USA Today

Take time out from politics in Tampa

Road warrior Nancy Walters thinks the Tampa Bay area -- home to this week's Republication National Convention -- is the only place in the world great than Venice, Italy...

…For those and other visitors, USA TODAY assembled a guide with helpful travel tips. The guide is based on recommendations from food guidebook publisher Zagat, Moon Travel Guides, TripAdvisor and our panel of Road Warriors – some of the world’s most frequent business travelers who voluntarily provide information…

Attractions
Tampa Theatre, a local landmark, was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, is the highest-rated attraction among millions of travelers, according to TripAdvisor.

The elaborate movie palace, designed by famous theater architect John Eberson and built in 1926, presents movies, concerts and special events.

The No. 2 attraction, according to TripAdvisor, is Lettuce Lake Regional Park, a 240-acre park with a bicycle path and jogging trail, and canoes and kayaks for rent. A 3,500-foot boardwalk and an observation tower enable visitors to view wildlife.

Probably the best-known attraction is Busch Gardens, an amusement park and zoo with rides, special events and restaurants. The park recommends visitors views the animals, including many exotic and endangered species, in the morning or evening, when they are most active...