ZooTampa Things to Do: A Family-Friendly Guide to Fun Activities

ZooTampa is a popular destination for families and animal lovers alike. Located in Tampa, Florida, the zoo is home to over thousands of animals and offers a variety of activities and experiences for visitors. Whether you're interested in seeing exotic animals up close, attending educational programs, or simply enjoying a day out with your family, ZooTampa has something for everyone. And, for spring 2024, there's a whole lot going on at the Zoo!

We recently became ZooTampa members and are excited about all the recent additions. Besides one of the most popular attractions, the Safari Africa exhibit features animals such as giraffes, zebras, and rhinos, and there's a re-imagined play area in Australia with rides, a splash pad, and more!

What's New at ZooTampa (2024!)

Expanded Splash Pad: If you've been to the zoo before, you might remember the splash pad. Now, it has new water elements, which makes the zoo even more fun! With the Florida heat, it's hard to stay all day. This area has family-friendly rides, animal experiences, and water attractions, so you can easily enjoy the zoo for longer now since you can cool off.

Family-Friendly Rides: The Australia area also reopened the Tasmanian Tiger Coaster and Flying Bananas, but the new highlight is Aussie Trek! This cute ride takes you on a safari and teaches about Australia's wildlife.

Food and Drinks: You can enjoy the day with snacks and cocktails at the Boomerang Bar! We cooled off with an adult frozen lemonade, which was the perfect way to close our day at the zoo.

Prehistoric Predators: This exhibit ends April 28, 2024, so don't miss out on this! This dinosaur attraction features 15 animatronic animals with display signs, movement, sounds and even interactive water sprays as you walk through.

Animal Exhibits

Besides the additional attractions, ZooTampa has various animal exhibits that will delight visitors of all ages. Here are some highlights:

Florida Wildlife

Florida Wildlife is a must-see for anyone interested in the local wildlife. I could see alligators, panthers, and even manatees up close. The highlight of my visit was watching the playful otters swim and play in their habitat.

Asian Gardens

The Asian Gardens exhibit is home to various animals from the continent of Asia. I could see tigers, elephants, and even a Komodo dragon.

Safari Africa

Safari Africa is home to some of the most impressive animals at ZooTampa. I could see a rhino and even giraffes up close. The highlight of my visit was taking a safari ride through the exhibit and seeing the animals in their natural habitat.

Overall, the animal exhibits at ZooTampa are a must-see for anyone visiting the area. With a variety of habitats and animals to explore, there is something for everyone.

Interactive Experiences

As someone who loves to get up close and personal with animals, I highly recommend checking out the interactive experiences at ZooTampa. Here are a few of my favorites:

Hang out with the Penguins

We signed up for a special animal encounter and got to take pictures with the penguins on one of our last visits. Book ahead since our time slots sold out the day before!

Touch a Stingray

This newly reimagined interactive habitat allows you to touch and feed stingrays while they swim carefree!

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

For a truly unique experience, consider taking a behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo. These tours give you a glimpse into the daily life of the animals and the dedicated staff who care for them. You'll get to see areas of the zoo that are typically off-limits to visitors and learn about the conservation efforts that are underway to protect endangered species.

Overall, the interactive experiences at ZooTampa are a must-see for anyone who loves animals. Whether you're feeding a giraffe, touching a stingray, or going behind the scenes, you're sure to create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

Keeper Talks

For a more educational experience, I recommend attending one of the Keeper Talks at ZooTampa. The zoo's expert animal keepers, who share fascinating insights into the behavior and care of the animals, lead these talks.

You'll learn about the animals' daily routines, diets, and the challenges of caring for them. It's a great way to better understand the animals and the important work that goes into keeping them healthy and happy.

Overall, the shows and talks at ZooTampa are a must-see for anyone visiting the zoo. They offer a unique and engaging way to learn about the animals and their habitats while entertaining the whole family.