Babe Zaharias Golf Course

This 6,244 yard golf course is located just 20 minutes north of downtown Tampa.   It’s a smaller course, but it offers challenges where they are least expected.  Both 9-holes of the 18-hole course are a par 35.  The course is named after “Babe” Didrikson who was called the most versatile female athlete by the Guinness Book of World Records.  She purchased this Forest Hill course, herself.  Later, after her death, the City of Tampa purchased it.  After renovations it was reopened.  The golf course now touts Historical Landmark status.

Rocky Point Golf Course

Located conveniently, the Rocky Point Golf Course is just 15 minutes from the Tampa International Airport.  12 of the holes have water hazards.  Interestingly, the lakes, on the course, have developed into wildlife habitats.  This 18-hole gold course is 6,444 yards.  Busy streets are close by several of the holes so care must be taken in those areas.  Overall this is a solid course with nice greens.

The Claw at USF

This golf course, near the University of South Florida, spans 6,809 and offers 4 sets of tee boxes to accommodate golfers of all skill levels.  The fairways are lined with pines, cypress and oaks.  Other than an occasional alligator, the wildlife is not bothersome or dangerous.  Golf clinics and lessons are available with PGA professionals.  The challenge of this course is the long and narrow structure. The Claw offers a large practice green, lighted driving range and refreshments served on the course.

Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club

This course is at the top of the list for premier Tampa public golf courses.  Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club has hosted the JCPenny Classic as well as the PGA/LPGA.  In 1998 they added a 12,000 foot club house.  Besides holding the tennis operation, the club house is home to a bar and grill, locker rooms, the golf shop and banquet facility.

Bloomingdale Golfers Club

This golf course has a 74.4 rating and is one of the most challenging in the country.   Still it has enough birdie opportunities to make a fun game and even a terrific short game. Bloomingdale Golfers Club has a 1, 000 square foot putting green.  The towering pines and 100-year old oaks frame the natural marshland course.  With 7,155 yards of playing field, half of this golf course’s 219 acres is a wildlife preserve.  It was designed and built to work in harmony with the surrounding nature.

Golf Club at Cyprus Creek

Another scenic course, Golf Club at Cyprus Creek is placed within 640 acres of protected wetlands.  Golf course architect, Steve Smyers, created a course in which the golfer would use every club in his bag.  You will find challenging features on 14 of the holes.  All skill leveled golfers will find the course both challenging and enjoyable.  Cyprus Creek is 6,830 yards with 75.5 rating.  Located in the Tampa Bay area, just south of Tampa, the course was recently updated giving it new tee boxes, bunkers and greens.

Lexington Oaks Golf Club

A new course, Lexington Oaks was opened in 2000.  It is part of a real estate development project by Pulte Home Corporation.  The 6,748 yard course is a Gordon Lewis design.  The lakes and wetlands add challenge to the course, while the 4 sets of tees make it an enjoyable game for all skill levels.    This club is strong on customer service and it shows from the moment they greet you at your car when you first arrive.

Sherman Hills Golf Club

Not your typical Florida golf course, Sherman Hills features rolling hills and undulating greens.  It is located in the states highest area, north of Tampa in Brooksville.  This 6,773 yard course is rated 71.4.  The front 9 holes are open with elevated greens and tees while the back 9 are surrounded large oaks.  It is like playing two separate courses.

Tarpon Woods Golf and Tennis Club

This course has one of the best junior golf programs in Tampa Bay. It boasts water challenges at every hole in this tree lined course.  It has 6,613 yards and is rated 72.2.  Located northwest of Tampa, it is easy to locate at just 2 miles off of Tampa Road.   The challenging layout offers abundant wildlife throughout.

Lansbrook Golf Club

This course is designed so that golfers of all skill levels will have an enjoyable game.  The 4 sets of tees create a game played on a course of 5,333 yards to 6,862 yards.  Water challenges show up on 16 of the 18 holes.  The 11th green is a replica of the Augusta National 16th hole.  It’s an easy drive at less than 30 minutes northwest of Tampa.

With so many great public golf courses to choose from, Tampa is surely a great golfing vacation destination.    With Tampa your home base, it will be convenient to try several courses during your stay.   Make your trip a family affair.  Tampa has something to entice every member of the family.

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(cc: photo credit: FloridaRealEstate)

(cc: photo credit: worldwidewandering)

With 165 parks and beaches within the city limits of Tampa, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the temperate climate, sea air and sand between your toes.  You’re not likely to miss the multitude of fine dining options, exciting nightlife or fun attractions.  There also many sightseeing opportunities that you might miss if you didn’t add them to your itinerary.  So, next time you fly to Tampa, schedule these suggestions.

Hyde Park is known as one of Tampa’s oldest neighborhoods.  Located just south of downtown, it is in the heart of Tampa.  If your interests lie in the direction of pre-1940s architecture you will love perusing the old Tudor, Queen Ann and Colonial style homes.  In fact, Disney used the neighborhood as a template for one of their own housing developments.  The Hyde Park Village is built to fit into the neighborhood as a European promenade and boasts top-of-the-line restaurants, shops and theaters.

Busch Gardens is one of Tampa’s most poular and famous attractions.  Some of its terrifying rides are recognized as some of the scariest in the world.  However, in addition to its standard amusement park and safari rides, it also offers a tour of the Busch Brewery for those interested to learn about brewing beer.  Lastly, Busch Gardens offers visitors other adventerous activities and entertainment.

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(cc: photo credit: joerosh1675)

Tampa lies on the west coast of the state of Florida where it looks out over the Atlantic.  This city and it’s surrounding metropolitan area, known as the “Tampa Bay Area,” is home to more than 4 million residents.  The cityscape of skyscrapers and high-rises including the Sykes Building, the SunTrust Building, Towers of Channelside and the Bank of American Building, are lit and painted with grandeur in the evening.  It is equal in excitement only to its Salsa dancing, Hip Hop, Jazz and Latin Rhythmic nightlife of Tampa.

Club Prana is the place to be if you love dancing.  Its 5 floors contain more than enough dance floors to satisfy a night of Hip hop, salsa and Latin dancing.  Enjoy the live entertainment, then cool off after all that dancing by shooting up to their rooftop Sky Bar.  It’s located on 7th street, close to the Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn.

New World Brewery offers a huge selection of international beer.  Their live entertainment changes in style from night to night, so it’s always a surprise.  If your feeling hungry try their original pizza.  And what goes better with pizza than beer.  If you like your nightlife a little quieter, try stopping in on a Monday or Tuesday.  If your taste runs more toward the lively, Fridays and Saturdays are filled with live music and large crowds of people having a good time.  But, no matter how busy it is, the bartenders are always attentive to everyone.

Four Green Fields got its name from the 4 provinces in Ireland.  Ever been to Ireland?  Well, you will feel like you’ve just arrived when you see this thatched roof pub complete with Irish drinks and music.  Enjoy authentic live Irish entertainment Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Hungry?  They’ll serve you the best in Irish cuisine, Irish Stew, Dublin Fish and Chips or Corned Beef and Cabbage.  You’ll love being transformed to the “old country” for a night.

Hyde Park Café leads dance parties in their Velocity Room while others enjoy the star-sparkling night of the outdoor patio.  Whether your dressed in your after work business attire or your trendy show-off outfits, you’ll be comfortable at Hyde Park Café.  No cover charge is required most weekdays but a $12 charge on weekends.

Backjacks is a dressed up version of the local corner bar with dark mahogany wood and an earthy background atmosphere.  This is the best bar for an after work drink, someplace where they “always know your name.”  Sidle up to a stool around the three sided bar and you’ll fell as though “Norm” will come walking through the door any minute.  They have a great wine list and lunch and dinner cuisine.

La Casa Dolce Café has live music every Wednesday night for those who wish to adventure out in midweek.  Yes, it’s a coffee house with exquisite Italian desserts.  It’s just the way to enjoy a weeknight out and not worry about having any trouble getting to work the next morning.  Start out with a delectable Panini sandwich with a glass of your favorite wine.  Then sit back and enjoy the live entertainment while you top off the evening with a cup of gelato and espresso.

The Rack is a hip billiards lounge and sushi bar, the only nightclub with this combination in all of Tampa.  The club touts three full liquor bars with inside, outside and private dining.  Located on Platt Street in Hyde Park, The Rack has 6 quality pool tables, two dart boards, a juke box and a flat screen TV for your enjoyment.  Voted for having the best Sushi in Tampa, with the Green Tea Roll, Hurricane and Spicy Tuna Roll, you’ll want to try one of each.

Blue Martini is located in the West Shore District on North West Shore.  The nightclub with the best Three Chocolate Martini with three olives, chocolate vodka, cream and Godiva dark chocolate liqueur in a white chocolate swirled martini glass.  Sounds more like a dessert than a martini – my kind of drink.  If that’s not your style, you’ll find a multitude of other martini combinations on their menu like Lemmon Drop, Cosmopolitan, Tommy Bahama Momma or Mango Madness.

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http://www.mybananajoes.com/

Banana Joes, located on Channelside Drive, offers the best of 70s, 80s, and 90s music to dance by.  Saturday is Ladies Night so dress to impress.  Joes has a banana tropic atmosphere of the tropics in the Velvet Room, Margarita Mamas, Sling Shot or the Hook Rum Club.

http://www.greeniguana.com/

Green Iguana Bar and Grill is known for it’s “NO” cover charge 7 days a week.  And you can get breakfast in those wee hours of the morning along with their lunch and dinner menu.  Their location is on Westshore boulevard, with outdoor seating and next door they offer the Buddha Lounge serving great sushi.  Their hours are 6 am to 3 pm, giving you three hours to sleep and start your Green Iguana day all over again.

http://www.castle-ybor.com/

The Castle is a gothic style two floor nightclub with an excellent ground floor bar.  You may see some “interesting” characters roaming around this club.  So, if you are into the gothic scene or just want to try something different this may be your place for the night.  You’ll find different music on each floor and no one cares what you wear.  However, if you want to blend, “all black” is always a safe option.

Tampa Nightclubs and Bars

This is only a sampling of the multitude of nightlife locations in Tampa.  Enjoy the clear blue skies, sand and see by day and head out to a different nightclub every night.  What a great place for a vacation or weekend trip.  But don’t spend all your time indoors at night.  You don’t want to miss the beautiful sunset over the dark blue waters or the spectacular lighted cityscape.

Tampa, located along Tampa Bay on the west coast of Florida, is a relaxed, yet spirited community with a rich cultural heritage. Early Greek, Cuban, and Italian immigrants settled in the area, drawn to its temperate climate and seafaring ways. Today the Tampa-St. Petersburg area is home to over 2.7 million residents and offers visitors a diverse mixture of culture, sports, arts, natural beauty, museums, and theme parks.

Here are 50 activities to get you started after landing at the Tampa airport:

1. Get wet and wild at Adventureland Island.
2. Tour the authentic WWII American Victory Ship.
3. Go antique shopping on Central Avenue.
4. Shop for bargains at the Big Top Flea Market.
5. Explore the Dali Museum.
6. Sip Chardonnay at a Tampa Bay winery.
7. Visit charming Tarpon Springs, the “sponge capital of the world.”
8. Ride the rides at Busch Gardens.
9. See the planes take off while you dine at the revolving restaurant, C.K’s at the airport Marriott.
10. Learn about West Florida history at Ybor City.
11. Enjoy an old-fashioned Florida amusement park at Cypress Gardens.
12. Take the kids to the David L. Mason Children’s Museum.
13. Explore gulf plants and animals at the Florida Aquarium.
14. See dinosaurs and more at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
15. Ride a historic train at the Florida Railroad Museum.
16. Enjoy the sunset at Fred H. Howard Park.
17. Buy a tome at Haslam’s Bookstore, the oldest bookstore in Florida.
18. Relive history at Heritage Village, a living museum of 19th culture.
19. Enjoy hiking, canoeing, camping, and more at Hillsborough River State Park.
20. Visit the manatees at Homosassa Springs.
21. Enjoy a performance at the Largo Cultural Arts Center.
22. Explore the Lowry Park Zoo.
23. Feed the pelicans on the St. Petersburg Pier.
24. Learn about local history at the Dunedin Historical Society Museum.
25. View indigenous Florida plants and flowers at the University of South Florida Botanical Garden.
26. Soak up some rays at Clearwater Beach.
27. Hear the Florida Orchestra at the Mahaffey Theater.
28. Have a hot dog at Mel’s.
29. Enjoy the hands-on exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry.
30. Shop for bargains at Prime Outlets, Ellenton.
31. Shop for Christmas decorations year-round at Roger’s Christmas House in Brooksville.
32. Watch a play at Ruth Eckerd Hall.
33. Sample Cuban cuisine at La Ideal Cafeteria in West Tampa.
34. Take a glass-bottom boat ride in Silver Springs.
35. Visit the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts.
36. View antique cars at the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum.
37. Go to a Tampa Devil Rays baseball game.
38. Cool off at WaterPlay at Zephyr Park in Zephyrhills.
39. See the mermaids at Weeki Watchee.
40. Take an airboat ride up the Withlacoochee River.
41. Hike the Pinellas Trail.
42. See a little bit of Old Florida in St. Peterburg’s Old Northeast neighborhood.
43. Take in a Tampa Buccaneers football game.
44. Ride a historic streetcar in Ybor City.
45. Enjoy a steak at Bern’s Steakhouse.
46. Take a dinner cruise around Tampa Bay.
47. Try your luck at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
48. Charter a boat and fish for big game fish in Tampa Bay.
49. Savor the seafood at Skipper’s Smokehouse.
50. Hit the links at one of Tampa-St. Pete’s scores of golf courses.

Enjoy even more activities.  Click here to save money on discount hotels in Tampa, St. Petersburg or anywhere.

(Photo via flickr cc)