome this is a unique experience. We sat all the way up near the top and felt a bit dizzy, but the thrill of the adrinaline was fun. Of course you don't have to see a movie, you can go check out the museum. You can step inside a chamber and feel what it's like for us to go through a hurricane, check out their website for other exhibits there qt the time of your visit, but if you have elementary age children, and even the middle schoolers, the children's center is the best I've ever seen. They also have an overpriced cafe.

If you are simply looking to kill some time near the airport there is International Mall pretty close by. Though it is not a bargain hunter's dream, you will find very unique gifts & stores, but be prepared to pay the premium for it.

Oh, how could I forget the Casino? If you haven't lost enough money on the ship's casino, and enjoy gambling, you could head over to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. They have their iconic Hard Rock Cafe inside as well. If you're looking for culture though... The Seminole Native American's own the Hard Rock. They have a reservation across the street, I haven't been there in oh, 2 decades... The reservation isn't their big draw in Tampa, but they may still have options for tours if you check into them.

That brings me to the psudo-ridiculous... Dinosaur World. It's backwards from the pier, but it is one of those road-side attraction things. The fact that some guy(s) have built these life size dinosaurs is pretty awesome. You do get a bit of Jurassic Park feel, but they are stationary, not animatronic. You'd have very unique vacation photos for sure. It's similar in price to the aquarium, but most everyone's been to an okay aquarium... How many have been to dinosaur world?

What Tampa has become most notable for these days is it's Thriving Adult industry. There are strip club's galore, and they don't wait for night fall to get the party started. Some even offer a free lunch buffet... We have a few streets that are just lined up and down with them... Obviously, not "family" friendly.

I know many of these are a bit off the wall, but you could just google if you were looking for the expected answers.

Please feel free to PM me with any questions. I've lived in and around Tampa Bay for 21 years, so I won't have many hotel tips, but I do have tons of Tampa local experience...

[paradiselivin1]

With such limited time, I think you would be smart to stay "local" and go to the Aquarium which is just a few blocks away. Ybor City is not as vibrant as it used to be but you should be able to find a restaurant where you can get a good Cuban sandwich. Next time, leave time to come out to our beautiful beaches. Definitely rival anything you would find on a cruise ~ talking about the Gulf beaches and not the bay beaches that precious poster spoke of ~ not the same at all!

[Lafayette99]

There is a place to store you luggage as you get off the ship, and go the the $5 all day trolley ticket. We jumped on there and found a great restaurant, and saw a good bit of Tampa!

 

Thats your best bet, not a ton other than the aquarium right at the port, a few shops but thats about it.

[CM2J2R2S]

Our situation is quite similar. We are a family of nine with an international departure out of Tampa at 14h45.

 

At $20 per person, for two hours, we are not sure we want to do that and eating seems pointless since we will have just had breakfast.

 

I think we will be at the airport for noon - with just two hours - do we just go and sit at the airport or do we aim to walk somewhere for a bit?