Going to Tampa Bay - need help

TomorrowsNewspaper · Aug 3, 2008

I am going to Tampa for a business trip the end of the month. Since flights were cheap, I am taking the wife and looking for some fun stuff to do. The meetings are Thursday all day and half a day Friday so we will have Friday afternoon until Tuesday afternoon to see the sites and sample the local foods. I am looking for all ideas from any that have been there or live there. We are staying at the Hyatt Grand Wed and thurs and then I got the Intercontinental for the rest of the time through priceline ($60, was pretty happy with that)

Thanks in advance.

ECS · Aug 3, 2008

Im sure you'd enjoy the hard rock, fishhead should be able to fill you in on places to eat.

FYI- if you bring your own gps, prepare for it to F up because they are doing construction and roads disappear, got me good and lost once

Wynn · Aug 3, 2008

Damn, where do you start?

Bar/Restaurant Areas:
Channelside
Ybor City

Famous steak restaurant:
Bern's Steakhouse

Beach:
Clearwater Beach (get a grilled grouper burger at Frenchy's)
Ft. De Soto Park

Casino:
Hard Rock

Amusement Park:
Busch Gardens

MLB:
Tropicana Field - Orioles vs. Rays

Dinner Cruise:
Starlite

Sunday Brunch:
Don Caesar Hotel

Great Seafood Restaurant:
Lobster Pot - Madeira Beach

TomorrowsNewspaper · Aug 3, 2008

Thanks Wynn, you are the man. Shula's is in the hotel I am staying at. Is it worth it, or are you paying for the name (which I dont mind if it is good). How are the beaches? Our hotels are right by the airport if you need that.

Wynn · Aug 3, 2008

Tomorrow's Newspaper said:
Thanks Wynn, you are the man. Shula's is in the hotel I am staying at. Is it worth it, or are you paying for the name (which I dont mind if it is good). How are the beaches? Our hotels are right by the airport if you need that.

I like Shula's a lot. I'm a member of their 96 oz. steak club. Good steaks, great sourdough bread, beefsteak tomato salad and chocolate souffle (must order early). For tourist beaches, I'd hit Clearwater Beach (Pier 60) or So. St. Petersburg Beach (Hurricane Pass). For a more secluded beach, I'd go to Ft. DeSoto Park (near Clearwater Beach).

The Intercontinental Hotel is a nice central location in Tampa with good access to Clearwater (Courtney Campbell Causeway - St. Rt. 60) or St. Petersburg (I-275 south), but keep in mind that Tampa Bay is pretty spread out.

VIEJODINOSAUR · Aug 3, 2008

Mons Venus...

Wynn · Aug 3, 2008

VIEJO DINOSAUR said:
Mons Venus...

First thing that came to my mind but for the word "wife" in his post.

VIEJODINOSAUR · Aug 3, 2008

Wynn said:
First thing that came to my mind but for the word "wife" in his post.

Maybe an understanding kind of wife...know of a few that would always go with their husband or boyfriend....Mons Venus is in my top five from around the world...

Wynn · Aug 3, 2008

VIEJO DINOSAUR said:
Maybe an understanding kind of wife...know of a few that would always go with their husband or boyfriend....Mons Venus is in my top five from around the world...

Don't want to hijack the thread, but I'd love to see that Top 5 list.

5teamparlay · Aug 3, 2008

Take the wife to International Plaza for dinner, it beats YBOR or Channelside.

the Hard Rock is OK for now POKER ONLY, Blackjack is coming in November.

viking611 · Aug 3, 2008

VIEJO DINOSAUR said:
Maybe an understanding kind of wife...know of a few that would always go with their husband or boyfriend....Mons Venus is in my top five from around the world...

Viejo....that place is nice....although i kept running into myself there!! Did you have this problem?? It's dark and those damn mirrors are everywhere...can't see where you are going until you run into a wall. Of course being half liquored doesn't help. Told a buddy that and he indicated he did the same thing.

VIEJODINOSAUR · Aug 3, 2008

Tomorrow's Newspaper....sorry about the hijacked thread....I owe you one....

VIEJODINOSAUR · Aug 3, 2008

Wynn said:
Don't want to hijack the thread, but I'd love to see that Top 5 list.

Do you want the US top five, or the World top five...:missingte

Wynn · Aug 3, 2008

VIEJO DINOSAUR said:
Do you want the US top five, or the World top five...:missingte

How 'bout both in a new RR thread?

barman · Aug 4, 2008

Friendly note that "Ft Desoto Park" is NOT "near Clearwater Beach", per se

It's a good 25 miles south at the very southwest tip of Pinellas County.

Take 275 South across the Bay and it's then about 15 miles further (Mapquest for precise route).

Clearwater Beach otoh, take US60 (Courtney Campbell Causeway) directly west until you drive into the Gulf.

A similar 20-25 miles, but in a different direction

TNEWS, feel welcome to drop me an email and if we can find a good time match, the SheBar and I would be pleased to meet you and yer Mrs in person somewhere compatible on Clearwater Beach.

dprinflorida AT yahoo.com

TomorrowsNewspaper · Aug 4, 2008

Thanks for all the ideas, and I do mean all of them. Barman, give me a little time to figure out my details and I will shoot you an email. We could have our own mini-bash (or dinner lol).

VIEJODINOSAUR · Aug 4, 2008

Glad to be of service....LOL

Timetopay · Aug 4, 2008

Let me know fellas.

TN my brother-in-law works at that Hyatt. Very familiar with it. If you have any problems while your there post here and I will help you out.

As far as beachs try Honeymoon/Caladesi Island. About 25 minutes from there
but voted one of the best beaches.

Clearwater full of a bunch of punks.