We are excited to have so many friends and loved ones celebrate our special day in Tampa Bay! Tampa Bay is a beautiful area comprised of three major cities: Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota. Here we share some of our favorite places and things to do whether you are a sun loving beach bum, an adventure seeker, or a lover of the arts!
Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay is a family-oriented theme park featuring up-close encounters with exotic animals, incredible thrill rides and live entertainment. With nearly 3,000 animals representing more than 300 species, the park’s zoological collection is a marquee attraction for families. With 10 thrilling coasters, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is known for the fastest, steepest, tallest coasters in the country. Iron Gwazi, the Parks newest and award-winning thrill ride, takes riders to new heights, plunging for 206 foot tall peak into a 91 degree drop and reaching top speeds of 76 miles per hour. Cheetah Hunt®, a triple-launch roller coaster, carries riders high above the park, and then races down along the ground through a rocky gorge. It is the park’s longest thrill ride and also innovatively integrates the coaster next to the Cheetah Run® animal habitat. Guests can get closer than ever to tigers in Jungala® and soar through the air on Montu®. And, for a behind-the-scenes look at how we care for animals, the Animal Care Center™ welcomes guests to closely observe the veterinary care and treatment we provide every day.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens offers 45 acres of bayfront sanctuaries to explore via two campuses. The Downtown Sarasota campus features 15 acres located along Sarasota Bay where visitors can take in rainforest, desert, native Florida, and display garden areas plus stroll along a bayfront mangrove walkway. Less than 10 miles to the south, the Historic Spanish Point campus features 30 acres situated along Little Sarasota Bay, where visitors can learn about the area’s native and pioneer history and admire a well-preserved collection of native Florida plantings from the site’s nature trails and boardwalks.
If Clearwater Beach had a theme song, it would be “Walking on Sunshine.” This fun, friendly, casual beach town in the Tampa Bay area is always abuzz with activity and good vibes. It’s no wonder Clearwater Beach was named the No. 1 Beach in the South by USA Today, and has been named America’s No. 1 Beach several times in recent years.
Named "One of Florida's Top Restaurants" since 1967. Relax in one of their Mediterranean-style dining rooms or enjoy an outdoor table on the patio while sampling their award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine at the oldest operating restaurant in Sarasota.
Rated among the best aquariums in the US, The Florida Aquarium welcomes visitors to experience a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals – including sea turtles, sharks, lemurs, otters – with the goal of building awareness and inspiring conservation action.
On Swann is a destination for Contemporary American cuisine that features a seasonal menu with local flair and it is located in the Hyde Park Village, Tampa FL. The interior reflects the hip sensibilities of the surrounding area while also paying tribute to Tampa's storied past. The Bar & Restaurant offers the choice to observe the art of cooking as it occurs in the open-kitchen dining room.
The Ringling is one of the preeminent arts institutions in the United States. Its unusually varied collections—art, circus, history, architecture, performance, gardens—reflect its unique origin story. At the heart of that story is circus impresario John Ringling and his wife Mable, and their shared desire to make Sarasota a world-class destination.
With over 100 stores, St. Armands Circle is an unforgettable destination for visitors worldwide. Whether you are looking for the latest fashion trends or unique gifts, gourmet snacks or candlelight feasts, you’ll find it all on St. Armands Circle. When exploring the West Coast of Florida, you will want to visit The Circle!
The Dalí Museum cares for and shares an expertly curated collection of Salvador Dalí’s work, preserving his legacy for generations to come. And, through transformative Dalí-inspired events, exhibits and experiences, the Museum serves as an active resource in the cultural life of our community and the world at large.
Siesta Beach continues to rank highly on the “Top Beach” lists curated by worldwide travelers and renowned coastal experts. Its nearly 100% quartz-crystal sand, dubbed the “world’s finest, whitest sand”, never gets hot under the Gulf Coast sun and tropical weather. The recent $20 million-dollar renovation (2016) added a new playground, two concession stands, more restrooms, a half-mile long esplanade, many shelters and pavilions, and a renovated Sarasota School of Architecture pavilion. With 950 free parking spaces, this venue provides the most parking for any public beach in Sarasota County.
The Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.6-mile-long pedestrian trail and open space along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa, Florida. It connects many parks, museums, restaurants, and hotels.
Tampa Bay's historical and cultural roots lie in Ybor City. Many of the buildings echo the charming brick exteriors of converted cigar factories, in homage to the area's celebrated history as the Cigar Capital of the World.