Located in the center of a growing metropolis of more than 1.5 million people, Tampa is an ideal place to work, play, relax, and indulge, with a culture steeped in art, music, food, and entertainment wherever you look. Tampa itself has over 1,000 restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels, as well as a variety of entertainment options.

Tampa is home to some of the best beaches in Florida, making it the perfect destination for a day, a week, a month, or even an extended vacation.

Visit the TECO Manatee Viewing Center to see the manatees' refuge filled with gentle giants huddling in warm water. Rent a kayak or stroll along the trails to meet some of the largest and most beautiful manatees in the world.

Whether hiking, biking, paddling, or bird watching, Busch Gardens in Tampa is a popular destination for everyone. It is one of Florida's most popular wildlife parks with more than 100 species of birds, reptiles, and amphibians. It also boasts the world's largest roller coaster.

Gatorland in Orlando is one of Florida's oldest attractions, home to thousands of alligators, thrilling sky rides, and more. There's also the quirky Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which has been conquering the shores of Tampa for more than a century.

Downtown Tampa's brick streets and iron balconies recall the days when the city earned its nickname "Cigar City." Today, you can explore the history in a number of museums in the area or take a stroll through the historic downtown area, home to some of Florida's most famous landmarks. Just a few blocks from Florida State University's campus, this fun-filled hangout is one of the city's trendiest spots.

The University of Tampa as well as the Tampa Bay Hotel are like a museum, displaying the furnishings of the first guests to visit. On the hotel's second floor, there is a living history museum, which presents historical artifacts and objects from the past.

The Children's Museum of Tampa, which opened in 1986, is a mandatory stop if you're traveling with younger ones, or you can check out the Museum of Science & Industry, the Tampa Bay History Center of the SS American Victory, which is a former WWII ship now used as a museum.

If you want to take in the entire city in one outing, jump on a taxi boat, as it makes 15 stops along the Downtown Tampa Riverwalk. The pedestrian-only Riverwalk connects you to downtown hotels, restaurants, parks, and shops, making it a great place to cool off with a drink at a waterfront bar and then take a sightseeing tour of the bay. The 2.4-mile trail is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.