Tampa, Florida offers a wide variety of entertainment for couples from enjoying a romantic dinner cruise to spending the night at a big cat sanctuary.
Located in the Centro Ybor area of Tampa, a great place to have fun is at Gameworks. Don't let the name fool you, this action packed attraction is not just about the 128 virtual reality, racing and shoot'em up games, energetic atmosphere, and jammin music, it also has a full bar serving everything from ice cold brews to mega-marguerites along with the Jax Grill where you can dine on chicken, steak or pasta. Kids are allowed up until 10 p.m. but after that, it's adults only. Open daily Sunday through Wednesday till 12 am, Thursday through Saturday till 3 am.
The Yacht Starship Dining cruise offers 2 hour lunch and dinner cruises, daily, and brunch cruises on Sunday. Make your selections from the extensive four-star menu created by the ship's chef daily. There's something tasty for every palate. Fine dining in one of five dining rooms, exemplary service and beautiful views along with live entertainment or dancing under the stars is all part of the package as you cruise the waterways of Tampa Bay.
You don't have to be a kid to enjoy all the attractions at Celebration Station. Open year round, seven day's a week, you can spend the day working your way through the arcade and games area, or try your hand at pitching baseballs at the batting cage. If you're feeling speedy, then take a few laps around the track in a go-kart. The 18-hole of miniature golf course is a challenge and if you want to cool off after all the fun and games, then grab a tube in the bumper boat pool and splash away. Onsite restaurant offers pizza, nachos, hot dogs, wings and beverages.
The 300,000 sq-ft Tampa Performing Arts Center, located along the banks of the Hillsborough River, is the largest center of its kind in the southeast. With a full schedule of events throughout the year the center offers a venue for Broadway shows, musicals, concerts and ballets. Located inside the center is Maestro's restaurant where you can enjoy a five-course dinner buffet before the show. The restaurant is also open, on select dates, for late night dining after the show.
For lighter fare, the Center Stage Café offers a full buffet and is available before the show. Eat in or outside seating is available along the Riverwalk Promenade. Full service bar is available. Shop for a souvenir at The CenterStore which maintains an ongoing inventory of theater-related items or visit one of the specialty shops or boutiques located in the individual performing halls.
For a day of relaxation, take a stroll through the University of South Florida's Botanical Gardens which are celebrating 35 year's of promoting environmental education and research to the Tampa area. The gardens comprise 7- acres and provide numerous examples of plants, grasses, fruit trees, natural habitats, wetland forest, temperate forest, tortoise, multiple species of birds, scent garden and a butterfly garden. Festivals are ongoing throughout the year featuring plant sales with selections including spring flowers, succulents and cactus, tropical fruit trees, orchids, begonias and bromeliads. The gardens are open daily, except major holidays, and is free of charge except during festivals.
The Tampa Greyhound track first opened in 1933 and is one of the oldest American racetracks. Open for matinee and evening racing daily, except Sunday, during the season (June to December) the track also offers year-round simulcast viewing of greyhound racing from Derby Lane (St. Petersburg), thoroughbred horse-racing from tracks around the U.S., harness racing and Jai Alai. Full buffet is available at the clubhouse on Friday and Saturday night with an extensive menu from sirloin and crab legs to baked ham and yellow rice. and chicken. Ample parking. Valet parking is available for a fee. Admission fee to Grandstand seating or Clubhouse is nominal.
At Wine Not, this unique winery affords you the opportunity of sampling wines, all made onsite, from a selection of more than 40 grape varieties from around the world. After tasting the inventory you can fill up a bottle of your favorite flavor and select your own label making this a perfect gift or souvenir. If interested in creating your own distinctive vintage, you may choose from one of the flavors and add fruit or herbs making it your very own blend. Depending on the type of wine you select will determine the length of time needed for aging. This process is for multiple bottles (30) only. Selections include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel red, Raspberry Merlot, Tropical Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Liebfraumilch, Rosso Grande and Chianti, just to name a few.
Tampa is flanked by the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay and to soak up some sunshine at the beach means a visit to Ben T. Davis beach located on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. The causeway is a 9-mile highway linking Tampa to Clearwater. The beach resides on the bay side of the causeway and offers a long expanse of sugar white, powdery sand, gentle breezes, a great view and plenty of sun. A boat ramp is available and there is a picnic area and grills. A concession area is also available for snacks and beverages and restrooms are onsite. Parking is limited and metered.
At the 42-acre Big Cat Rescue sanctuary you'll find more than 200 animals. One hundred and fifty of these are big cats that have been rescued. Many are endangered species. At this very special sanctuary you'll observe lions, tigers, snow leopards, servals, jaguars, caracals, lynx, bobcats, sand cats, Geoffroy cats, jungle cats and more. All the animals live in a natural habitat environment including 3-acre cat-a-tats and air-conditioned caves for the snow leopards. Experience first hand, behind the scenes, what it takes to run a sanctuary and handle the animals by signing up for the Big Cat Expedition. The night tour is available (adults only) where you observe the cats and the cats observe you. If you'd like to hand feed a cougar or tiger, sign up for the feed the cat program (adults only). For a unique adventure, the sanctuary also has fully equipped cabins for rent in the heart of the sanctuary. These cabins can accommodate two people (adults only).
Family owned and operated In the Breeze Horseback Riding Ranch is situated on 300 beautiful acres in north Tampa. Experience riding the trails or splashing through spring fed creeks as you journey through the woods atop one of their well trained and easy-tempered horses. Open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. until dusk, you can choose to ride by the hour during the day or sign-up for the moonlit ride starting at 8:00 p.m. (adults only).
