Tampa and St. Petersburg Florida
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The word "Tampa" is believed to mean "sticks of fire" in the language of the Calusa, a Native American tribe that once lived south of today's Tampa Bay. This might be a reference to the many lightning strikes that the area receives during the summer months. Other historians claim the name means "the place to gather sticks". http://www.tampagov.net/
Toponymist George R. Stewart writes that the name was the result of a miscommunication between the Spanish and the Indians, the Indian word being "itimpi", meaning simply "near it". Whatever its origins, the name first appears in the "Memoir" of Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda (1575), who had spent 17 years as a Calusa captive. He calls it "Tanpa" and describes it as an important Calusa town. While "Tanpa" is the apparent basis for the modern name "Tampa", archaeologist Jerald Milanich places the Calusa village of Tanpa at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor, the original "Bay of Tanpa". A later Spanish expedition failed to notice Charlotte Harbor while sailing north along the west coast of Florida and assumed that today's Tampa Bay was the bay that they had sought. Thus, the name was accidentally transferred north.
Tampa is UNIQUE! Bayshore Boulevard, linking South Tampa and downtown, skirts Tampa Bay and boasts the world's longest continuous sidewalk - about four and a half miles. One side of the drive is lined with stately historic homes and modern towering condominiums while the other offers a fabulous view of Tampa Bay. On any given day you might see joggers, skaters and bikers out on their daily quest for exercise while others come just to soak up the sunshine and the view. Bayshore is also the location for the annual Gasparilla Parade. Parade-goers line the boulevard to see Jose Gaspar and his band of unruly pirates sail into Tampa Bay to invade the city and take to the streets. After the parade, a street party is held downtown to celebrate.
Culture and contemporary life
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is a crown jewel in Tampa's Downtown. It features a dog run, a playground, fountains, a riverfront stage area, elevated seating areas and arty details throughout, along with an unobstructed view of the University of Tampa minarets from Ashley Drive. It also holds the new Tampa Museum of Art, and the Children's Museum. It hosts concerts, art shows, ice skating in the winter, laser light shows and more!
The Hillsborough River is also the site for many other Tampa Venues. The Straz Performing Arts center one of the finest performing arts centers in the nation. The Straz Center boasts five theaters, a Rehearsal Hall and the Patel Conservatory which is a three-story, 45,000 square-foot facility offers more than 100 classes in dance, theater and music. The center features On and Off-Broadway hits, our own Florida Orchestra, Opera Tampa and numerous other cultural events.
Also on the Hillsborough River a bit north of Downtown is the Lowry Park Zoo which features more than 2000 animals in natural open settings, interactive exhibits, rides, shows, on-site dining and shopping.
Current popular nightlife districts include Channelside, Ybor City, SoHo, International Plaza and Bay Street, and Seminole Hard Rock. Downtown Tampa also contains some nightlife, and there are more clubs/bars to be found in other areas of the city. According to Maxim, Tampa is ranked 6th in the entire nation for its party scene.
Tampa Bay Sports
Three professional sports teams: Former Super Bowl Champs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Former World Series Play-off team, the Tampa Bay Rays and Former Stanley Cup Winners the Tampa Bay Lightning make this an exciting year round sports venue.
Tourism
Busch Gardens AfricaThe city of Tampa operates over 165 parks and beaches covering 2,286 acres (925 ha) within city limits; 42 more in surrounding suburbs, covering 70,000 acres (28,000 ha), are maintained by Hillsborough County. These areas include the Hillsborough River State Park, just northeast of the city. Tampa is also home to a number of attractions and theme parks, including Busch Gardens Africa, Adventure Island, Lowry Park Zoo,Florida Aquarium, and M.O.S.I.
Several large scale malls call Tampa and its surrounding areas home. Well known shopping areas include International Plaza and Bay Street, WestShore Plaza, University Mall, Westfield Brandon, and Westfield Citrus Park. Well known Hyde Park Village is an upscale open-air shopping center residing in the neighborhood of Hyde Park. Previously, Tampa had also been home to the Floriland Mall (now an office park), Tampa Bay Center (demolished and replaced with the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers training facility, known as "One Buc Place"), and East Lake Square Mall (now an office park).
