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Tampa is one of the major cities in the province of Florida, USA. It is commonly known as the Tampa Bay Area and situated on the west coast of Florida.

The shores of this place are famous for tourist attractions. We find amusement parks, botanical gardens, zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, museums, and many more.

10 Things to Do in Tampa

Tampa offers exciting places for relaxation too. In the Downtown of Tampa, there are one of its kind restaurants, river walks, urban parks.

Once you are into the city of Tampa many adventures are waiting for you to try. So here are a few things you can do if you visit Tampa for the first time.

1. Busch Gardens

The total area of Busch gardens is 335 acres. It is an Africa themed animal theme park situated in Tampa.

There are many roller-coasters in Busch gardens. Famous roller-coasters like SheiKra, Montu, Zadra, Falcon’s Fury, Tigris, Iron Gwazi are located here.

The main attractions here are thrilling rides, live music by artists, animals living in natural habitats. Many types of animals are living in Busch gardens.

Hand fed Kangaroo and giraffes are attractions here. It is a different kind of experience to see the park staff members taking care of various animals.

We can go for a nighttime Safari in the park. It offers us the spectacular opportunity to watch the animals gazing around the fields and villages.

2. Tampa Zoo at Lowry Park

It has a total area of 3 acres. Tampa zoo was rated by US Parents Magazine as the number place to visit with family.

The park features more than two thousand animals which are living in their natural habitats. Visitors can get close to the animals like Indian Rhino, a rare species nearer to extinction to feed them.

African Elephants and Penguins, Florida panthers are popular animals here. Tampa zoo also hosts multiple events every year where tourists can enjoy as well as Locals.

If you want to visit this place, make sure you do not miss the expedition on African Safari Tram which takes us through the habitats of the animals.

3. Henry B. Plant Museum

The Henry B. Plant Museum was a converted museum in the year1891. Initially it was the Tampa Bay Hotel, the Victorian railroad. It is now known as a Country’s Historic Landmark.

Many museums we see today preserve the past artifacts used by our ancestors. However, the Henry museum contains the actual furnishings enjoyed by the first guests who visited this former hotel.

This Museum precisely reflects the vision of American transport pioneer, Henry B. Plant on whose memory this museum was built.

It offers the way to know the living style of Henry Plant. A part of this building was snow converted into the University of Tampa.

4. Big Cat Rescue

The Big Cat Rescue is a Non-Profit Organisation formed to rescue cats that are abandoned. It was founded in the year 1987 by Kay Rosaire.

It was a home for more than 150 exotic and domestic animals. Here we can find animals like jaguars, Lions, Tigers, Caracals, and related species.

Additionally, there are tours to have a glance at the animals like night tours, feeding tours, private tours.

The main objective of the Big Cat Rescue was to provide a shelter for homeless animals and educate the visitors about the preservation of animals for humankind.

There is also an availability of a kids tour for the children who are below 10 years.

5. Tampa Theatre

The Tampa Theatre is situated in the downtown of Tampa and built in 1926. It has an historic importance in the USA as the theatre was designed with an atmospheric style of architecture and the architect was John Eberson.

Tampa theatre includes styles of Italic and Greek architecture. It features documentary films, independent films. It is a luxurious palace presenting concert shows.While watching a film here we feel like a different time period.

This theatre is managed by an NGO called Tampa Theatre Foundation. The mission of this NGO was to preserve the theatre and protect its extraordinary architecture.

6. Tampa Bay History

The Tampa Bay History was located on the Riverwalk of Tampa. It is a Museum in Tampa of historic importance. Here we can find the artifacts of the ancient native people who lived in Tampa.

This building consists of three floors which covers 12,000 years of Florida’s history. It also has a research centre.

This region has experienced the multicultural scenarios during the last five centuries.

We can also find the shipping era, rail roads as the major attractions here. In permanent galleries, we can explore the stories and personalities who are famous from Florida’s ancient times.

Additionally, there is also a temporary gallery that features the exhibitions of arts.

7. Ybor City

Ybor is a city which is famous for vintage shops and boutiques. It is named after Vicente Martinez Ybor. Once upon a time, Ybor cigar factory was world’s largest cigar factory.

However, due to Great Depression many factories were closed. Consequently, it lost its previous glory.

Recently it is been reviving. Many shops, cafes, restaurants emerged in this area. Colombia restaurant was the oldest in the state of Florida.

It is the largest Spanish restaurant. If you love to visit oldest places then Ybor city is the best place you can visit. You will experience the vintages of the city.

8. Adventure Island

It is located in the north-eastern part of Florida and its total area is 12 hectares. It is a part of the sea world environment.

Adventure Island is famous for its rides and pools for swimming. As Florida will experience higher temperature than the rest of the USA, it would a cool idea to spent time in Adventure Island.

Solar Vortex, Aruba Tuba, Caribbean Corkscrew, Colossal Curl, Vanish Point, Water Moccasin, Calypso Coaster, and Riptide are eight of water slides present in this Island.

Additionally, there are many pools surrounded the Island like Endless Surf, Paradise Lagoon, Rambling Bayou, Fabian’s Fun Port, Splash Attack.

Adventure Island offers many Dining options ranging from snacks to some ice cold cafes. We can also do some shopping at reasonable prices.

9. Tampa Riverwalk

The best reason to visit Tampa Riverwalk is it is absolutely free and surrounded by parks and under bridges. It is a pedestrian walkway of about 4.2KM runs parallel to the river Hillsborough.

This Riverwalk is a continuous path that connects many tourists’ attractions like parks, hotels, Museums, etc.

This was built in the year 1970. Here the main attraction is Curtis Hixon Park which was opened in the year 2010.

Historical Monument Trail of Tampa Riverwalk is made up of Bronze and Marble busts. We can also find restaurants which offer tasty and delicious food.

10. Sunshine Skyway

The Sunshine Sky way is a bridge located near Lower Tampa Bay. As a consequence of the Governor’s decision, the bridge was renamed the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway. It connects St. Petersburg and Terra Ceia.

The bridge was collapsed during 1980, but later it was reconstructed. This bridge is 12 miles long.

The amazing feature of the bridge is its middle part which is curved and suspended along the two giant pillars.

While you are driving along the bridge, we can experience the amazing views of the Ocean and capture the best moments thereby.

Conclusion

Tampa is a famous city in the United States of America where we can find the best places to relax a bit from our daily routine. It will help us in recreation with its amazing Islands, Gardens, Museums and many more.

Some of the museums in Tampa are Glazer children’s museum, the museum of science and industry, Tampa museum of art. Florida Aquarium, Tampa Golf etc are other tourist spots in Tampa.

There are many old buildings which are converted into new food halls which offer delicious food in the city.

Planning to visit somewhere for vacation in California, San Francisco is one of the liveliest and vibrant city. The city has a high population density in the country, second only to New York.

From taking a tour of the breath taking Golden Gate Bridge to shopping at the Union Square or getting to party with the locals it is a city that will lure you keep visiting and exploring.

10 Best Things To Do in San Francisco

With so many great and fun things to do, here are the top 10 best things to do in San Francisco ad attractions you shouldn’t miss. Grab your favourite ice cream from the city’s oldest brand It’s It and get ready to explore.

1. Go across The Golden Gate Bridge

A beautiful sight to behold between San Francisco Bay and Marin Country is the world famous Golden Gate Bridge.

It was opened in 1937 and was inaugurated as the longest suspension bridge of that time. Declared as one of the modern wonders of the world, this bridge was the biggest bridge ever built.

Thousands of people not just use it to cross across the bay rather to photograph it and admire the beaut.

It is even more thrilling to take a bike ride about the bridge. It is easy to rent a bike near the area, or you can bring your own bike. Make sure you abide by the rules, the laws of the bridges for bikes.

Additionally you can also sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, with over a dozen companies offering service. It is no less an experience than walking over the bridge.

2. Chinese Cuisines in Chinatown

San Francisco hosts the largest Chinese community outside of Asia and Chinatown is the San Francisco’s oldest.

One of the major attractions of this area is the food, you won’t regret spending half of the day exploring food varieties.

You get a good lot of restaurant options to choose from, but in the top of the list stand the best places such as ‘Good Mong Kok Bakery’, Dim Sum Bistro, Hing Lung Company, Z & Y Restaurant and Sam Wo Restaurant.

You should visit one of these restaurants to get the taste of authentic Chinese food, which are sumptuous and wonderful.

Chinatown holds an influential position both historically and culturally, since its establishment in 1848 in San Francisco, California, home to Chinese immigrants from west side of the Pearl River delta.

If you happen to visit the city during Autumn Moon festival you can visit this Chinese festival for free

3. The Golden Gate Park

The Golden Gate Park sees around 13million visitors each year. If you are in San Francisco and are wondering where to go, this is it.

The park is spread over a vast area of 1,017 acres and has numerous options to explore have fun and relax.

It has lakes, picnic spots, playgrounds, monuments and garden that not only tourists enjoy but locals as well.

The Golden Gate Park is never empty owing to the plethora of events and activities that take place here all round the year.

It is also at times open to private functions like weddings or special events, if you were in search of a beautiful gardens to host an event, you can make your bookings.

The stunning scenery and greenery is worth your time, its picturesque and the perfect place to do a photo-shoot.

4. Ogle the Architecture at the Palace of Fine arts

Inspired by ancient Greek and Roman architecture, the grand Palace of fine arts was built in 1919 was originally constructed for the Panama-Pacific Exposition to display fine arts.

The palace when reflected in the lagoon near it, is a sight to behold. It’s about the tiny details, statues and intricate carvings as much as it is about the huge dome like structure.

The view at night is also spectacular and is all lit up and you should stay back to also get a view of the Palace at night.

The water surrounding the Palace has many types of wildlife including ducks, swans, geese and racoons.

The palace has been seen in a few movies like ‘Vertigo’ (1985), ‘Time after Time’ (1979) and Indian movies like ‘My name is Khan’ (2010).

5. Explore the Union Square

The Union Square is the most visited area in San Francisco moreover in all of United States.

The neighbourhood owes its liveliness to all the high-end retail outlets that attracts shopping enthusiasts, art galleries that attract art lovers, fancy hotels and cafes and very active nightlife.

Time and often, many live events are held at Union Square and hence making it lively all around the year and one of the best things to do in San Francisco.

It is not just a major tourist attraction but also a vital cosmopolitan gathering place in downtown San Francisco.

You shouldn’t miss this neighbourhood if you wish to get a taste of partying with the locals and of the nightlife.

6. Spot the Wild Parrots

Starting from Coit Tower to 400 miles up to Telegraph Hill steps scoping out the trees is home to flock of Wild Parrots, but it’s not the sole place you can find them.

You can find a flock of wild cherry-headed conure parrots roaming around most of San Francisco.

The Coit Tower stands on the top of Telegraph Hill. To get a bird’s eye view of the city take an elevator to the top of tower.

7. Enjoy a Day at the Presidio of San Francisco

The Presidio Park is situated on the northern tip of the San Francisco and falls under the Golden Gate Recreation Area. Formerly a U.S. military base, the Presidio of San Francisco is now a Park.

You can get a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean and overlook the Golden Gate as well. This site is also a recognized California Historical Landmark.

This 1,500 acre park is considered a major recreational hub, it has forested areas, scenic overlook and a golf course.

The ownership of this area was initially held by the Spanish, which moved to the Mexicans in 1821 and finally United States over took the ownership in 1948.

8. Take in the View from Twin Peaks

The Twin peaks in San Francisco were initially called “Los Pechos de la Choca” translating to ‘Breasts of the Maiden’.

The Twin Peaks are a world famous tourist attraction and offer a breath taking view of the bay area.

The two peaks are adjacent to each other and stand at 922 feet tall. At points you can overlook the picturesque city from the hill top.

It is home to animals and a great variety of plants as you make your way up to the top you will spot plenty.

If you are lucky you might even spot the endangered mission butterfly while you going up.

There is also a 64 acre park that will surely give you a rough idea of how the city looked before the development took place that you see in the urban area.

9. Explore Modern Art in the City

The first ever museum in this part of the country that showcased only modern art was the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

There are art works of paintings, sculptures, photographs and architecture on display. Around 29,000 pieces of works are on display that will definitely capture you heart.

The Museum is around 80 years old and the art works were initially housed along with the war Memorial Veterans in the War Memorial Veterans Building, before shifting to its current location.

10. Go to Angel Island

Angel Island is the second largest island in the bay. A very small population of about 60 people live permanently on the island.

You have to take a ferry from San Francisco to reach the island from San Francisco bay and once you reach, you can either take an open air tram to enjoy the scenic beauty or take a Segway tour of the island.

The island offers a serene experience and picturesque view of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin county Headlands and Mount Tamaplais.

To fill that appetite you will find some fantastic and cosy cafes and bars serving delicious food.

You might even come across a live concert or events, is a common sight. Although it would be better if you check out online, the events if any, for your visiting day and make sure you go when a lots happening.

Conclusion

San Francisco has a lot to offer hence is one of the busiest and frequented places in the U.S. A rooftop bar or café is always pleasing, it subsequently offers a great view of the city.

Check out a few of the always active rooftop bars that the city has to offer for instance Everdence, El Techno de Lolinda to enjoy the atmosphere and yummy drinks.

The city is famous for its restaurants and is home to a few of the best chefs in the country, make sure you get your menu.