The Florida Aquarium, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution astounds visitors with the beauty and fragility of our eco-system. The facility is home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and all over the world. The cornerstone of The Channel District, The Florida Aquarium’s mission since opening in 1995 is to entertain, educate and inspire stewardship about our natural environment. It serves as a significant example of Florida’s commitment to preserving native landscapes, ecosystems, historical and archaeological sites, and ethnic and cultural traditions representative of the diverse geography and cultural life unique to our state. Opening in March 1995, the Aquarium has provided cultural enrichment experiences to more than seven million visitors, including 100,000 school students and 1,000 teachers annually.

Opened in March 1995, the 250,000 sq-ft aquarium tells Florida’s unique water story as it follows a drop of water from its underground source to the open sea and is home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals both native to Florida and from all over the globe.

Four galleries highlight the route of that drop of water:

• Wetlands – Explore Florida’s freshwater environments, including springs, streams, marshes, rivers and mangrove forests. Come face-to-face with otters, spoonbills, gators and snakes. Climb to the top of the dome to check out Aquariumania! An exhibit dedicated to home aquariums.
• Bays & Beaches – Discover sea life along Florida’s coast, such as bonnethead sharks, seahorses, spiny lobsters, stingrays and a 350 lb. grouper!
• Coral Reefs – Plunge 60 feet below the surface into a colorful coral grotto called Sherwood Forest without ever getting wet! Home to more than 2,300 fish including moray eels, grouper, tarpon, Queen Triggerfish and much, much more! Guests age 6 and over can ‘Swim with the Fishes’ in this 500,000-gallon tank! Learn more.
• Sea Hunt – Encounter the world’s most fascinating predators: sharks, a giant Pacific octopus, lionfishand more! Certified SCUBA divers age 15 and older can ‘Dive with the Sharks’ in Shark Bay! Learn more.

Other highlights include:

• Explore A Shore – Cool off this summer with splashin? fun at The Florida Aquarium?s 2-acre water adventure park, Explore A Shore! Watery waves, slippery slides, gushing geysers and an assortment of animal models are just a few of the attractions that await the kids. While the kids play, parents can enjoy the comfort of the Tampa Tribune Cantina with easy viewing of the play and table service.
• Aquariumania! – Explore the art, science and fun of the aquarium hobby and discover why Florida is a leader in the global tropical fish business.
• Dive with Sharks – Our new shark experience, featuring the chance for certified divers to dive in our shark tank. Reservations required: (813) 367-4005.
• Behind-the-Scenes Tours – Explore the Aquarium as never before. See previous “off-limits” areas and learn what it takes to make the Aquarium work.
• No Bone Zone – A kid-friendly, interactive presentation of invertebrates, featuring a 600-gallon touch pool.
• Eco-Tours – The journey through the bay aboard The Bay Spirit, our 49-foot powered catamaran, allows guests to encounter the awesome animals that thrive in these local waters. The only requirement is a sense of adventure. A good pair of binoculars is optional.

The Florida Aquarium (map) is located in the Channelside District, at 701 Channelside Drive. Parking is available in the lot just north of the aquarium (map), or the nearby Channelside Parking Garage (map).

The Florida Aquarium is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, but closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

As of November 2008, General Admission is $19.95 for adults, $16.95 for Seniors 60 and older.  Children under 12 get in for $14.95, and little ones 2 & under are Free.  Some of the optional tours incur an extra cost.

Segway Tour Biz Open in Channelside

By GARY SHEPHERD

Geoff Karlavage has a unique way for you to tour Tampa’s beautiful downtown waterfront – aboard a Segway Personal Transporter. In fact, you may already have seen Karlavage’s small fleet of upright Segways zipping through Cotanchobee Park or gliding silently along the Bayshore Boulevard sidewalk.

Karlavage opened his Magic Carpet Glide Tours in early October, leasing a spot in Channelside Bay Plaza. His little kiosk is inside the main entry to the entertainment complex. Karlavage has five of the self-balancing Segways, which cost about $5,750 each and are powered by rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries.

“Business has been pretty good,” says Karlavage, a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The tours, which Karlavage himself leads aboard a Segway, begin with a short training class. The vehicles are easy to learn to ride – just turn the steering grip right to go right, left to go left, and lean forward to go forward, backwards to go backward.

“You really just control it with just your heals and toes,” says Karlavage. “The feel is similar to skiing, but much easier.” The Segway self-balances through a system of sensors and gyroscopes. They weigh 105 pounds, roll on 19-inch tires, and travel 24 miles between plug-in recharges.

The Segway is a blast to ride, zipping up to its maximum 12 miles per hour quickly. Magic Carpet Glide’s vehicles each have pouches for stowing personal gear. Helmets are optional, notes Karlavage, who has tourists sign a waiver before a trip.

From Channelside, tours pass by the St. Pete Times Forum, follow the Tampa Riverwalk, pass around the Tampa Convention Center, and then move to Bayshore Boulevard, passing by Tampa’s famous Gasparilla ship, the Jose Gaspar. Tours continue onto Davis Islands, where riders can enjoy a lovely view of downtown Tampa from a different vantage point. From there, tourists Segway over to Harbour Island, and then back to the starting point at Channelside.

Tours cost $50 per person for 90 minutes. Tour times are 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, call Magic Carpet Glide at 813-380-1916 or visit www.magiccarpetglide.com.

Disney On Ice presents
Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey
October 2-5, 2008
St. Pete Times Forum
Price: $19, $27, $36, $45

ABOUT THE SHOW

Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they travel to four magical destinations all in one fun-filled ice production! Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey will take audiences on a sightseeing tour of the imagination.

The St. Pete Times Forum is in the Convention / Arena area of Downtown Tampa (map).

From the City of Tampa Riverwalk News & Information

Enjoy a casual stroll along The Tampa Riverwalk while exploring the rich history that defines our city and enhances our community. The Riverwalk provides a safe waterside experience that enhances downtown’s many amenities including Tampa’s cultural district.

Come discover what this waterfront walkway has to offer our city and experience why the Riverwalk is a vital piece of Tampa’s future. Meet at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park (map) on the pier (next to the Marriott Waterside Hotel) Saturday mornings through Saturday, May 3, 2008. The tours are free and will begin at 10:00 a.m. All tours are open to the public.

Parking is available at the South Regional Parking Garage (map). In cases of inclement weather, tours will be canceled.

Those of you interested in the Riverwalk can find out more information from the City of Tampa, as well as the Friends of the Riverwalk.

From the City of Tampa Riverwalk News & Information

Enjoy a casual stroll along The Tampa Riverwalk while exploring the rich history that defines our city and enhances our community. The Riverwalk provides a safe waterside experience that enhances downtown’s many amenities including Tampa’s cultural district.

Come discover what this waterfront walkway has to offer our city and experience why the Riverwalk is a vital piece of Tampa’s future. Meet at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park (map) on the pier (next to the Marriott Waterside Hotel) Saturday mornings through Saturday, May 3, 2008. The tours are free and will begin at 10:00 a.m. All tours are open to the public.

Parking is available at the South Regional Parking Garage (map). In cases of inclement weather, tours will be canceled.

Those of you interested in the Riverwalk can find out more information from the City of Tampa, as well as the Friends of the Riverwalk.