re: Do not stay anywhere near Busch Gardens

Agree- Busch Gardens is an awesome park but don't pick a hotel in that area. I recommend a hotel in Harbor Island - my favorite is Marriott Waterside , but the Westin and Embassy Suites are great too. The location is very safe, clean, and gets you close to Bayshore Blvd ( great stroll along the water ). Harbor island also has a streetcar stop that gets you to Ybor City which has all types of bars. Harbor island is a very small island in south Tampa. Sadly , Tampa stadium isn't within walking distance of any nice hotels. You'll get all kinds of suggestions for parking, but I like parking 1/4 mile from the stadium at Hillsborough Community College ( HCC)- lots of parking spaces.