Overview
Tampa is a full-fledged travel destination, with a high-rise skyline and highways jammed with traffic. Across the bay lies the peninsula that contains Clearwater and St. Petersburg, two great travel destinations to visit on your holiday to the Tampa area. The compact St. Petersburg downtown, which has interesting restaurants, shops, and museums, is on the southeast side of the peninsula, facing Tampa. Inland is largely classic American suburbia. The peninsula's western periphery is rimmed by barrier islands with beaches, quiet parks, and little, laid-back beach towns for secluded holidays. To the north are communities that celebrate their ethnic heritage -- such as Tarpon Springs, settled by Greek sponge-divers -- and, farther north, mostly undeveloped land dotted with crystal-clear rivers, springs, and nature preserves.

Dining
Fresh seafood is plentiful, and raw bars serving oysters, clams, and mussels are everywhere. Tampa's many Cuban and Spanish restaurants serve fresh seafood, perhaps in a spicy paella, along with black beans and rice. Tarpon Springs adds hearty helpings of classic Greek specialties.

Things to Do
Fresh seafood is plentiful, and raw bars serving oysters, clams, and mussels are everywhere. Tampa's many Cuban and Spanish restaurants serve fresh seafood, perhaps in a spicy paella, along with black beans and rice. Tarpon Springs adds hearty helpings of classic Greek specialties.

(Original information sourced from www.discoveramerica.com)