Tampa - General Info Please

[xntric1]

We will be cruising out of Tampa. I would like some general info about the area. I hope that residents of the Tampa area and past cruisers will post and keep this thread alive. Tampa does not seem to be promoting itself to cruisers as much as some of the other domestic ports.

 

What is the one thing in the area tourist really should see/visit?

--good half day excursions and 2-3 hour ones.

 

The name of a couple good, non-chain, mid-priced restaurants in the area?

--family-friendly and adult oriented.

 

Interesting areas, prehaps less famous than Ybor, that one should consider?

 

Any interesting museums and such?

 

Is there a car rental facility in the cruise terminal area?

 

Any places to avoid?

 

Closest hotel(s) to the cruise terminal?

 

I am sure others will have questions as well.

 

xntric1

[tadjr]

Here are some sites to get started.

 

Tampa Bay Visitors Center http://www.visittampabay.com

Ybor Info http://www.ybor.org http://www.centroybor.com

Hyde Park Info http://oldhydepark.com

Channelside Info http://www.channelside.com

Henry B Plant Museum http://www.plantmuseum.com

Busch Gardens http://www.buschgardens.com

 

In St Pete

Baywalk Downtown http://www.baywalkstpete.com

Dali Museum http://www.salvadordalimuseum.org

Fla Intl Museum http://www.floridamuseum.org

Ft Desoto Park http://ftdesoto.com

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_Desoto.htm

Egmont Key Ferry http://www.hubbardsmarina.com/ferry01.htm

Honeymoon Island http://www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland/default.asp

St Pete Pier Downtown http://www.stpete-pier.com

 

For food there is the Hyde Park Diner that is supposed to be good (havent eaten there myself), barbeque at LeeRoy Selmons as well as quite a few other places if you check the websites out above. I dont eat out too much so cant comment on too many places for that.

No car rental at the cruise as far as I know.

Closest hotel is the Marriott Waterside, although the visitors website can show you some other places close by.

Check these out and then ask away. I'll keep checking back here to try to help out.

[xntric1]

Thanks TADJR.

I will start checking them out. If you ever need a reference for the Chamber of Commerce, let me know.

xntric1

[xntric1]

Tadjr,

I have checked out about half of them and found several things to do.

I think the trouble is going to be narrowing down my options to fit my time!

Thanks again!

Still looking for post from past cruisers- about some interesting place you discovered while there.

xntric1

[tadjr]

You're welcome. An outsiders view on something to do might be good. Living here we sometimes dont think about all that there is to do. Too busy on days off doing groceries and laundry to worry about where to go out for a day. I just have to laugh at some friends from work who say there isnt anything to do here. They're seriously talking about moving to Bend, Ore. or Sandpoint, Id. And they're complaining about being bored here?

[Jane110]

For dining in Tampa, I recommend Berns Steak House. This is a Tampa classic and a "don't miss". Even if you're not a steak fan, everything at Berns is excellent.

If you'd like a more casual and modern food experience, Berns has a smaller place next door. I don't recall the name, but it's something like Berns SideCar - you can call Berns and ask.

[Melissa_A]

xntric1, some of my favorite restaurants in the area are: Sangria's (tapas) and Cappy's (pizza place a few doors down). They are both probably 10 min from the cruise terminals. The Channelside district, where the cruise terminal is, also has some great restaurants. If you go to Berns, don't forget to make reservations for the Dessert Room upstairs!

[xntric1]

Hey, I am a big kid now...can I just skip dinner and go straight to the Dessert Room?

Thanks for the suggestions, Ann and Melissa, I will put them on my list of places to consider.

Hubby loves steak and pizza and is a CHOCHOLIC. We both love a good cuppa coffee with dessert.

Thanks,

Xntric1

[Melissa_A]

many people just visit the dessert room, so don't feel funny doing it :) The dessert alone is a great experience and worth the visit.

 

Cappy's takes cash only and is a dive, but has great pizza...and has the best breadsticks and greek salad. i'm a big fan, can you tell?

[tjatczak]

Melissa A.-

O.K. - I HAVE to ask...

 

Is it good "thin" crust pizza or that yucky(IMHO) thick crust pan stuff?

 

And where is it in relation to the Marriott Waterside?

 

Thanks,

Ted

 

P.S. Hello there xntric 1 !!!! :)

[tadjr]

Its at 309 S Howard Ave. It shows 1.7 miles from the Marriott. I cant comment on the crust though, but will have to check it out now.

[xntric1]

My husband will be voting for Cappy's. He loves "dives" that have good food &/or beer! How is the beer? I am a beer-snob and there is nothing better than a COLD beer with a good pizza. I am not a fan of most of the domestic, mass-production beers. (And Miller & Coors are big customers of the company I work for.) I am with Ted - thin crust!!!!

(Ted, good to see you found us.)

 

Thinking pizza & beer at Cappy's and dessert & coffee at Berns.....

[Melissa_A]

tjatczak, they offer both..thin and thick. personally, i despise thick crust pizza...too soupy. i always get thin, and if i go with people that like thick, i get my own pizza and get some to take home :) I am not a salad eater at all...but i love their greek salad. It's close to the Mariott, only minutes.

 

xntric1, They have a large assortment of beers from what i remember. Also, the tampa bay area brews a lot of beer locally, so you can try some local beer while you're in town.

 

I just started a diet on Tuesday and this talk is killing me!

 

p.s. Cappys is very casual, but Berns is the opposite. the dress is odd, i've seen men in shorts there....sitting across the room from a guy in a tux. but, overall, it's dressy....think smart casual to formal. i would never wear shorts there, but i've seen it a few times.

[tjatczak]

Melissa,

Thank you!

Have you ever done the Sunday brunch at the Marriott?

 

Cappy's- It sounds great! We may have to skip our cruise and just stay in Tampa! :)

 

Everything I find out - it just makes it harder to wait for October!

 

Ted

[Melissa_A]

ok, i gave in....went to cappys for dinner. i starved all day just to eat it.

 

ted, I haven't been there for brunch, but i'm sure it's good. For brunch, i'd recommend The Castaway, about 10-15 min from downtown or Oystercatchers...about 2 min from the Castaway. The castaway is right on the water and you can sit outside if it's not sweltering hot outside.

[xntric1]

Melissa,

Cappy's sounds great. I am sure we will go there. You have been a big help. Keep those suggestions coming! And thank you for going to confirm that Cappy's was still in operation last night. I think the good deed neutralizes the calories!

Well, off to the lake - pre-cruise practice - so maybe my junk food calories will not count either!

Donna

[tadjr]

ok, i gave in....went to cappys for dinner. i starved all day just to eat it.

 

 

 

Did you leave anything? I just told my roommate that I wanted to try it out tomorrow, but if you ate it all, then theres no reason to go. I'll let you know whats left.

[Melissa_A]

i think their might be a flour shortage in the area, but they will prob. be stocked w/ dough again by today ;)

[xntric1]

Y'all eat all you want now- just save some for me in October!

[KellyJean]

Can anyone tell me what they know about the Best Western Westshore in Tampa? Good, bad, etc.?

[Melissa_A]

kelly, it's ok. it's a 2* hotel. This hotel (booking directly) vs booking a 3* or 4* downtown (via priceline)...you'll prob. get them for about the same price. I've heard of people get the 4* Grand Hyatt (westshore) for $50-$60...or the 3* Hyatt (downtown) for $40-$50.

[xntric1]

KellyJean,

Is the Best Western Westshore the one that has the stay/park/cruise "special"?

 

Can anyone one advise the closest Rental Car facility to the docks?

We are considering driving down in a rental car. I want to compare prices in keeping the same car and parking it at the port for 5 nights or doing 2 short one-way rentals with cab fare and other incedentals that we would have.

 

Donna

[Melissa_A]

Donna, the easiest (although maybe not the closest) rental facility would prob. be the airport. I know that they have cruise term/airport shuttles. Any rental car facility at the airport would prob. be able to give you more info.

[xntric1]

Thanks Melissa,

I will call my favorites and ask them about cruise treminal shuttle. Looks like Hertz may have a limited facility in the Marriot Waterside. But their rates are about 35% higher. If I can take a shuttle to/from the airport, that is fine with me.

Donna

[tadjr]

A cab from the airport is about $20-25 each way (+/-). You can see if http://www.tampabayshuttle.com might offer something comparable, but not sure if they charge per person or van. Also the Super Shuttle runs from the airport and might offer something to the pier. A cab though will be cheaper usually if there are two people rather than the ship transfer. I dont know of any rental car places at the port area.

I know the Hilton on Lois did have a stay/park/cruise package. You can get some of the hotel info from the visitors bureau http://www.visittampabay.com since they have a link to hotels. Call the hotel direct (or email if given) and ask.