As Tampa Bay's premier family water park, Adventure Island offers 25 acres of water attractions within a soothing Key West atmosphere. The park features a blend of thrill slides, children's water playgrounds and an 11-cart championship volleyball complex. New 'Splash Attack' provides a maze of drenching excitement for the entire family with more than 50 water play elements.
Hot air balloon sightseeing adventures. Feel the thrill and excitement of soaring to new heights as you cruise over the Tampa area enjoying the panoramic view of its lakes, diverse wildlife and unique landscape. Sunrise flights daily include complimentary catered champagne brunch. Reservations required.
The African-themed family entertainment park that is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is home to more than 2,700 animals representing 320 exotic species in naturalistic habitats. The 335-acre park encompasses an entertainment mecca featuring action-packed rides and world-class shows for guests of all ages in addition to being one of North America's premier zoos.
Guests can also discover the park's unique animal collection via a Sky Ride, Monorail and Trans-veldt railway which offer spectacular overhead and perimeter views of the Serengeti Plain and much of the park's nine-themed areas.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay takes great pride in its commitment to wildlife conservation. From informal talks and scores of informational displays to more than 15 formal education programs, the zoo staff strives to make learning about conservation fun and memorable for guests. Conservation specialists are found throughout the park every day, talking with guests, answering questions and giving presentations. As part of its conservation effort, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers year-round classes for children and adults, including "Behind the Scenes," "Junior Zookeeper" and "Zoo Camp" programs.
Rising high over the park and greater Tampa Bay area are two mega coasters which define the term "thrill ride." Twenty other rides within the park, to include two more roller coasters and three water rides.
A nationally-acclaimed children's fantasy playground, Land of the Dragons, is sure to capture the hearts and imaginations of youngsters for hours. This special area features playground sets with a rope climb, ball crawl, ramps, slides, a carousel, Ferris wheel, children's theater and miniature cars which steer around a track. Live Komodo dragons and other reptiles live in natural settings in Land of the Dragons. Other "kiddie" rides are also dispersed throughout the park.
Rousing indoor and outdoor live entertainment adds to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's diverse blend of family activities. Guests will particularly enjoy "Hollywood Live on Ice," a dazzling ice-skating tribute to the film industry. "American Jukebox," an exuberant and colorful singing and dancing show. Strolling musicians, highlighted by the park's own Mystic Sheiks Marching Band, combined with other Big Band musical acts visiting throughout the year make the park the place for world-class entertainment.
Up to 1,000 guests at a time can enjoy a special dining experience in Das Festhaus, the German festival hall. The Stanleyville Smokehouse piles plates full of succulent chicken and ribs. Park-goers in the mood for traditional meals can stop by Zagora Cafe, while the perfect setting for kicking back and regrouping with family and friends overlooking the Serengeti Plain is found at the Crown Colony Restaurant.
Hands-on, minds-on interactive children's museum for children and their families to explore and learn while having fun. Visit the Safety Village and spend the day exploring and role playing in our interactive miniature community - Tampa's best place for kids.
The Florida Aquarium is separated into four galleries - The Florida Wetlands, Florida Bays and Beaches, Florida Coral Reefs and Florida Offshore. The galleries are landscaped to reflect the habitat of the residents of the environment and feature more than 550 species of wildlife. Visitors can trace the path of a drop of water as it makes its way from the Florida Aquifer to the ocean. Young visitors to the aquarium can also now enjoy an interactive experience with the attraction's "Explore-A-Shore" exhibit.
One of the leading professional symphony orchestras in Florida and is considered one of the best regional orchestras in America.
The 16th Century was the the first time Europeans explored, what is now known today as, Hillsborough County. Spanish conquistadors, Panfilo de Narvaez and Hernando DeSoto, came in search of gold. What they did find were the Tocobagan Indians. Many battles were fought and finally, it took its toll on Panfilo de Narvaez. Hernando DeSoto extensively explored the region and met with resistance from the Seminole Indians. The Americans took possession of Hillsborough County in 1821.
Fort Brooke, being a central point of the area, evolved into Tampa. Much trading went on in the area and, soon, Tampa became one of the largest cities in Tampa Bay. It's a wonder it even existed considering there were two Seminole wars, A Civil War, plagues and many hurricanes.
When the railroad passed through the county in 1885, Spanish and Cuban cigar workers moved their families and businesses to Tampa. This was the start of one of the largest industries in the area.
In 1898, The American Army was highly involved in the Spanish-American War. Led by Teddy Roosevelt, what was know as "The Rough Riders" passed through Tampa on their way to invade Cuba.
Hillsborough County started to grow, rapidly in population and industry. Foreigners and tourists started to visit the county on a regular basis. The counties's resources, primarily made up of cigars, cattle, citrus, and phosphate fertilizer started being widely distributed.
When the "Roaring "20's" came along, Tampa became a boom town and ended up crashing, like the rest of Florida. Davis Island, in Tampa, still shows signs of that period. Tampa had a very stable economy during that period and were better able to handle the crash. Tampa achieved a rapid recovery.
Tampa, is the only major Florida city that is not dependent upon tourism. Therefore in the recent economic crisis, Tampa was able to recover quickly and is still the largest city in Tampa Bay.
Today, Tampa is the third largest city in Florida. The Tampa Port is the nation's seventh largest port. Tampa International Airport is known as the world's friendliest airport. The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is the largest theater complex south the Mason Dixon line and Tampa Convention Center is one of the largest convention centers in the Southeastern United States.
A ZOO FOR TAMPA
The primary goals of the Lowry Park Zoo are conservation and education. It is our heartfelt duty to contribute to a better understanding of, and appreciation for, our world's natural resources.The Zoo participates in 14 Species Survival Plans and has built a $3.3 million rehabilitation center for the endangered Florida manatee. The Zoo's animal population has grown from approximately 600 in 1988 to over 1600 animals of 330 species in 1992. Our Education Department provides a wide range of programs for individuals, groups and family participation to help foster a better understanding of the role we should each play in addressing issues concerning conservation and the environment.
The Lowry Park Zoo is owned by the City of Tampa and privately operated by the Lowry Park Zoological Society whose 31 member Board of Trustees forms the governing body.
Fueled by a $20 million fund drive, the Lowry Park Zoo opened its gates to the public on March 5, 1988. Situated on 24 landscaped acres, the Zoo exemplifies the change in zoo philosophy which has evolved in the past three decades, embracing the multifaceted roles of conservation, research, education, and recreation.
Spacious naturalistic enclosures with dense plantings, pools, waterfalls, and rock work have replaced the old, cramped, sterile cages. Where appropriate, animals live in social groups. In addition to promoting visitors' enjoyment, these stimulating environments encourage the animals' natural behavior.
Like all modern zoos, the Lowry Park Zoo has committed its resources to protecting wildlife. Man's growing demand for more space, food and natural resources has usurped many animals' natural homes, pushing them to the brink of extinction. Lowry Park works with zoos world-wide to preserve vanishing animals, to share research information, and to educate the visiting public.
The greatest threat to wildlife is a lack of concern which allows continuous destruction of natural areas. The Lowry Park Zoo is keenly aware of its responsibility to increase the environmental literacy of its visitors. The Zoo helps to stimulate visitors' awareness and understanding of these creatures' ecological roles and the delicate interdependence of all life on Earth.
Over the years, a trip to the Zoo has been a popular pastime for residents and visitors to the Tampa Bay area. The new Lowry Park Zoo continues this tradition as a place in which to have fun, to learn, and to be enjoyed by people of all ages.
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY (MOSI):
MOSI has tripled in size to become the largest science center in the Southeastern United States, and home of the first IMAX® Dome Theatre, the only theater of its kind in Florida. The science center encompasses 254,000 square feet and 65 acres.
Explore the human body in "The Amazing You", visit "The Back Woods" and learn about various interactive environments. Stroll through BioWorks Butterfly Garden. Visit "The GTE Challenger Learning Center", a memorial to the space crew Challenger. Get blown away in "The Gulf Coast Hurricane" exihibit, and explore space, flight, and beyond in "Our Place in the Universe." More than 450 hands-on activities for all ages.
The IMAX® Dome motion picture system, projects images of unsurpassed size, clarity, and impact onto a dome shaped screen providing 10,500 square feet of visual imagery. The film is enhanced by a superb specially-designed, six-channel, multispeaker sound system.
The Amazing You:
Tour the human body in all its complexity - from
DNA to cells to organs to individuals. Follow three themes in this 5,500
square foot presentation: "How We Work," "Wellness-How We Keep Ourselves
Going," and "Taking Care of Ourselves When Things Go Wrong."
The Back Woods:
Twenty acres of special water conservation elements
and various outdoor interactive environmental exhibits including compass
trails and a boardwalk.
BioWorks Butterfly Garden:
Brought to you by: Southwest Florida Water Management
Dirstrict/NationsBank. Is an engineered eco-system that emulates
natural wetlands and demonstrates how the natural wetlands cleans water.
BioWorks contains five hands-on components: microbiology station with microscope
viewing; biology station and nutrient puzzle; botany station with magnigfying
glasses; engineering station with sediment settling jars; and chemistry
station for pH measuirng. BioWorks also houses free flying butterfly garden.
GTE Challenger Learning Center :
Born out of tradgedy, the Challenger Learning Center
is a living memorial to the crew of the shuttle orbiter Challenger. It
is part of an international network of centers established by the families
of the Challenger crew. The 21st century classroom features a space vehicle
and a mission control in which guests assume roles of astronauts and engineers
at 12 interactive work stations. Each mission is based upon a scenario.
The current scenario is "Rendezvous with a Comet."
Gulf Coast Hurricane:
Experience the impact of 74 mph hurricane force
winds and learn how to "Get Smart, Get Ready" for a tropical storm.
Our Place in the Universe: An Exhibition on Space, Flight and Beyond:
Flight, space exploration, and astronomy are the
main focus of this 5,000-square-foot exhibit. Meet planet Earth and learn
about its place in the solar system. See technological advances in aviation.
Encounter this holistic view of the universe and the knowledge that science
has provided us thus far.
Tampa Bay Downs offers live thoroughbred racing from December to May.
TAMPA BAY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER:
The Center was conceived by visionary citizens of the Bay area and pursued with great passion and determination, culminating in the creation of a facility for the entire community to celebrate life through the performing arts. The Center is a source of joy, education and inspiration for present and future generations of Tampa, as well as a destination providing world class entertainment for the constant influx of tourists.
The Center is located on a nine acre site along the east bank of the Hillsborough River in Downtown Tampa, and provides an environment for a wide variety of performances, concerts, and events.
The $57 million (in 1987 dollars), 300,000 square foot, state-of-the-art complex is the largest performing arts center in the Southeastern United States.
Some features of The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
include:
Four separate theaters (each with its own lobby and dressing room), arehearsal
hall, banquet and retail facilities and a
loading dock area that can accommodate four full-sized tractor trailers
at one time. The performance spaces in the
complex can easily accommodate major musical, dance, opera, theatrical
and television productions, as well as awards
programs, pageants, conventions and meetings. Each hall is equipped with
audio, lighting and backstage equipment to
serve general performance needs. All halls are fully accessible to patrons
with disabilities. An infra-red listening system
for the hearing impaired is available in Carol Morsani Hall, the Playhouse
and the Jaeb Theater.
Once known as the "Cigar Capital of the World," Ybor City (pronounced EE-bore) is now one of only three national historic districts in Florida. Tampa's Latin Quarter offers a unique look into Tampa's heritage and culture, with antique street lamps, wrought-iron balconies, ornate grillwork, Spanish architecture and renovated cigar factories. Experience Ybor by day, strolling through shops or taking a walking tour, and then take in the night-time scene and see why Ybor has been touted as the "Nightlife Capital of Florida's West Coast."
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