International Plaza and Bay Street, Tampa, Florida

Tampa's a city on the west coast of Florida sitting beside the Gulf of Mexico. Tampa is a large retirement community and a college town. Activities in the area include shopping, sunbathing, sailing, boating, fishing, and water sports. There are museums and an aquarium in Tampa for visitors and residents. One place to shop in Tampa is the International Plaza and Bay Street.

The International Plaza and Bay Street was developed by Taubman Properties. Their goals have been to create, manage, and acquire retail properties residents will want to visit. Taubman began in 1950. The company went public in 1992. They have a home base in Bloomdfield Hills Michigan. They also have a subsidiary in Hong Kong. Their malls are spread throughout the world. Shopping malls built by Taubman are indoors with elegance at the center. Glass round towers, circular staircases, tile and carpeted floor with leather seating, and ceilings that look like the ocean are just some of the decor Taubman has used for their malls.

Taubman's Tampa location has the same standards as many of their shopping locations. It is an indoor mall with Bay Street shops outdoors. Bay Street, Level 1, Level 2, and Section L mark the different areas of the mall. Section L has a few stores near the garage parking. The 2 Levels are anchored with Nordstrom, and Dillard's. Also Neiman Marcus and Ballard Designs are part of the main section of the International Plaza.

The mall is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10am to 9pm, and Sundays 11am to 6pm. Holiday hours will differ and there are certain shops with special hours. For example Chick-fil-A is never open on Sundays. Mall walking is available at 7am daily.

There are shops like The Boutique at Robb and Stucky Interiors, Crate and Barrel, Time Square International, Swarovski, and Yankee Candle Company. For shoppers wanting books, cards or stationery there is American Greetings, Montblanc, News at the Plaza, Sanrio, and Waldenbooks. Children's stores include Abercrombie, The Children's Place, Gymboree, Janie and Jack, Journeys, Justice, and Quiet Flight Surf Shop.

Electronics and Toys such as Adrenalina, Apple, Bose, Build a Bear Workshop, Ritz Camera, and Sony Style are housed in the International Plaza. Men's and women's fashion are the largest categories for shopping at the International Plaza and Bay Street Mall. Such shops include Abercrombie and Fitch, Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Bebe, Cache, Coldwater Creek, and Custo Barcelona.

Restaurants to keep tourists going during their day of shopping include Bar Louie, Blue Martini, Brio Tuscan Grille, Cafe Japan, California Pizza Kitchen and The Capital Grille. The Cheesecake Factory, Earl of Sandwich, Galeteria del Duomo, and the Grape are also other places to eat. Some of these restaurants are filled with wait staff, while others can be found at the food court inside the two level mall.

The International Plaza and Bay Street Center is more than just a shopping area. There are events during the year shoppers can attend. These events differ from music, movies, and store sales.