The Tampa Bay, Florida, area, located on the west coast of the “Sunshine State” near the Gulf of Mexico, is home to WMU-Cooley Law School’s campus in Riverview. The area is home to several sports teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL football team, the Tampa Bay Rays major league baseball team, and the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL hockey team.

Between the beaches, the historic sites, and the sports, cuisine and nightlife choices, the Tampa Bay area is a vibrant location, steady in its growth and attractiveness to tourists and residents alike. Students also find a welcoming home here. In addition to WMU-Cooley, the area is also home to the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa.

There is much to do and see in the Tampa area, including such attractions as Busch Gardens, a unique blend of thrilling rides, live shows, restaurants, shops, games, and one of the country’s premier zoos; the Florida Aquarium, one of the top aquariums in the country, with over 20,000 sea creatures;  and the Lowry Park Zoo, featuring about 1,000 animals, including manatees, koalas, elephants, tigers, penguins, giraffes, orangutans, and more, along with water play areas, rides and educational shows.

For many of these locations, visitors can get a break on admission prices with the Tampa Bay CityPASS. This is a booklet of admission tickets to five must-see tourist attractions in Tampa Bay, including Busch Gardens Tampa, The Florida Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and a choice of either the Chihuly Collection of art works, or the Museum of Science and Industry.

There is so much to do in the Tampa Bay area, it’s easy to run out of time. Other attractions listed by TripAdvisor are the Tampa Theater, with beer fests, wine tastings, and classic movies; Big Cat Rescue, where visitors get an up-close look at the wildflife, and the towering Sunshine Skyway Bridge spanning Tampa Bay. The bridge is more than just an easier way to get around the area, it’s a destination site for visitors and photographers alike.

Interested in touring our Tampa Bay campus? WMU-Cooley offers campus tours that can be tailored to your needs.