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Advice for Visiting NCAA Tournament Fans


mecha_bulldog

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Posted

I'm a Drake Bulldog fan looking forward to watching the games in Tampa next weekend.  As the host school, what advice can you give us for visiting fans for enjoying the trip?  I'm looking for recommendations on hotels, restaurants, things to do, things to avoid, whatever.

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Posted

The arena is in Chanelside, which is an area with lots of resturants and night life. Stay in down town Tampa. The Mariott is nice. If you want to do the beach check out either ft Desoto or Clearwater beach. Hyde Park is a nice night area for the "working class"

STAY AWAY FROM YBOR CITY.

Guest AstroBull
Posted

Ybor is fine during the day, but I wouldn't suggest going at night.


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Posted

If you want to make a little drive (about an hour) go to Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota. It was voted second best beach in Florida behind Miami Beach. The sand is amazingly soft and white.

Good luck to you guys


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Posted

The arena is in Chanelside, which is an area with lots of resturants and night life. Stay in down town Tampa. The Mariott is nice. If you want to do the beach check out either ft Desoto or Clearwater beach. Hyde Park is a nice night area for the "working class" "upper class"

STAY AWAY FROM YBOR CITY.

fixed it for you


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Posted

The arena is in Chanelside, which is an area with lots of resturants and night life. Stay in down town Tampa. The Mariott is nice. If you want to do the beach check out either ft Desoto or Clearwater beach. Hyde Park is a nice night area for the "working class" "upper class"

STAY AWAY FROM YBOR CITY.

fixed it for you

Yeah, no kidding.  If you think that's "working class" you must have a good thing going.  That's as far from working class as you can get.  Every time I go down there I feel poor. 

Posted

I think he meant "working" as opposite of "student"...


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Posted

The arena is in Chanelside, which is an area with lots of resturants and night life. Stay in down town Tampa. The Mariott is nice. If you want to do the beach check out either ft Desoto or Clearwater beach. Hyde Park is a nice night area for the "working class"

STAY AWAY FROM YBOR CITY.

I would also recommend the Wyndham Harbor Island... it's a nice hotel that is just accross the channel from the Marriot. Avoid the Holiday Inn up on Ashley... one of the worst craphole hotel's I've ever stayed in...

Also, if you have the time, you could get over to Clearwater or St. Pete for a Spring Training Baseball game... :)


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Posted

The Channelside night district is nice and is right next door to the Florida Aquarium on one side on the St Pete Times Forum, where your game will be played,  on the other side.  There are a handful of restaurants and bars as well as a movie theater within Channelside.  There is also a piano bar(Howl at the Moon), and a trendy/upscale bowling alley (Splitsville).  I would recommend eating at Gallagers Steakhouse if eating at Channelside.  http://www.channelsidetampa.com/

On Sunday you will notice a ton of people in the area, as Carnival Cruise Line docks at Channelside and loads up for a cruise that departs on Sundays.  The area bustles with busses, taxi cabs, porters loading bags etc.

I would stay at either the Channelside Marriott, which is adjacent to the Forum or the Embassy Suites Downtown, which is also adjacent to the forum. 

http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/TPAESES-Embassy-Suites-Tampa-Downtown-Convention-Center-Florida/index.do

WHile the channelside district is nice, don't wonder away from the Channelside district at night.  If staying at the Hyatt downtown, take a cab back from channelside even though it is within walking distance. 

Another option for nightlife and/or accomadations is the Bay Street at the International Mall.  This is a much favored location to Ybor and Channelside.  It consists of upscale restaurants/bars/shops and is attached to the upper end mall, International Plaza.  There is also a hotel attached to the mall, The Renaissance Hotel.  This whole area is less then 2 miles from the airport and approx 15 minutes from the Forum. 

Siesta Key is a beach worth visitng for the day.  Best sand you will even walk on, its like shifted flour. 

If you can afford $40-$50 per person meal, eating at Berns Steakhouse is a must.  It is Tampa's most well known and highest recommended restaurant, a very unique dining experience (Be sure to ask for a kitchen and wine cellar tour after your dinner). 


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Posted

Ybor is fine if you want to drink, dance, and are young. What's with the hatred?!

There is a very nice hotel on Harbour Island (its name escapes me). But it's walking distance to Channelside (where the arena is) and various drinking establishments. Might cost you a pretty penny.

Four Green Fields is an Irish Pub I highly recommend. MacDinton's as well.

Ciccio and Tony's, The Lime are both great restaurants. I believe they are right next door to each other and have the same owner. The Ybor Wrap is pretty good. :D

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