Runnin & Runnin On Bayshore

Love to exercise Tampa Bay? Then come on down to the hottest place to exercise in Tampa, the one and only Bayshore Boulevard. 

At any time of day, you will be able to see people running, jogging, walking, and bicycling on Bayshore.

The view also isn’t bad, considering it’s located right on the Hillsborough Bay. You can see downtown in the far distance and enjoy the view of the luxurious houses in the area.

Bayshore also holds the record for being the world’s longest continuous sidewalks at 4.5 miles, according to the city of Tampa. It is 10 feet wide.

Bayshore includes benches, water fountains, fitness stations, and bicycle parking.

Every February, Tampa holds its yearly Gasparilla Parade (pirate themed) on Bayshore.

Even if you don’t choose to exercise on Bayshore, driving by in your car also provides a nice view of the ocean and the downtown scenery.  Parking will be tough if you want to get out of your car, so it is much easier if you are able to walk. 

 Picture Credit: travelblog.viator.com

Shop Local Tampa Bay.

Hey Tampa fans, do you want to help out your community in a different way by shopping? Here’s an alternative activity you can do. 

On Oct 13, the Tampa Downtown Market opened for the 2013 year in downtown Tampa. The market is only open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The location is 601 N. Ashley Drive and is directly across from Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. 

Vendors come to the market and sell their products such as produce, bread, herbs, and various crafts.

How are you helping Tampa by shopping at a market, you say?

The vendors at the market are local, meaning they make and produce their items here in Tampa. By buying local products, you are giving back to the Tampa community. Eating local food has also health benefits because it was made in Tampa. 

You can also get involved by volunteering at the market by getting in contact with the Tampa Downtown Partnership by calling (813) 221-3686

Lets go to the Beach Beach, (Clearwater)

Now, Tampa fans, I’m going to tell you something that’s going to blow your minds.
Did you know that you live 30 minutes away from something amazing?
It's called Clearwater Beach!!

The sand is beautiful and soft; the water is clear blue, what else could be this good?

Clearwater Beach has constantly ranked in the top 10 on many websites as one of the best beaches and was recognized it 2008 as the nation’s best beach by Dr. Beach. Recently in 2013, they have also voted it as the best beach in Florida.

Dolphin Tale was also filmed there and the second part to the movie will also be filmed there in there in the near future.

If you are not from the Florida or the Tampa Bay Area, there are many resorts located on the beach. There are also many shops and restaurants right on the beach, so you don’t even have to leave for a second.

http://www.clearwaterbeach.com/

Tampa Museum of Art

Hi Tampa fans, did you ever notice late at night the building across from The University of Tampa lit up with color? Did you ever wonder what is there?

That would be the Tampa Museum of Art, located in downtown Tampa on the Hillsborough River.

The lights illuminating the building is actually a 300 foot long art piece named Sky (Tampa) by an artist named Villareal.

I went there once last year for a display on a photojournalist, but I could tell you that their exhibits are very well put together.

On view at the museum now are the Fragile Waters exhibit, consisting of 119 black and white photographs and the Arp, Calder, and Miro collection.

The museum also puts on various events, such as five by five where 5x5” artwork is made and donated to the museum by local and international artists. The art is signed by each artist and is sold for $25 to raise money for art programs.

HOURS

Monday – Thursday: 11am – 7pm
Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday – Sunday: 11am – 5pm

 

ADMISSION

Adults - $10
Seniors, Florida Educators - $7.50
Active Military (plus guest) - $7.50/ each
Students - $5
Children 6 and under - free

 

Tampa Museum of Art
120 W Gasparilla Plaza
Tampa, FL
33602

 http://tampamuseum.org/

It may not be from New York...

...but its New York type good!

 
“Let’s get pizza” is heard every Thursday night after stumbling around after the club, but where do we go?

Only New York New York pizza, conveniently right near club Liquid: Tampa.

New York New York has eating in/out options, but after a while, the inside closes and you can only order outside.

Waiters and waitresses are ultra friendly and defiantly patient, especially with the many drunk customers that come in. They also recognize many of their weekly visitors.

On the site Urbanspoon.com, New York New York has a 93 percent rating out of 503 votes casted. Many users mention how good the pizza is.

I don’t order much because I hate eating late. I’ve never been there during the day for lunch, but I can say the night crew is amazing.

My order usually consists of:

2 cups of water - free
1 slice of cheese pizza - $2.50

Very Very inexpensive  for good service and amazing pizza.

So go out and try New York New York pizza for lunch, dinner, or a snack for when you get out of the clubs!  

From American Idol to Clearwater Florida

Do ya'll remember Kellie Pickler? The sweet but ditsy country singer who won our hearts on American Idol season five? Pickler came in sixth place that season, but has already made her name for herself in the talent industry.
Pickler will be coming to Ruth Eckerd Hall tomorrow, Friday, Oct 11 at 8 p.m. in Clearwater. Ticket prices range from $29 to $75.

Pickler is best known for her song “Best Days of Your Life,” co-written with Taylor Swift. It was also her first Top 10 on the U.S. Country Chart on Billboard. She has released three albums so far, with her fourth album entitled The Woman I Am being released on November 11. Her current single, Little Bit Gypsy, is now playing on country music radio. On top of her music career, she also went on to win the the sixteenth season of Dancing with the Stars with her partner Derek Hough.

Pic Cred: Upper: Billboard.com
Lower: Ruth Eckerd Hall

Movie Showing Pride

Looking for something to do to celebrate National Coming Out Day on Oct 11? Well head on down to the Tampa Theatre for films from the The Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival event.

Starting at 4:45 p.m. you can catch the showing of the film "The Campaign" by director Christie Herring about Prop 8 in California and the journey behind it.
The admission is $10 and the movie runs for 72 minutes.

"Getting Go" by Cory Krueckeberg is about a video blogger who writes about his latest obsession, a go-go dancer named Go. He starts documenting Go's life, but soon starts to become apart of the documentary himself. This showing is at 10:30 p.m. 90 miutes long and $10 admission.

Even though I have not experienced this event, I desperatly want to make it out either for a late showing this year or next years showing.

The Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival takes place every year in October. This is the 24th anniversary of the festival. This year's event started on Oct 4 and will run to Oct 12.

buy tickets, explore more film choices & find out more about TIGLFF here: http://www.tiglff.com/

Mission Statement:

“To continually showcase selections of compelling film and relevant digital media that Entertain, Empower, and Enlighten a diverse audience by, for or regarding the LGBT community and its supporters through the sharing of personal experiences surrounding thoughtful discussion.”

Screaaaaaaaaaaaaam

Sorry Tampa lovers, I’m going to take you a hour away to Orlando for this event. Why is the occasion so special that I had to leave the TBA for? Well, it could only be one thing.

That’s right – it’s October and time for Universal Studio’s Halloween Horror Nights!

http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com

My roommate is a film major, so it’s only necessary that he goes. I’m not into horror movies or scary things at all for that matter, but its best that I get to experience something I’ve never been to.

So what is HHN?

It’s the parks 23^rd year doing HHN and the theme is evil. There are eight haunted houses throughout the park (with each house having a theme such as Walking Dead, Cabin in the Woods and Resident Evil) There are zombies running through the streets of the park so watch out! Only a select number of rides are opened during the event and the wait time for them are only around five minutes (if that)

(They’re strict on photography so I wasn’t able to get any pictures inside the houses – sorry!!)

I will tell you for someone who does not like scary things that the houses had amazing detail to them and would defiantly make any horror fan scream!! I don’t want to give too much away so you HAVE to experience it for yourself.

The park opens for HHN around 6:00 p.m. The lines for the haunted houses fill up quick and the park closes at different times depending on what night you go. I would advise my Tampa people to leave around 4 so you can get to Orlando with no problem and make it there by 6 to have enough time to do everything you want.

Tickets range in price depending on the day (we went on a Sun night) so with our Florida discounts (all you need is a coke can code and enter it online) the total came out to around $48. Make sure you bring proof (student ID, regular ID and a piece of mail) with you just in case of questions.

HHN is opened now until 2 November so if you are anywhere close to Orlando, I strongly encourage going.

Happy haunting Tampa fans.

 

 

 

 

credit: user InsideTheMagic

 

Lazy Dayz

It’s a gorgeous 90 degree day. You don’t want to drive to the beach, but want to do something close to campus. You have a bunch of homework, but want to take a break for a bit.

Whats a better thing to do than go sit by the pool!

I’ve been at the University of Tampa for a year already and I just now went to the pool for the first time. Why wait until now, you ask? I just never found a reason to go, honestly. My college campus just reconstructed the pool area over the summer. They put in new beach chairs and cabanas. They also made the pool 70 percent salt water, according to someone on the swim team.  The whole layout just looks more presentable than what it used to. I think that’s what made me want to go check it out even more.

You might be saying, what fun is a campus pool? Well don’t think of it as just that.

Think of it as a place where you can take some time off from reality if you wanted to. You don’t have to worry about assignments or work. That’s why many people skip class to go hang out at the pool (not recommended!!) Just lie in the sun and let your troubles disappear for a bit.

Going to the pool is also good for socializing with other students around campus and finding out what’s happening.  Lie out and start talking and listening to the others around you.

So grab your bathing suit, iPod and towel and head on down to your campus pool to enjoy a time away from homework and classes (don’t forget to apply sunscreen unless you want those nasty burns!)

The Rack

 

The Rack, located at 1809 W. Platt Street in Tampa, is described on their website as a ‘classic American neighborhood bar and restaurant,’ and that’s exactly what it seems. Around 9 p.m. when I arrived, the place was already crowded with people eating and at the bar. I decided to grab a seat outside on the deck, which should be taken advantage of especially in Florida in October (warm nights.) Inside, there are multiple rooms that include pool tables, bar seating, and regular seating. Music is played in the background while you eat ranging from top 100 hits to country.

Just  by looking at the menu, The Rack is known for its bar drinks and sushi, but I decide to try something safe by ordering chicken tenders and Mac & cheese since I don’t really drink alcohol or eat sushi out. The waitress was real friendly – from finding out if I could substitute sides to checking in with us every so often.

Dinner for two:
(2) Chicken Tenders with fries – 13.98
(1) Mac & Cheese – 2.99
(2) Soda - $4.50
Total: $23.05 including tax.

Depending on which day you go, The Rack offers different specials. On Sunday night, for example, if you work in the hospitality industry and show them your hospitality card & ID, you get 50 percent off any full priced item!

They also offer many events taken place during the week such as football viewings.

Positives: Food is reasonable priced and good. Friendly servers come back often to see how you are doing often. Family and College student atmosphere. Good for a first date or with friends. Known for its sushi and drinks. Not noisy for a bar.

Negatives: The parking lot is small & valet for what seems like no reason. The price you pay for parking comes off your meal but still I don’t see a reason for having it. If you dont want to do it, you have to park away from the restuarant. It's also crowded at times, but that means the place is actually worth going to.

General Info:

The Rack: Tampa
1809 W. Platt Street
Tampa, FL 33606
813-250-1595
http://www.therackrestaurant.com/tampa/

Also located in Brandon:
1205 W. Brandon Blvd.
Brandon, FL 33511
813-571-7225

Artwork found on the side of The Rack

 

Red cups and sweaty bodies everywhere

Did you ever go out to the club just to find out your night starts by paying $15 at the door and then having to spend even more for drinks (for us 21+ crowd)

Well fear no more because I have the perfect Thursday night in mind for you without breaking the bank.

First, start off by finding a group of friends or roommates to go out with – going to clubs alone is not encouraged.

Second, get dressed up. You don’t have to wear something fancy. You’ll be dancing most of the night, so wear something light and airy.

Third, if all of you are planning on drinking (21+) take a taxi – never risk putting yourself or others in danger. Have someone be a designated driver for you.

Yellow Cab: 813-253-0121

Fourth, put this address into your GPS and head over to local Ybor City around 10 p.m., where you will find place number one.

1909 N 15th St, Tampa, FL

Oh, should I tell you…the places you will be going are GAY BARS and you have just arrived at Social Club!

Social Club is the place to be on Thursday nights. There is NO cover to get in. Then, for my over 21’s, there is an OPEN BAR from 10 to 11 and from 11 to 12 are DOLLAR drinks. After 12 the price goes to $2, but we’re not staying there all night.

Social Club has two floors. Upstairs is where you can find all the top 100/dance hits while downstairs is for the R&B crowd. It’s good to experience both floors so you’re not stuck in the same atmosphere.

After the drag show around 12 a.m., you are going to head down two blocks and to the left hand side should be your next destination: Liquid Tampa!

1502 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL

Liquid Tampa is also a free club and drinks are a dollar – the layout is smaller than Social, but has a good feel to it! Finish the night out by dancing to remixes and socializing!

So, if you don’t drink and are under 21, you get a free night of fun. If you are over 21 and drink, you don’t have to worry about cover to get in!

Enjoy your newly found Thursday Tampa.

 

 

 

 

Social and Liquid are two times the fun for the price of none!!

 

Welcome to the area !!!

Hello and welcome! My name is Mark and I will be taking you through fun things that you can do around Tampa and the surrounding areas.

You might be asking why I would make a blog about something that anyone could just easily look up?

Here's a bit about me first.

I've had a strong connection with Florida for as long as I can remember. Every summer as a child my family used to spend our vacation at my aunt's house in south Florida. After graduating from my local community college in Connecticut, I decided the smart choice would be to attend school in Florida, but the question was where? I decided to apply to University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida.

There was only one problem. I have never been to Tampa before.

Forward to today: I've been here for a year already, and still have not experienced what the area has to offer. That is why I am making this blog. Many of my posts may seem like boring things to do like going to the beach, restaurants, and clubs, but I feel like those places are overlooked too quickly! You don't have to break your bank in order to have fun - that's something I personally know and will defiantly be a factor in making my posts.

You can send me ideas for events/places I could attend in the Tampa Bay Area and describe your personal experience with the events I chose. Leave a comment or email me at mark.sugden@spartans.ut.edu

It's my job to inform you, while at the same time experiencing the events myself.

Ready to take this journey with me?

~Mark S.

Tampa Bay pic from nasa.com