Travel News

Convention City Travel in Tampa and Charlotte: A CBS This Morning Report

Locations in this article:  Charlotte, NC Tampa, FL

Convention citiesPeter sat down with Charlie Rose and Gayle King on CBS This Morning to share what’s happening in  advance of the Republican National Convention in Tampa and the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. With sky-high hotel rates and tens of thousands attendees expected (not to mention hurricane threats in Florida), the chances of getting a relaxed vacation in either city right now is unlikely. Check out the video below and read on for more tips on how to avoid the crowds, plus some one-tank trips that will get you out of the cities and into lesser-known areas.

Tampa is expecting more than 50,000 attendees, while Charlotte is expecting at least 35,000. According to hotel and rate tracker TravelClick, during the convention August 27-30, hotel rates in Tampa are up about 132 percent, and occupancy will be as high as 90 percent. Between September 4-6 in Charlotte, hotel rates will be up 122 percent, and occupancy will shoot up as high as 99 percent.

But here’s where it gets interesting: According to TravelClick, as of Friday, August 31, when the RNC is over, hotel occupancy is expected to drop to about 36.8 percent in Tampa. In Charlotte, post-convention occupancy will be around 38.3 percent.

One the conventions are over, hotels are going right into shoulder-season pricing. We’re talking about rates around $119 a night at the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk and $109 a night at the Hyatt Regency Downtown. Book by September 7 for stays through September 30, 2012 and all Marriott hotels in Tampa will discount rates by 25 percent on bookings three nights or more. Downtown Charlotte hotels will drop their rates after the DNC—for example, you’ll be able to get a room from $110 a night at the Charlotte Marriott, and $160 a night at the Charlotte Hilton.

Still set on being front and center at a convention? To help alleviate the congestion, Humana is providing free Freewheelin pedal buses in Tampa and Charlotte for attendees to get around. Each pedal bus can accommodate up to eight passengers plus a driver, and are powered solely by the people pedaling on the bus. Hey, it’s a totally green way to get around.

Or you could get out of downtown altogether and check out some of the less-traveled areas around the cities—and you can get to these places within one tank of gas.

Just about 50 miles southwest of Tampa is Anna Maria Island, a little piece of old-world Florida that isn’t overrun with tourists. Mainsail Beach Inn is among the most upscale properties in the area, and is currently offering a fifth night free deal, with rates starting from $234 a night for a 2-bedroom suite.

Fall foliage in Asheville, North Carolina

And most first-time visitors completely overlook the very cool Bok Tower Gardens, located in Lake Wales, Florida, about 60 miles east of Tampa. Situated in the middle of an orange grove is landscape designed by famed architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. It’s a quiet getaway with nature preserves, meandering gardens, a 20-room Mediterranean Revival mansion, and its centerpiece, the 205-foot Singing Tower.

From Charlotte, there’s a quirky getaway within 100 miles: Mount Airy. This is the real Mayberry, as in the home of Andy Griffith. Not only can you find references to The Andy Griffith Show like Floyd’s City Barber Shop and Opie’s Candy Store, but Mount Airy is perfectly situated for hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway and wine tasting along the Yadkin Valley Wine Trail.

And just a little farther afield is Asheville, one of the best places outside of New England to catch early fall foliage. In this region the colors of the Blue Ridge Mountain range offers a kaleidoscope of colors, starting from the highest elevations and making their way down as the temperatures drop. Keep an eye on the changing conditions with the weekly foliage report.

Related links:

By Sarika Chawla for PeterGreenberg.com