Photo: Dru Bloomfield

Once-vacant rental spaces have been clumsily converted into “Super Bowl Warehouses.”

Real estate signs have been replaced by signs advertising homes for rent during Game Week.

Every billboard in town suddenly has a football theme.

Drive for a mile or so down Dale Mabry and you’ll know: the Super Bowl is in Tampa.

You may not have a ticket to the big game, but there are plenty of ways to score big in Tampa Bay.

Here are ten suggestions from this Tampa local:

1. Hit the beach.

Photo: Tony the Misfit

St. Petersburg and Clearwater have some of the cleanest beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Enjoy the solitude and natural beauty of Fort DeSoto County Park, or revel with the entertainers and artisans at Pier 60 in Clearwater.

Wherever you go, you’re sure to see a beautiful sunset.

2. Ride a bike.

With beautiful weather for much of the year, Tampa residents spend most free time outdoors. A bike ride is a terrific way to get some exercise and see the sights without sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Take a spin down Bayshore and pick out your dream home. For a longer workout, choose a route among the 34 miles of the Pinellas Trail.

3. Chow down.

Photo: Mike Schmid

Tampa has some great eats, whether you’re in flip-flops or formal wear. Grouper is the fish of choice around these parts, but the Gulf shrimp is tasty as well. Fans of Cuban food will not be disappointed; Ybor City is as authentic as it gets without driving to Miami.

Savor the “1801 Salad” at Columbia, or venture down Columbus Avenue for a typical lunch counter experience.

4. Shop with the locals.

Fresh produce, homemade empanadas, and beautiful artwork await you at the Saturday Morning Market in St. Petersburg. Dozens of merchants set up shop outside Progress Energy Field each Saturday from October to the end of May. The market is a great place to find goods unique to the area, and it’s a lively place to interact with St. Pete residents.

If you prefer to shop indoors, head to Mazzaro’s Italian Market for amazing gelato and delicious cheeses.

5. Get on the water.

Paddlers flock to Tampa Bay for the favorable weather and ample rowing opportunities. Sea kayakers enjoy braving the Gulf surf, while river runners will delight in the many launches along the Hillsborough River.

Photo: disrupsean

Don’t worry about bringing a boat; rental is available at Ft. DeSoto and Canoe Escape.

6. Mingle with the manatees.

Like Michigan and New England snowbirds, many manatees choose Tampa as their winter home.

Several area aquariums, including Clearwater, The Pier, and Florida Aquarium, will allow animal lovers to get their fix.

To see them in a slightly more natural habitat, check out the TECO powerplant out near Apollo Beach. This manatee viewing center offers visitors educational exhibits, hiking trails, and viewing platforms.

7. Have fun indoors.

Want to get out of the sun?

Tampa Bay offers a variety of museums to fit every age and interest. Downtown Tampa serves as the home for the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, as well as the new Tampa Bay History Center.

Photo: John-Morgan

Kids will love the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) and the hands-on children’s museum, Great Explorations.

Serious art enthusiasts should not miss the Dali Museum and its impressive collection of Salvador Dali works.

8. Volunteer.

Giving back to the community helps visitors connect with a place in a unique and intimate way.

Tampa Bay has many ways guests can serve. Join a beach clean-up, offer to help at the Suncoast Bird Sanctuary, or pitch in with Habitat for Humanity for the day.

Read what The Washington Post’s Andrea Sachs says about volunteering in Florida.

9. Find your inner pirate.

The Gasparilla Festival is a month-long party in Tampa. Our festival has a few similarities to Mardi Gras or Carnival, but with pirates.

Photo: theogeo

Expect to see lots of beads, swashbucklers, and booty references. Join in the fun by attending the official Jose Gasparilla invasion, complete with buccaneers and firing cannons, or stick around for the road race in late February.

10. Watch the game.

Although our favorite pirates, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, didn’t make it to the playoffs this year, you can bet we’ll be watching The Super Bowl.

Or at least the commercials.

Nearly every restaurant and bar will be showing the game, but a few places are exceptional.

Try Ferg’s in St. Petersburg, located across the street from Tropicana Field. “Historians” will appreciate the fact that Tampa Bay is home to both the original Outback and the original Hooters. In Tampa, people will be gathering at Champps, which is a five minute drive from Raymond James Stadium.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:
Are you planning to attend the Super Bowl? Be sure to upload your party photos to your Matador profile. Don’t have one yet? It’s free! Sign up here.

Feature photo by Thomas Hawk. Photo above by GregPC.

Northeast

1. Boston, Massachusetts

Samuel Adams is just one of the many lagers travelers will find in Beantown. You can party with rowdy Red Sox fans at Boston Beer Works, or head out of town to Allston, where you will find the Sunset Grill and Tap with an amazing 112 beers on tap.

Photo by design|wanderer.

2. Portland, Maine

It’s hard to beat the allure of a cold beer and a fresh, affordable lobster roll. Tour the sprawling Shipyard Brewing Company, or partake in a menagerie of “taster glasses” at Great Lost Bear, just one dollar per sample.

Photo by Thomas Hawk.

3. New York, New York

New York is known for its diversity, and the pubs and bars are no exception. From dive bars to gastro-pubs, beer lovers can find the atmosphere that suits them best. If you can’t decide between drinks or dessert, try the Chocolate Stout Float at The Chocolate Room in Park Slope. Check out Matador’s list of the top 10 nightlife spots in NYC for more inspiration.

4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rumor has it that the Declaration of Independence was drafted in Philly’s taverns. Why not walk in our Founding Fathers’ footsteps? Play darts with the locals at Brownie’s Irish Pub, or just hang out and listen to live music at The Khyber, Philadelphia’s oldest beer bar.

South

5. Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville is a small town but their beers carry big flavor. Climb Shining Rock or take a long hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Then cool off with a Highland Oatmeal Porter at Thirsty Monk or Barley’s Taproom.

Photo by dannebrog.

6. Tampa Bay, Florida

Whether you like imports or domestics, Tampa and St. Petersburg both have terrific beer selections. World of Beer touts 30 taps and another 300 bottled brews. For satisfying pub grub, check out the Et Tu Brewte salad at Dunedin Brewery, or stick with the authentic fish ‘n’ chips at Four Green Fields.

Photo by jsmjr.

7. Atlanta, Georgia

For such a big city with a large college student population, it’s a little surprising that there aren’t more breweries and brewpubs in the ATL. Fear not, however, because what they do have in Atlanta is quality. The all-organic food and drink menu at Five Seasons Brewing will make you a believer.

8. New Orleans, Louisiana

Take a break from drinking Hurricanes and check out the awesome beer selection at Cooter Brown’s Tavern. Then stumble on down to The Bulldog and do it all over again; be sure to bring your pooch!

Photo by eTombotron.

9. The Triangle, North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill)

Thousands of college students wouldn’t steer you wrong. Get some bang for your buck with the five dollar menu at Hi5 in Raleigh. For a more elegant night out, enjoy the view at Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery in Chapel Hill.

Southwest

10. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Marvel at the many, many taps at The Ginger Man, found in both Dallas and Fort Worth. Or be a giddy juvenile (like me) and order the Buttface at Humperdink’s.

Photo by ANOXLOU

11. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Get your kicks with pizza and beer at Il Vicino, located on old Route 66. Sip award-winning craft brews at Chama River Brewing Company, where the chile is as inspired as a Georgia O’Keefe painting.

Midwest

12. Cleveland, Ohio

Admire Great Lakes Brewing Company for their delicious Edmund Fitzgerald Porter. Tour the brewery and you will admire them more for their responsible, sustainable practices.

Photo by mfajardo.

13. Chicago, Illinois

Travelers will love The Map Room, with its weekly International Nights and fun atmosphere. Chat over soccer with Irish ex-pats at The Globe Pub.

14. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Don’t discount Milwaukee as simply the home of Miller Brewing Company. Eat (and drink!) well at the Hinterland Restaurant and Brewery. Homesick Germans can get a fix at the Old German Beer Hall, a great spot that serves Hofbrauhaus Munchen beers. Explore The Safe House if you’re into James Bond-inspired kitsch.

West

Photo by goatopolis.

15. Missoula, Montana

As if the scenery wasn’t intoxicating enough, Missoula also produces some excellent beer. Sample the German treats from Bayern Brewing, self-proclaimed “the only German microbrewery in the Rockies.” Or mosey over to Big Sky for some Moose Drool.

Photo by SchultzLabs.

16. Denver, Colorado

You know a city is serious about beer when they have seven homebrew supply stores. Need more proof? How about the weekly “Mr. Beer” column in The Denver Post? Still not convinced? Join 30,000 beer drinkers each October at the Great American Beer Festival.

Photo by HolyHolySnappers.

17. San Diego, California

Good beer is easy to find in the San Diego area, and these “pubs” are not your typical dive bars. Relax in the beautiful gardens at Stone Brewing Company, or admire the view from the rooftop deck at Pacific Beach Ale House.

Photo by Dead Air.

18. Seattle, Washington

The Pacific Northwest is truly a beer drinker’s Mecca. From the Laughing Buddha Brewing Company to The Stumbling Monk, your time in Seattle will be a spiritual experience.

Photo by Thomas Hawk.

19. San Francisco, California

Foodies know about San Francisco’s wine and culinary offerings, but did you know that they are also the home of exceptional and creative beer? In one evening pub-crawl, bar hoppers have the opportunity to encounter framboise, vanilla beer, and oysterhead stout! Magnolia Pub and Brewery, Thirsty Bear Brewing Company, and 21st Amendment are worth the trip out west.

Photo by richclement.com.

20. Portland, Oregon

Beer is an integral part of Portland’s culture. The quickest way to assimilate and blend with the locals is to hang outside at one of the many McMenamin’s bars with a few local brews and an order of tots. (Get ‘em Cajunized if you like a little spice!) The Horse Brass is also a terrific place to drink, as long as you don’t mind the smoke.

There’s a growing number of websites and publications designed to help travelers find good beer. Take a look at Ratebeer.com, The BeerFly directory and my personal favorite The Beer Mapping Project. You can also post specific questions to readers at Chowhound.com.

Don’t see your town on the list and feel it deserves a spot? Feel free to shout-out in the comments!

Love beer? Check out Beer Quest 2008, a Matador round-up of the best micro-brews and brew pubs in America.