Dolphin Cruise on Tampa Bay

Tampa dolphin cruise

There is nothing like getting out on to the water when you visit Tampa. The Florida Aquarium has a special tour boat that leaves downtown Channelside daily at 2PM. Parking is right across the street.

We spent part of the time inside, looking out the windows, and part of the time on the covered upper deck to catch the breeze. From here we could see a cruise ship in port, a restored Navy ship and the Aquarium. We got a great view of downtown Tampa and the waterfront homes along the bay. Nice way to live!

It didn’t take long to get out into the main part of Tampa Bay, and sure enough there were dolphins out there playing around. We even saw what looked like a family of dolphins with a little one.

We had no idea that Tampa was such a busy commercial port. Who would have thought that big ships and wild animals could coexist so well?

The trip was smooth and no one got sick. The boat is designed to be very stable in all kinds of conditions. After the boat tour you can tour the Florida Aquarium which is right there.

Channelside Tampa

A short walk from the dolphin tour and aquarium is the Channelside restaurant and shopping district. We ate at Gallagher’s New York Steak and had the best meal so far on the trip. Not  tourist trap at all.

From here we could walk back to our hotel, also on the bay the, Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina, and is right across the street from the Tampa Convention Center.

Here is a Google map of the hotel where you can also see where channelside and the aquarium is located.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Tampa

Tampa Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

It’s been a while since we visited the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, but what a difference! The casino has over 150,000-square-feet of action, is open 24/7 with 3,400 slot machines that with a free Players Club card earn you free stuff just for playing. Also new are 104 tables of live-action poker, $10 blackjack & Pai Gow. Week days from 11 to 6 they offer free card lessons. We needed all the help we could get and stayed for a couple of lessons.
This August you can win a BMW on Tuesdays and on Wednesdays a royal flush $100,000 giveaway. Player’s Club members have a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $500 – $100,000 by playing Royal Flush. Plus, Over a Million Dollars will be given away between August 16 – September 28, 2009.

 

Council Oaks Steak & Seafood

One of the best surprises was the quality of the food at the Council Oak Steaks & Seafood restaurant. Only open after 5 pm each day.

We started with Middleneck Clams poached in wine butter, baked with herbs & bread crumbs and went on to the Surf and Turf petite bone-in fillet & cold water lobster tail as well as the Crispy Free Range Organic Chicken over herb scented quinoa and topped with a cranberry gastrique. To top it off we split a Council Oak 151 Volcano: vanilla bean ice cream covered with Heath Bar Crunch flambéed table-side with a shot of 151 rum. All a bit pricey, but well worth the special feeling we took away.

I count 8 places to eat if you include room service and around the pool. The pool menu has burgers and beer as well as Kick ‘N Shrimp appetizers and my new favorite pool drink Electric Guitar with Absolut Citron, Hiram Walker Blue Curaco, mixed with Sour and Sprite.

Here are more photos from the Tampa Hard Rock as well as maps to the Tampa Hard Rock and hotels near the Tampa Hard Rock Casino.

After you eat, work it off on the dance floor at the only late-night club in Tampa. Floyd’s brings you the hottest DJs and bands, plus private booths and bottle service. See and be seen in the coolest hotspot in Tampa.

Floyd’s Nightclub doors open Thursday – Saturday: 11PM
Strict Dress Code

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – on sale

Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens in Tampa Florida is offering adult tickets at kid prices  plus a second day free, now through the end of the year.

This means that you can come back another day the same week without breaking the bank. Go again to your favorite rides & animals or try ones you missed the first time. Enjoy the shows that you didn’t have time for before. Try a relaxed meal instead of fast food.

Take a look at a map to Busch Gardens and see where the closest hotels are. One nearby hotel you might want to chek out is Best Western All Suites Hotel.  It is close to the University of South Florida main campus and Adventure Island Water Park.  All two-room suites feature a master bedroom, with separate living room, refrigerator and microwave.  FREE hot breakfast every day. Kick back and enjoy the outdoor pool and a sun deck with billiard tables. 

If you still need to see more animals, spend the day at Tampa’s Florida Aquarium or meet 100+ exotic cats representing 16 species of wild cat on the Big Cat Rescue Day Tour.