Tampa Info
- Thread starter NUChicago
- Start date
In my experience, I've had a much better time at the bowl games where I've stayed at the official hotel. They seem to be far better at pointing you at the right direction of where to go. We didn't do that in Houston, and I had a miserable experience. Did it in Jacksonville and had a great time. Ybor city and Hyde Park are the bar/restaurant areas. Ybor is probably the younger area.
Thanks, Shakes, for this good advice.
I am hoping that someone posting here has a good knowledge of Tampa. I am considering travelling to the Bowl game this year, but for me it is a HUGE expenditure (air fare alone is probably about $1,500). If I go, I want to make sure I do it right! I've been to Orlando, San Diego and Atlanta several times, but I have never been to Tampa.
I am hoping that someone posting here has a good knowledge of Tampa. I am considering travelling to the Bowl game this year, but for me it is a HUGE expenditure (air fare alone is probably about $1,500). If I go, I want to make sure I do it right! I've been to Orlando, San Diego and Atlanta several times, but I have never been to Tampa.
If you want to be close to the stadium, stay around the Tampa International Airport, West Shore Blvd area.
There are two major malls, called International and West Shore - and numerous surrounding restaurants and bars.
If you want beach locations there are St Petersburg and Clearwater Beaches (for an Outback event). There are plenty of hotels, restaurants, and bars. Beaches are 20 miles from the airport/West Shore
Ybor City/Channelside is the bar district that is about 5 miles east of the airport/West Shore area.
There are two major malls, called International and West Shore - and numerous surrounding restaurants and bars.
If you want beach locations there are St Petersburg and Clearwater Beaches (for an Outback event). There are plenty of hotels, restaurants, and bars. Beaches are 20 miles from the airport/West Shore
Ybor City/Channelside is the bar district that is about 5 miles east of the airport/West Shore area.
There's not much to walk to near the Grand Hyatt.
Agree, staying at host hotel has purple perks!
However, this location would require taxi or car to get to any other locations.
Great views of the Bay...
I believe someone on another thread reported that GHTB is only taking non-refundable pay in full reservations at the present. Was that your experience?
Thanks, FLCat07! I do not want to hijack NU Chicago's thread, but here are some questions.
- Where would be the best place to stay to get the full 'Tampa' experience ... in the downtown area or Airport/West Shore?
- I hate renting cars in cities where I don't know where I am going. I assume that public transit in Tampa is not as developed as London or New York, so where would be best to stay if I am not planning on having a car? What's the best way to get around town ... taxi? Bus? Walking?
- Are there any hotels connected to the airport?
- Any other tips you could provide would be very welcome!
Finding a suitable place to have a party might be a problem. The place I used after the 2009 season worked out great, but they are out of business.
There was a trolley or something like that... but seriously, everyone download Uber. I'm sure it's in Tampa.
I just called them talked to front desk, they said it was pre paid non refundable for that time frame. That is interesting. Tried online as well, and got the same cancellation policy.
NU CHICAGO - Did you call or book online?
Also, Columbia for some of the best Cuban food north of Havana. A must for any visit to Tampa - could be a great option for a Purple Party?
Hi - I went through Hotels.com, and confirmed with reservations that I have a 24 hour cancellation policy.
I read that as one can cancel up to the 28th for a New Year's reservation. In booking hotels online I have never encountered a situation where the cancellation policy had a black out date into the future. Guess we need clarification.
Sorry if this is confusing. So I booked the room from 12/29 - 1/2. I can cancel the reservation one day in advance to check-in (12/28) with no penalty. If we are in Tampa I am good to go. If we are somewhere else, I will cancel well before 12/28 and not be out any $.
The trolley is limited to the east section portion of Tampa, containing performing arts center, convention center, Amalie Arena (Lightning), and Channelside district.
There is a Marriott, Hyatt, Hiton, and few other hotels.
Otherwise, the area is the 'financial' district with some trendy restaurants.
I stand partially corrected. If you come in the 29th, you can cancel. If you come in the 30th or later you can not.
Stay in Fort White and enjoy the "Ft. White experience". There's a redneck bar where the customers are unintelligible, a Subway, a Hungry Howie's pizza place, and Barnyard Junction (a BBQ joint), plus you're only three hours from the game.
Glades - What is the name of the town that the ex circus people live outside Tampa? My buddy went there and visited the local bar. His favorite story was the conversation he had with a bearded woman.
From Wikipedia.
It was home to Percilla the Monkey girl, the Anatomical Wonder, and the Lobster Boy. Siamese twinsisters ran a fruit stand here. At one time, it was the only post office with a counter for dwarves. Aside from the agreeable winter climate, Gibsonton offered unique circus zoning laws that allowed residents to keep elephantsand circus trailers on their front lawns.
We have found the perfect location for FloridAlum's bash!
Personally, I would stay in downtown Tampa. Tampa has done a lot to enhance downtown, including building up the River Walk and the area around Amalie Arena (where the Lightning play). In downtown, you are 10 min. from both Ybor City (historical center of Tampa, restaurants including the Columbia, cigar shops, bars/clubs) and Soho/Ybor City (trendy area, lots of restaurants (including Bern's), tons of bars). You are also 10-15 min. from the stadium. If you are adamant about not renting a car, I think this is your best bet. The Westshore/International Mall area does have a lot of hotels, some restaurants around International Mall and is very close to the airport and stadium, however there isn't much to walk to in that area. Same goes for the official team hotel, not much in the area you can walk to.
Public transportation is almost non-existent. As mentioned already, there is a trolley that goes from downtown (near the arena) to Ybor City. That's about it. Uber is available. Download the app. It's your friend.
If you want to go to the beach, you will definitely need a car. Closest beach is Clearwater Beach, which is 30-45min. from Tampa. There is usually an Outback Bowl related event out there. Ft. Desoto is also in south Pinellas County and annually recognized as one of the nicest beaches in the U.S. Downtown St. Petersburg is also an area that is completely changed from when NU was in the Outback Bowl before. There are a number of art museums (including Dali) and some very good restaurants and bars. It's no longer the sleepy old folks area.
For beer drinkers, you should check out Cigar City Brewery in Tampa. It's actually very close to the stadium and they make some fantastic beers. If you gather up enough people, you can do a Beer Bus, which will take you from Cigar City Brewery to 3 other local breweries in St. Petersburg.
Let me know if there are any other questions.
To answer the last point, There is a Marriott in the TPA airport.
Then you'll need taxi to get to wherever.
Yes. It's in the Busy Bee Gas station and convenience store. It's Fort White's equivalent to a shopping mall. There's tubing down the Ichetucknee River 4 miles away, too. Go tubing down a beautiful spring-fed river and then hit Hungry Howie's for pizza!
I stayed at the Don CeSar the last time we were in the Outback. Hotel is in St. Pete and is a bit further from Tampa - but well worth. Classic hotel with a beautiful private beach. I highly recommend.
http://www.loewshotels.com/don-cesar/
http://www.loewshotels.com/don-cesar/
Well, if we end up in Tampa, I'll be there solo. Flying in 12/31 and leaving on a 7pm flight 1/1. Refundable rates under $250/nt available at the Intercontinental and the Hilton Downtown Tampa as of yesterday, too. A NYE evening at Bern's and Seminole Hard Rock Casino seems like fun!
I hope you made your reservations at Berns for NYE a few months ago! Although if you get there early enough you can probably find some room at the bar.