If Bush Gardens, the Tampa Lowry Park Zoo, or Adventure Island is not your cup of tea, or if you’ve already been there and you are looking for a different kind of excitement, then come spend an evening at Tampa Bay Downs. This is grown-up time. Spend an entire day at the race track, with great dinks, great food, great shopping, and great people. What is unique about this race track is that patrons can also play golf and poker here. If that’s not enough, Tampa Bay Downs offers free wireless Internet access

No race track is complete without food and drinks. The Silks Bar and Grille offers fabulous meals and delectable snacks, which top-notch drinks to wash it all down with. Being at Tampa Bay Downs is so much fun, and it’s even better when you have a cold drink in your hand. Not only to locals flock to this fantastic venue for the food and atmosphere, but vacationers love it too. The kitchen opens at 9:30 am on most days for breakfast. Lunch and dinner is served here too. Happy Hour takes place between 5 pm and 7 pm every day, with half price draft beer, bottled beer, and liquor. A full menu is available for you to see online at the Tampa Bay Downs website.

When you visit Tampa Bay Downs, you’ll notice the Main Track, which is a one mile oval of sand and loam composition. This surface is rated as one of the best for both racing and training. It is equal to none other in regards to cushion and drainage. It’s 75 feet wide and the stretch is 976 feet long. This track also has two chutes for three-eighths events and seven furlong races. The Turf Course is seven-eighths of a mile in circumference and another quarter mile chute, made up of Tifton #419 Bermuda Turf. There is also a Paddock and Walking area and a backstretch. The Clubhouse has seating for 1,700 people and the Grandstand hold 4,300. If you want something a little more casual, the Grandstand has picnic tables and apron benches. Or reserve the Trackside Garden Suite for a fully private area that comfortable seats 35 people.

If you are coming to the race track from a far away lactation, don’t cut your time short here and just book a room at the Hilton Garden Inn or the Holiday Inn Express. Both hotels are close to the track, making it easy to travel back and forth. There are links to both of these hotels on the Tampa Bay Downs website to help you plan the perfect vacation, short getaway, or a weekend away.