If you are making your way to Tampa after a few days in Orlando and Disney World the greatest words you may hear, for your beleaguered wallet, is free. Blessed with fantastic weather Tampa has a few options with its great beaches, as well as few cultural exhibits that people can enjoy for free.
A few things that visitors to Tampa Florida can do for free include:
Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center
Tampa has always been an animal lover’s dream, usually that love requires you to dig into your jeans for some cash but at the Tampa Electric water plant you can do see some unique wild life for free. Convulsing near the water discharge canal of the plant is a collection of manatee. A viewing centre has been set up that is open from 10am till 5 pm each day to view them. The viewing centre also has a butterfly garden, a mangrove exhibit and a gift shop.
www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/
Ybor City
A trip to this section of Tampa will provide travellers to the city a glimpse of yesteryear as the cobble stoned streets and the historic street car stand as a testament to the past of the city. Fusing the past with the modern, Ybor now is a hot bed for bars and different clubbing options. A wander through this district doesn’t cost any cover charge, however and it allows you to tour the district, and the actual old factories where factory workers use to hand roll countless cigars. Also look to visit Jose Marti Park in Ybor City. The park is named after one of the revolutionaries that helped oust the Spanish from Cuba, pre Castro, in 1900. Marti also spent time before this in Central Florida.
www.yborcityonline.com
Sunset Beach
Amongst a plethora of great beaches in the greater Tampa area, Sunset Beach may very well be the loveliest of all of them. Nestled at the tip of a small beach city – aptly named Treasure Island – Sunset Beach attracts those looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. A beach works well for those without to much money to spend as there aren’t any tolls to walk on its sandy shores and dip your toes in its cool waters.
St Petersburg Waterfront
If you get weary of the concrete façades of Tampa perhaps you need to step away to a friendlier more effervescent cityscape. Just that can be found during a stroll at the St Petersburg waterfront which will allow you to pass by the Mediterranean revival Vinoy Hotel and the new fantastic Salvador Dali Museum. A walk along the water front is free, but if you have a few extra dollars in your pocket checking out the museum of this esoteric artistic genius is certainly suggested. Continuing your stroll, you’ll see the Museum of Fine Arts, a marina with a yacht club and some banyan tree. Eventually you walk will lead you to nearby Beach drive which is lined with cafes, stores, and bars.