So, as one of the few (only? /shrug) "regular" posters who lives in the greater Tampa area, I suppose I'll kick off a thread to discuss things to do, places to go during the Frozen Four weekend. If you have ideas on what you might like to do, feel free to mention it and let's see what we can come up with.
It's still a bit early to say for sure, but weather at the moment appears to be quite nice. Temperatures appear to be in the 70-80 degree range, with mostly sunny days. I will mention that this is Florida, and we're nearing the start of afternoon showers/thunderstorms that happen nearly every day, regardless of how the day begins.
So, things to do.
Downtown/Around the Arena:
Florida Aquarium: http://www.flaquarium.org/
American Victory (Fully operational WW2 ship): http://www.americanvictory.org/
Tampa Bay History Center: http://tampabayhistorycenter.org/#_=_
Pirate's Water Taxi: http://www.piratewatertaxi.com/ (This is quite new, so I don't know too much about it. YMMV)
Tampa Water Taxi: http://tampawatertaxico.com/#_=_
Channelside Plaza- Adjacent to the rink, has several restaurants/bars/shops (Hooters, Wet Willies, Cold Stone Creamery, Splitsville (bowling alley/bar), etc). http://channelsidebayplaza.com/
You could spend time over in Ybor City, easily accessible by: http://www.tecolinestreetcar.org/#_=_
- I probably wouldn't spend much time in Ybor after dark, but some nice shops and restaurants, as well as some old cigar factories.
Interested in microbreweries? Tampa has a few that are pretty noteworthy, and well worth a visit.
http://thebrewerybay.com/ has a fantastic listing of breweries in the area, much easier to link that than individually.
I will say that I've been to Cigar City several times, and have enjoyed it quite a bit.
There is also this, if you have a group: http://www.tampabrewtours.com/
Making it a sports trip?
The Tampa Yankees (Class A) do have a game Friday night against Lakeland (DET affiliate), at the Yankees Spring Training field. Tickets are like $3-6.
If you have a car, and just need to get more hockey, the Florida Everblades (ECHL) have a game vs Orlando, down in Estero, Friday night. It would be about a 2 hour drive, but mentioning it in case somebody is interested.
Unfortunately, the Tampa Bay Rays will only be home just prior to, and the week after the Frozen Four.
Beach bum?
The greater area around Tampa/St. Pete has numerous beaches that are worth spending a day at. Clearwater Beach is likely the closest, but there is beach access most of the way down the coast to St. Pete. If you have a car, I'll recommend a trip south to Siesta Key (Probably 1.5-2 hours south, but a fabulous beach town.) Warning: if you're spending time at a beach, WEAR SUNSCREEN. Should go without saying, but it doesn't take long in Florida to make your vacation miserable.
Thrill seeker?
Busch Gardens, Tampa: https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa/
Disney/Universal/SeaWorld is about 1.5 hours up I-4.
Let's start there. If you have other specific interests, feel free to bring them up.
It's still a bit early to say for sure, but weather at the moment appears to be quite nice. Temperatures appear to be in the 70-80 degree range, with mostly sunny days. I will mention that this is Florida, and we're nearing the start of afternoon showers/thunderstorms that happen nearly every day, regardless of how the day begins.
So, things to do.
Downtown/Around the Arena:
Florida Aquarium: http://www.flaquarium.org/
American Victory (Fully operational WW2 ship): http://www.americanvictory.org/
Tampa Bay History Center: http://tampabayhistorycenter.org/#_=_
Pirate's Water Taxi: http://www.piratewatertaxi.com/ (This is quite new, so I don't know too much about it. YMMV)
Tampa Water Taxi: http://tampawatertaxico.com/#_=_
Channelside Plaza- Adjacent to the rink, has several restaurants/bars/shops (Hooters, Wet Willies, Cold Stone Creamery, Splitsville (bowling alley/bar), etc). http://channelsidebayplaza.com/
You could spend time over in Ybor City, easily accessible by: http://www.tecolinestreetcar.org/#_=_
- I probably wouldn't spend much time in Ybor after dark, but some nice shops and restaurants, as well as some old cigar factories.
Interested in microbreweries? Tampa has a few that are pretty noteworthy, and well worth a visit.
http://thebrewerybay.com/ has a fantastic listing of breweries in the area, much easier to link that than individually.
I will say that I've been to Cigar City several times, and have enjoyed it quite a bit.
There is also this, if you have a group: http://www.tampabrewtours.com/
Making it a sports trip?
The Tampa Yankees (Class A) do have a game Friday night against Lakeland (DET affiliate), at the Yankees Spring Training field. Tickets are like $3-6.
If you have a car, and just need to get more hockey, the Florida Everblades (ECHL) have a game vs Orlando, down in Estero, Friday night. It would be about a 2 hour drive, but mentioning it in case somebody is interested.
Unfortunately, the Tampa Bay Rays will only be home just prior to, and the week after the Frozen Four.
Beach bum?
The greater area around Tampa/St. Pete has numerous beaches that are worth spending a day at. Clearwater Beach is likely the closest, but there is beach access most of the way down the coast to St. Pete. If you have a car, I'll recommend a trip south to Siesta Key (Probably 1.5-2 hours south, but a fabulous beach town.) Warning: if you're spending time at a beach, WEAR SUNSCREEN. Should go without saying, but it doesn't take long in Florida to make your vacation miserable.
Thrill seeker?
Busch Gardens, Tampa: https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa/
Disney/Universal/SeaWorld is about 1.5 hours up I-4.
Let's start there. If you have other specific interests, feel free to bring them up.
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