Tampa

[Megmul]

My husband is about to start a project in Tampa, which will last at least 6 months, but could be as long as a year.

He can come home every weekend if he wants, or the company will fly me there instead. So I have a free plane ticket and hotel room in Tampa pretty much any weekend for at least the next 6 months.

What's the best time to go? What are the must-sees?

[Hello Kitty]

Now is a good time to come because the weather is starting to cool off, and the snowbirds/winter tourists haven't all gotten here yet.

Florida Aquarium is nice, but I believe it's $17.00 a head.
Lowry Park Zoo
International Plaza Mall is a big semi-upscale mall near the airport
Ybor City is a national historic landmark district
There's a lot of golf courses if that's your thing
Channelside Drive for lots of nightlife options
There's a trolley system downtown

[mjosburn]

If you like amusement parks, definitely check out Busch Gardens. Another good idea is a relaxing walk on the beach. We lived in Pinellas County (west of Tampa) until late April when we moved to Texas. We really miss it there. If you like seafood, you'll find any number of places to fill that craving! Have fun!

[CBella]

Right across the bridge is St. Petersburg which has the Salvador Dali Museum a big must see.

Weekends always have some sort of festival and the beaches are always big.

Busch Gardens
Hard Rock Casino
Indoor Flea Markets galore
Ybor City full of night life, history and good food.
Orlando is a 2 hour drive. Home to Disney but Discovery Cove is also there and it is really neat to have a one on one swim with dolphins. Also tons of late night entertainment at City Walk.

Also, I would definately take a weekend to see the Ringling Museum and home in Sarasota (about a 40 minute drive). These museums aren't as well rounded as the Chicago Museums but have all specialized rare pieces and if you love Cezanne and Dali they are must sees.

But more than anything the weather is what you will enjoy. TBO.com will normally list all of the weekend festivals so you could look before you decide which weekends to visit.

Don't forget it's about a 4.5 hour drive to Miami!!!

(The only bad time to come is SUMMER) In February and March we have the Strawberry Festival and the Florida State Fair as well as Gasparilla (sorta like Mardi Gras but a pirate invasion).

[My2Blessings]

Busch Gardens! A thumbs up from me. :D I rode my first rollercoaster there when I was in my early 20's. Lots of good memories...

[Megmul]

I am also looking at taking a long weekend and doing a 4-day Carribean cruise that leaves from Tampa. Royal Carribean has one for only $250 per person! Anybody have experience with those?

[Admin Juleslian]

I know you're asking about FL, but we did RC from Los Angeles thru Mexico--it was a lovely tour and a very well-run ship. Upgrade your room if possible, dh could literally put his feet on one wall and his hands on the other, flat palmed! And he's only 6'. Loved my RC cruise and will definitely do it again with that line.