Any CP'ers ever been to (gasp!) Tampa Bay? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Eddie Bronze · 10-06-2006, 10:22 PM

I'm sure there must be a few of you. A group of myself and some friends, ten in total, are making a 'NFL trip' there next weekend (Oct 13-16).

We're taking in the NFL game on Sunday between the Bucs and Bengals. And right now the only other plan is to go to the Panthers-Lightning game on Saturday night and all of us are going to wear Flames jerseys and stir up some ****.

Other than that, maybe Busch Gardens, although they aren't talking much about it. I'm hoping for nice weather and a trip to a Florida beach inhibited with many o'hot chick draped in bikini, as well.

Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone has spent any time down there and if so, if they know any worthwhile visting spots? I know if these guys go down there with nothing planned it's just going be casino, strip club, etc. which is boring because you can do that crap around here.

FlamesAddiction · 10-06-2006, 10:30 PM

Snakeeye went during the SCF in 2004.

Incinerator · 10-07-2006, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Snakeeye went during the SCF in 2004.

Me too, game 5 was a blast! But I'll be in Hogtown that weekend to see Raycroft get a suntan from the Flames (hopefully). Have fun down there Eddie, Go Panthers...but I hope Bert breaks a spine or something

Jayems · 10-07-2006, 01:33 AM

I was there 2 weeks after we lost to TB...

What was heart wrenching is we got into a verbal scrap with some people on a casino boad (hahah classy, i know)..

But they had absolutely NO clue tampa had just won the cup... there was 1 billboard sign (in neighbouring St. Petersburgh) and we all took pictures giving the thumbs down to the st. pete times forum.

On their banner outside of the rink, it says something to the effect of

"Congradulations Lightning.. blah blah blah" but it has pictures of football, golf... and all these other sports.. really weird...

So, i guess to answer your question, that was the only place i went to in tampa. If your going to st. pete's, the main road that runs up and down the beach has millions of things to do.. lots of mini-golf, bars, good eats.. (Crabby Mikes was good.. but damn was mike really crabby.. seriously)

Parasail if your up for something cool to try out if you haven't already...

Shazam · 10-07-2006, 11:33 AM

Go to South Beach. This is absolutely required. I know you want to see hot chicks in bikinis, but at South Beach, you'll see hot chicks without bikinis, or anything else on for that matter.

flambers · 10-07-2006, 11:41 AM

Yep a couple of times.

getbak · 10-07-2006, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazam

Go to South Beach. This is absolutely required. I know you want to see hot chicks in bikinis, but at South Beach, you'll see hot chicks without bikinis, or anything else on for that matter.

Isn't South Beach in Miami?

Shazam · 10-07-2006, 01:33 PM

He'll be in Florida. It's worth the drive.

Lanny_MacDonald · 10-07-2006, 02:29 PM

Lived there several years. Since its a bunch of you guys heading down, you gotta go to Clearwater Beach. Some very nice action there! Well worth the drive. You have to take in Ybor City (downtown Tampa, not too far from the Ice Palace and the Aquarium). Lots of bars, and lots of chiquitas! Finally, what trip to Tampa is complete without a trip to the infamous Mons Venus. We're talking the best/worst stripper joint in the world. If you want any more information on where to eat, where to stay, what elese there is to do, PM me and I'll send you more information than you'll know what to do with! Have fun, Tampa really is a great town!!!

Lanny_MacDonald · 10-07-2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazam

He'll be in Florida. It's worth the drive.

Actually, it's not. Clearwater Beach is 1000 times better than South Beach IMO. Plus, I don't think he wants to deal with the 4-6 hour drive, each way.

Shazam · 10-07-2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

Actually, it's not. Clearwater Beach is 1000 times better than South Beach IMO. Plus, I don't think he wants to deal with the 4-6 hour drive, each way.

Yeah, but are the boobs 1000x better?

getbak · 10-07-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazam

He'll be in Florida. It's worth the drive.

They're going from Friday to Monday and taking in a hockey game Saturday night and a football game on Sunday. I don't see time in the schedule for a 12 hour round trip to Miami.

Since no one else has commented on it, Busch Gardens is nice if you like roller coasters, it has a good assortment that are pretty fun. If coasters aren't your thing, it's not really worth the trip. Also, because it's owned by Anheuser-Busch, they give out free beer samples and they sell beer at every food stand.

Lanny_MacDonald · 10-07-2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazam

Yeah, but are the boobs 1000x better?

No contest. Clearwater has some of the nicest boobs in the country. It got votes best beach for Spring Breakers not too long ago. I can attest, its a beach where mirrored sun glasses and a bib are requirements!

zarrell · 10-07-2006, 05:18 PM

Me and a friend went down for game's one and two in 2004. Unfortunately we only had time for the hockey and that was pretty much it.

This year we're doing an NFL trip as well. Going to San Francisco in early November to catch the 49ers/Vikings game (I'm a big Viking fan) and we'll also try to catch the Sharks/Penguins game.

Shazam · 10-07-2006, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbak

They're going from Friday to Monday and taking in a hockey game Saturday night and a football game on Sunday. I don't see time in the schedule for a 12 hour round trip to Miami.

That OK. I was talking tongue in cheek since I don't think he's actually going to drive 5 hours to go there.

jam26 · 10-07-2006, 11:51 PM

Ybor city for sure. I travel in the US quite a bit and Tampa is one of my favourite cities.
Also, there's an Irish bar there with a thatched-roof by the university you have to see. http://www.fourgreenfields.com/
Definitely make a point of going there.

Resolute 14 · 10-07-2006, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Snakeeye went during the SCF in 2004.

I did, though I was only on the whirlwind tour, and lost one day to a nasty storm.

Went to Clearwater beach, which was nice. I'm pretty sure a few women noticed my tongue dragging on the sand... It really doesnt matter what beach you go to, just go to one.

One thing that struck me was how pitiful their downtown is compared to Calgary. Just a couple shorter towers.

Other than that, the only other thing I had time for was to take in a Devil Rays game. Tropicana isnt as bad as people say, though it isnt great either.

GreenTeaFrapp · 10-08-2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

One thing that struck me was how pitiful their downtown is compared to Calgary. Just a couple shorter towers.

Most American cities don't have downtowns that compare to similiar sized Canadian cities. And Calgary is a freak of nature when it comes to downtown towers.

Table 5 · 10-08-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

Most American cities don't have downtowns that compare to similiar sized Canadian cities. And Calgary is a freak of nature when it comes to downtown towers.

yep, just came back from California, and neither L.A or San Diego's downtown can even compare to Calgary, and they are some pretty massive cities population wise.

For a city of only one million, Calgary has an amazing skyline and a pretty lively downtown (or atleast during the day).

pepper24 · 10-08-2006, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

No contest. Clearwater has some of the nicest boobs in the country. It got votes best beach for Spring Breakers not too long ago. I can attest, its a beach where mirrored sun glasses and a bib are requirements!

I agree Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are world class for sun, surf and babes. I hate Tampa's hockey team but love the city.