Tampa is the largest town in Florida on the Caribbean coast. On the opposite side of Miami and in the south of US.
The city is a major tourist attraction any time of the year. It has wonderful wide beaches, lots of restaurants, a magnificent Botanical Garden, the biggest flea market in the US (according to locals) and enjoys wonderful weather most of the year.
A short drive from Tampa there’s Disney World outside Orlando and also the Busch Gardens a feline park.
A better alternative to Miami in my opinion, Tampa has been blessed with a wonderful natural setting and would truly satisfy any tourist looking for sun, sea and relaxation. Tampa is actually divided into several beach towns like St. Pete, Clearwater, Bradenton etc. The Florida Aquarium is in Tampa and well worth a visit especially for the kids but not only.
The weather can be intensely humid in the summer. There’s also a Salvador Dali museum in Tampa.
OVERRATED (Be warned!):
-Tampa is very hot most of the year
-Traffic can be a nightmare at the wrong time of the day
-Downtown Tampa is quite boring and soulless
-Florida in general is more expensive than other states
-No shortage of homeless people
-Average age is quite high. Lots of retirees and not a lot of younger crowd
UNDERRATED (Cool unknown facts):
-St. Pete and Clearwater beaches. Large, clean and with ample parking.
-Tampa Flea Market. Must see.
-The pick your own oranges farms, while in season.
-Plenty of hotels right on the beach.
-Just one hour drive away from Disney World near Orlando
-Dali museum. Works of Salvador Dali under one roof
If you ever been to Tampa Bay area let us know and comment in the space below. What do you think of Tampa?