Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 3000 E. Busch Blvd.. (at McKinley Dr./N. 40thSt.). Phone: (813) 987-5283 Some 2,700 animals roam the habitats of Busch Gardens. Special exhibit areas feature a distinct venue of animals. So, come and enjoy exhibits such as the gorillas and Edge of Africa safari experience. For the adventurous spirit, Busch Gardens offers an array of fast-wheeling roller coasters twist, and turns.

Florida Aquarium 701 Channelside Dr. Phone: (813) 273-4000 The Florida Aquarium features 5,300 aquatic animals and plants. Visit a mangrove forest in the Bays and Beaches Gallery, and stand amazed at the Coral Reefs. The 43-foot-wide, 14-foot-tall panoramic window with schools of fish and lots of sharks and stingrays is quite impressive. Lowry Park Zoo 7530 North Blvd. Tampa, FL Phone: (813) 932-0245 Visitors can watch the 2,000-pound manatees, the komodo dragons, and the rare red Pandas. This 24-acre zoo displays animals in settings similar to their natural habitats, its greenery, bubbling brooks, and cascading waterfalls. Other major exhibits include a Florida wildlife display, an Asian Domain, a Primate World, an Aquatic Center, a free-flight aviary with a birds-of-prey show, a children's petting zoo and hands-on Discovery Center, and an endangered-species carrousel ride.

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary 18328 Gulf Boulevard Indian Shores, FL 33701 Phone: 727-391-6211 This beachfront non-profit sanctuary rescues, repairs, and releases all sorts of avian wildlife. Visitors can encounter 600 birds of all descriptions at the Sanctuary. Here's an amazing fact: injured birds will often just show up at the Sanctuary, even when it means that they had to walk a long way down the beach to get there.

Tampa Museum of Art 600 North Ashley Drive Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 274-8130 It is a reflection of this culturally diverse city – full of priceless treasures. The museum features a 4,500 pieces ranging from Greek and Roman antiquities.

Ybor City 1800 East 9th Avenue Ybor City Chamber of Commerce Tampa, FL 33605 Phone: (813) 248-3712 Come and discover Cuban culture. Enjoy the ethnic food, boutique shopping, and Latin music in Tampa's Cuban district. This is a historic district that features old-world charm. Salvador Dali Museum 1000 Third Street South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 823-3767 The world’s largest collection of Dali art. Follow the artist through his impressionist and surrealists phases to his maturity.

Auburndale Speedway 5640 State Road 542 West Auburndale, FL 33823 (941) 965-7223 This speedway offers visitors a racing good time. Featuring limited Late Model, Street Stoick, Modified Mini Stock, Pure Stock V-8 and Pure Stock 4-cylinder divisions all attract lively competition.

Florida Power Park 230 South 1st Street St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Phone: (727) 894-7490 This is the location where the Tampa Bay Devil Rays prepare for the season. Florida Power Park is a renovated ballpark with a view of the bay itself.

The Museum of Fine Arts 255 Beach Drive The Museum of Fine Arts features a superlative collection ranging from pre-Columbian art through Asian and African to European Old Masters. It displays exhibitions from renowned museums all over the world.

Adventure Island 4545 Bougenvilla Ave Tampa, FL 33612 Phone: (813) 987-5660 Adventure Island is the place to visit if you want to feel the sand beneath your feet, and enjoy the tropical breezes of the bay. Although far from a natural beach, 25-acre Adventure Island, is a water theme park located close to Busch Gardens. Be prepared for some fun in the sun, because the parks towering slides, plummeting rafts, and tubes offer visitors an exhilarating water adventure. The Spike Zone, Adventure Island's 11-court outdoor volleyball venue, offers visitors a glimpse of profession volleyball matches.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium 249 Windward Passage Clearwater, FL 33767 Phone: (727) 441-1790 The Clear Water Marine Aquarium allows visitors to explore a tank of stingrays and starfish or dive in the water with scientists. The aquarium provides visitors with an in-depth look at loggerhead sea turtles, sharks, and river otters.

Canoe Escape 9335 E Fowler Avenue Thonotosassa, FL 33592 Phone: (813) 986-2067 Grab hold of a paddle and a canoe, and escape into one of Central Florida's wildest nature preserves. The water current is home to many gators, turtles, and great blue herons. Find peace and discover natural Florida in this 16,000-acre oasis.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest 400 N. Tampa Street Suite 1010 Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 223-1111 ext. 44 The Gasparilla Pirate Fest begins when Jose Gasparilla and his pirate crew dock in downtown Tampa. They are known for throwing a daylong party. The crewmen are in full costume; displaying scars, mock bullet wounds, and outlandish wigs.

Museum of Science & Industry 4801 Fowler Avenue 50th Street Tampa, FL 33617 Phone: (813) 987-6100 Fax: (813) 987-6310 This museum features numerous exhibits on natural phenomena. It also contains a one of a kind IMAX Dome Theatre. This theatre displays its images on a 82-foot high screen. With over 450 interactive exhibits, visitors should be prepared to experience the unexpected, even hurricane winds at the Museum of Science & Industry.

Tarpon Springs Aquarium 850 Dodecanese Boulevard Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (727) 938-5378 Fax: (727) 942-5708 Tarpon Springs Aquarium features the colorful creatures and tropical plants. Come and experience the local marine life. Visitors can touch the animals in the tidal touch-pool