With a vibrant culture whose roots are firmly implanted in Cuban and American history, Tampa is buzzing with activity. Throw into the mix a burgeoning downtown area and seaport and you've got the vacation equivalent of a Cosmopolitan cocktail. Cross the causeway into St. Pete and Clearwater and you'll find pristine, untouched beaches, the $125 million Salvador Dali Museum, and excellent places to rest your sun-drenched head-from massive resorts, quaint inns, and B&Bs to all-inclusive spots. Here the vacationer discovers touches of that ever-elusive, pre-neon-lit old Florida so many people long for in these modern times of ours. The New York Times unofficially endorsed this waterfront gem of the west coast of Florida when it said, "Now, in fact, if not law, it's one big metropolitan area, laced together with bridges and freeways—everyone calls it Tampa Bay, and it is a prototypical example of the Sun Belt's explosive growth." Before this explosion, however, Tampa was primarily known for Busch Gardens, the beer-company's homage to thrill rides and exotic animals. Today it's a whole different story; although families looking for amusement will still find it here. But for the more grownup-exclusive crowd, a little dose of Ybor City is as close as you can get to Cuba without breaking federal law.
Photo credit: Centro Ybor in Tampa's historic Ybor City (Visit Florida)
