Photo courtesy of ZooTampa Media Relations, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sixty-three acres and more than 1,300 animals make ZooTampa at Lowry Park one of the biggest family draws in the city, and it’s earned the reputation to match — the zoo has picked up TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award repeatedly and USA Today’s 10Best Zoos recognition. It’s open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 1101 W. Sligh Ave.
The scale is real: this isn’t a petting-zoo afternoon, it’s a full day. Manatees, elephants, and a genuine safari-style Africa exhibit sit alongside the kind of rotating seasonal programming (Christmas in the Wild, Creatures of the Night) that gives regulars a reason to keep coming back rather than treating it as a one-time visit.
Tickets run $46.95 for adults and $36.95 for children (ages 3-11) when purchased in advance online; same-day prices at the gate run higher, $51.95 and $41.95 respectively — worth booking ahead if the trip is already on the calendar. Children under 3 are free.
One logistics note worth knowing before you go: as of January 5, 2026, ZooTampa began charging for parking for all non-members, including Zoo Fun Ticket holders — budget an extra $5 per vehicle on top of admission.
Reviewers consistently describe it as a genuinely family-oriented outing rather than just a place to kill an afternoon — one visitor summed it up simply: “This is a great zoo for a family oriented adventure. Lots of animals to see and plenty to do. Well worth the money.” With over 4,100 TripAdvisor reviews backing that sentiment up, it’s not a one-off opinion.
For a full day that covers toddlers through teenagers without anyone getting bored, ZooTampa remains one of the most reliable family outings in Tampa Bay.
1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa, FL 33604.