Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
If you are an animal lover, you may want to make your reservations early for a one night stay at Tampas Wildlife On Easy Street. This is no ordinary bed and breakfast; on Easy Street, you get to share your room with a very special guestC one of the facilitys endangered or exotic big cats. If you spend the night, you can opt to cuddle up with a bobcat, cougar, leopard, or other jungle cat of your choice that is available for this service. The friendly staff and volunteers are well trained and do an excellent job at securing the safety of the guests and the felines. This is a non-profit organization that rescues these amazing creatures from owners who were no longer able to care for them. The owners provide the cats with a good home where they are well cared for. They offer the opportunity for people to get up close with them in hopes of raising public awareness about the need to ensure the survival of the endangered species of big cats. If you would rather not spend the night, you can still go to the beautiful 40-acre facility for a tour and a chance to see these magnificent animals up close.
If shopping is more your style, head over to the International Plaza Mall. Located on West Shore Blvd., this mall is home to more than 200 specialty shops and 4 major department stores. There are no shopping needs that this mall cannot meet. When you get tired of browsing, you might want to stop for a bite at the excellent food court, or hop into the Blue Martini for a cocktail. Parents and children alike will love the beach theme play area where kids can have fun while mom and dad relax on the comfortable seating.
When you are ready for some excitement, try Tampas own Bush Gardens, an amusement park that rivals any theme parks in Orlando. This park offers games, a zoo containing more than 2,500 animals, restaurants, shops, educational shows, eye-popping productions, and rides for all ages. Thrill seekers may want to try one of the many blood-rushing roller coasters, such as the Gwazi, the largest and fastest coaster of its kind in the Southeast. Nature lovers may prefer the Serengeti Safari tour, where they can experience African wildlife up close. Children will love the giant tree house, enchanted forest and child-friendly rides of The Land of Dragons.
For a quieter vacation, take a hop over the bay and head down to Ft. DeSoto Park, just over the bridge in Pinellas County. This island park offers miles of white-sand beaches and clear blue waters in a tranquil setting. You can camp out on the island paradise in your RV or tent, right off the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Take a walk on one of the scenic nature trails, go canoeing, or take in some fishing on your visit. The park is also on the National Registry of Historic Places. It was once home to the Tocobaga Indians, then named for Hernando DeSoto, who discovered in on his famous expedition. It was then used as a blockade during the Civil and Spanish American Wars. You can go on guided tours of the abandoned fort, or you can browse in the Quartermaster Storehouse Museum located on the island.
If you are a sports fan, you may want to see if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2003 Super Bowl Champions, will be in town when you arrive and take in a game. Or, if baseball is more your style, plan your visit in the Springtime so you can take in an exhibition game at Legends Field. This stadium is a scaled-down version of Yankee Stadium created for the Bronx Bombers spring training on the beautiful sun coast.
If you prefer a day at the races, cruise over the Gandy Bridge and visit Derby Lanes, a premier greyhound race track. Place a wager on a race, and relax with a refreshment in the Gallery Lounge. Or, give your luck a try in the poker room with a game of Texas HoldEm or 7-Card Stud.
When you are ready to enjoy some night life, plan a visit to Ybor City in Tampa. Down 7th Avenue in Centro Ybor is a strip packed with clubs, pubs, restaurants, entertainment and people. The never-ending festival-type atmosphere will enchant you as you walk down the strip. You will pass fun seekers casually mingling on the sidewalk seating, as music pours out of the clubs and onto the streets. Browse around until you find an establishment that suits your own personal style, and dance until the wee hours of the morning in the hottest and most colorful party district in the Tampa Bay area.
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