It is that bit of swashbuckling history that obviously influenced the naming in 1974 of the NFL's 27th franchise — the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2003 Super Bowl XXXVII Champions. Raymond James Stadium, the NFL team's home turf, has hosted the Super Bowl three times — in 1984, 1991 and 2001 — an honor that will come around again in 2009 as the city hosts Super Bowl XLIII.
Tampa's sporting way doesn't end there either. It earned the title "City of Champions" after scoring three amazing and unimaginable feats — winning three pro sport championships within just 18 months. The same year the Buccaneers won their NFL Championship, the Tampa Bay Storm brought home the National Arena Football League championship; and, just 18 months after that, the Tampa Bay Lightning won the NHL Stanley Cup. Tampa also "sports" other titles that are not only interesting, but provide insight into its diversity and liveability.
In a survey a couple of years ago by the Airline Passenger Association, Tampa International Airport ranked #2 in the nation for passenger satisfaction among mid-sized airports. Visitors may be satisfied with Tampa's airport, but they have to be thrilled with the diversity the area offers vacationers. There is plenty to see and do in Tampa and surrounding St. Petersburg-Clearwater where the not-too-far-away Gulf beaches are some of the best in the nation. Of course, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has long been a favorite among tourists and locals alike. The African-themed park features some of the largest and most popular roller coasters as well as ever evolving shows and animal exhibits. Much smaller, but equally impressive attractions are the Lowry Park Zoo and MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry).
Located adjacent to downtown is one of the most scenic drives in Florida, Bayshore Boulevard. The drive is believed to have the world's longest continuous sidewalk at about four and a half miles long. Bayshore and the Friendship Bridge, that spans from Tampa to St. Petersburg, provide miles of waterfront walking, jogging, bicycling and rollerblading. In fact, since the area boasts mild weather throughout the year, outdoor activities are a way of life. The city's location along the shores of Tampa Bay offers enjoyment of every water activity imaginable.
Just nine miles north of Tampa, the Hillsborough River State Park allows visitors a step back into time with a chance to discover what some call the "real" Florida. The area's astounding beauty is popular with photographers and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy popular pastimes of camping, canoeing and hiking.
In Employment Review's June 2003 issue, Tampa ranked 12th among "America's Best Places to Live & Work." Tampa was the only Florida city to make the list of 20 cities that were graded by population, cost of living, housing costs, unemployment rate, job growth, and education. Plus other factors such as available entertainment, arts and recreational activities. Also, Hispanic magazine named Tampa the #1 place for Hispanics to live in its 2000 issue, when more than 350 cities were rated. It isn't surprising then that Tampa ranks second in the nation in Hispanic affluence, according to a survey of the Top 50 U.S. Hispanic Markets by Strategy Research.
If there were a title for the category of fastest growing downtown, Tampa might win that title as well. Nestled along the mouth of the Hillsborough River and Tampa Bay, the downtown's renewal as a place to live, work and play is well underway. Ground has been broken for multiple condominium towers and more projects are on the drawing board that promise to further the revitalization effort.
A half dozen downtown hotels serve the nearby waterfront Convention Center that hosts dozens of meetings each year. In the same area, The St. Pete Times Forum, home of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning, provides the city with dynamic sporting events and concerts. And, it is hard to remember that the area now known as Channelside used to be a warehouse and shipping district. The old run-down buildings have been replaced with modern dining, shopping and entertainment venues. Anchored by the architecturally unique Florida Aquarium, Channelside also is home port to cruise lines taking passengers to dream Caribbean and Mexican destinations, while streetcars carry passengers to nearby Ybor City.
So it is that Tampa is an award winning city. Still "home" is only title I prefer. There is no place like Tampa, because there is no place like home.
