Yes, it makes for hot summer down in Florida, but not as bad as it is in, say, Phoenix or New Orleans. So if you like warm weather and plenty of sunshine, Tampa Bay has some good prices for you in their "Getaway Package" promotion.
As part of the History Buff package, $87.50 per person gets you two nights in a Tampa hotel, including a shopping discount card and admission to three museums-- the Ybor City State Museum (highlighting the Spanish, Cuban, Italian and German settlers), the Henry Plant Museum and the Florida Holocaust Museum. Or, for the same price, you can choose the "Real Adventure" package that includes one night's stay, a day at Busch Gardens and the aforementioned shopping card.
Starting at just $92 per person, you get two nights at a Tampa hotel in the Culture Craver package, which also allows you visits to the Salvador Dali Museum, the Tampa Museum of Art and the Florida International Museum, as well as the shopping discount card.
The Fun, Family & Value package offers plenty to do for just $98.50 per person, including two nights' lodging, tickets to the Museum of Science and Industry, the Florida Aquarium and Lowry Park Zoo. (You can pet kangaroos at the zoo and study sharks at the Aquarium). You also get the discount shopping card.
At the top end, there's a deluxe package, costing $230 per person, that includes four nights of lodging, a canoe trip along the Hillsborough River to see turtles and alligators, admission to Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium, not to mention that ubiquitous shopping discount card and more.
The participating hotels include Holiday Inn, Howard Johnson, Hilton, Best Western, Radisson, Amerisuites, Embassy Suites, Hyatt Regency, Saddlebrook Resort, and the Suites at Mainsail. Add-ons, such as rental cars and extra attraction passes, are available for each deal. The TBCVB says the packages will be available "indefinitely," but my intuition says the winter season will bring higher prices, so check if you plan on traveling later in the year.
To book a package, phone the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800/36 TAMPA or visit their Web site, www.visittampabay.com.