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Tampa, Florida is a destination that caters to travelers of all ages. From the adventure of Busch Gardens amusement park, to the unique restaurants and nightlife of historic Ybor City, the Tampa area has it all.
 Those traveling with kids, or who are young at heart, should check out Busch Gardens theme park. This popular Tampa attraction is set on over 300 acres, Busch Gardens has several thrill rides, as well as a large assortment of animal habitats to explore. The thrill rides include: SheiKra, the tallest dive coaster in the world, Gwazi, a mammoth double wooden roller coaster, Montu, the tallest and longest inverted roller coaster in the Southeast, and Kumba which sends riders through one of the world's largest vertical loops. The animal habitats include those of hippos, lions, hyenas and giraffes.
 Those looking for more great family fun should visit another popular Tampa attraction, the Florida Aquarium. The Florida Aquarium is a three-story domed glass structure that features marine life that are native to Florida. Some of the more popular exhibits of the aquarium are the Florida Wetlands Gallery and the Coral Reefs Gallery. The aquarium also allows brave visitors to dive in with the sharks, ride the catamaran for an eco-tour, take in a dive show, or have a hands-on experience with live marine life in their natural surroundings. Dozens of tanks are filled with every sea creature, from sharks to river otters, sea cucumbers to the famous Florida alligators.
Once you've finished visiting one of Tampa's theme parks, it's time to relax and unwind with a nice dinner or a stroll in one of Florida's historic districts, Ybor City. The Tampa area is home to Ybor City which is one of three National Historic Landmark Districts located in Florida; the other two are the Art Deco District in Miami and the Historic Village in Lake Wales. Ybor City is famous for its Cuban sandwiches and hand-rolled cigars. This well-known district is lined with wrought iron balconies, colorful globe streetlights, and old-fashioned brick-lined sidewalks and walkways. The cigar factories that helped make this area famous are still present as is their notable architecture. Ybor City is known as a shopping, dining and entertainment hot spot with nightlife as colorful as the flamingos that roam Tampa's Wheedon Island Park.
Wheedon Island Park is known for the breathtaking views visitors take in as they stand on the observation platform off of the boardwalk. The views of Tampa Bay, Riviera Bay, and the rest of the preserve are simply amazing. For the best view, visitors must work their way to the top of a 3,000 foot trail through a forested area. From the deck, visitors are also able to see an array of fish, water foul, and the protected wetlands.
Tampa, Florida is a wonderful city with attractions for the whole family. Visitors can ride roller coasters at Busch Gardens, gaze at the marine life at the Florida Aquarium, or check out the nightlife in Ybor City.
For Tampa hotel rates begin your search here, or you can read more about the Tampa area and look for hotel rates at the Best Western hotels of Florida website at www.bestwesternflorida.com.
To receive more Tampa information or to read more about Tampa attractions and to look for visitor guides visit the Tampa tourism site at www.visittampabay.com.
Top Photo of Golden Gate Bridge SFCVB Photo by P.Fuszard
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