For a full list of tourist attractions and events, please explore the Visit Tampa Bay website tailored for the 2017 AFS meeting.

 

$ $0 – $10

$$ $11-$25

$$$ $25-$50

$$$$ >$50

 

Selected attractions ordered by their distance from the convention center are listed below:

  • Urban Kai Paddleboard
    • Next to Tampa Convention Center (700 S. Florida Ave, Tampa)
  • Paddleboard classes and paddleboard and kayak rentals for those who wish to explore Tampa Bay on their own.
  • $$$

 

  • Tampa Bay Water Bike Co
    • Next to Tampa Convention Center (333 S. Franklin St, Tampa)
    • The ultimate human powered watercraft
  • $$$

 

  • The Florida Aquarium
    • Blocks from Tampa Convention Center (701 Channelside Drive, Tampa)
    • Showcases the aquatic animal and ecosystems of Florida and around the world
    • Wild Dolphin Cruise $$
    • Childrens Splash Pad
    • $$

 

  • Yacht Starship (lunch and dinner cruises)
    • Blocks from Tampa Convention Center (603 Channelside Drive, Tampa)
    • View million dollar mansions, wildlife and a spectacular Florida sunset
    • $$$$

 

  • Magic Carpet Glide (Segway tours)
    • Blocks from Tampa Convention Center (513 S. Florida Ave, Tampa)
    • View the majestic Hillsboro River from the Tamps Riverwalk and takin in panoramic views of the city and bay
    • $$$$

 

  • Olde World Sailing Line (sailing cruise on Tampa Bay)
    • Sailing from Riverwalk docks, 1.3 miles from Tampa Convention Center (97 Columbia Drive, Tampa)
    • Luxury sailing cruise on 44’ ocean-going sailing yacht
    • $$$$

 

  • Tampa Museum of Art
    • 3 Miles from Tampa Convention Center along the Riverwalk
    • Contemporary art and antiquities
    • $$

 

  • Tampa Riverwalk
    • In front of Tampa Convention Center
    • Parks, playground, dining, shopping
    • 4 miles along the Hillsborough River
    • FREE!!

 

  • Streetcar to Ybor City
    • Dick Greco Plaza stop a block from Tampa Convention Center, between Embassy Suites and Marriott Waterside
    • Shopping, dining, music, history
    • $

 

  • Tampa Theatre
    • 8 miles from Tampa Convention Center (711 N. Franklin Street)
    • Beautifully restored 1926 movie palace
    • First run and classic movies, concerts
    • $$

 

  • Straz Center for the Performing Arts
    • 3 miles from Tampa Convention Center (1010 N. W.C. Macinnes Place)
    • Largest performing arts center in the Southeast
    • Speakers, concerts, dance performances, Broadway shows, and more
    • $$$-$$$$

 

Theme parks and zoos

 

  • Lowry Park Zoo
    • Natural outdoor exhibits for more than 2,000 animals from Florida and similar habitats include a Native Florida Wildlife Center and manatee hospital, Asian Gardens, Primate World, Free-Flight Aviaries, children’s zoo, and Safari Africa. Also features rides, shows and hands-on interactive exhibits designed to give you a WILD
    • 6 miles from Tampa Convention Center

 

  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium
    • See Winter the dolphin – the inspiration of the Dolphin Tale movies!
    • 25 miles from Tampa Convention Center – but close to the beach!

 

  • Legoland
    • 150 acre interactive theme park for kids with more than 50 rides, shows, attractions, restaurants, shopping, and botanical garden
    • 55 miles from Tampa Convention Center in Winter Haven

 

  • Disney Parks
    • Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom
    • 69 miles from Tampa Convention Center in Orlando

 

  • Sea World
    • Dolphins, whales, penguins, turtles, fish, rollercoasters, shows and children’s area
    • 74 miles from Tampa Convention Center in Orlando

 

 

  • City Pass Tampa Bay
    • 5 attraction combo ticket
  • Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
  • The Florida Aquarium
  • Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium
  • Museum of Science and Industry or Chihuly Collection
    • Good for 9 days
    • $99/per pass

 

Sports

  • Tampa Bay Rays
    • Located in St. Petersburg about 23 miles from Tampa Convention Center
    • Major League Baseball
    • The Rays have home games against the Seattle Mariners from August 18-20 and the Toronto Blue Jays from August 22-24.

 

 

Outdoor adventures

  • Weedon Island Preserve
    • 15 miles from Tampa Convention Center (~ half hour drive)
    • 3,190 acre natural area located on Tampa Bay
    • Great for birding, fishing, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking

 

  • Fort De Soto Park
    • 32 Miles from Tampa Convention Center (travel time 35 minutes)
    • 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde
    • Miles of sugar white sand Gulf beaches, kayak rentals, fishing
    • $

 

  • Speed boat Adventures
    • 32 miles from Tampa Convention Center (on the way to Ft DeSoto Park)
    • 1901 Pass a Grille Way, St. Petersburg Beach
    • Narrated tour of Tampa Bay driving your own speed boat!
    • $$$$

 

  • Clearwater Beach
    • 25 Miles from Tampa Convention Center (travel time 45 minutes)
    • Sugar sand beaches, shopping, dining attractions, Clearwater Marine Aquarium

 

  • Canoe Escape
    • 20 Miles from Tampa Convention Center (20 minute travel time)
    • Canoe and kayak rentals on the beautiful Hillsborough River
    • Discover natural Florida in a 16,000 acre wilderness park
    • Birdwatching, wildlife, photography
    • $$

 

  • Alligator Bob’s Ecotours
    • 20 miles from Tampa Convention Center (20 minute travel time)
    • Guided walks in Florida’s pristine coastal and freshwater wetlands, hardwood hammocks, and flat pinewood forest. Paddle nearby river systems to see alligators, otters, turtles and birds in their natural habitat.
    • 813-986-3008, info@gatorbob.com
    • $$$

 

  • Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks
    • 28 miles from Tampa Convention Center (travel time 1 hour)
    • Greek community with working sponge diving industry
    • Shopping, sightseeing, Greek food
    • Various tour operators specialize in nature tours, sightseeing tours and sponge diving exhibitions

 

  • Flatwoods Wilderness Park
    • 21 miles from Tampa Convention Center (travel time 30 min)
    • 14302 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa
    • Paved trails for biking and jogging, nature trails for birdwatching, picnic tables

 

Museums

  • Chihuly Collection
    • 24 miles from Tampa Convention Center (travel time 42 minutes)
    • 720 Central Avenue, St Petersburg
    • Display of Chihuly art, video about his life and work, glass blowing demonstrations
    • $

 

  • The Dali Museum
    • 26 miles from Tampa Convention Center (travel time 50 minutes)
    • Over 2000 works from the career of Salvador Dali
    • $$