We were looking at the Tampa Zoo-we're not big coaster people at all, so I thought maybe the zoo, and I think Tampa has an aquarium?
Consider getting a Tampa Bay CityPASS. For a reasonable price, it includes:
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- The Florida Aquarium - smaller animals in exhibits but very nicely done, good kids' splash pad included
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park - love this zoo(!), large African & Asian animals & primates, train/tram ride past exhibits, splash pads, kiddie rides all included, feed the smaller tropical birds (fee $)
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium - larger rescue animals in exhibits, dock for good boat tours (fee $)
- Museum of Science & Industry OR The Tropics Boat Tours Dolphin or Sunset Cruise
Our DS/DDIL & family live in Tampa so we visit regularly.
Besides the above sightseeing, our favorite places to go in the area include the quiet, natural white sand beaches at Fort DeSoto State Park (fun to explore too) and Honeymoon Island State Park (picnic, beach, good shelling, fun ferry ride to Caladesi Island's deserted beaches for a fee $). Clearwater Beach is gorgeous too and developed with plenty of amenities, upscale restaurants, high-rise hotels, charter cruises/fishing, and pirate boat rides, if that's more interesting to you. We also love all there is to do at the St. Pete Pier, day or evening - delicious waterfront seafood at Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. Don't forget that Tampa also has sports stadiums and major cultural events. It's over an hour's drive from Tampa to the massive Siesta Key beach, voted #1 beach in America by TripAdvisor in 2020. There's just way more to do in the region than most people realize.
Closer to your home, for a more urban/historic trip, you may also want to consider Boston or Williamsburg. Wonderful vacation destinations within driving distance of NY. Not familiar with timeshares in/around Boston but Williamsburg has
many with good resort amenities, including some Marriott and Club Wyndham Governor's Green (my favorite there).
My concern is the resort, we're use to DVC 1 and 2 bedrooms, and also we've stayed at the Grand Vista and HGVC a few years back. No matter where we end up, just want to be happy with the resort as well as the attractions.
There are a number of older timeshares in the smaller towns within 30 minutes drive of Tampa. The only upscale, gorgeous timeshare resort that I know about in the greater Tampa area is Club Wyndham Clearwater Beach. It's very nice, directly across from the beach with beautiful sunset views but it gets booked solid by Wyndham owners far in advance, and it has a
pricey points chart. So it's only likely to be available to you via a Club Wyndham owner or by booking a hotel room (on the same/shared property in the other tower). Note that guest certificates are probably not allowed during peak travel dates (such as spring break or major holidays) for Club Wyndham timeshare resorts.
I'd also second the recommendation above for a fun TN vacation near Dollywood and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We love it there and we like the well-situated Club Wyndham resort there too. It's a reasonable exchange via RCI as long as you're not seeking a major holiday week. Dollywood has plenty of rides but it's smaller than Orlando parks, more theming than Six Flags, charming with craftsmen and live performers. We go back once in a while since it's only a couple of hours drive for us. When we've visited Cades Cove in GSMNP in spring and fall, we've sometimes spotted black bear as well as lots of deer and other wildlife. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are very touristy (fudge shops, t-shirts, crafts, distillery tours, etc.) with many Ripley's attractions including a very nice Aquarium, plus many dinner shows and outlet malls. The aerial tramway (gondola) ride up to Ober Gatlinburg is scenic, worthwhile during their Oktoberfest if you like German food and live music. If you want to visit art galleries, there's a driving road tour through the Artist Guild loops past many excellent studios and galleries - we liked it. Another, newer tourist district is The Island where there's a Margaritavilla resort and lots of restaurants... the best part is the water fountain at night, which is choreographed to a popular song or two and dances a couple times per hour after dark.
One of our favorite NP visits over the years was our week spent in Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor in Maine. Loved the sights from the Park Loop Road, the charm and fresh seafood in fishing villages, biking on the carriage paths, great walking/hiking trails. boat tours of out-islands, just a very special place. Not familar with timeshare resorts in Maine. Visit Tug2.net for more resort info when searching for options that may meet your needs and interests.
Our big trip-of-a-lifetime splurge was a week on land in Alaska (Kenai Fjords NP boat tour, seakayaking in Seward with whales, train to Anchorage past Turnagain Arm, drive to Denali NP & tour, Talkeetna plane ride around Mt. Denali - all amazing), followed by a weeklong cruise that included Glacier Bay NP and multiple excursions.
It was amazing!!! Nothing at WDW compares. Not even close, lol!
...
