Carolyn Photography

The stage is set. The audience settles in. The conductor raises his arms in magnificent rhythmic unison and a night of symphonic harmony unfolds at the Tampa Bay Symphony. Watch the 90+ community volunteer musicians play classical music at an affordable ticket price.

Explore the past at the Tampa Bay History Center. Get lost in the powerful stories about the places, people, and events that shaped the Tampa Bay area, including the cigar industry and Spanish conquistadors. Dine at the historic and critically acclaimed Columbia Restaurant's first Columbia Café and take a piece of history home from the museum store.

Where's the beef? It's at the Florida State Fair, held annually at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. You'll be attending the official state fair where the Sunshine State shows off its agricultural might. For 11 days, there's a corral full of indoor and outdoor exhibits, rides, craft shows, musical acts and wild foods like chocolate-covered bacon to taste. You won't want to miss this experience.

Meet a koala bear, discover a Primate World and adopt an animal at Tampa's Lowery Park Zoo. Listen to tigers roar at the Asian Domain, watch black panthers prance at the Native Florida Wildlife Center and discover the best vantage point to hang out with the monkeys. The zoo also features rides, shows and hands-on interactive exhibits and attractions.