Brandon Town Centre Mall – near Busch Gardens
After a busy and enjoyable day at Busch Gardens, what could be more delightful than a spot of retail therapy, followed by a meal at a great restaurant? Well, just a stone’s throw from this park you will find the 974,000 sq ft. Brandon Town Centre, with over 100 stores, plus restaurants, and even a 20 screen Movie Theatre a short distance away.
When you leave Busch Gardens retrace your steps and head east to the I75, joining it at Exit 265. Head south until you reach Exit 257, and exit onto Highway 60, going East. Brandon Town Centre Mall will be found on your right hand side. Here you will find an exciting and stunning mall, with soaring walkways, extraordinary aquatic sculptures with fountains, and a tropical theme. It is bright and spacious, and offers everything from clothes, shoes, jewellery, gift stores and all the major departmental stores. Whether it is a new outfit or an impulse buy, a gift or simply the chance to window shop, you will find it all here.
There is JC Penney, Dillards, Macy’s, and Sears for you and the family to explore, plus numerous other fascinating shops and stands – including every sort of flip flop that you can think of – beaded and sequinned, in all the colours of the rainbow – you are bound to find something you like.
Within the mall you will find some unusual and charming sculptures, in metal, with fountains cascading down from them, or rising up from around them. My favourite is the friendly looking alligator which beckons you with a twinkle in his eye – dare you get any closer? There is an enchanting manatee, floating above the water, and surrounded by small fountains, and two frogs, with moving mouths, where water trickles down. There are attractive seating areas where you can watch the world go by, and of course there is a food hall with an array of eateries and restaurants, such as Ruby Tuesdays, Panera Bread, Twin Cactus Mexican Grill, Italian Pizza from Sbarro, Chinese cuisine from Great Panda, Steak Escape, and Cajan and creole from Big Easy. And if these are not enough, just outside the mall you will find Romanos Macaroni Grill, Smokey Bones – traditional American BBQ and many more within a few minutes drive.
For the children there is a shimmering gilded carousel for them to ride on, with twinkling lights and music, and if that does not satisfy then visit the Bear Factory, or the Disney Store, or perhaps grab an ice cream from Haagen-Dazs, or a cookie from the Great American Cookie Company.
But if your feet are aching from all those attractions at Busch Gardens, then simply sit and relax in one of the many attractive seating areas. You will find it quieter than the usual tourist malls, but with all the things you would expect – a variety of shops and departmental stores, plus a food court and restaurants close by.
Rita Fraser
Tropical Dream Villa
OV 576
September 25th, 2005
After a busy and enjoyable day at Busch Gardens, what could be more delightful than a spot of retail therapy, followed by a meal at a great restaurant? Well, just a stone’s throw from this park you will find the 974,000 sq ft. Brandon Town Centre, with over 100 stores, plus restaurants, and even a 20 screen Movie Theatre a short distance away.
When you leave Busch Gardens retrace your steps and head east to the I75, joining it at Exit 265. Head south until you reach Exit 257, and exit onto Highway 60, going East. Brandon Town Centre Mall will be found on your right hand side. Here you will find an exciting and stunning mall, with soaring walkways, extraordinary aquatic sculptures with fountains, and a tropical theme. It is bright and spacious, and offers everything from clothes, shoes, jewellery, gift stores and all the major departmental stores. Whether it is a new outfit or an impulse buy, a gift or simply the chance to window shop, you will find it all here.
There is JC Penney, Dillards, Macy’s, and Sears for you and the family to explore, plus numerous other fascinating shops and stands – including every sort of flip flop that you can think of – beaded and sequinned, in all the colours of the rainbow – you are bound to find something you like.
Within the mall you will find some unusual and charming sculptures, in metal, with fountains cascading down from them, or rising up from around them. My favourite is the friendly looking alligator which beckons you with a twinkle in his eye – dare you get any closer? There is an enchanting manatee, floating above the water, and surrounded by small fountains, and two frogs, with moving mouths, where water trickles down. There are attractive seating areas where you can watch the world go by, and of course there is a food hall with an array of eateries and restaurants, such as Ruby Tuesdays, Panera Bread, Twin Cactus Mexican Grill, Italian Pizza from Sbarro, Chinese cuisine from Great Panda, Steak Escape, and Cajan and creole from Big Easy. And if these are not enough, just outside the mall you will find Romanos Macaroni Grill, Smokey Bones – traditional American BBQ and many more within a few minutes drive.
For the children there is a shimmering gilded carousel for them to ride on, with twinkling lights and music, and if that does not satisfy then visit the Bear Factory, or the Disney Store, or perhaps grab an ice cream from Haagen-Dazs, or a cookie from the Great American Cookie Company.
But if your feet are aching from all those attractions at Busch Gardens, then simply sit and relax in one of the many attractive seating areas. You will find it quieter than the usual tourist malls, but with all the things you would expect – a variety of shops and departmental stores, plus a food court and restaurants close by.
Rita Fraser
Tropical Dream Villa
OV 576
September 25th, 2005