Did you know that Tampa was once home to a pirate theme park, or that the city also had a gas station with carnival rides and a caged bear? It's true.
Sure, we all know about Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, but since the early 1900s the Tampa Bay area has been home to quite a few notable attractions and parks.
In fact, some of these tourist traps existed long before Walt Disney World, which would ultimately contribute to their decline. In later years, some attractions closed due to controversy, financial hardships, gas shortages, the pandemic, greedy developers, and a variety of other reasons.
But without a doubt, they all left their mark on their region.
So, let's take a look back at a few of the more memorable amusement parks and attractions that no longer exist in Tampa Bay.