Iowa in Outback Bowl: Travel information for fans going to Tampa to watch Hawkeyes

Hawkeye fans again have the opportunity to ring in the new year in sunny Florida, as Iowa takes on Mississippi State in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.

It's the sixth time Iowa has played in the Outback Bowl, all since 2004.

Kickoff is at 11 a.m. The game will be televised on ESPN2 for those who can't make it to Tampa. But for those who are thinking about going, here's everything you'll need: 

Bowl packages

Travel packages and tickets to follow the Hawkeyes to Tampa for the Outback Bowl are available at the University of Iowa athletics website, you can call  also (800) 424-2957 for more information. 

The Iowa Athletics Ticket Office is accepting online bowl orders at hawkeyesports.com/bowlcentral. Fans may also order tickets by calling 1-800-IAHAWKS Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Priority-point order deadline is Friday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m.

Official bowl travel packages are also available at hawkeyesports.com/bowlcentral.

Travel

A road trip from Iowa City to Tampa would be a little over 18 hours, according to Googles Maps.

Expedia shows that round trip flights from the Des Moines Airport to Tampa (TPA) for Dec. 30 to Jan. 2, range from $450 to over $900 and almost all require at least one stop. Flying out of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, round trip and for those same dates cost anywhere between $230 and $550, and prices to fly out of Minneapolis (MPS) range from $330 to $750.

Lodging

Raymond James Stadium is about five miles from the Tampa International Airport. As of Sunday afternoon there were still many hotel rooms available near the airport such as the Tampa Stadium Hotel for $122 per night, a little over a mile from the airport. 

Things to do in Tampa

The game only lasts so long. One major attraction in Tampa is the Lowry Park Zoo, where tickets are $30 for anyone 12 or older and $22.95 for kids, ages 3 through 11.

Or take a drive to the Florida Aquarium — about $25 per person — a 20 minutes drive from the airport.  

Average January highs in Tampa are around 70 degrees, so the beach is always an inviting option. According to visittampabay.com, there are 18 beaches in town that cost nothing but time.

For late Christmas gifts or retail therapy, Hyde Park Village offers on-street retail from local businesses and restaurants.