We wanted to visit Busch Gardens for the first time (we’ve been holidaying in Florida for 15 years but have never had the time) so we decided to stay close to the Park for a couple of days and stumbled across Treasure Island. It is a small barrier island near St Petes and Tampa. Supposedly named as in the early 1900s an investor saw the potential as the area becoming a resort and buried a treasure chest and made a huge announcement and opened it in front of a crowd and hence the name was realised.
It was great to drive from our villa – a little over an hour’s drive - spend the day on the beach then drive from our motel to Busch Gardens the next day.
We managed to rent wonderful hotel room right on the beach – Gulf Boulevard, so many motels/hotels to chose from but we had already looked on the internet for St Petes and around and this was recommended – Thunderbird Hotel. It was around $100 per night for a basic room that slept 4 with small kitchenette. Prices are seasonal however.
The beaches are pristine white and the area was very quiet and relaxing. However, there was parasailing, jetsking, windsurfing, fishing and golf courses for the more active.
The hotel’s Tiki Bar is just beside the beach and the cocktails are served all day long.
After our day on the beach, we visited the mall at Tyrone Square at St Petes (approx 10miles). The usual department stores are there Burdines, Dillard's, JCPenney and Sears. A food court and cinema would be the best place to leave Dad and the kids!
Many many restaurants nearby ranging from MacDonald's to exclusive dining – some on the waterfront. There is also a nightclub and local bars – probably too many to choose from. We ate a fabulous fish restaurant at St Johns Pass – again so many to choose from.
“Official” temperatures are:
During the summer months range between 72ºf and 90ºf.
During the winter months range between 55ºf and 75ºf.
We visited in January and it was not the best weather for your holiday but that didn’t matter as the beach and setting is just so wonderful. We are going back for a few days in April – the prices go down a little from April 22nd as October – April is the US high season.
AAA members get 10% discount and if you go onto the net, various hotel sites offer 20% discount vouchers.