ENTERTAINMENT
When it comes to nightlife, West Central Florida likes to party. And there are plenty of spots to do just that.
Ybor City’s thriving nightlife ranges from dance clubs and live music venues to quiet pubs, while Tampa’s South Howard Avenue, or SoHo, is filled with restaurants. However, this hip strip really comes alive after dinner when the drinks begin to pour.
Professional sports take hold of West Central Florida on the ice, on the field and on the pitch. The Tampa Bay Lightning are on the ice for their 2017–18 season through April, unless the team makes the playoffs and their NHL season is extended in pursuit of the coveted Stanley Cup.
Take the family out to the ball game during spring training or during the regular season for that matter. Beginning in March, the Toronto Blue Jays take their swings at the Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin (once ranked one of the top five places to watch a spring training game by Sports Illustrated), while the New York Yankees play spring ball in Tampa and the Philadelphia Phillies step up to the plate in Clearwater. The Jolley Trolley travels from Clearwater to Dunedin and on to Tarpon Springs, making it easy to catch a few spring training games along the route. During the regular season, the Tampa Bay Rays play their opponents at the 72 F Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
On the pitch in downtown St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team begins its pre-season matches in March, and the regular schedule takes them through the summer and late into the fall.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers begin their gridiron season in September and play through the fall and into January, with their season extending if they make it into the NFL playoffs.
For a different type of sport, try your hand and test your skills at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa.