Daytime Escapades
Whether you're a museum connoisseur, a science fiend, or a thrill seeker, Tampa boasts a hefty line-up of attractions that will keep your days more than full. At the Tampa Museum of Art, aesthetes can explore a permanent collection of classical antiquities, contemporary art, photography, and 19th- to 20th-century American sculpture. Ever wanted to know just what that melted clock was all about? For insight into one of the most famous artistic minds of the 20th century, visit the Salvador Dalí Museum. The Smithsonian-affiliated Florida International Museum hosts worldly exhibits ranging from ancient Egyptian civilizations to the doomed voyage of the Titanic. Its newest exhibit, The Kennedy Collection, focuses on the lives and politics of one of America's favorite first families. The Florida Holocaust Museum gives a detailed history of Eastern Europe, starting before WW II and including the horrors of concentration camps and Nazi rule, ending with the birth of Israel. If you want to check out a slice of Florida's history, visit the Henry B. Plant Museum, a landmark, minaret-encrusted museum showcasing art, furniture, and more treasures from Victorian-era Tampa.

For hands-on museum encounters, head to Tampa's fascinating science museums. The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) boasts over 450 interactive exhibits, including a hurricane simulator, an outer-space experience, human body explorations, and a stunning IMAX theater. For close encounters of the aquatic kind, head to the Florida Aquarium, home to over 5,000 fresh- and seawater animals and plants. The Aquarium offers visitors the chance to get up-close and personal with more than 20 species of sharks and rays. If you ever dreamed of starring in the next Jurassic Park sequel, get your 15 minutes of fantasizing at Dinosaur World, an open-air museum filled with over 200 models of prehistoric beasts. For a contemporary wildlife rendezvous, head to the Lowry Park Zoo, home to more than 1,500 animals, including the Komodo dragon, and the incredible Manatee and Aquatic Center--one of only three hospitals in the nation for this gentle sea mammal.

Ready to take it up a notch? Escape to Africa at Busch Gardens, arguably the most popular attraction on Florida's West Coast, and one of the best theme parks in the country. The park's ten themed areas each capture the spirit of the Rainbow Continent in a unique way. Thrill seekers can take a journey through time on "Montu," the Southeast's largest inverted steel roller coaster, which was built as a replica of King Tut's Tomb. Animal lovers can roam the "Serengeti Plain," a 15-acre wildlife exhibit where giraffes, lions, hyenas, and other animals from the heart of Africa take up digs. On the wetter side of fun, make a splash at Adventure Island, a water park with exhilarating rides, a championship beach volleyball court, and plenty of places to soak up some rays and the park's Key West atmosphere.

Not tired yet? The Tampa Bay Area has many outdoor adventures in store. It comes as no surprise that Tampa should have such an active slant, as its past, present, and future, are all tied into sports. The city has hosted three Super Bowls and is a famed spring-training site for many baseball teams, including the New York Yankees. Furthermore, Tampa is currently bidding to host the 2012 Olympics. Athletes will find more than a few options to keep them fit. Nearly three dozen golf courses grace the city proper. River-bound folk can take a canoe trip down the Hillsborough River, while anglers will find plenty of fishing excursions led by local outfitters. Horseback riding and cattle-ranch visits aren't hard to come by, and the more daring out there can take adrenaline to new heights ballooning or skydiving. Nature lovers can rough it at Green Acres Campground. For a more luxurious outdoors experience, charter a sunset cruise or sailing excursion to Shell Island in Boca Ciega Bay, where a dolphin just might pop up to say hello.

Maxin' and Relaxin'
All those outings are bound to make your feet beg for mercy--but luckily, Tampa has some lush nooks where you can kick back and appreciate serene surroundings. Set on 200 acres dotted with lakes and ancient cypress trees, the aptly-named Cypress Gardens contains a botanical garden with plants from over 90 countries, a butterfly conservatory, birds and reptiles, and plenty of spots to rest within this horticultural wonderland. A National Historic Landmark, Bok Tower Gardens rests atop the highest point on the Florida peninsula, offering sweeping vistas, a nature observatory, a beautiful bell tower, and a flower-carpeted landscape. Sun seekers can dip their toes (or more!) in the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico on nearby Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and barrier island beaches. These sugary shores are the ideal places to unwind and hunt for the perfect sea shell, although ample water sports and beach volleyball tend to entice even those most bent on R&R. A few sandy gems include Caladesi Island State Park, Fort De Soto Park, Sand Key Park, and Clearwater Beach.

Stepping Out
When the sun goes down, the fun doesn't stop in Tampa. Head to Hyde Park, one of Tampa Bay's oldest and most glamorous neighborhoods, for an infusion of classy mansions, towering oaks, and an eclectic collection of specialty shops, from designer boutiques to one-of-a-kind treasure troves. Tampa's very own SoHo boasts Restaurant Row, where foodies can sink their teeth into some 35 eateries, featuring regional treats and cuisine from around the world.

For Tampa's most lively scene and a taste of its Cuban flavor, check out Ybor City, the former self-proclaimed Cigar Capital of the World. This National Historic Landmark District of red-brick streets, wrought-iron balconies, and old-time globe street lamps was once home to 200 factories where 12,000 tabaqueros (cigar makers) rolled the best stogies this side of the Caribbean. Although these days, the Florida cigar industry isn't what it used to be, Ybor City hardly perished. Today its streets are filled with vintage clothing shops, art galleries, cafés, bistros, bars, and nightclubs. You'll find plenty of nightlife options along the hip Seventh Avenue. In addition, Centro Ybor, a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex in the neighborhood, offers 20 movie theaters, an interactive video arcade, and a comedy club.

Adventures in the "Big Guava"
So you know you want to go, now you need to figure out when? That decision may be tough, as Tampa hosts a number of festivals you won't want to miss. "X" marks the spot in February when pirates cast anchor and invade the city in a reign of pleasure. The Gasparilla Pirate Fest pays homage to Florida's pirate history, with a fully-rigged pirate ship, bearing booming canons and flags a-flying, sailing into downtown and signaling three days of parades, parties, and plenty of pirate's booty for all. February also brings the Florida State Fair, showcasing the state's best crafts, food, livestock, and entertainment. If you love strawberries, then definitely mark your calendars--in March, Tampa hosts the Florida Strawberry Festival, 11 days of berry good fun. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, 1999's festival produced the world's largest strawberry shortcake--so make sure your sweet tooth is ready! But the real Tampa shakedown goes down right before Halloween, in Ybor City's homegrown, Latin-style celebration of the holiday. Guavaween, a hats-off to the city's funky nickname, "The Big Guava," spans an entire day of fun for the whole family. The flamboyant "Mama Guava Stumble" costume parade kicks off the nighttime, when block parties and concerts rock revelers through the wee hours.•