Rnc 2012 Area Guide
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About this site
Things to do in Tampa Bay, things to do this weekend, free things to do with kids ... it's all here at Things to Do. Appropriate name, don't you think?
Looking for things to do with your family, or fun things to do with a friend? We have sections on kids, food and dining, events, deals and shopping, Florida travel and, when you're ready for a respite from the kids, date night.
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I hope you can help me...
If you forget to get a color sticker at the TIA parking garage and lose your car, call from one of the help phones. They actually do know how to help.
First Glance
$5 Day at the Zoo
Load all the kids into the car and get ready to visit all your favorite animals. Everyone gets into the zoo for $5 Sunday.
May 18, 2012 at 12:07 p.m.
Tampa Bay Boat Show
Three days of the best boats and fishing supplies will be lined up all in one spot at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
May 18, 2012 at 11:59 a.m.
Disney on Ice
All your favorite Disney princesses, including Rapunzel, Princess Tiana and Cinderella, take to the ice for Dare to Dream, Thursday through Sunday at the Times Forum.
May 18, 2012 at 11:58 a.m.
Star Wars Weekends
A sci-fi fan-fest at Disney's Hollywood Studios with a Hyperspace Hoopla stage show, Jedi Training Academy, parades and meet-and-greet sessions featuring Star Wars characters and actors. Through June 10.
May 18, 2012 at 11:49 a.m.
Weekly 2Do List
Kids and Family
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$5 Day at the Zoo
Load all the kids into the car and get ready to visit all your favorite animals. Everyone gets into the zoo for $5 Sunday.
May 18, 2012 at 12:07 p.m. 
Splash and Dash
It's a biathlon for kids. The St. Pete Beach Community Center is hosting this pool swim and fun run through the park Sunday for ages 5 to 12.
May 18, 2012 at 12:04 p.m.-
Disney on Ice
All your favorite Disney princesses, including Rapunzel, Princess Tiana and Cinderella, take to the ice for Dare to Dream, Thursday through Sunday at the Times Forum.
May 18, 2012 at 11:58 a.m. 
Hummingbird Festival
Stroll the grounds and see the fruits of the Pioneer Florida Museum staff’s labors pay off as flutters of both hummingbirds and butterflies converge Saturday.
May 18, 2012 at 11:52 a.m.
Date Night
Tim Meadows
One of the longest-running cast members on Saturday Night Live, Meadows had some memorable characters during his 10-year stint. Catch him Thursday through Sunday at Side Splitters.
May 18, 2012 at 11:59 a.m.
'Race'
David Mamet's play explores personal prejudice and its larger impact on society as a law firm deals with a case in which a rich white man is accused of raping a young black woman. Through May 27.
May 18, 2012 at 11:45 a.m.
Lisa Lampanelli
The comedian is a regular on late-night television and a frequent guest on Howard Stern’s Sirius satellite radio shows. Catch her Saturday at the Straz.
May 18, 2012 at 11:36 a.m.
'Postcards from Paris'
Sarah Hicks will always have Paris. Hicks returns as guest conductor with the Florida Orchestra this weekend, bringing with her "Postcards from Paris" pops show.
May 18, 2012 at 10:52 a.m.
Food and Dining
The cheese movement
Winter Park Dairy may have been a pioneer in producing natural, raw milk artisan cheeses in Florida, but the artisan cheese movement has hit the Sunshine State with a vengeance in the past few years.
May 15, 2012 at 12:37 p.m.
Carne Chophouse is affordable, stylish
Carne Chophouse draws carnivores for the traditional steak and chops, but offers more delicate fare, like shrimp and crab cake, for those who are less meatatarian.
May 15, 2012 at 12:29 p.m.
Yellow Tail Tree-Free Chardonnay
This chard would be good with grilled chicken served with a fruit salsa, or maybe with a grilled cheddar, tomato and bacon sandwich.
May 15, 2012 at 11:22 a.m.
Corner Bakery Cafes are coming
The Chicago chain will have 10 of its fast causal restaurants operating in the Tampa Bay area within five to seven years.
May 14, 2012 at 11:15 a.m.
Events
Art on the Water
This year's event moves to Harbour Island's water-walk Sunday and brings the work of more than 80 artists and businesses who support local art.
May 18, 2012 at 12:13 p.m.
Uncle Kracker
Genre-bending multiplatinum recording artist Uncle Kracker will perform at the Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa.
May 18, 2012 at 12:03 p.m.-
Tampa Bay Boat Show
Three days of the best boats and fishing supplies will be lined up all in one spot at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
May 18, 2012 at 11:59 a.m. 
Dunedin Duck Derby
High tide on Saturday will set nearly 600 rubber ducks off toward the finish line. The first ones in win cash prizes for their sponsors.
May 18, 2012 at 11:54 a.m.
Florida Travel
Savage Race coming to Little Everglades
Pasco now has a new extreme adventure race to replace the popular Tough Mudder, which stopped running at the Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City after only one event.
May 17, 2012 at 10:51 a.m.
Top parks in northeast Florida
When it comes to places to play outdoors, northeast Florida has a little bit of everything: birding spots, hiking trails, bike paths and scenic waterways.
May 14, 2012 at 2:44 p.m.
It's time for a jetpack
If you've got $275, you can soar above the gulf (and sometimes into the gulf) from the Tradewinds attraction. See our video.
May 14, 2012 at 2:39 p.m.
Restored depot evolves into railroad museum
The original 1882 P&A Depot opened as the West Florida Railroad Museum with an outdoor collection that includes a restored L&N dining car, a Pullman sleeper car, a baggage/dormitory car/exhibit car, two cabooses, a boxcar and a flat car.
May 10, 2012 at 2 p.m.
Deals and Shopping
Outlet mall to open in Wesley Chapel
Saks Off Fifth, the luxury fashion retailer's off-price unit, will anchor a new outlet mall that should open in Wesley Chapel in 2014.
May 17, 2012 at 10:46 a.m.
Cheer your team on the cheap
Frugal sports fans have to draw the line somewhere. If you're going to pay $9 a beer, you're going to have to save on team gear. We can help with that.
May 14, 2012 at 2:24 p.m.
Are gel manicures worth it?
Shellac, or gel manicures, are supposed to last up to two weeks in perfect condition for about $25-$30 a pop. Are they worth it? The Deal Divas say yes.
May 9, 2012 at 1:31 p.m.
Save on wedding gowns
The secret is to look at dresses designed for bridesmaids. You can customize those gowns more easily and save a ton.
May 8, 2012 at 10 a.m.
