TAMPA – The malls WestShore and International Plaza are about a mile apart, and together make for a great afternoon of shopping in Tampa. On the St. Petersburg side of downtown Tampa, so close to Clearwater at St. Petersburg and right off the Interstate 275.
- International Plaza: Far larger, grander, and a more upscale clientele, in a massive office park really close to Tampa International. Anchor stores are Nordstrom, Dillard’s and Robb and Stucky furniture, with the usual mall stores like Hollister. Also the spot for more unique mall retailers like Apple, Sony Style and Sanrio’s Hello Kitty. Great kids’ play area with Tampa Bay Rays theme; you can sit there for hours. Parents are quite chatty, so you won’t be bored. Food court is good; a side restaurant area has places like Cheesecake Factory and Capital Grille.
- WestShore Plaza: More funky clientele, but some great stores and really hopping with popular restaurants like P.F. Changs, Maggiano’s, Palm and the like. Has very upscale Saks Fifth Avenue as well as Old Navy and Sears and Macy’s. Right across the street from the Tampa Intercontinental Hotel, as well. One more great thing; also across the street is the Tampa Blue office, where you can walk into a clinic with your BlueCross card. Free Wifi in the food court.
