2017 Gasparilla: Alternate Routes To Hospitals, Other Entertainment

TAMPA, FL – For some Tampa area residents, the annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest is the highlight of the year and a can’t-miss event. For others, life still goes on without pirates and parades.

The City of Tampa will host a couple of other live events, along with its usual attractions and services, during the 2017 Gasparilla Pirate Fest. The city has published suggested routes for people looking to avoid the traffic and road closures during the festivities as best as possible.

Here are Tampa’s list of alternate routes to its downtown attractions, services and entertainment:

Hospitals

Click here to view the alternate routes map for Tampa General Hospital.

Click here to view the alternate routes map for Memorial Hospital.

Suggested routes to downtown attractions

For people driving to the Amalie Arena, Tampa Convention Center, The Florida Aquarium or Harbour Island, the City of Tampa recommends the following routes:

Southbound I-275

• South on I-275 to I-4
• East on I-4 to Exit 2 Brandon, left-hand Exit (toll)
• South on Selmon Connector (follow 22nd Street signs)
• Right on 22nd Street to State Road 60 (Adamo Drive)
• Left on State Road 60 (Adamo Drive) to Channelside Drive
• Left on Channelside Drive to venue

Northbound I-275

• North on I-275 to I-4
• East on I-4 to Exit 2 Brandon, left-hand exit (toll)
• South on Selmon Connector (follow 22nd Street signs)
• Right on 22nd Street to State Road 60 (Adamo Drive)
• Left on State Road 60 (Adamo Drive) to Channelside Drive
• Left on Channelside Drive to venue

Westbound I-4

• West on I-4 to Exit 2 Port of Tampa, left-hand exit (toll)
• South on Selmon Connector (follow 22nd Street signs)
• Right on 22nd Street to State Road 60 (Adamo Drive)
• Left on State Road 60 (Adamo Drive) to Channelside Drive
• Left on Channelside Drive to venue

Westbound State Road 60

• West on SR 60 to Channelside Drive
• Left on Channelside Drive to venue

Eastbound State Road 60 (Kennedy Boulevard)

• East on Kennedy Boulevard to Howard Avenue
• Left on Howard Avenue to I-275 E.
• North on I-275 to I-4. Exit 2 Brandon – left-hand exit (toll)
• South on Selmon Connector (follow 22nd Street signs)
• Right on 22nd Street to State Road 60 (Adamo Drive)
• Left on State Road 60 (Adamo Drive) to Channelside Drive
• Left on Channelside Drive to venue

Eastbound Selmon Expressway

• East on Selmon Expressway to Exit 6A (Florida Avenue)
• North on Florida Avenue to Whiting Street
• Right on Whiting Street to Morgan Street
• Right on Morgan Street to Channelside Drive
• Left on Channelside Drive to venue

Straz Center for the Performing Arts

For the 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. showings of Cabaret at the Straz Center, the City of Tampa recommends the following routes:

From South Tampa

• Take Dale Mabry northbound to I-275 northbound, to Exit 44 Ashley Drive. Continue on Ashley Drive to Tyler Street, then right to available parking.

From Brandon/Lakeland

• I-4 westbound to Downtown Exit 45A. Follow Downtown West signs to Doyle Carlton Drive. Turn left on Doyle Carlton through Laurel Street to available parking

From St. Pete/Clearwater

• I-275 northbound, to Exit 44 Ashley Drive. Continue on Ashley Drive to Tyler Street, then right to available parking.

From North Tampa

• South on Tampa Street to Laurel Street. Right on Laurel Street to Doyle Carlton Drive. Left on Doyle Carlton to available parking
• I-275 southbound to Downtown Exit 45A. Follow Downtown West signs to Doyle Carlton Drive. Turn left on Doyle Carlton through Laurel Street to available parking

Amalie Arena parking

The Amalie Arena will host the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. For access to the Amalie Arena in the morning and evening, the City of Tampa recommends the following garages and lots:

• The Selmon Expressway Lots: $15 flat rate for the circus
• South Regional Garage (at Thunder Alley): $12 flat rate, open from 7 to 10:30 a.m. for parade and circus parking. After 10:30, parking will be restricted to Arena Reserved Parking Passes for the rest of the day.

Patch staff photo