Want to spend a week in Tampa, suggestions for a place to stay and things to do? (St. Petersburg: leasing, condos)

[SoulJourn]

Well that's the question! We've always wanted to vacation on Florida's Gulf Coast, but some how always would up in Delray Beach or Orlando. (we have relatives in the first place)

Now one of our children is looking at a couple of colleges on or near the Gulf Coast. We will be leasing a car.

What are some moderately priced places to stay? We lean vegetarian but eat sea food and love to try local places. Any suggestions?

We are combining the college visits with a much needed vacation. Any ideas?

We will be traveling in March. Thank you.

[romes591]

I'd say stay in the Channel Side district of Tampa, but if by Tampa you mean the Tampa Bay area I'd go to Pinellas to be closer to the beaches.

Colleges around here to check out would be 1) University of South Florida (Northeast Tampa), 2) University of Tampa (downtown), Eckerd College (South St. Petersburg), USFSP (downtown St. Pete).

They vary from large to small campuses and public to private and pricey. Personally I'd check out USFSP, beautiful campus.

In Tampa you can check out a Lightning hockey game, a Yankees spring training game, Busch Gardens theme park, some great shopping at international mall, Lowry Park Zoo, Big Cat Rescue, but as far as beaches I'd stay away from Hillsborough county beaches.

In St. Petersburg I would head downtown, especially if you are veggies. A walk down Beach Drive will give you plenty of good veggie options. Also St. Pete is has all the museums, modern art, Salvador Dali, Holocaust, museum of fine art. You can head to St. Pete Beach and check out some local landmarks like PCI, or the Thunderbird. And downtown St. Pete is much more vibrant than Tampa as far as foot traffic and walkable things to do, especially on weekends.

In Clearwater you will find the nicest beaches in the area. A little more dead of a downtown area. You can catch the Phillies play springs training in Clearwater or the Blue Jays in nearby Dunedin. Clearwater is the best place to grab seafood in the area IMO. A good spot that is not pricey is the Palm Pavillion on Clearwater beach.

All three of the cities in Tampa Bay have unique things to offer. A lot of it is spread out though so prepare to drive, good luck.

[sportsterjohn]

There are spring training games up and down the coast if you are into baseball. I know there is a veggie / healthy restaurant in downtown St. Pete. Not sure of the name as I go for the unhealthy!!!. Plenty of sea food places up and down the beach.

[BucFan]

Hockey team might have some home games (Channelside).

[jambo101]

Originally Posted by SoulJourn

Well that's the question! We've always wanted to vacation on Florida's Gulf Coast, but some how always would up in Delray Beach or Orlando. (we have relatives in the first place)

.

If you want the Gulf Coast think western St Petersburg as its actually on the Gulf coast, Tampa is 25 miles to the east on Tampa Bay.
http://marinerbeachclubcondos.com/wp...directions.png

[BucFan]

The Dali Museum (Salvador Dali Museum, St Petersburg, Florida USA)

[BucFan]

https://www.facebook.com/cltampabay

Keep an eye out for events on Creative Loafing's FB page.

[SoulJourn]

Thank you all for the ideas. Some really good ones! Rep to all who tried. On me.

[BucFan]

Speaking of the Dali, can someone explain this Mike Peters cartoon that he published recently? I don't get it. Is it a knock on Florida heat? Or is there something in Dali's art that explains it? Thanks.

[Tamatem]

Not a knock on Florida It's a funny made on "The Persistence of Memory" by Dali