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This summer we are going to spend a few days at timeshare rental in Clearwater Beach -
Tampa
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Question: This summer we are going to spend a few days at timeshare rental in Clearwater Beach -
Tampa
Who can tell us if there are some lovely and interesting places to
visit in the surroundings (even places where tourists usually don't
go)?
Thank you for any kind of information.
Answer: Try the Hurricane simulator at the Museum in Tampa. I think it's
called something like Museum of Technology but everybody who lives
there should know. That's something you won't find elsewhere and
relatively inexpensive. The lightning simulator is also pretty good.
See if you can take an air boat ride. Unique to Florida I think.
You need to get out where it's swampy so you will need a car.
You might enjoy visiting one of the Aligator farms while you are
out in the swampy area. Don't forget to take some OFF (mosquito
repellant).
There is a small state park north of Clearwater about 2 hours drive
(I think) near Homosasa Springs. You can get real close to the
Manatees (Sea Cows) there and there is a nice boat ride through the
area. Don't think these large aquatic mammals can be found anywhere
outside of Florida.
There is another commercial park on the way to Homosasa Springs west
of Brooksville called Weekiwachi (spelling?). Their big hit used to
be the mermaid show which was nothing but some girls dressed in
mermaid costumes under water. Pretty tacky. They now offer a show
with birds of prey (hawks and falcons) which I thought was pretty
good.
You can rent/take lessons on a windsurfer at some of the beaches in
the area especially at the state park beach.
You might enjoy driving across the bridge over Tampa Bay. (The tall
one over the shipping channel not the causeways.) It's certainly an
unusual experience. (It got knocked down by a boat several years ago
but is much safer now.)
The usual touristy things:
Busch Gardens (Sponsored by a brewery but also a free range zoo with a
very interesting exhibit where they have managed to get the nocturnal
animals active during the day time. A cut above your average tourist
trap.
Tarpon Springs (Greek settlement famous for sponge fishing).
Different anyway.
There's a big aquarium in St. Pete (used to be there anyway. Seems
like I've heard something about the Florida Aquarium in the same
area which was drawing record crowds but I'm not sure where that
is.) and of course there is always Disney World, Sea World, Universal
Studios, ad nauseum in Orlando which is not too far away but all very
expensive and very crowded in the summer (watch for pick pockets and
don't get out if your car gets bumped from behind). Also very hot.
The usual warning to people new to Florida: The sun is much stronger
there than you are used to. You WILL burn in less than an hour. Use
sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher and put it on often. (Don't
forget the tops of your feet) Hat, sunglasses, and long sleeve
coverup are also strongly recommended.
You will probably get invited to free meals by the timeshare salesmen.
The meal is free but you have to listen to a long talk about why you
should buy a timeshare and tell them NO NO NO. Unless you have
nothing better to do it's best to decline the invitation.
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