Heading to Tampa to watch the Gamecocks in the Final Four? Here are things fans can do
For the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team, the search for the program’s fourth national title all comes down to this weekend.
The Gamecocks are set to play in the women’s Final Four in Tampa, Florida. Coach Dawn Staley’s team will take on Texas at 7 p.m. Friday night. If USC is able to get past the Longhorns, they would meet the winner of the UConn-UCLA game at 3 p.m. Sunday at Tampa’s Amalie Arena.
While there will be many in the Palmetto State who will be glued to TV sets to watch the Final Four, there will undoubtedly be thousands of Gamecock fans — affectionately referred to as “fams” by Staley and USC players — who will make the trip to Florida. After all, the South Carolina women’s program has perhaps the most ravenous fanbase in the country, averaging 17,000 fans per home game and often taking over neutral site arenas, as they did on March 30 for the Elite Eight in Birmingham, Alabama.
With many USC fans planning to make the trip south for the Final Four, we corralled a few things they might want to do while they are in Tampa, from events near the arena to unique restaurants and amusement parks around town and more.
Busch Gardens amusement park
Yes, we know there is a more famous amusement park in Florida — that one with the mouse over in Orlando — but there is much fun to be had at Tampa’s long-running Busch Gardens. The park, which is open daily, features a host of thrilling, twisting, spinning roller coasters and other rides, including the famed Iron Gwazi. That coaster has a 206-foot high peak and a 91-degree drop, and reaches speeds of 76 mph. Busch Gardens also has a safari tour where guests can see giraffes, zebras, rhinos and more. 10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa.
Tourney Town fan festival
It wouldn’t be a major tournament or sporting event without a good fan fest. For the women’s Final Four, the Tourney Town fest is taking place at the Tampa Convention Center, just a short walk from Amalie Arena. The free festival will be, according to the NCAA’s tourney website, “jam packed with special appearances, interactive games, giveaways, historical and Women’s Final Four team displays, photo opportunities, basketball contests, food, licensed merchandise and more.” Tourney Town will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa.
Columbia Restaurant, Ybor City
When Columbia meets Columbia. The classic Columbia Restaurant, long regarded for its Spanish and Cuban food, has been a mainstay of Tampa’s historic Ybor City neighborhood since 1905. An absolutely massive eatery — it’s 52,000 square feet, has seating for 1,700 customers and encompasses and entire city block — Columbia Restaurant is famed for its Cuban sandwiches, deep tapas menu, decadent desserts and more. The restaurant is quite popular, so you may want to make reservations via Open Table. While you are in the neighborhood, take a stroll and check out some of the area’s famed cigar shops. 2117 7th Ave., Tampa.
GloRilla free concert
One of the hottest hip-hop artists of the moment will be having a free concert during the Final Four weekend. Grammy-nominated star GloRilla will perform on Saturday at Curtis Hixon Park. While the show is free, there will be food and beverages available for purchase. Hailing from Memphis, GloRilla has had several songs land in the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including “TGIF” and “Wanna Be.” Gates will open for the Saturday show at 6 p.m., with DJ ReRe spinning at 6:45. GloRilla is scheduled to go on at 8 p.m. 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa.
