The city of Tampa, situated on an inlet reaching far into the west coast of
Florida, is the economic center of western Florida. The city center is an
area of high-rise office blocks. In its downtown one can see the city's
liveliness as is packed with several urban parks, bars, and restaurants.
but Tampa also has historic old quarters such as Ybor City and Old Hyde
Park. Both residents and visitors alike, can indulge in activities like
paddling along the Hillsborough River, sampling tequila at a margarita
festival, enjoying a pro football or hockey game, riding a thrill-coaster
at Busch Gardens or attending an opera at the Straz Center.
Things to Do in Tampa
Lowry Park Zoo
The Lowry Park Zoo is situated in the city of Tampa. It serves as a natural
habitat for over 2,000 animals. The zoo comprises of Asian Gardens, Primate
World, Free-Flight Aviaries, Florida Wildlife Center, Florida Manatee &
Aquatic Center, Wallaroo Station children's zoo, and Safari Africa. With
the passage of time, the zoo has become popular amongst locals as well
visitors. Here one can grab the opportunity to feed some of the animals,
including giraffes.
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is an African-themed family entertainment and adventure park.
Spread on nearly 335 acres of area, the garden features thrilling rides,
live music, craft performances, and various exotic animals in natural
settings. Here, visitors can opt for a safari to see animals grazing on the
plains. One can even experience close encounter with some of these animals.
Big Cat Rescue
The Big Cat Rescue, a non- profit organization, is a wildlife sanctuary for
abandoned & abused big cats. It is home to numerous animals including
Geoffroy Cats, Jungle Cats, Clouded Leopard, Tigers, Servals, Caracals,
Snow Leopards, Bobcats, and Lynx. The sanctuary only offers guided tours
and one cannot roam around in the area freely. If you are visiting with
kids and children below 10 years of age, then opt for “Kids Tour”.
Best Time to Fly to Tampa
The best time to book flights from Houston to Tampa are the months in
between September-December. Avoid booking your flights from HOU to TPA for
the months of May-August, as you may find inflated prices for almost
everything.