Local Area
Our complimentary shuttle service offers easy access to Tampa International Airport, 2 shopping malls and the Westshore Business District. Visit any or all of the local attractions located within 20 minutes of the hotel, including Busch Gardens, Adventure Island Waterpark, Clearwater Beach, Port of Tampa, The Florida Aquarium, Raymond James Stadium, St. Pete Times Forum, Lowry Park Zoo, Ybor City and various golf courses.
Local Area
St. John's Pass
Starlite Cruises
Yacht Starship Dining Cruises
Tarpon Springs
Vinoy Park
Attractions
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay combines world-class thrill rides, live entertainment and one of North America's largest zoos in an unforgettable adventure for the whole family. In Jungala, discover a colorful village, explore the treetops on a zipline adventure and connect up close with exotic animals. It's the only jungle in the world that plays with you
Florida Aquarium
Immerse yourself in one of the top family-friendly aquariums in the county with interactive programs like "Swim with the Fishes" and "Dive with the Sharks" or take a peak behind the scenes with a shark feeding or penguin encounter at The Florida Aquarium.
Lowry Park Zoo
Named number one zoo in the USA, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is only 10 minutes north from Downtown Tampa. Visit 2,000 plus animals in natural habitats including the Florida Manatee. Daily shows and rides. I-275 Exit 48. Free parking.
John's Pass Village & Boardwalk
This quaint turn-of-the-century fishing village is Pinellas County's #1 tourist attraction. Over one hundred merchants inhabit the Village with unique retail shopping, a variety of restaurants, the local fishing fleet, cruise lines, boat rentals, parasailing and jet skiing. Plenty of parking! The beach is a short stroll away.
Museums
MOSI - Museum of Science & Industry
4801 E Fowler Ave.
Tampa, FL 33617
Toll-Free: (800) 995-6674
Phone: (813) 987-6100
Fax: (813) 987-6310
Website: http://www.mosi.o
MOSII is a not-for-profit, community-based institution and educational resource dedicated to advancing public interest, knowledge, and understanding of science, industry, and technology.
With a total size of over 300,000 sq. ft., MOSI is the largest science center in the southeastern United States, and home of the only IMAX Dome Theatre in the state of Florida. Kids In Charge! The Children's Science Center at MOSI is the largest children's science center in the nation. Disasterville, featuring WeatherQuest, MOSI's newest permanent exhibition combines education and 10,000 sq. ft. of interactive exhibits on the remarkable science behind natural disasters.
Ybor City State Museum
1818 E 9th Ave.
Tampa, FL 33605
Phone: (813) 247-6323
Fax: (813) 233-3343
Website: http://www.ybormuseum.org
Museum focusing on history of Ybor City, Tampa, the cigar industry and the immigrant ethnic groups who settled the community. The museum features cigar rolling demonstrations on Friday and Saturday, and offers walking tours of Ybor City at 10:30am on Saturdays. Open 9am-5pm daily. Museum store in historic casita.
Tampa Bay History Center
801 Old Water Street
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 228-0097
Fax: (813) 223-7021
Website: http://www.tampabayhistorycenter.org
Experience the heritage and diverse culture of the Tampa Bay area. Opening in December 2008, the Center will tell powerful stories and exhibit rich artifacts bringing to life the 12,000-year history of the region through highly engaging and interactive exhibits.
Beaches
Clearwater Beach
1060 Gulf Blvd.
Clearwater, FL 33767
This flour-fine sandy beach may be one of the widest and whitest in Floriday beyond the Panhandle.
Treasure Island Beach
10400 Gulf Blvd.
Treasure Island, FL 33706
This big, wide community beach has better shells than most beaches, but get there early for the best ones. Three public boat ramps and a marina are available.
Honeymoon Island State Park
One Causeway Blvd.
Dunedin, FL 34698
Sandy shores surround this island getaway, though some are rocky. Dogs on leashes are welcomed on the southeast side and boaters can anchor off parts of the north shore.
Shopping
International Plaza & Bay Street:
located 3.2 miles from The Westin Tampa Bay and adjacent to Tampa International Airport, sits one of the most distinctive shopping destinations of Florida's West Coast. Offerings include four fashionable department stores including the likes of Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, over 200 specialty shops, and Bay Street which houses a wide selection of dining and entertainment options such as The Capital Grille, Blue Martini, and Bar Louie.
Westshore Plaza:
Located 3.5 miles from The Westin Tampa Bay is one of Tampa's preferred shopping venues offering high end department stores such as Saks 5th Avenue and Macy's and an additional 120 specialty stores. Westshore Plaza also boasts distinctive dining and entertainment options which include Maggiano's, PF Chang's, and the Palm Restaurant.
Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Located just 5 miles from Raymond James Stadium, The Westin Tampa Bay is conveniently situated for all fans to enjoy the upcoming 2009 football season for our Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay Rays:
Located within a short drive from the home of the reigning ALCS Champion Tampa Bay Rays, the Westin Tampa Bay welcomes all baseball fans to the area as the Rays look to build off least season's success and make a return to the World Series.
Tampa Bay Lightning:
Located approx 8 miles from the St. Pete Times Forum and home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, The Westin Tampa Bay is a great destination for all hockey fans when visiting the Bay area.
Yankees Spring Training:
Located approx 5 miles from George M. Steinbrenner Field and home of the New York Yankees spring training, The Westin Tampa Bay is a great destination for all fans when visiting the Bay area.
Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training:
Considering the Toronto Blue Jays have now been around for 25 years, it's fairly remarkable that the team has had only one spring-training site in team history: Grant Park in Dunedin. Grant Park is located about 15 miles from The Westin Tampa Bay.
Phillies Spring Training - Clearwater
Bright House Field is the home for the Phillies' spring training games. The ballpark is located on the west side of U.S. Highway 19, adjacent to Carpenter Field about 10 miles from The Westin Tampa Bay.
The Phillies have been training in Clearwater, FL since 1948. Carpenter Field, built in 1967, is used in Spring Training by the Phillies' major league and minor league players, a team in the Gulf Coast Rookie League and the Florida Instructional League.
The Outback Bowl:
A long standing New Year's Day tradition in the Bay area, the nationally televised Outback Bowl features some of college football's most storied conferences and schools in the annual matchup between the SEC and Big Ten.
Jet Ski Rental
Jet Ski Rental available on our private beach.
Opening Hours: Weekdays: 10am to Sunset, Weekend: 9am to Sunset
Golf
TPC Golf Course
5300 West Lutz Lake Fern Road
Lutz, FL 33558
(813) 949-0090
Open Daily 7am-5:30pm
TPC Tampa Bay is an 18 hole, par 71, stadium-style course that was designed by Bobby Weed with Chi Chi Rodriguez as the PGA TOUR player consultant.
Rocky Point Golf Course
4151 Dana Shores Dr
Tampa, FL 33634
(813) 673-4316
Rocky Point is a fine public golf course facility conveniently located within 10 minute drive of the hotel.
Westchase Golf Course
11602 Westchase Golf Drive
Tampa, FL 33626
813-854-2331
Book tee times up to 30 days in advance online at www.westchasegc.com
Nationally known architect Lloyd Clifton designed the 6710-yard; par 72 course, which winds through natural wetlands, wooden bridges and bulkheads. Called "one of the most beautiful public-access courses in the Tampa Area", Westchase has earned a high rating from Golf Digest as well as a Great Value Award.
Business Districts
Westshore Business District:
Located within Tampa's principal business district, The Westin Tampa Bay offers convenient access to over 4,000 businesses occupying 11.6 million square feet of office space and 4.8 million square feet of retail space. Some of the major employers in the area include PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM, Time Warner, New York Life Insurance, Progressive Insurance, T Rowe Price, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, Amscot Financial, Amerigroup, and Continental Airlines.
Downtown Tampa:
Located approximately 8 miles from Tampa's downtown CBD, The Westin Tampa Bay is a short drive from the Bay Area's financial hub which features major institutions such as Bank of America, Wachovia, Fifth Third Bank, SunTrust, and M&I Bank and many other businesses concentrated in the financial services, legal, and consulting field occupying over 6.5 million square feet of office space. Within downtown Tampa you will also find the Tampa Convention Center, the Performing Arts Center, the Tampa Museum of Art, the St. Pete Times Forum, the Channelside District, the Florida Aquarium, and the Tampa Theatre.
Universities:
Hillsborough Community College
The Westin Tampa Bay is about 5 miles from the college.
University of South Florida
The Westin Tampa Bay is about 17 miles from the university.
University of Tampa
The Westin Tampa Bay is about 9 miles from the university.
Local Businesses:
Laser Spine Institute
LSI is located across the street from the Westin Tampa Bay.
IBM Corporation
IBM is located across the street from the Westin Tampa Bay.