BUCPOWER.COM Every player, every game and every detail in Buccaneer history CULTURE There is actually more to the Tampa Bay area apart from watching the Bucs, drinking beer and getting a tan. Then again, after you have done all those things on a typical two-week vacation, there probably is not that much time left for anything else, but just in case, here are a few suggestions. FLORIDA AQUARIUM 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Florida. The Florida Aquarium is a three-story, glass-domed aquarium featuring exhibits related to Florida's ecosystem and aquatic habitats. Highlights include: the Florida Wetlands Gallery, which displays a cypress swamp, mangrove roots, and a river with otters; the Florida Bays and Beaches Gallery, which contains freshwater and saltwater displays; the Coral Reefs Gallery, which showcases many fish and colourful reefs; and plants and animals native to Florida (including alligators). Sharks, rays and other sea creatures from the Gulf of Mexico can also be seen at the aquarium. For opening times and further details call (813) 273 4000. CALADESI ISLAND This peaceful Clearwater beach can only be reached by ferry from Honeymoon Island or Clearwater Marina. This 2.5 mile beach is great for swimming, sunbathing and walking. Dolphins can often be spotted swimming and playing off-shore. For further details call (813) 727 469 5917. CLEARWATER BEACH A great place to relax in the Florida sunshine and a beautiful spot for picture-perfect sunsets. A stroll down nearby Pier 60 will result in an encounter with pelicans and plenty of fishermen. Making the most of the year-round average temperature of 73 degrees, visitors participate in a number of water sports including swimming, sailing, parasailing and jet skiing. For further details call (727) 447 7600. ST PETE BEACH This picture-perfect beach in St. Petersburg is also a tremendous place to chill out and watch the sun set out in the Gulf of Mexico. The beach offers such water sports as wave running, scuba diving, fishing and parasailing. Visitors can also golf along the water. CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, Florida. This non-profit aquarium and museum offers guided tours and a host of marine exhibits. Attractions include dolphins and sea turtles with feedings daily. For admission prices, opening times and further information call (727) 441 1790. TAMPA BAY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 1010 North MacInnes Plaza, Tampa, Florida. This triple theatre complex is Tampa's cultural pride and joy. It is one of the largest cultural centres in the South, with music and event of all kinds, to suit all tastes. For details of forthcoming events and more information call the box office on (813) 221 1045. SALVADOR DALI MUSEUM 1000 3rd Street South, St. Petersburg, Florida. This museum boasts the largest collection of Dali works in the world and features daily guided tours. For opening times and further information about the collection housed in the Dali Museum call (727) 823 3767. CENTRO YBOR Seventh Avenue at 17th Street, Tampa, Florida. This $45 million, 210,000-square foot entertainment and shopping complex opened early October 2000 and is set to become one of Tampa Bay's most popular attractions. The entertainment comes in the form of interactive computer games, an over-21s bistro and an improv comedy club. Visitors can also shop until they drop and grab lunch or dinner in one of the centre's many eateries. YBOR CITY Ybor City is one of only three National Historic Landmark Districts located in Florida. Cobblestone streets and huge old cigar victory make up this historic and legendary town. Founded in 1886 by Vicente Martinez Ybor, Ybor City became "the cigar capital of the world" by 1900. The factories were worked mostly by Cuban cigar makers and, to a lesser degree, by Italians and Spaniards. By the early 1950s the cigar factories were gone and in the late 1990s Ybor City was revitalised and now has thousands of visitors every weekend due to the wide variety of shops, restaurants, clubs and galleries. SUNCOAST SEABIRD SANCTUARY 18328 Gulf Boulevard, Indian Shores, Florida. This sanctuary in the Clearwater area features more than 70 species of sick and injured wild birds. It is one of the most unique attractions in Florida and is well worth a visit. Founded in 1971 by zooologist Ralph Heath Jnr, the sanctuary is the largest non-profit wild bird hospital in the United States that is dedicated to the rescue, repair, recuperation and release of sick and injured wild birds. The sanctuary is equipped with emergency facilities, a surgical centre, recovery areas, and indoor and outdoor recuperation areas. For further details call (727) 391 6211. MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY 4801 E. Fowler, Tampa, Florida. MOSI is the southeast's largest science centre and it houses more than 400 hands-on displays and is also home to a huge MOSIMAX theatre. Other features include a hurricane simulator and a planetarium. For opening details, admission prices and further information call (813) 987 6300, or click on this link CELEBRATION STATION 10230 Palm River Road, Tampa, Florida. Just minutes from downtown Tampa, family entertainment comes in the form of Celebration Station, where kids and adults can spend many fun-filled hours. Attractions include playland rides, miniature golf, baseball batting cages, go karts and bumper boats. There is also a pizza restaurant, video arcade and interactive video wall. LOWRY PARK STATE ZOO 7530 North Boulevard, Tampa, Florida. This recently-renovated zoo strives to, and succeeds in, creating natural-habitat settings for its inhabitants. Lowry Park Zoo boasts many shaded boardwalks winding through the natural habitats which include Primate World, the Asian Domain and a Manatee and Aquatic Centre. The stars of those habitats include a rare Indian rhino, a Sumatran tiger and manatees. Lowry Amusement Park is next to the zoo and is a favourite with the children. For further information on the zoo, guided tours, opening times and admission prices call (813) 932 0245. CYPRESS GARDENS State Road 540 West, Winterhaven, Florida. Cypress Gardens is a beautiful place to take a stroll or indulge in a boat trip which includes your own personal guide. Entertainment at the theme park includes acrobatic water ski shows, botanical gardens, the Wings of Wonder butterfly conservatory, ice skating, circus, reptile and bird shows. There is also a children's play area. For further details on the theme park situated a short drive east of Tampa away, call (941) 324 2111. BOK TOWER GARDENS 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, Florida. Acres of beautiful natural landscape await visitors to Bok Tower Gardens - Florida's highest elevation situated north-east of Tampa. The stone and marble tower houses 157 carillon bells that add to the enchantment of your walk. An ideal spot for a picnic. For more information call (941) 676 1408. HOMOSASSA SPRINGS STATE WILDLIFE PARK 75 miles north of Tampa Bay, Highway 19, Homosassa, Florida. Six million gallons of fresh water bubble up from this spring every day and form the headquarters of the Homosassa River. Watch more than 30 varieties of fish as you walk under the "Fish Bowl Spring", visit manatees and see educational demonstrations. Allow at least three hours to see the park. For further details call (352) 628 2311. TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER The corner of Franklin and Platt Streets, Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Bay History Center displays artifacts, memorabilia, maps, military uniforms and photographs depicting life in the Tampa Bay region from 12,000 years ago to present. Changing exhibits are also featured throughout the year. TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, Florida. Located along the scenic Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa, Florida, the Tampa Museum of Art provides a broad range of art-related experiences for visitors of all ages. The museum collection includes 20th century and contemporary art, as well as a renowned collection of Greek and Roman antiquities. The museum also boasts special exhibitions and shows. Established in 1979, the Tampa Museum of Art also offers a wide range of lectures, seminars, walking tours and children's activities. For more details on these and for opening hours call (813) 274 8130. HENRY B. PLANT MUSEUM at the University of Tampa. Housed in the south wing of Plant Hall, the former Tampa Bay Hotel, this museum displays furnishings and art original to the hotel. Exhibits trace the history of the hotel and the Tampa Bay area. The hotel was built in 1891 by Plant, a transportation magnate who was instrumental in the reconstruction of America's south. The administration building, Plant Hall, served as Theodore Roosevelt's headquarters in the Spanish-American War. ALTERNATIVE CULTURE Tampa is well known for its exotic nightlife, particularly a certain establishment on the Dale Mabry Highway known as "The Mons Venus". Now naturally I only went there with Phil, Kev and Gary Hughes after the 1997 win over the Dolphins purely for research purposes, although XXXXX (name removed following legal advice) spent a considerable time in there on one trip and XXXXX happened (details removed by order of the office of Public Prosecutions). I merely accept my responsibility to let you know that this establishment exists ......! We are always looking to update this part of BUCPOWER.COM with suggestions and information If you would like to contribute, please contact us at the e-mail address shown on the front screen