Tampa Bay is a natural harbor and estuary located on the west central coast of Florida, and is surrounded by the bright and sunny cities of Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg. The city of Tampa is easy to get to from anywhere by using any of the several highways and interstates surrounding Tampa, by air via the Tampa International Airport, or by ship via one of the top eight cruise ports in America.
Tampa has a bustling downtown district with booming commerce, and with its continually growing real estate industry, Tampa offers exceptional investment opportunities for the savvy real estate investor. Downtown Tampa is alive with both locals and visitors throughout the day and night. World-class restaurants, water activities, relaxing parks, and museums can be found throughout the downtown area.
The University of Tampa, located in the heart of downtown Tampa is home of the Henry B. Plant Museum, and a few-minutes’ walk away is the Glazer Children’s Museum, where children can learn while they explore fun exhibits. Several festivals—like the historic Gasparilla Festival—parade through the streets of downtown Tampa throughout the year. Each December, an ice skating rink is set up in the heart of the city, allowing ice skaters to glide along the ice in their summer clothing, which is worn by locals year- round. Music and theatre lovers will enjoy the Straz Center and the historic Tampa Theater, and there is something for everyone at the Amalie Arena, which continuously hosts concerts, sport events, and various shows.
Close to downtown Tampa, visitors will also find the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), which has a planetarium and a gigantic IMAX theater, which has a screen many times larger than a typical movie theater. Across the street from MOSI is the University of South Florida, which is one of the top research universities in Florida.
There are many great places that animal lovers are sure to enjoy. Meet manatees at the Lowry Park Zoo or swim with sharks at the Florida Aquarium! Take a cruise to see wild dolphins and manatees in the warm waters of Tampa Bay. There are dozens of types of animal attractions at Busch Gardens, as well as an abundance of wild roller coasters and fantastic shows.
Tampa’s Hillsborough River on the Riverwalk, or enjoy a jog or bike ride on the beautiful Bayshore Boulevard, which has many of Tampa’s oldest and wealthiest properties. The sidewalk that lines Bayshore Boulevard is the longest continuous sidewalk in the United States. The Davis Islands archipelago is full of bars, cafes, restaurant, shops, as well as a mix of architectural styles. Channelside—an outdoor plaza—has boutiques, restaurants, live music, a movie theater, and a bowling alley. The Port of Tampa is a busy cruise port, so you can sail away on a number of world-class cruise ships. There are many other boating opportunities—such as the Starship Yacht—for those who would rather stay local, and there are many malls and fantastic restaurants in the area.
Across Tampa Bay, relax at the historic Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, which has been ranked among the top ten U.S. spas several times in a row by Spa Finder Magazine. In addition to the spa and thermal baths, this resort also has beautiful ballrooms and fabulous frescoes on the walls and ceilings.
Meet Winter the dolphin, the famous movie star that helped shine a spotlight on the brilliant work the Clearwater Marine Aquarium does to help rehabilitate injured dolphins and sea turtles. The clear water and white sands of Clearwater Beach make it one of America’s best beaches! Rent a jet ski or a giant, inflatable water slide, or go parasailing. Take a walk down the pier and enjoy watching the dolphins, go fishing, dine on fresh seafood, and bask in the warm sunset every evening. Jump on a pirate ship or a sightseeing yacht at the Clearwater Marina, or take some time to relax in the Florida Botanical Gardens.
St. Petersburg is home to the Salvador Dali Museum, the iconic Don Cesar Resort, the Sunken Gardens, and even more beaches! Fort De Soto Park is yet another top beach of America, and has a historic fort, a fishing pier, and many opportunities to kayak, canoe, camp, and bike.
With so many places to go and things to do, the Tampa Bay area is sure to delight all visitors!
