We asked the fellow in line behind us why he moved to Tampa from New England and his reply told us everything we need to know about the city: “You can't shovel sunshine.” No you can't. Ignore the occasional hurricane and oppressive heat and humidity in August and accept that the weather in Tampa is pretty darn nice. Although downtown Tampa might drive you mad with its block after block of boring office buildings you don't have to go far to find a good time and the bus system can take you just about anywhere you might want to go. Sure it might take two hours to get there but that's because Tampa is a typical Florida city: spread across the flat open swamps and still growing. Look nearby for professional and college sports, Busch Gardens, the Gulf of Mexico, strip clubs, and a million other reasons to be near Tampa.

The Tampa Greyhound Station is a long, low building in the heart of Downtown Tampa. Expect a bland building in a boring but mostly clean downtown. Buses enter the station through a rear driveway and dock at bays behind the building. Passengers can grab their bags at the side of the bus and head into the terminal through any open door. The main passenger area is a wide room with the ticket counters, vending machines, and lockers to the far left and restrooms and restaurant to the right. There is a small seating area between the gates and the front door so arriving passengers have to navigate around the muddled waiting passengers to reach the street. Departing passengers queue in a jumble behind clearly marked gates waiting for the drivers to open the barriers and take tickets. Unlike most Greyhound stations passengers are not allowed to leave bags by the door and surly security guards keep a watchful eye for scofflaws.

Taxis wait at the curb just outside the front door. The Marion Transit Center is a few blocks north of the station (see Getting Around). Unless you have a specific reason to be in downtown grab a taxi or find a bus.

Outside of rush hour, downtown Tampa is a quiet, empty grid of officve buildings and parking garages. There are very few restaurants or shops but the sidewalks are wide and clean and easy to navigate. Expect a handful of scumbags in front of the station, these are probably passengers having a smoke ior drinking a 40, not local bums. No, the bums spend most of their time a few blocks away at the Marion Transit Center.

You can't beat the weather in Tampa. Even on the hottest, stickiest day at least you can walk around for a few blocks and enjoy the relative quiet of downtown. If you're here for a short layover, less than an hour, walk outside or circle the block. There's not much to see or do in the area but it's safe and clean. If you have a few hours makde the trip to Ybor City. It's about a mile from the station which is very walkable or you can take the trolley. See Ybor City (below) for details.

You're in Tampa for a reason. If you wanted the ocean you'd be across the Bay in St. Pete or Clearwater Beach but no, you're in Tampa. The city isn't as exciting or pretty as its neighbors on the Gulf but Tampa has its merits. Look for Ybor City, cruise terminals, great food (just not in downtown) , and a convenient airport. Add in a couple of easy-to-get-to universities and Tampa might warrant a stop on a longer trip.

So put on your shorts and tank top and go.

Spanish conquistadors first explored the Tampa Bay area in the 16th century. They found a great harbor and rich seafood but no gold or jewels and after a few failed attempts to colonize and proselytize the local folk they left empty-handed. The first widespread development of the area came in the early 19th century as the young American government began to assert its new control over the Florida peninsula. Yet before the 1880s Tampa's population never rose about 1000. It was only with the discovery of phosphate (a valuable mineral) that the town was connected to the national railroad system, and with that came easy transport, money, and people. Soon followed a major tabacco and cigar industry, and duringh the Spanish-American War 30,000 troops were stationed in Tampa. In just a few short years Tampa had grown from a minor village to a major industrial port city. The US government continued to build its military presence in Tampa through the 20th century and MacDill Air Force Base in south Tampa is one of the largest employers in the region.

There's nothing like stepping off a bus into a city you've never seen before. The smells, sights and sounds can excite and frighten even the most intrepid traveler. To make the most of your time in any city, be it a day or a month, spend a few minutes learning the neighborhoods before you go. This will help you plan your trip and orient you to your surroundings. This section briefly describes the most popular and tourist-friendly neighborhoods in the city starting with the neighborhoods nearest the bus station and fanning out from there.

Describe the neighborhood nearest the bus station, the one that passengers would see if they stepped off the bus and walked a block or two. Use all of your senses: sights, sounds, smells, first impressions? And are your first impressions right or does this neighborhood surprise the visitor?

What's another nearby neighborhood that the passenger might see or visit within a few minutes of the bus station?

Tip: if you're writing about several neighborhoods (or places to eat etc) take some time between writing sessions. Take a day or at least a few hours. This prevents your writing from becoming repetitive or formulaic.

What's another nearby neighborhood that the passenger might see or visit within a few minutes of the bus station?

Give a few sentences about transportation in the city. Is there anything to walk to near the station? Are we relying on buses or taxis while we're in town? Sum it up subjectively but give objective examples in detail below.

Is this a walking city or is it LA?

To be blunt, there's just not a lot to do in downtown Tampa. There are a few restaurants, a small museum, and not much more. Many of the typical tourist spots are a bit too far to walk (but don't let us stop you) so learn the bus systems or look for a taxi. The local bus sytem is operated by HARTline.

Tampa and Hillsborough County offer a vast system of modern, mostly comfortable buses that cross the region and connect with Pinellas County services across the bay in St. Petersburg. Look for bus routes on most major roads and expect some of the most pleasant drivers around (it must be the weather). It might take awhile but when you need to get around town, Tampa's buses offer a great opportunity.

The TECO Line streetcar doesn't travel very far, and its not hugely useful for locals but we tourists love the classic train. Running from Dick Greco Plaza and transportation center east and north to Ybor City the streetcar the line connects downtown with one of the prettiest and most interesting neighborhoods in Tampa. If you're going to ride the train even once you might as well get the One-Day pass and ride all day. The One-Day pass is good on all HARTline buses too but note that the HARTline One-Day pass is not good on the TECO line. Don't ask questions, just bring a camera.

For more information visit the TECOline website or call the HARTinfo line at 813 254 4278.

There is currently no ferry service to or near Tampa which is a darn shame considering the beautiful coastline and densely populated cities in the Bay. Hillsborough County continues to study ferry service especially with the growth in residential units in downtown Tampa. Previous ferry service connected the Tampa area with Key West and Mexico but both services have been suspended.

Is this a city where we need a taxi? Is there some must see spot only accessible by taxi like a national park or secluded beach? Where do find a taxi, how much is it, and how can we save some money here?

Is this a city where we need a rental car? Is there some must see spot only accessible by rental car like a national park or secluded beach? Where do rent a car, how much is it, and how can we save some money here?

Tampa offers dozens of cheap, low-frills chain motels and hotels especially in North Tampa near Busch Gardens and the University of South Florida. Don't try to sleep at the bus or train stations. The bus station is open overnight but the guards will give you the boot unless you have a ticket for a late-night bus. The train station closes at about 8:00PM. Your best chance at a free place to sleep is at the Tampa Airport but there are few services there beyond bathrooms and cushioned benches. It's worth a trip if you have nowhere else to sleep for a night.

Expect to pay about $60 plus tax unless there's a game in town. There are plenty of buses around Tampa and Hillsborough County but be sure to check the schedules before you make a reservation. Tampa is a broad city and what looks near on a map might mean a 90-minute one-way trip. If you're using Priceline or a similar service select zones around Busch Gardens or Tampa Downtown and bid low.

Tampa has one of the most interesting hostels in the country. Gram's Place is a music-themed hostel, named for Gram Parson's, a guitarist with The Byrds. The hostel boasts a massive CD inventory, encourages jam sessions among guests and instruments are stored on site for your use. The co-ed dorm is replica of a train sleeping car; it can be a tight fit but its novelty makes up for the lack of space. Breakfast is not included but guests have full use of two kitchens. Renta bike from Gram's ($15 a day) and explore Tampa at your own speed. Free wi-fi Internet service is available or you can rent a computer with Internet access for $2.00 per hour.

Gram's Place

3109 North Ola Avenue
Tampa, FL 33603
Telephone: 813 221 0596

Shared Dorms: $23 and up
Private Room: $50 and up

Directions:

Gram's Place is about two miles north of the bus station and downtown Tampa. It's an easy walk but if you have bags you'll probably want to take a bus. From the Greyhound Station, take a right on Polk Street and then a right on Marion Street (one block). Walk four blocks to the Marion Transit Center, this is the main transportation hub in Tampa. At Marion Transit Center board bus Route 1 (Florida Avenue) and exit at West Plymouth Street. Cross the street and walk west three blocks to Ola Avenue.

Custom Directions

Tampa YMCA branches do not offer lodging.

Perhaps the best way to travel the country (and the world), couch surfing is a post-modern concept that shows exactly how useful the Internet can be. Travelers register on-line and search the cities where they want to stay. Members offer the opportunity to host visitors (on their couch, floor, spare room) and describe themselves and their availability in an on-line profile. Then users contact each other, discuss plans, preferences and availability and decide whether to commit to an overnight or extended stay. Both parties have the option to refuse an offer without explanation and with no hurt feelings. The service advertises nearly one million users around the world so if you're ready for an adventure and can plan ahead, consider couch surfing. Interested travelers should visit couchsurfing.com and wikipedia.org to learn more.

By now everyone in the world uses Craigslist so you're probably familiar with the site. It's an on-line bulletin board where users freely post ads for everything from used toothbrushes for sale to erotic adventures. In between you can search for paid vacation and short-term rentals under housing. It means planning ahead and you might have to send a deposit to the advertiser. Most users are honest and intrepid travelers can find an affordable, safe, clean place to stay for a few nights. But if you're going to do this why not try couch surfing first? It's free so if you get to the house and don't like what you see you can leave. You also have the option to chat with your host before you ever leave home and couchsurfing.com offers some degree of reassurance with its referral and verification system. So search the Craigslist postings, but keep couch surfing in the back of your mind.

Most cities offer an eclectic menu of restaurants but some cities are best divided into dining areas by neighborhood. Think about the food options in the city. Pick a few cheap eats, a couple mid-range choices and one exotic option. Try to include places that are either MUST SEE or out of the way and easily missed but deserve a visit. Be creative.

Spanish/Cuban (Ybor City) $$$

Columbia Restaurant Ybor City
2117 East 7th Avenue Tampa FL 33605

Telephone: 813 248 4961

Describe the restaurant, the clientele, the workers, the food, the neighborhood and the overall experience.

Directions…

Custom Directions

Is this city compact and are services easy to find? Describe it in a few sentences.

Does the bus station have lockers? How about a nearby train station or airport? Is there a hotel nearby that can hold our bags?

The Tampa Greyhound Station shows its age. Although the building is sound and generally clean the men's room is unattractive, uninviting, and offers very little privacy. There are few public buildings in downtown Tampa so take your chances here. Otherwise, visit the nearby Amtrak station (not much better) or the public library on Ashley.

Downtown Tampa is fairly quiet and souvenirs are hard to come by. The airport has a few stores that sell overpriced t-shirts and keychains, and there are several souvenir shops along the waterfront in Clearwater Beach (20 miles west of Tampa). There are a couple shops in Ybor City that sell postcards but in downtown Tampa there's only one. For your only chance at Tampa souvenirs in downtown head to:

Beverly's Hallmark Card & Gift
512 N Franklin Street
Tampa, FL 33602

Telephone: 813 229 2816

We can't imagine you'll spend much time in downtown Tampa; you're more likely to head to Clearwater Beach or maybe USF. In any case, it can be hard to find a Post Office anywhere in Tampa. Here are a few near the bus station but check usps.com for a more complete list when you get to Tampa.

Consider a chart like this one:

Where, when, and how much? Is wi-fi available? Are libraries open to the traveling public?

Some cities have densely populated neighborhoods that surround the bus station and downtown and thus we're likely to find a grocery store nearby. In other cities you have to hunt and peck but if you look around you'll likely find something near the bus station (think Cleveland). Tell us where to find a nearby grocery store, describe it and the neighborhood as well as the style of food, quality and pricing. How do we get there?

Some cities have densely populated neighborhoods that surround the bus station and downtown and thus we're likely to find a laundry service nearby. In other cities you have to hunt and peck but if you look around you'll likely find something near the bus station (think San Francisco). Tell us where to find a nearby laundromat, describe it and the neighborhood as well as the costs, hours, and times to avoid it. How do we get there?

Hopefully you never need medical care while you're on the road, and if you do we hope that you have medical insurance. In the United States you are guaranteed medical treatment at any hospital's emergency room (ER) regardless of your ability pay even if you are not insured. But each state determines how much care uninsured patients get.

What are the best options for medical care in the city? Think price, accessibility, and care. Are we better off going to an ER or are walk-in clinics the best option? Tell us where to go and how to get there!

NEIGHBORHOOD

Hospital or clinic
Street
City, State ZIP Code

Telephone: 555 555 5555
TDD Phone: 555 555 5555

Directions!

Custom Directions

Describe the city's activities and lifestyle in general. Is it a beach city with a hopping nightlife (Miami) or a quiet college town with some great bookstores? Give us an overview of what to expect and then describe a few free and inexpensive options below.

Place or Activity

Name of place
Street
Telephone: 555 555 5555
Hours:

Description, be creative but objective

Directions

Custom Directions

YMCA offers complimentary guest passes to tourists. While you're in town stop into any YMCA for a complimentary guest pass and go for a swim, run, or lift some weights.

Same as above but these cost a few dollars each.

Money is no object here. Passengers might not partake in this adventure but tell us about it anyway. Maybe it's worth checking out even if we can't afford it.

If you only have one day in town consider this:

Describe in great detail exactly where to go fore folks who have a day in town, maybe just a few hours. Give us directions from the bus station and phone numbers and price guides. What's the perfect one-day trip?

Introduce a few suggested daytrips here. These spots might not be in town but they should be easy to get to in a day.

Be specific. Where are we going and why? What do we do when we get there and how do we get there? How is this different from the city or neighborhood with the bus station? Really sell this place but make sure it's worth the trip. If it's as good as you say it is then this part should be easy.

Briefly describe how to get in and out of the city. Is the airport far away (Denver)? Are there no trains (Phoenix)? Then describe the airport, trains, and boats in great detail below. This part really matters.

Where's the station? What are the common destinations from here and how often do the trains run? Ten times a day or every other day? Can I find discounts on-line (Chicago!) or is this a pricey train destination (Boston!). How do we get there and what's the station like?

Where's the airport? Is there more than one? What are the common destinations from here and how often do the flights leave? Can I find discounts on-line last minute or am I out of luck? How do we get there and what's the airport like?

Where's the port? What are the common destinations from here and how often do the boats leave? Ten times a day or every other day only in the summer? Can I find discounts on-line last minute? How do we get there and what's the port like?

To learn about a nearby city please select from the list below.

BRADENTON, FLORIDA
BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
LAKELAND, FLORIDA
ORLANDO, FLORIDA
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA
SARASOTA, FLORIDA