Welcome to Tampa: the coaster capital of Florida

Watch Simon Calder as he tries out Busch Gardens' theme park attractions - and gets up close with a giraffe

Organising a theme park in a brewery: that is what Anheuser-Busch achieved in the grounds of its Tampa operation, many years before other Florida attractions were even thought of.

Six decades on, Busch Gardens has blossomed into the coaster capital of Florida – providing thrills in depth, breadth and height – starting with North America’s tallest free-standing drop tower, Falcon’s Fury.

Any theme park attraction that is so high that it needs to display a warning light for overflying aircraft is guaranteed to be scary. And so it proves. On planet Earth, gravity is usually your friend. But on Falcon’s Fury it’s your mortal enemy. You are strapped into a seat which then hoists you 335 feet in the air before tilting you over so that you are facing straight down – before accelerating to speeds of up to 60mph heading straight to the centre of the earth.

In 2016, Cobra’s Curse opened and instantly became one of the most popular rides in the park. It’s the first with an elevator, and besides the usual twists, turns and inversions, it sends you into reverse and spins you around. And SheiKra is a constant favourite for its raw nerve in dispatching you down a 90-degree drop. Just close your eyes and think of Florida.

You can, though, swap extreme g-forces for extremely cute giraffes. Because in 1965, East Africa came to the west coast of Florida in the shape of the Busch Gardens’ “Serengeti Plain”: a 65-acre habitat for zebras, ostriches and giraffes – which you can hand-feed from the back of a safari truck.

Take to the sky on Cheetah Hunt - Tampa Bay’s longest roller coaster

Busch Gardens is as little as 15 minutes from downtown Tampa – and if you venture twice as far away, you can reach a theme park that was millions of years in the making. The Hillsborough River flows through the heart of Tampa, providing a sparkling artery for the city. But some way upstream, the waterway has a very different character – and has created a cypress swamp that is rich in wildlife. Kayaking through the wilderness with Canoe Escape is a mesmerising experience, with alligators, birds and turtles reflecting in the inky, tannin-rich waters of the river.

Fly on 18 September 2019, direct from London Heathrow to Tampa with Virgin Atlantic from only £659pp. This offer is based on a 7 night stay at the 3* Hyatt Place Tampa Busch Gardens in a standard room, on a room only basis. This offer is based on 2 adults sharing. For more information or to book, please visit myamericaholiday or call 020 8290 9751.

Car hire from Tampa International Airport, Florida with Hertz starts from £25 a day. For road trip inspiration, head to the Hertz American Road Trip Planner and discover iconic and off-the-beaten track routes, downloadable maps and insider guides.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment offer a 3-Park Ticket which offers 14 days unlimited entry to Busch Gardens, SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando from £114 per adult and £109 per child. For more information, visit seaworldparks

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