Tampa Florida Attractions

Glazer Children's Museum Launches New Website!

Monday, November 16, 2009 by jeremy fairley

It's an exciting time for the crew at the Glazer Children's Museum offices! Seems like only yesterday we were at the topping off ceremony.

Today another milestone was reached as the Museum launched its new website today, and boy is it gorgeous! Hats off to the guys over at Spark Brands for a very colorful and creative concept that came out looking great!

Special recognition also goes out to the Glazer Children's Museum staff for their vision and direction of the site as well.

Goes perfect with the Just Imagine theme, as all of the moving parts of the site allow you to just use your imagination.

I am a firm believer in how your experience with a brand on the web should reflect your physical experience, meaning you should be able to gain insight as to what your experience at the Museum will be like, by visiting the website.

With this website, its very easy to "Just Imagine" all of the possibilities at the Glazer Children's Museum.

The museum will add to an already impressive lineup of Tampa Florida attractions we have on display as well as giving local and visiting families plenty of things to do in Tampa Bay!

MOSI is Catapulting Turkeys for Holiday Camp!

Monday, November 16, 2009 by Tampa Bay & Company

hey everyone! Travis back with some really fun Tampa Bay entertainment for the holidays! We are heading to the USF area to have some fun with one of the best Tampa Florida attractions around...MOSI!

This Thanksgiving Break, MOSI will be offering “Camp Turkey,” which is a unique approach to learning about traditional Thanksgiving foods.

Campers will work in MOSI’s lab and experiment on classic Thanksgiving dinner items by freezing them and finding out what makes them taste the way they do.

Campers will also explore the way Native Americans prospered by making artifacts and crafts and learning hunting techniques.

Here's the REALLY fun part...children will celebrate Thanksgiving the MOSI way by launching a turkey with a catapult. (For Kindergarten – 4th Graders.)

The Camp takes place November 23, 24,and 25, from 9am to 4 pm. Like i said, it all happens at MOSI (4801 East Fowler Avenue). the cost to attend is $95 (for MOSI Members) and $114 (for nonmembers).

Just head over to www.MOSI.org for more info. And as always, keep checking back here for more info about great things to do in Tampa Bay!

Star Gaze at Bok Tower Gardens

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 by Tampa Bay & Company

Hey everyone! Travis back with some cool information from one of the best Tampa Florida attractions out there. Bok Tower Gardens will host the 2009 Star Gaze to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the telescope.

It all takes place on Nov. 19 beginning at 5:30 p.m., weather permitting, with November 20 as the backup date.

The astronomy class at Webber International University will have at least seven telescopes available for use. More great news...admission will be half-price, which means $5 for adults and $1.50 for ages 5-12.

If you want tickets in advance, just call 863-734-1221 or email phrestina@boktower.org.

Here's some technical info that's pretty cool too:
At this time of the month when only the thin crescent moon will fill the sky with light, more than a thousand stars should be visible at any given time as well as the planet Jupiter; Albireo, a double star in the constellation Cygnus and the “Double Cluster,” two open star clusters near the constellation Cassiopeia.

Other stellar sights include “The Keystone Cluster,” the globular star cluster in Hercules. A short introduction by Karl Gould of WIU at the Visitor Center will precede the field observation.

Gates open at 5 p.m. to explore the observation area while it’s still light and become familiar with focusing the eyepiece. Bring a small red light flashlight that can be made by placing a sheet of red plastic over the front lens of a standard AA flashlight.

A small folding chair, blankets and insect repellent are also recommended. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Of course, you can head over to www.boktowergardens.org for the lastest information. And definitely keep checking back here for more info about great things to do in Tampa Bay and other awesome Tampa Bay area events.

What's Happening Downtown Tampa

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 by Partner Pulse

Tampa Downtown Happenings

This week in downtown Tampa:

    * Hey pasta lovers, has the Tampa Convention Center got a deal for you! If you attend Tampa Bay Meetings or just have access to the Convention Center Tampa in downtown and just can’t get enough pasta, then make sure you are at the Convention Center Tampa today (11/09) and again on Tuesday, November 17th for the United Way Pasta Luncheon. This is an “all you can eat” event. For only $6.00 you can have as much pasta as you want and know that those carbs are going to a great cause. Click here for more information.

* Mayor Iorio invites you to join her at Cotanchobee/Fort Brooke Park on Tuesday (11/10) at 10:00 a.m. for an event that will honor our armed forces. This should make the Tampa Florida News and for details, click here.

* Veterans Day will be celebrated in downtown on Tuesday (11/10) in Joe Chillura Courthouse Square. Get details about this important event by clicking here.

    * Impromptu Players of Stageworks Theatre will present a Staged Reading of “The God of Isaac.” This is a hysterical comedy by James Sherman and directed by Andrea Graham. The event will take place on Saturday (11/14) from 6:30pm & 9:00pm at Dolce Vita Lounge, Channelside Cinemas (601 Channelside Dr). Tickets are a $25.00 Contribution for general seating or $35.00 Contribution for the reserved section. For tickets call Andrea Graham at (813) 784-6832 or click here. This is a benefit for Stageworks Outreach Programs for At Risk Kids

Also in November:

    * "Aurora Borealis III", Blake's Fine Arts Open House, will take place on November 17th from 6-8 p.m. The marching band will kick off the event at 6 p.m. sharp. This magical torch-lit event will feature strolling performers and musicians in the courtyard as well as choreographed performances on stage by harpists, actors, guitarist, singers and dancers. Journalism and creative writing students will showcase their talent through the spoken word and live broadcasts. Bronzed dancers will be positioned on pedestals as living statues in the courtyard. Video and visual art imagery will be projected on the outside of the building. The gallery and visual art studios will be open to showcase student talent with demonstrations in stained glass, jewelry, photography, printmaking and ceramics. The Fine Arts Faculty will be present in the theatre lobby to answer questions about the individual magnet programs. The Urban Teaching Academy will be available to answer questions. Prospective students and their parents are welcome. The event is free and open to the public! The school is located at 1701 North Boulevard in downtown Tampa. Come to "Aurora Borealis III" and enjoy all of the offerings that this downtown magnet school has to offer!

Ah, the holidays in Tampa Bay!

    * Come experience the innocence and charm of a Victorian Christmas. Escape the commercialism and stress of a modern Christmas and capture the warmth and joy of an old-fashioned holiday with your loved ones. The Henry B. Plant Museum presents the 28th annual Victorian Christmas Stroll from December 1st to 23rd, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily.

* "Light Up the Night with the Downtown Tampa Florida Attractions Association’s Holiday Lighted Boat Parades on Friday, December 4th and Friday, December 18th. Parades will begin at 6:30 PM. Come watch these festively decorated boats illuminate the sky and spread holiday cheer throughout Downtown’s Channel District. The Rough Riders will be accepting Teddy Bear donations during the parade and will be the boat to beat as they light up one of their best floats in honor of this holiday tradition!

The Tampa Downtown Partnership serves as the steward of downtown Tampa, cultivating public and private partnerships, and encouraging downtown’s physical and economic development. As a proactive leadership organization, we act as an advocate for the downtown community.

The Tampa Downtown Partnership fosters Tampa’s vibrant and diverse multi-use downtown neighborhoods and plays a key role in creating a 24-hour urban center where people can learn, live, work and play. Programs such as our Clean and Safe team and our transportation initiatives make accessing and navigating Tampa's downtown an easy and enjoyable experience.

As a membership organization, we are driven to serve the Tampa downtown business community and are empowered by what each member brings to our organization. Together, we strive to improve the collective downtown Tampa community, to be an active conduit of information and resources, to promote a shared vision for Tampa’s downtown, and create and implement the plans that support that vision.

Jungle Jack Back at Busch

Monday, November 9, 2009 by Bay Bloggers

Considering Tampa Bay Attractions, Busch Gardens is always a wonderful place to visit if you are in Tampa for Tampa Bay Meetings or here to Golf Tampa Bay or just wanting to spend a day Shopping in Tampa Bay. Here are some special events to attend making Tampa Bay Attractions more exciting then ever!

Jungle Jack back at Busch

By WALT BELCHER

wbelcher@tampatrib.com

Published: November 7, 2009

TAMPA - Animal expert Jack Hanna is coming back to Busch Gardens this month to meet and greet families during four special events, including a Serengeti Night Safari.

Hanna, who used to tape one of his TV series at Busch Gardens, will make a special appearance at the Serengeti Night family sleepover Friday. He also will join guests for breakfast on Nov. 14 and 15, and will share animal facts and his travel tales during shows those same days in the theme park.

Hanna is best known as the star of the Emmy Award-winning television series "Jack Hanna's Into the Wild," in which he invites audiences to join him on his expeditions around the globe. The series airs at 10 a.m. Sundays on WTVT, Channel 13.

That series is produced in Tampa by Spectrum Productions. He was host of "Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures" which ran in syndication for 10 years.

Hanna, the former director of the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo, became a frequent guest on TV shows such as "Good Morning America" and "The Late Show with David Letterman."

Hanna also is the author of three books: "Passport into the Wild," "Romp, Stomp, Waddle Home!" and "Jungle Jack: My Wild Life."

Here are the events:

•Serengeti Night Safari featuring Jack Hanna is 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday and 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Nov. 14. The two-hour experience includes a moonlit look at the nocturnal behaviors of hippos, lions and hyenas. It continues with a guided safari expedition across the Serengeti Plain, where guests can use night-vision monoculars and special filtered lighting to view exotic animals. The evening will end around a fire, where Hanna will share tales of his African adventures.

It also includes food in the exclusive Safari Club and costs $60 a person, with a discount available for Busch Gardens' Passport members. The tour is for ages 5 and older. Busch Gardens admission is not required or included. Visit BuschGardens.com or call 1-888-800-5447.

•The Family Sleepover featuring Jack Hanna is also Friday and Nov. 14, from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. It includes behind-the-scenes access, interactive activities and an animal adventure hosted by Hanna. Guests will spend the night in Busch Gardens' Mzinga Lounge, a secure on-site dormitory and wake up to meet tigers in Jungala and eat a continental breakfast. Dinner, a T-shirt and water bottle are included. The sleepover is designed for families with elementary school-age children, and the cost is $78 a person or $68 for Passport members. To register, visit BuschGardens.com or call 1-877-BGT-CAMP.

•Meet Jack Hanna at Busch Gardens is from 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Nov. 14 and 15 at the Moroccan Palace.

Hanna will talk about his world travels and educate animal lovers of all ages about the importance of wildlife conservation. All shows are included with a day's paid admission or any annual Passport. For tickets, visit BuschGardens.com or call 1-888-800-5447.

•Breakfast with Jack Hanna at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 14 and 15 lets you dine with the animal expert, then enjoy priority seating at Hanna's first show of the day. It costs $16.95 adults and $10.95 ages 9 and younger. Passport members receive a 10 percent discount. Visit BuschGardens.com or call 1-888-800-5447 to book your breakfast.

Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654.

MOSI Helps "Feed America" with Discounted Admission

Monday, November 9, 2009 by Tampa Bay & Company

Hey everyone! Travis here with more Tampa Bay area events to help you get in to the holiday spirit.

Now you can help MOSI Feed America! Just bring a non-perishable food item with you on your November 2- 20 visit to MOSI and receive $3 off general admission.

It's good for up to six people. Each person in group must bring in an item to be eligible for the discount.

Remember that it's only Nov. 2–20, so make your plans to come on out for a great cause. Plus, as for Tampa Florida attractions, MOSI is at the top of the list!

See you there. and keep checking back for other great things to do in Tampa Bay and other Tampa Bay area events during the holiday season!

Discount at MOSI for Veterans Day!

Friday, November 6, 2009 by Tampa Bay & Company

Hey everyone! Travis here with some great Tampa Bay entertainment ideas for you for Veterans Day!

In celebration of Veteran’s Day, MOSI will be offering $5 admission to all active and retired military personnel, EMTs, firefighters and police officers. Admission includes MOSI exhibit galleries and one standard IMAX® Dome Theatre film.

You must present Military Photo ID to receive offer and it cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Take advantage of the deal from Nov. 11-15!

I thought this was a great thing for MOSI to do to honor our Veteran's, so I wanted to be sure to share it with everyone.

Stick around...we'll be back with other Tampa Bay area events, and other updates about cool Tampa Florida Attractions.

It's an AOPA Tampa Summit Giveaway...

Thursday, November 5, 2009 by Convention Sales

Greetings to all my AOPA peeps in town for the 2009 AOPA Aviation Summit which kicked off today at the Tampa Convention Center and Peter O. Knight Airport! Let me be the first to say that Tampa is grateful to have you guys here, and even more grateful to watch you spend your money in our community! Pardon me, that's just a little economic development humor!

We truly hope that today is the first day of what will be a Summit chock full of new experiences, events, education, and opportunities for all!

To make it just a bit more interesting, Jerm (That's me) is going to do one of his Twitter famous giveaways today especially for you! Yes I know what you are thinking... and yes it is very thoughtful of me and no other city has done this for you before, but hey, that's what we're about here in Tampa, creating memorable experiences for all of our attendees!

Now normally these giveaways are just trivia where I ask questions here on this blog and then ask for you to answer them on Twitter. But today I am in a creative mood, so we are gonna switch it up a bit, but first let me tell you what you are playing for!

I just happen to have some tickets with me to three of our awesome Tampa Florida attractions for the Florida Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo, and Big Cat Rescue, and I am in the giving mood! Three lucky AOPA attendees or even exhibitors will be the lucky recipients of my new found generosity (two tickets for each)!

All you have to do is be paying attention to the crowd's at either Peter O. Knight Airport, of the Convention Center for a strapping 6'0 guy wearing a black and white striped polo, khaki pants with an IPhone in his hand!

Once I get on sight, at either the airport or convention center, I'll tweet my location and the games will begin! To win, just run up to me (don't run actually), show me your attendee or exhibitor badge, and say "Tampa is Awesome" and you have your pick of the three prizes! How sweet is that!

Its just that simple folks, so be on the lookout for me as I'll be there sometime between 1130 and 130 pm today! Okay, now stop reading this blog and pay attention to the session that your in and I will see you guys later!

p.s. be sure to be following us on Twitter at @VisitTampaBay.

Tampa Bay & Company Partner Extranet Features - Convention Calendar

Thursday, November 5, 2009 by Partner Pulse

Whether you are a Tampa Florida Attraction, in charge of Tampa Bay Shopping, a Tampa Bar or putting on Concerts in Tampa...as a partner of Tampa Bay & Company access to several useful Tampa Bay Marketing tools is only a click away. We hope these will help you reach out to those attending Tampa Bay Meetings at the Convention Center and elsewhere.

Tampa Bay & Company

Sales Booking Reports are updated monthly and the Tampa Bay & Company Convention Calendar is also avaliable through this site. There are two versions of the Tampa Bay & Company Convention Calendar: the first is a pdf version where you can sel

ect the desired date range and you can see information for each convention sorted by the date of arrival.

Another version of the convention calendar is in Microsoft Excel format. This allows you to merge the Tampa Bay Meetings Lead Contact with your Tampa Bay Marketing material giving you direct access to those planners visitting Tampa Bay in the near future.

The Excel version of the Convention Calendar includes a field with the date the Tampa Bay Meeting became definite in Tampa Bay. If you reach out to these contacts on a regular basis you can sort the document on the Date Booked field and only reach out to those contacts with Tampa Bay Meetings booked since you last sent out Tampa Bay Marketing material.

You will need your individual username and password to login to the Tampa Bay & Company Partner Extranet and access the Tampa Bay & Company Convention Calendar. If you do not have a login contact Tampa Bay & Company Marketing Analyst Julie Zambos at jazambos@visittampabay.com or call 813-342-4068 or Tampa Bay & Company Partnership Sales Manager Lauren Bowles at lbowles@visittampabay.com or call 813-342-4085.

See below for detailed instructions on other benefits available to you within the Tampa Bay & Company Partner Extranet:

Using the Tampa Bay & Company Website
We encourage you to explore our Web site, www.VisitTampaBay.com, and utilize all of the resources available to you through the Web site.

To access Tampa Bay & Company’s Partners Only section:
• www.VisitTampaBay.com/Partners and click on “Partners Only”.
• Log in using your assigned username and password. If you have not received a username and password, please contact Tampa Bay & Company Marketing Analyst Julie Zambos at jazambos@visittampabay.com or call 813-342-4068 or Tampa Bay & Company Partnership Sales Manager Lauren Bowles at LBowles@VisitTampaBay.com or call (813)342‐4085.

To access the Tampa Bay & Company Meetings Convention Calendar:
• Log in to the “Partners Only” section of our website, www.VisitTampaBay.com/partners.
• Once logged in, a list of options appears on the main page as well as the left sidebar. Click on “Convention Calendar” to view upcoming Tampa Bay Community Events, Tampa Bay Conventions, Tampa Bay Meetings, etc.

To access and post events to the Tampa Bay & Company Calendar of Events:
• Log in to the “Partners Only” section of our website.
• Once logged in, you will see a link that says “Submit Events.” Click on this link and enter your event info and click “Save.”

To post coupons/special offers for Tampa Bay Area Visitors, Meeting Planners and/or Tampa Bay & Company Partners only:
• Log in to the “Partners Only” section of our website.
• Once logged in, you will see a link on the main page that says “Add/Edit/Remove Coupons.”
• To submit a new coupon, click on “add coupon” Enter your information and click “Save.”
• Your coupon will then appear as pending until our staff approves the coupon.
• To edit your coupon, click on the coupon title and click “Save.”

To view Tampa Bay Community Calendar of Events and Tampa Bay & Company Partner coupons:
• For visitor coupons, click “Visitors” and click on “Hot Deals” or “Calendar of Events.”
• For meeting planner coupons, click on “Meeting Planners” and click on “Meeting Planner Hot Deals.”
• For partner coupons, log in to the “Partners Only” section of our website and click on “Partner Coupons.”

To view tips from the Tampa Bay & Company Marketing team:
• Log in to the "Partners Only" section of our website.
• Once logged in click "Marketing Tools" to the left.
• Here you will access marketing tools, research and publications.

To view and/or update your profile:
• Log in to the “Partners Only” section of our website.
• Once logged in click on “View Profile.”
• Here you will be able to view your listings and contacts.
• ONLY the primary contact has access to update your account.

To retrieve various Tampa Bay & Company Sales Booking Reports, Action Plans and information about the Tampa Bay Convention and Tourism industry:
• Log in to the “Partners Only” section of our website.
• Once logged in, a list of options appears on the left sidebar. Click on “Sales” for various options.

Biker Bash Returns to Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 by Tampa Bay & Company

Hi everyone...Travis back with some cool Tampa Bay entertainment for you. Get your engines revved up, because Biker Bash is returning to one of the premier Tampa Bay hotels, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

The poolside Bike Bash will be on Sunday, Nov. 15 from noon - 6p.m., featuring the popular 10-Class Bike Show & Contest, a poker walk, live entertainment, $10 bar-b-que, and $2.50 Miller Lite specials.

Registration for the bike contest will be from noon until 3 p.m. and limited to the first 75 motorcycles. Trophies and prizes will be awarded in each of the 10 classifications. Oh, and the emcee for the Biker Bash will be Radical Randy.

So, if you need more details, head over to www.seminolehardrock.com. and as always, keep checking back for more great things to do in Tampa Bay, other Tampa Bay area events and even info about great Tampa Florida attractions.

Tampa Bay Events, Production Capabilities and Culture All in One Place

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 by Bay Bloggers

Looking for Tampa Bay Community Information? One place to peruse is one of the Tampa Bay Radio Stations 89.7 WUSF. Their broadcasts include All Things Considered, Florida Matters and University Beats with issues affecting anyone in Tampa Bay, Florida and surrounding areas. Their website contains Tampa Bay News, happenings at Tampa Bay Attractions, Tampa Bay Meetings at the Convention Center Tampa and wonderful Florida Stories.

Why bother with Shopping in Tampa Bay this weekend? Who wants to Golf Tampa Bay or spend all weekend at a Tampa Bay Area Beach when there are so many Tampa Bay cultural events to expand your mind all weekend!

For example the Dali Museum has a calendar listing for this Saturday. Here is the information: Bring your kids to the Dalí Museum for breakfast! On November 7, enjoy a family-friendly, interactive tour through the galleries before it opens to the public, and then enjoy a tasty breakfast buffet as well as arts and crafts. This is one of the Museum’s most popular programs. To register and pre-pay, please call (727) 823-3767 ext. 3024 or email Bethany Mead, Education Coordinator: bmead@thedali.org

Event Category:Kids & Family
Price:General admission is $15 per parent, $10 per child, $20 all others.
Dates and Times:November 7, 9:30AM
Add to my calendar

Venue:Salvador Dalí Museum
Address:1000 Third Street South
City:St. Petersburg State:FL Zip Code:33701-4901
Country:United States
Telephone:727-823-3767
Email: info@salvadordalimuseum.org

IntellisMedia is a division of WUSF Public Broadcasting. Using Tampa Bay Radio Stations WUSF's wealth of experienced media, communications, engineering and production professionals and facilities, we provide customized communications, production and technology services to clients in the corporate, government, education and non-profit sectors.

It's A Howl-O-Scream Giveaway Next Week!

Thursday, October 22, 2009 by Bay Bloggers

Now for those of you that paid attention to the title... yup that's right people, Jerm's got Howl-O-Scream tickets to give away. As usual we will be doing a little trivia associated with the giveaway, so if I were you I would spend some time this weekend brushing up on the history behind Ms. Vayne and her crew, as that is where the trivia questions will come from. I may even throw in a few subtle questions in there about the actual website, so how bout you just pay attention to everything!

Now in its 10th year of existence, Howl-O-Scream returns to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. With seven horrifying haunted houses, all-new scare zones and thrillingly terrifying shows, this years' event is sure to send a chill down your back! But having said all of that, you only got one week left to get out there!

We will be doing contest at our Twitter site as well as on Facebook, on separate days, just to give you more than one chance to win.

Well thats all I can give you for now, I guess you will have to just pay close attention for anymore details! As always, stay tuned in for more info on our Tampa Florida attractions and fun things to do in Tampa Bay!

Don't Miss Out... Be Sure to Follow Us on Twitter!

Monday, October 19, 2009 by jeremy fairley

Jerm here again folks! How is everyone doing on this gorgeous day! Hope you all are enjoying the nice cool Tampa Bay weather!

Well its all the buzz these days, and everyone is talking about Twitter! And why, not as its an awesome way to communicate and let people know whats going on in your life, or just the world in general.

If you haven't hear, we here at VisitTampaBay have our own Twitter account and think you should become a fan! Not just for the sake of doing it either, we do some pretty cool stuff on there so you gotta give us a look!

At any point I could be on there giving you tips on the beaches, tweeting live from awesome events, or even giving away free stuff, like tickets for Tampa Florida attractions! So be sure to log on to www.VisitTampaBay.com/Twitter and give us a gander!

I will probably be doing some cool giveaways this week, so stay tuned for that and more updates from your Tampa Bay team of interactive Jerms!

RoadTweets is in the App Store!!!

Thursday, October 8, 2009 by jeremy fairley

So by now you guys should know that I have a love of Apple products in general, but am a huge fan of the IPhone, AKA the greatest invention since the air conditioner! In that love of the IPhone, also comes a love of great apps. I actually have about 3 1/2 pages worth of apps on my 3GS as we speak and am always on the lookout for another good one!

Well the wait was over this Monday when my friends over at Cost 2 Drive, launched their new IPhone App RoadTweets! Now I know you may be thinking... what the heck is a Road Tweet? The act of Road Tweeting is RoadTweeting is using Twitter to send trip updates (tweets) to followers while traveling.

It's a smartphone application that makes it super easy to capture and share travel experiences from the road. So next time you take that long road trip and want to keep your friends and family updated on your progress, feel free to RoadTweet your tail off! So when you are making that long drive down the east coast to come to see all of our great Tampa Florida attractions, like the Florida Aquarium, you can document your trip every step of the way!

Now while, this is an app that is used for taking long road trips, myself as well as the gang over at Cost 2 Drive would like to remind that you should not be Tweeting and driving. I have had the chance to test the app out over the course of the last few days and its functional as well as having a pretty easy to use interface, which are two things that I look for in each app that I download!

This one should come in handy come November when I am planning to take a long Road Trip to DC to visit friends! I am sure everyone waiting on me will want to know my progress as I trek along the interstates and highways.

Well Jerm is signing out now, but be sure to stay up to date all the great things to do in Tampa Bay and with my travel related IPhone app reviews here in the coming weeks and months!

Brews by the Bay... It Beertastic!

Thursday, October 8, 2009 by Bay Bloggers

Drink like a fish, but don’t get too tanked” were the words of wisdom for this year’s Brews by the Bay beer fest, hosted at the Florida Aquarium. This Florida Aquarium and Pepin Distributing event brought beer fans from the Bay area to celebrate Oktoberfest and sample more than 50 beers and a dozen restaurants. Tickets sold out just before the doors opened at 8p.m., leaving many mouths dry and thirsty. Those with tickets in-hand eagerly waited outside the Aquarium for their first sip.

This is how you play charades at Brews by Bay.

When the doors opened, guests were greeted by the sparkling tails and welcoming smiles of the Weeki Wachi Mermaids. Who can resist a photo-op with mermaids! The party started at the Aquarium’s Explore a Shore outside deck where a DJ was spinning the latest club hits.

The beer fest went throughout the entire Aquarium and each area was equally full with partygoers contemplating on which beer was the best.

Some of the favorites seemed to be Hefeweizen - it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without it, Magic Hat #9 - a New England ale with a secret recipe, Tiger – an Asian lager with ingredients from around the world, and the “King of Beers” new Bud Light Wheat.

Unlike the many beer fests full of volunteers who barely know the name of what they’re pouring, the Florida Aquarium and Creative Loafing did a great job of bringing knowledgeable beer ambassadors to the event. Local band, Four Star Riot, rocked out on the first floor of the aquarium and it wasn’t long before people were dancing the night away.

Those who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere were found at the coral reef underwater viewing area listening to the sounds of an acoustic guitar. The Aquarium’s reef divers were there to enjoy the party too, making use of their abnormally good lip reading skills and etch-a-sketch boards.

By the end of the night, beer drinkers had become beer enthusiasts and all seemed to agree that the event was a success. The Florida Aquarium not only gave the excuse to drink like a fish, but left a lasting impression as a great venue.

I’m not sure how many listened to Creative Loafing’s words of wisdom, but I’m sure many will be marking their calendars for next year’s Brews by the Bay.

That's all for now and be sure to stay tuned for more updates on Tampa Florida attractions and great events!

It's a Bleedup at Busch Garden's Tampa Bay!!!

Monday, October 5, 2009 by Bay Bloggers

Okay guys, Jerm is here with a very important and cool update for you guys! It’s October and you know what that means! Yup its time for the annual Busch Garden’s Howl-O-Scream!

If you havent already been out there, then you had better get your tickets and let Ms. Vayne and her crew scaring the living crap out of you! She definitely scared me when I went out there last week and met her. I must say that even though she creeped me out, she is a bit of a looker... grrr!

Oh well, enough of that, lets get to the point of this blog post. Being my typical awesome self, I’ve been working with the gang over at BG and we are going to be doing the first ever bleed-up which is basically a tweet-up, but with blood.

Okay i am joking there won’t actually be any blood, but you get the point. Now in order to play the contest associated with the Bleedup, you need to go to Twitter and HOSinsider and get the clues! Since I am so cool and all, I actually have a clue for you though... click here to find out..

Stay tuned in though for more updates on things to do in Tampa Bay and updates from all of our Tampa Florida attractions!

I'm in Love with the Weeki Wachee Mermaids...

Monday, September 28, 2009 by Bay Bloggers

Well that title pretty much says it all gang. Jerm is in love with the Mermaids of Weeki Wachee after watching them perform this weekend at the Florida Aquarium! Apparently the rest of Tampa Bay is in love with the Mermaids as well, because the Aquarium was packed to the rim!

I was able to catch the 2pm show on Saturday inside the Coral Reef Aquarium where Marcy, Cyndi and Shannon were on display for the large crowd doing their Mermaid thing. If you havent seen this already guys I suggest you try and get to where ever there next show is.

These ladies litterally move like fish in the water as they interact with the wildlife in the tank with them. There were plenty of children there (including myself) who were ooooing and ahhhhing at every moment. I can barely hold my breath underwater, much less keep my eyes open and move around and interact with an underwater environment. Oh yeah and did I mention they are beautiful! Yowza!

I think we may have blinded the mermaids with all of the flash bulbs going off from the onlookers trying to snap photos at every opportunity, but I would imagine they are used to being photographed. I think I even saw one of the Mermaids give me a wink... (okay so maybe that's a lie, but a guy can dream right? Hey who knows, I heard this story one time about a Mermaid trying to find her prince charming....that could be me!

Big shouts go out to the Florida Aquarium for bringing this event to Tampa Bay and also to the girls Cyndi, Marcy and Shannon for putting on a great show, and even being gracious enough to take pictures with their fans (outside of the tank of course). If you want to see more pics of this weekend, be sure to check out their Facebook Page which has some great images from this weekend!

Until the next time, stay tuned in for more updates from Jerm on Tampa Florida attractions and cool events!

$10 Shriek Peek Weekend...

Monday, September 21, 2009 by Partner Pulse

When the sun goes down, the frights come out at ZooBoo – a multi-night Halloween celebration at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. Join me for a haunting good time exploring spooky trails, haunted houses and things that go bump in the night. Who am I exactly? Well, let’s just say I’m no koala. I’m the one hiding in the depths of the shadows and making ZooBoo guests wonder what is – and isn’t – real.

This year’s spook-tacular event features 12 frightfully fun attractions. Shriek Peek Weekend kicks-off the Halloween festivities at the Zoo September 25 & 26 when tickets are only $10 per person. Little ones can walk into a world of dazzling lights and friendly Halloween scenes at Little Tyke Boo House, join Frankenstein and friends at his foam party, meet creepy crawling creatures and more. Everyone can enjoy riding an eerie-horse drawn carriage, strolling through mysterious trails and free unlimited Zoo rides throughout the night like Gator Falls in the darkness and the all new Tasmanian Tiger family roller coaster.

Those ready for a heart-racing experience will enjoy discovering the shadowy dark side of the Zoo in five haunted houses. But, be careful how far into the shadows you wander or you’ll realize just how real I am.

Dont forget to Purchase tickets and front-of-the-line “Boo Passes,” and stay tuned in for more updates on things to do in Tampa Bay and Tampa Florida attractions.

Simply Put...Wazoo Was Amazing...

Tuesday, August 4, 2009 by Bay Bloggers

Yeah I guess the title kind of gives this blog away. For those of you who were unable to attend, let me just say that you 100% need to put Wazoo on your calendars for next year!

This past Saturday was the 14th annual Wazoo Beer and Wine Festival at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo! The sunny Tampa Bay weather set the stage for a great event as there were sooooooooooooo many people there. One recommendation that I will make for anyone going next year, is to get there early! The event started at 7:30 pm, and I got there right on time and still had to park across the street in overflow parking. Just gives you an idea of how popular this event is in the Tampa Bay area.

If you are a beer drinker, then upon entering the gates, you are in what can only be termed as "Beertopia." The moment you walk in, there are samplings of your favorite beers, and then a bunch that you haven't even heard of. Since Jerm is not much of a beer drinker (prior to Wazoo, I have only had one beer in my life), I hadn't really planned on sampling any, but then i thought to myself...hey loser, you are at a Beer Festival... enjoy it!

And enjoy it I did! Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo will be happy to know that I tasted my 2nd ever beer at their festival, as well as my 3rd, 4th, and 5th! I will be sending them a plaque for this honor later this week. My favorite of the evening would have to be the Lemon flavored beer I had. Can't quite remember where I was when I had it or who makes it, but it was darn tasty. I do recall that it was over near bundaleer at Wallaroo Station though. For the second place beer award, all I have to say is HOORAY BEER! You guessed, good ol Red Stripe.

In addition to all of the alcohol on premises, there was plenty of food as well. I myself spent the evening dining on Pizza from Papa Johns, and Westshore Pizza, but there was was plenty of hamburgers, pasta, chicken wings and much more for patrons to dine on. If you were lucky enough to make it into the Safari Lodge, you were introduced to even more beer vendors, and some pretty tasty food, and the DJ of all DJ's!
At one point while I was there, I heard C&C Music Factory, Rick James, as well a little Cotton Eye Joe...lol. Now that is what I call a selection of music, as it was very festive.

Staff and volunteers at the Zoo do a great job making sure this event is top notch, so many kudos to those guys for making my weekend! Thats all for now guys, but be sure to check back for information on Tampa Florida attractions, and all of our great things to do in Tampa Bay!

Two Adventures for the Price of ONE!! Wow!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 by Tampa Bay & Company

Greetings adventure lovers... Jessica here with a great deal for your favorite Tampa Florida attractions! That's right, as always we are bringing you the best ideas of things to do in Tampa Bay.

Well this time we're presenting two world-class theme parks for the price of one... this exclusive offer is available to Florida residents only, now through the end of 2009!

Here's how it works... Purchase a full price SeaWorld Orlando ticket online and receive a free visit to either Busch Gardens Tampa Bay or Aquatica in Orlando. That means plenty of time to dive deep and fly high on Manta, SeaWorld's all-new flying coaster & experience the ultimate adventure park of Busch Gardens which offers an array of fascinating attractions based on exotic encounters with the African continent.

Or, if residents are looking to stay even closer to home in Tampa this summer, by purchasing a Busch Garden ticket, you will also receive a free ticket to Tampa's water park, Adventure Island. At Adventure Island, "Island Nights" (a musical party) becomes an evening escape to paradise all summer long.

All offers are available to Florida residents at BuschGardensTampaBay.com, SeaWorldOrlando.com, or by calling 1.888.800.5447. So gather the friends & family and get your tickets today!!!

Don't forget to stay tuned for more great Tampa Bay events! Until next time... stay cool & happy coasting!!!