Places to go?

Any notable places to see or eat at in St. Pete/Tampa? I fly into TPA a lot for vacation, but have never actually stayed in the area.

Permalink Reply by Kati Davis on October 28, 2008 at 2:48pm: Great topic - the conference is in a centrally located spot which is nice b/c you can go more inland or toward the beaches. Courtside Grille (http://www.courtsidegrille.com) is within the same plaza as the Hilton but if you want to venture out a bit I suggest checking out Crabby Bills (http://www.crabbybills.com/locations.html). The one on Courtney Campbell isn't far from the conference and they also have one in Clearwater if you want to be closer to the nice beaches.

If you're up for some good shopping (we're somewhat deprived in Cedar Rapids) International Plaza and Westshore Mall are about a 10 minute drive on the other side of the bay.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brad J Ward on October 28, 2008 at 2:50pm: Random off-topic question but thought you might know: is there a hotel shuttle from TPA to the airport?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rachel Reuben on October 28, 2008 at 3:08pm: Yes there is -- when I made the reservations with the Hilton I asked if they had one from TPA. Didn't you say you're flying in around the same time as me (3:55 p.m. 11/5)?

Bradjward said:
Random off-topic question but thought you might know: is there a hotel shuttle from TPA to the airport?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brad J Ward on October 28, 2008 at 3:20pm: Rachel Reuben said:
Yes there is -- when I made the reservations with the Hilton I asked if they had one from TPA. Didn't you say you're flying in around the same time as me (3:55 p.m. 11/5)?

Bradjward said:
Random off-topic question but thought you might know: is there a hotel shuttle from TPA to the airport?

I think I get in by 1:30. Hoping for early check-in!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeremy Wilburn on October 28, 2008 at 4:26pm: Is anyone else besides me coming in on the afternoon of the fourth?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Matt Herzberger on October 28, 2008 at 4:41pm: Jeremy Wilburn said:
Is anyone else besides me coming in on the afternoon of the fourth?

I am!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sabra Fiala on October 28, 2008 at 4:45pm: Brad - you have to check out the Salvador Dali Museum!

http://www.salvadordalimuseum.org/home.html; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rachel Reuben on October 28, 2008 at 4:48pm: Do we call the hotel directly to set this up, or is there an e-mail address or some other way?

Jodi Palmer said:
Here are some more details on the hotel shuttle. The hotel just confirmed that if you send them your flight information, a time and a cell phone number they will schedule your pick-up from the airport. They can arrange departure’s once you arrive.
Bradjward said:
Rachel Reuben said:
Yes there is -- when I made the reservations with the Hilton I asked if they had one from TPA. Didn't you say you're flying in around the same time as me (3:55 p.m. 11/5)?

Bradjward said:
Random off-topic question but thought you might know: is there a hotel shuttle from TPA to the airport?

I think I get in by 1:30. Hoping for early check-in!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeremy Wilburn on October 28, 2008 at 4:51pm: Matt Herzberger said:
Jeremy Wilburn said:
Is anyone else besides me coming in on the afternoon of the fourth?

I am!

Oh good, I'm glad I won't be alone! Are you doing the pre-conference? I'm not, but my plane got booked early.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robin Mertins on October 28, 2008 at 5:53pm: I'm flying in on the fourth, arriving around 3:30. I'm renting a car if anyone wants a ride.

Jeremy Wilburn said:
Is anyone else besides me coming in on the afternoon of the fourth?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeremy Wilburn on October 28, 2008 at 6:00pm: I'd take you up on that, but unfortunately for me, I don't get in until 5:53 p.m. Thanks though!

Robin Mertins said:
I'm flying in on the fourth, arriving around 3:30. I'm renting a car if anyone wants a ride.

Jeremy Wilburn said:
Is anyone else besides me coming in on the afternoon of the fourth?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kati Davis on October 28, 2008 at 7:18pm: A few more spots for good comida...

-International plaza (http://www.shopinternationalplaza.com/) has several different little spots to eat like Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, Bar Louie in a nice little outdoor street atmosphere
-Westshore mall also has some chains like Maggianos and PF Changs
(both malls are super close to the airport)
-Jackson's (http://www.jacksonsbistro.com/index.html) is in downtown Tampa and overlooks the water

Some other fun areas of town with good shopping and restaurants:
-Channelside (http://www.channelsidebayplaza.com/) - my two favs here are margarita mama's (mexican food) and howl at the moon (piano bar)
-Ybor City (http://www.centroybor.com/) has Acropolis which has the best greek food plus some watering holes like Coyote Ugly. It also has some great little shops.
Both are closer to downtown Tampa.; ▶ Reply to This