This Double Act In Tampa Offers Some Serious Family Fun
Visitors vacationing around the Tampa Bay area or those driving over from Orlando for a day or two in this great destination have discovered a double act…
Read MoreFive-time winner of the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, ZooTampa at Lowry Park is one of the most popular zoos in the southeastern U.S., with over 1 million visitors annually. ZooTampa has now grown to what now encompasses 56 acres of naturalistic animal exhibits in a lush, tropical garden setting. The Zoo offers popular educational programming, fun recreational amenities, up-close animal encounters and engaging seasonal events.
Interesting & useful facts
1.
Tampa’s first zoo was established on the banks of the Hillsborough River in Plant Park back in the 1930's.
2.
There are several great up close signature animal encounters that are perfect for a birthday or special occasion
3.
Parents magazine named ZooTampa at Lowry Park the best zoo for kids in its first ever “10 Best Zoos” survey.
Tampa’s ZooQuarium – Two Can’t-Miss Attractions. One Low Price. Countless Memories.
The fun begins as soon as you step foot through the Zoo’s Main Entrance! Visit the Main Free-Flight Aviary just inside, or splash around in the Manatee Fountains. You can also grab a bite to eat at Garden Grille, take fun photos with the Zootastic photographers, relax at the Mommy Stop or macaw pond, or simply continue on your adventure to one of our 5 continent areas.
Florida is home to a wide variety of exotic animals – including 760 species that exist nowhere else in the world. Here, there are 548 species of plants and animals that are threatened with extinction, including the critically endangered Florida Panther. You can see many of these species, including the Panther and the Manatee, here in the Native Florida Wildlife habitat at ZooTampa.
Leopards and tigers and bears, oh my! Get up close to the many rare and endangered animals in the Asian Gardens. Watch as the tigers explore the water’s edge. Observe the Indian rhinos at play, then come across the Clouded leopards and all their spots.
Swing into Primate World where monkey business is a daily occurrence. See Bornean orangutans, chimpanzees and brilliant-colored mandrills. Catch a glimpse of the tiny squirrel monkeys and many more primates from around the world. The majority of these primates are endangered in the wild. As you visit each one, learn about where they are from and what you might be able to do to protect them.
Follow Zoo Boulevard from the Zoo’s Main Entrance to Carousel Circle where you can ride the Jungle Carousel, grab a sweet treat from the Sweet Shoppe or continue on your journey to Wallaroo Station, Safari Africa or the Florida Boardwalk. Carousel Circle is a central hub for many activities at the Zoo.
G’day, mates! Fancy a walk-about with a wallaby? Or a close encounter with a koala? Then take a stroll through Tampa’s own land down under, Wallaroo Station. This Australia-themed family area provides hours of enjoyment and discovery, including an interactive petting zoo, a water play area, delicious dining and the Tasmanian Tiger Family Roller Coaster.
It’s a jungle in here! See some of the finest natural wildlife at close hand – elephants, zebras, meerkats, white rhinos, cheetahs, pygmy hippos, okapi, African penguins and much more! Guests can stand on the feeding plateau of Safari Africa and get eye-to-eye with the tallest animals in the world – the giraffe. You can also feed the giraffes lettuce, on sale at the feeding station.
Add one of these amazing moments to your day – space is limited.
Waddle on over to meet some fine-feathered friends and get a behind-the-scenes look at how we care for our African penguins. Meet the newest chicks in town and ask any penguin question you may have from our Animal Care Team.
Did you know white rhinos can weigh up to 5,000 lbs.? Come experience the massive presence of this animal by getting up-close, and learn amazing facts from those who care for them at ZooTampa!
Experience first-hand how our Animal Care Team utilizes learned behaviors to ensure our African elephants are maintaining optimal health and welfare. Watch a training session, see our state-of-the-art elephant barn, and talk to the professionals about how we care for the largest land animal on earth.
Get an up-close, unforgettable experience with a Greater one-horned rhino, commonly known as an Indian Rhino – a rare species vulnerable to extinction. During this once-in-a-lifetime experience, guests will feed and learn about this incredible species.
* Children must be age 5 or older to participate in these tours. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult in order to participate in the experience.
Location: 1101 W. Sligh Avenue Tampa, FL 33604
Telephone: (813) 935-8552
Website: https://zootampa.org/