There are numerous attractions throughout the Tampa Bay area and within a two hours commute. We have simply selected a few to describe and suggest a number of websites for more details, or other attraction. There are many more that we would also like to suggest including the St Pete Pier, Ybor City in Tampa, and Tarpon Springs.

Amusement and Theme parks
	Busch Gardens Tampa Busch Gardens is a family adventure park offering an array of fascinating attractions based on exotic encounters with the African continent. A unique blend of thrilling rides, one of the country's premier zoos featuring more than 2,700 animals, live shows, restaurants, shops and games, Busch Gardens provides "real" excitement for guests of every age. www.buschgardens.com Cypress Gardens 30 acre botanical gardens with rides and children’s area. Demonstations on topiaries, butterfly gardening and container gardens. Located in Winter Haven, approximately an hour and a half driving time from the conference venue. www.cypressgardens.com SeaWorld Dophins, penquins, rides, roller coasters, and much more! Located in Orlando, approximately two-two and a half hours driving time from the conference venue. www.seaworld.com Universal Studios Includes Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Island of Adventure theme parks and Universal CityWalk entertainment district. Located in Orlando approximately two to two and a half hours driving time from the conference venue. www.uescape.com Walt Disney World Includes Animal Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Magic Kingdom theme parks, Downtown Disney, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks and Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Located in Orlando, approximately two to two and a half hours driving time from the conference venue. www.disneyworld.com
Baseball
	The Tampa Bay Rays, a Major League team, home stadium is just fifteen minutes driving time from the conference venue. If the team is playing at home, a free shuttle will be offered for evening games during the conference. This information will be updated when the 2009 schedule is issued. http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com
Beaches
	Fort Desoto Park Fort Desoto Beach was ranked as America’s best beach in 2005. There is a small museum as part of the fort. In addition, you can rent kayaks, bicycles, etc. and there is a great foot/bike/roller blade path. Located 5 minutes driving time from the conference venue. www.gulfbeachguide.com/doc/fort-desoto St Pete Beach The conference venue is located directly on St Pete Beach. The St Pete Beach is just one of a string of beaches along ten barrier islands all connected with one road and just off the mainland. www.tampabaybeaches.com
Boat Excursions
	Egmont Key There are numerous companies who offer daily shelling and snorkeling trips. We might suggest the short trip to Egmont Key – an island just minutes driving travel from the conference venue. The concierge at the hotel will be able to recommend which company to contact. www.floridastateparks.org/egmontkey.
Botanical Gardens
	Florida Botanical Gardens features flora, fauna and natural resources in Pinellas County. This is a county facility. Located approximately 30 minutes driving time from conference site. www.flbg.org Marie Selby Botanical Gardens This garden is known for is preservation, study and research of epiphytes or ‘air plants’ including orchids. There are over 20,000 exotic plants, butterfly and hummingbird gardens. The gardens are located in Sarasota, approximately 45 minutes driving travel from the conference site. www.selby.org Sunken Gardens is a botanical paradise in the midst of a bustling city. As St. Petersburg's oldest living museum, this 100 year old garden is home to some of the oldest tropical plants in the region. Unwind as you stroll through meandering paths, lush with exotic plants from around the world. Explore cascading waterfalls, beautiful demonstration gardens, more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers and a butterfly garden. Located approximately 15 minutes driving time from conference venue. www.stpete.org/sunken/
Golf
	There are numerous courses just minutes driving time from the conference venue. The Tradewind’s concierge will be able to assist you reserve a tee time, along with transportation to the course.
Movies
	Muvico - Bay Walk in downtown St Pete has 20 screens, stadium seating, and advanced reservations. Located 15 minutes driving time from conference venue. www.muvico.com The St. Pete Beach Theatre is a historic landmark (built in 1939) along the west coast of Florida. Located minutes driving time from the conference site. www.beachtheatre.com/
Museums
	Florida Holocaust Museum is one of the largest Holocaust museums in the country. The museum has numerous acclaimed exhibits, a print and audio-visual library and research facility. Located approximately 15 minutes driving time from the conference venue in downtown St Petersburg. www.flhm2.org Florida International Museum in St Petersburg is one of Florida’s premier cultural attractions. It offers diverse rotating national and international exhibitions. Located approximately 15 minutes driving time from the conference venue. www.floridamuseum.org Great Explorations! The Children’s Museum’s mission is to stimulate children’s learning through creativity, play and exploration. Numerous hands on activities and exhibits. Located approximately 15 minutes driving time from the conference venue and adjacent to Sunken Gardens in St Petersburg. www.greatexplorations.org Ringling Estate is located in Sarasota on 66 acres. The Museum offers 21 galleries of a wide variety of art and numerous traveling exhibits. The Circus Museum displays the world’s largest miniature circus, costumes, wagons and other circus related equipment. Located approximately 15 minutes driving time from the conference venue. www.ringling.org Salvador Dali Museum holds one of the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Salvador Dali, the surrealist. This museum is also located on the USF St Petersburg campus. Located approximately 30 minutes driving time from the conference venue. www.salvadordalimuseum.org
Shopping
There are numerous stores within walking distance of the conference site including beachwear stores, gift shops, grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.
	Downtown St Pete   Baywalk Among the shops represented are Ann Taylor, Hurricane Pass Outfitters, and White House/Black Market. Plenty of restaurants and Muvico Theatre. Located 15 minutes driving time from the conference venue. www.yourbaywalk.com The Pier The five-story complex boasts an observation deck up-top. There's also an aquarium and opportunities for fishing trips, cruises, dolphin sightseeing and sunset cruises. If fishing is your thing, you may rent gear from the Bait House and try your luck in the waters around the pier. Meanwhile, surreys bicycles and even electric boat rentals are available for those who want to do some exploring. Located 15 minutes driving time from the conference venue in St Petersburg. www.stpete-pier.com John’s Pass and Village   Designed to look like a rustic fishing village, this waterfront complex offers dozens of shops, most of which are connected by an 1100-foot-long boardwalk. Along the stretch of businesses, you'll find souvenir shops, restaurants, specialty boutiques, and even a few nightclubs. In the area, you can also schedule boat tours, rent water craft, and plan fishing expeditions. Located 15 minutes driving time from the conference venue. www.johnspass.com Tyrone Square Mall   This mall plays hosts to more than 170 shops and stores. JCPenney, Macy's, Sears, and Dillard's number among the anchors; joining them are a range of specialty venues, including Gap, The Disney Store, and Borders Books and Music. There are numerous restaurants. Located 15 minutes driving time from the conference venue. www.pinellaslife.com/tyrone_square_mall.htm Westside Countryside Mall   With more than a million square feet of space, anchor stores include Dillard's, Sears, and JCPenney, and there's also a movie theater and indoor ice-skating rink on the premises. Restaurants and a food court provide sustenance during busy shopping sprees, and approximately 170 individual shops tempt visitors with jewelry, shoes, cosmetics, and the like. Located 30 minutes driving time from the conference venue. www.westfield.com/countryside/ International Plaza   Located adjacent to Tampa International Airport, the Plaza is the most distinctive shopping and dining destination of Florida's West Coast. Four fashionable department stores, over 200 specialty shops and Bay Street at the Plaza, an open-air village of fine restaurants and small boutiques. Located approximately 30 minutes driving time from the conference venue. www.shopinternationalplaza.com
Theatre
	American Stage Theatre American Stage presents six plays on its 148-seat capacity Mainstage each year. Located in downtown St Petersburg, 15 minutes driving time from the conference venue. www.americanstage.org St Petersburg Little Theatre is the oldest, continuously operating community theater in the state of Florida. St. Petersburg Little Theatre celebrates its 84rd season in 2008-2009 by promoting the advancement of live theatre and provides entertainment by developing and encouraging local non professional talent. Located 15 minutes driving time from the conference venue. www.splt.info Tampa Bay Performing Arts is located downtown Tampa on a picturesque nine-acre site along the east bank of the Hillsborough River. As the largest performing arts complex south of the Kennedy Center, the 335,000 square-foot Center provides an environment for a wide variety of world-class events. It boasts one of the nation's leading Broadway series and is nationally respected for producing grand opera, as well as presenting a wide variety of concerts, performances and events. Located 30-45 minutes driving time from the conference venue. www.tbpac.org
Zoos
	Busch Gardens Tampa Busch Gardens is a family adventure park offering an array of fascinating attractions based on exotic encounters with the African continent. A unique blend of thrilling rides, one of the country's premier zoos featuring more than 2,700 animals, live shows, restaurants, shops and games, Busch Gardens provides "real" excitement for guests of every age. www.buschgardens.com Lowry Park Zoological Garden ranked the number-one family-friendly zoo in the U.S. (Child magazine) and recognized by the State of Florida as a center for Florida wildlife conservation and biodiversity (HB 457). 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, Wallaroo Station children's zoo, and Safari Africa. The Zoo also features rides, shows and hands-on interactive exhibits designed to give you a WILD experience. Located approximately 45 minutes driving time from the conference venue. www.lowryparkzoo.com
Some other websites for more information on the area include:
http://www.floridavacations.com http://www.tampabaystart.com/attractions/ http://www.floridabeach.com http://attractionguide.com/tampa/