Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Since then, following the 2007-09 global recession, the Tampa Bay area and southwest
coast have been defined by a slowdown. Lee County experienced the highest rate of fore-
closures in the country and in 2012 the annual Floridian wage declined to 88% of the na-
tional average. As elsewhere in the Sunshine State, creating a long-term, sustainable re-
covery based on economic diversification into health, IT and manufacturing has become
the region's mantra.
Getting There & Away
AIR
Tampa International Airport
(TPA; 813-870-8700;
www.tampaairport.com
;
4100 George J
Bean Pkwy)
is the main regional hub, 9 miles west of downtown Tampa. Smaller interna-
tional airports are
St Petersburg-Clearwater
,
Sarasota-Bradenton
and
Southwest Florida In-
ternational
in Fort Myers.
BUS
Greyhound
buses serve the main towns in the region.
CAR
Tampa is 84 miles due west of Orlando via I-4, and 255 miles west of Miami; take I-95
north to I-75 and head west across 'Alligator Alley' to Naples, then continue north on I-75.
TAMPA BAY AREA
Surrounding the gorgeous deep-water Tampa Bay are two major cities and a seemingly
endless expanse of urban-suburban sprawl - forming the state's second-largest metropolit-
an area - which along the Gulf Coast is edged by some 35 miles of barrier-island beaches.
Not many places in the country offer as much big-city sophistication mere minutes from so
much dazzling sand. Yet since Miami is one of those that does, the bay area is rarely given
its due. Both Tampa and St Petersburg burble with cultural and culinary excitement as they
spruce up their historic districts and polish their arts institutions. The range of adventures
on offer - from fine arts to world-class aquariums to hot nightclubs and dolphin cruises -
make this a compelling region to explore.
