History

Panfilo de Narvaez was the first Spanish explorer to land in Tampa Bay area in 1528. No permanent habitats had been made, but in 1824, the US federal government established for the Seminole Indians a reservation. Fort Brooke was built to administer the reservation and to guard the harbor.

The population flourished much in the 1880s. Phosphate was found in the area in 1883, which spurred the mining and shipping industries. Henry B. Plant finished his railroad project which connected Tampa to Jacksonville. He established the grand Plant Hotel and promoted Tampa as a tourist holiday epicenter. In 1886, Vicente Martinez Ybor established his cigar factory, which led to an increased immigration of Spanish, Cubans, and Italians. During the Spanish-American War, Tampa became the point of exit to Cuba. The Plant Hotel was transformed into accomodations for the officers.

In the recent epoch, MacDill Air Force Base was established in 1939, and in 1956, the University of Florida. Tampa became an important metropolitan area where many international companies have their regional quarters. Tampa even have many professional sports teams.

Getting There

Tampa is very accessible using different routes and manners.

*By plane – tourists by plane to Tampa will land on Tampa International Airport
*By train – services care of Amtrak station. Their Silver Service serves daily from New York to Tampa, or Miami to Tampa
*By car – from north and south, use I-75, and I-4 if coming from the east. Then, from either of the two routes, get out to I-275 to be able to get to Tampa. Drivers will need to prepare themselves for a heavy traffic.
*By bus – Tampa is served by the Greyhound bus lines.

Weather

Average low temperature is 50°F, usually on January, and average high temperature is 90°F, usually on July. The area has an average of 107 rainy days per year. Mean annual precipitation is 53 inches.

What to Wear

During summer months, it is advisable to wear light-colored and cool clothing, especially those made from cotton. Women can wear skirts and cool sundresses. Flip flops are definitely something to bring. If you plan to stay outdoors for longer hours, bring along a hat, a pair of shades for eye protection, and apply a generous amount of sunblock with a high SPF, applying every 2 to 3 hours.

When on business meetings, wear appropriate clothing made of light-colored and cool materials. For night outs, it is advisable to wear appropriate outfits.

During the rainy and cold seasons, be sure to have a jacket or sweatshirt.

Fishing

gag grouper
red grouper
scamp grouper
mangrove snapper
amberjack
red snapper
lane snapper
mutton snapper
triggerfish
Key West grunt
shark
sea bass
porgy
king mackerel
Spanish mackerel
mahi-mahi
tuna
sailfish
cobia
wahoo

BEST MONTHS TO FISH

gag grouper – November to January
red grouper – November to January
scamp grouper – November to February
mangrove snapper – May to September
amberjack – June to August
red snapper – June to August
lane snapper – May to September
mutton snapper – June to August
triggerfish – March to November (good)
Key West grunt – April to September
shark – June to August
sea bass – April to August
porgy – April to October
king mackerel – May and October
Spanish mackerel – June and September
mahi-mahi – July to August
tuna – April to September (good)
sailfish – June to July (good)
cobia – May
wahoo – May to September

WHAT TO BRING AND WEAR WHEN FISHING
The following are the most appropriate outfit when going for a fish:

• hat
• sunglasses
• light long sleeves, cool light-colored cotton outfits
• jacket or other rain gear
• boat shoes
• sun screen with high SPF

The following should also be in your A-list:

• camera
• cooler
• water or your preferred beverages
• food
• medicine kit
• fishing apparatus

Attractions and Activities

*Lettuce Lake Park
6920 East Fletcher Avenue
Tampa, FL 33637
(813) 987-6204
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/parkservices/regionalsites.cfm?facilitydetailid=524

*St. Pete Times Forum
401 Channelside Drive
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 301-6600
http://www.stpetetimesforum.com

*Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center
6990 Dickman Rd
Tampa, FL 33572
(813) 228-4289
http://www.tampaelectric.com/manatee/

*Tampa Bay History Center
801 Old Water Street
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 228-0097

Home

info@tampabayhistorycenter.org

*Raymond James Stadium
4201 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 350-6500
www.raymondjamesstadium.com

*Yuengling Brewery
11111 North 30th Street
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 972-8529

Home

yuenglingc800@msn.com

*Tampa Theatre
711 N. Franklin Street
Tampa, FL 33602
(813)-274-8286, (813) 274-8981
www.tampatheatre.org/
tara@tampatheatre.org

*Henry B. Plant Museum
401 West Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 254-1891
www.plantmuseum.com/
info@plantmuseum.com

*Busch Gardens
3000 East Busch Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 987-5082
http://www.buschgardens.com/BGT/default.aspx

*Big Cat Rescue
12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL 33625
Phone: (813) 920-4130
Fax: (813) 920-5924

Big Cat Rescue Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Info@BigCatRescue.org

Where to Stay

*Comfort Suites at Fairgrounds – Casino
4506 Oak Fair Boulevard,
Tampa, FL 33610
(813) 868-7770
http://www.comfortsuites.com/hotel-tampa-florida-FL794

*Wingate by Wyndham Tampa North
17301 Dona Michelle Drive, I-75 at Bruce B. Downs Blvd.,
Tampa, FL 33647
(813) 971-7676 (813) 406-0645
http://www.wingatenewtampa.com/tripadvisor-tampa-hotel.php

*Emerald Greens Golf Resort & Country Club
13941 Club House Drive,
Tampa, FL 33618
(813) 961-9400
http://www.emeraldgreensgcc.com/

*Homewood Suites Tampa Brandon
10240 Palm River Rd,
Tampa, FL 33619
Tel: (813) 685-7099
Fax: (813) 684-6098
www.homewoodsuitestampabrandon.com/

*Embassy Suites Tampa – Brandon
10220 Palm River Rd,
Tampa, FL 33619
Tel: (813) 653-1905
Fax: (813) 654-3728
www.embassysuitestampabrandon.com

*Homewood Suites Tampa Airport-Westshore
5325 Avion Park Drive,
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 282-1950
http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com/en_US/hw/hotel/TPAAPHW-Homewood-Suites-by-Hilton-Tampa-Airport-Westshore-Florida/index.do

*Staybridge Suites Tampa East – Brandon
3624 North Falkenburg Road,
Tampa, FL 33619
(877) 859-5095
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/sb/1/en/hotel/tpasb?&p=99618083&cm_mmc=mdpr-_-TripAdvisor-_-BizListing-_-sb_tpasb&externalHotelDetailHit=true

*Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Airport Westshore
5312 Avion Park Drive,
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 289-2700
http://www.hiltongardeninn.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=TPAWSGI

*Country Inn & Suites Tampa/Brandon
915 South Falkenburg Road,
Tampa, FL 33619
(813) 315-1777
http://www.countryinns.com/tampa-hotel-fl-33619/flbrando

*Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites New Tampa I-75 Bruce B. Downs
8310 Galbraith Road, I-75 (exit 270) @ Bruce B Downs Bl.,
Tampa, FL 33647
(877) 859-5095
http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/tampa/tpabd/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=mdpr-_-TripAdvisor-_-BizListing-_-ex_tpabd

Where to Eat

*Toasted Pheasant
14445 North Dale Mabry Highway,
Tampa, FL 33618
(813) 265-6700
www.toastedpheasant.com

*Pane Rustica
2821 S Macdill Ave,
Tampa, FL 33629-7288
(813) 902-8828
www.panerusticabakery.com/

*Texas de Brazil
4112 W. Boy Scout Blvd.,
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 871-1400
www.texasdebrazil.com

*Bern’s Steak House
1208 South Howard Avenue,
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 251-2421
www.bernssteakhouse.com/

*Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern’s Steak House
1208 S Howard Ave,
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 251-2421
www.bernsteakhouse.com/

*Osteria Natalina
3215 MacDill Avenue,
Tampa, FL 33629-8239
(813) 831-1210
www.osterianatalina.com/

*Capital Grille
2223 N West Shore Blvd,
Tampa, FL 33607-1411
(813) 830-9433
www.thecapitalgrille.com/About/main.asp

*Eddie & Sam’s NY Pizza
203 E Twiggs St,
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 229-8500
www.eddieandsamspizza.com/

*Roy’s Restaurant
4342 W Boy Scout Blvd,
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 873-7697
www.roysrestaurant.com/

*Seasons 52 Fresh Grill Tampa
204 North Westshore Blvd,
Tampa, FL 33609
(813) 286-1152
www.seasons52.com/