Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (2024)

Here are the top 20 places you should check out to get the best experience of your time in Tampa. If you want to see more, visit our full list here.

1

Big Cat Rescue

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Permanently closed

Wildlife rescue service

Zoos & Aquariums

The Big Cat Rescue is a non-profit organization that provides care for large cats who have been abused or abandoned. The sanctuary is home to more than eighty animals, including lions, tigers, lynxes and leopards. Visitors can take tours of the facility to see these animals up close. There are also night safaris and photo tours available. The organization relies on donations from the public to keep it running.

Visited long before the Netflix show came out and I am glad we did. Such a great place and we loved it. The animals looked very well taken care of. It’s a shame they closed due to the absurdity of people and honestly the safety of the owners. Once they reopen I will be bringing my other daughter so she can experience it as well.Note: the photo is from years ago when BCR had an exhibit in the mall. Been supporters for years!!

Angel R — Google review

It's closed to the public now. All the signs are down. Pretty area a walk / bike path goes along one of the sides of the property but all you can see is what I posted in these pics.

Sue C — Google review

Glad to hear they are closed. I hope it stays that way. I wouldn't recommend taking your kids to a place like this. Cedar Point kings island Disneyland and any of the above would be a much better idea. After watching a movie series This place put a bad taste in my mouth And I would never take my children anywhere near this place. You know Carol knows best for the whole United States. Lmfao what a joke..... Don't Waste your hard earn money or your time.

Brandon K — Google review

The closing of this park is good. Even if they were rescuing animals, they are living in way too small enclosures, from what I've seen on photos and videos. I hope the animals have a better place in the future.

Cornelia B — Google review

We had Kristen, Bridget, and Jeff as our guides. They were very friendly and made the experience educational yet enjoyable. They answered questions honestly and if they did not know the answer they did not pretend. As a whole Big Cat Rescue is so worth the money. You get a guided tour where you have a device and a fresh ear phone. When you pass by a rescue cat the guide will play a story through your ear phone so you understand what happened to and why the cat is now in a sanctuary. All of the habitats are large and truly enjoyable for the cats. This truly was an amazing experience that will touch your heart. They had said at the very end that if you call and read off the script (pictured) it is worth 100 signatures on a petition.

Chelsea B — Google review

never been, but the fact they made the decision to close in order to protect their big cats is remarkable. it genuinely angers me seeing people get frustrated with such a decision, knowing they only care for the amusem*nt park type aspect to it. probably the same people who didn’t wear masks or spread Covid due to no precautions. thank you for protecting lovable and deserving creatures, everybody on the team is definitely selfless and hard working people :,) <3

Mateo B — Google review

Here me out, I have never been to Big Cat Rescue for a lot of good reasons, I will list my top three...1. Their donations aren't for the cats. It's about the money, if they were spending it on the cats, the enclosures would look bigger and there would be more foliage and possibly more land. The sanctuary looks like it hasn't been redone in about 20/30 years.2. They promote cub petting. Which is a cruel act against the cubs especially the mother. I understand if it's a smaller species of cat like a lynx or a caracal. But not cubs, especially tiger cubs who depend on their for at least a year or two.3. For the people that have visited this sanctuary, if you want the better for the animals, stop visiting Big Cat Rescue and go to an actual zoo that takes care of their animals or visit one of the wolf sanctuaries in California, who are struggling financially and the state trying to take away their land. Visit Clearwater aquarium or Jacksonville zoo who rehabilitate animals and properly release them in the wildThat's all for my review

Lacey K — Google review

Extremely disrespectful people! Responses to bad reviews such as "I fear for your children" and "reconsider your life choices" are outrageous! Not everybody is going to enjoy visiting your establishment.. Learn some manners and common decency.Edit.. in response to your reply; I think you have proven my point beautifully!You have no guest list, if you did you'd see that I am on it.

Rachel M — Google review

Went on the keeper tour. We loved it and the work they have put into the rescue center is amazing. Staff are great and very knowledgeable. The 2 hour tour may have been a little long on my 10 year old, but the 12 year old loved it. For 2 hours it may be a little expensive but I think it's well worth it.

Eric W — Google review

This is a great place for wild cats sanctuary. They really do take care of their wild cats that have been abused. Whether they were former circus performers, from people who think they can raise tigers, lions in their home then have gotten too wild or people breeding them illegally for private sales. These cats are well take care of here and can live out their lives in peace without abuse.

Hanh N — Google review

Shout out to CB. Passing thru your area, was hoping to meet you but looks like you’re closed. Can you recommend a good cut of meat at the Smokey Bones BBQ joint next door to your establishment? Smells really good.

Kelli A — Google review

From research and experience, very bad place. Replies to these reviews are repetitive and down right ignorant. I do not need to visit this place when I have interent access that gives me photos and proof on the life of these animals.Animals are in small spaces and need a bigger enviroment as well as different indoor and outdoor enclosures in order to give them their proper needs. The small cages for feeding are not acceptable and do not give the animals proper enrichment, they need to have dead animal body parts scattered round and possibly even different animal scents in order to give them the proper wild experience they lack.The cages as I said before need to be larger and they need an indoor enclosure as well that can keep them out of the rain and harsh weathers, America suffers from tornadoes and earthquakes so assuring there safety during those times building a shelter that can protect them would be helpful as well as give them another place to hide away from the people that visit your "rescue".You can be hands off with them and still go into their cages to give them everything they need and even if i was to watch your own spin off of tiger king on netflix i ensure i could point out so many wrongs in it. If you want to give them the best life up to death than please do it properly.And if the big cat that has seizures from loud sounds like helicopters is still alive, i would highly suggest building a sound proof indoor enclosure for them so if you hear a helicopter approaching it has a place to go to that will avoid this issue.And also please pay the people that work for you, they take time out of their day to do a job and get no pay for it and needs to be sorted out, if you was doing that in the UK you would be shut down for abusing employees.If your gonna copy paste your response like you did with everyone elses, dont bother responding. Just take what i say in consideration.

Axel H — Google review

Do take your self, friends, family to this wonderful Rescue. You will learn so much about how these cats got there, through no fault of their own and cannot be returned to the wild. Most came from horrible places.Take the feeding tour..much value here and your money goes to help sustain these magnificent creatures who need our support.No where can you get so close and the cats are happy and healthy, they even have a vacation area to run and enjoy. Tigers have a portion of the lake to enjoy safely. Much thought went into this habitat for the cats. Become a supporter. This is a wonderful experience.

Susan K — Google review

I loved visiting this place and I love going back when I'm in Tampa. This is not a zoo but a place for felines who can no longer live in the wild. You will meet cats that used to be mistreated or were rejected by zoos because of their age/health. The only way to visit is with a guided tour where they will tell you the story of every feline living in the rescue. I loved how they have big areas to play and run. The volunteers do an amazing job here, they're very informative, and the cats look very happy. At the end of the tour, you can go visit the store. There is also an area where you can adopt one of the cats.

Claudia C — Google review

Big Cat Rescue is really great! They do amazing work there caring for big cats that would otherwise not have a safe place to live out their days. They are not a zoo, but an actual rescue. The cats always come first. Highly recommend a visit. You'll learn a lot.

Don C — Google review

Absolutely wonderful place that rescues big cats from bad situations and gives them a safe habitat and care. Such an amazing experience!!!! I would highly recomend visiting Big Cat Rescue. It was very clean. The cats looked and acted very well cared for. The guide Jennie was very informative and really sweet. Elizabeth the volunteer was a total sweet heart too. Everyone was great. Such an amazing experience!

Donna P — Google review

I don't know if I have the words for how much I love this place and what they do for these cats' lives who have (with a few exceptions) been rescued from horrible conditions. These cats have huge enclosures and the cats who choose to do so take turns going on "vacation" in even larger enclosures. The bigger cats vacation enclosure is 2.5 acres! You can watch the big cats' vacation enclosure 24/7 on explore dot org. Some people only see a small part of a cat's enclosure and think the enclosure is small. If it looks small, they went through a door or tunnel from a much larger area. The cats get enrichment (different sprays or spices on toys and treats) to help keep them from getting bored since they should be living in the wild instead of in cages. Because of the amazing care they receive, many of these cats live into their 20's when they would only live to be 10-12 in the wild. The cats couldn't be more spoiled or loved by the staff, keepers, and interns who go through very extensive training and are all really knowledgeable. The tours are awesome and given by volunteers so every bit of the money goes towards the care of the cats. BCR does so much to fight for big cats' rights, end the abuse, and would actually love to go out of business! They know big cats should not be in captivity and provide the best possible care and the most love for their cats who were born into captivity and therefore can never go free.

Jen S — Google review

Truly amazing rescue. when the guides talk about each cat you can hear the sympathy in their voices and see the passion in their eyes. As happy as it was to see these animals happy, safe and VERY well fed, its still emotional hearing about where they came from and how many cats are still out there not receiving the care they need. We had a great guide named Tonya. She was very knowledgeable, very personable and cool as hell. She volunteers there most days out of the week. Shes there to make a difference, not for a paycheck. Everyone there is a special type of person. Also. They are working to get a big cat public safety act hr 1380 passed. You should call your local rep and tell them you support the act!

Brian G — Google review

Big Cat Rescue is a huge favorite of mine. I went once eight years ago and returned this year for my birthday. They take such great care of all of the cats and the tour guides know every single one's story. Their mission is noble and the education they provide is top notch. Being able to see these cats relaxed and peaceful is an amazing experience that everyone should get to have.

Harleigh C — Google review

2

The Florida Aquarium

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Aquarium

Zoos & Aquariums

The Florida Aquarium is a large aquarium with exhibits about the wetland habitats of Florida. There are sections dedicated to shoreline ecosystems and collections detailing the character of the deep ocean. The aquarium also has a coral garden and shark dives.

REALLY enjoyed our morning at the Aquarium. It all depends on your family's attention level. Some reviews complain that it's not much for the price. If you're expecting an all day experience, this is not it....but, for a morning (about 2.5 he's, my teenager and I really enjoyed it. The exhibits are close together and flow well - everything is kept up well and looks nice. There is plenty of interpretation and technology at each spot. The staff were friendly and helpful and the hands on exhibits were great. We loved touching stingrays, jellyfish, urchins, the sea slug, stars and anemones. The FREE luggage check is GREAT for travelers and plenty of facilities (bathrooms, benches, food opps, etc) for all. The art exhibit based on recycled trash was a great showcase. NOTE** Be honest with your family's patience level. If your family rushes and kids have no interest in nature/aquatic life, this won't "wow" them necessarily for hours and $30 may be more than you'll care to spend. But for many families, there is PLENTY to do, stress free touring, great exhibits, and an overall great experience

Dan K — Google review

The Tampa Aquarium has really upped their game, having been many years since we last visited.Great galleries covering just about every kind of fish and living creature in and around the Gulf.Never have seen so many people there at once, plenty of room and did not feel crowded. Bathrooms were clean, as was the entire building.Parking can be a bit difficult, best to park in the ramp across the street and walk a few 100 feet.We had a wonderful time and will visit again soon.

Jason O — Google review

Probably one of the most organized aquariums I’ve been too! A few hours is all you need. There is a splash pad for kids, a touch tank and many cool and unique are pieces though the exhibits. Not overly crowded, but maneuvered my way around the people

B C — Google review

Was blown away! Traveling from Seattle we had a lot of kill time after ending our cruise and, what’s more convenient than a aquarium right next door?! We took the opportunity to visit this aquarium with a huge chance to kill many hours before our flight and we had a good 3-4 hours of picture taking, and walking around to cover. They even had a full food court to enjoy lunch. We arrived at opening with 5 pieces of luggage and they even have a system to leave your belongings (at no cost)for those who have that concern of being stuck with luggage like we were. The place is nice cooled for us non-Florida folk, good gracious you people got it hot!From sharks to rays, and eels to 🐧 penguins this place had it. I saw various species of fish and mammals and even got to feel jellyfish and sting rays!Seattle is known to have a nice aquarium, but it doesn’t even scratch the surface of the Florida aquarium! This is a great opportunity for anyone to go and visit. It’s a gem!

Jeff A — Google review

What a lovely experience! We enjoyed a nice lunch at the Cafe with a cool craft beer. Then off to visit the exhibits, which were filled with a wonderful variety of species. We thoroughly enjoyed the natural Florida mangrove section.We finished the day by checking out the gift shop and getting some souvenirs.All in all a nice way to spend an afternoon.Parking is a bit of a walk, but safe sidewalk access to and from.

Jeff D — Google review

Great experience once we got in the aquarium. It must’ve been a lot of people on Spring Break. We went on a Wednesday. It took about 35 minutes to find parking. There was a line out to the street to get in the aquarium. Once we were in, we loved every minute. The exhibits were very nice. The animals were so cool and neat to watch. We got caught in the rain going outside to visit the penguins and had to run back inside. To me it was worth the money. We spent about 3 1/2 hours there. Very crowded and people were bumping into other people. The souvenir shop line was so long, we didn’t even waste our time trying to buy anything. Food and beverage very expensive. We purchased 2 churros and that’s it. We waited until we left to eat.

Valencia T — Google review

Wow what an aquarium. We spent 3 hours there and really enjoyed all the exhibits they have. I enjoyed seeing the Lemurs and learning about the many varieties of Jellyfish. My husband enjoyed the Otters and we both enjoyed seeing the sharks and the schools of fish swimming in a circle. There is a water feature for kids to play in as well as a place to catch lunch along with a well stocked gift shop. It's a bit pricey but young kids will love the exhibits and the hands on stations throughout the aquarium.

Carol M — Google review

Awesome experience at the aquarium! Great for young children. I would recommend that you purchase the annual pass if your a local. After paying for parking and tickets it’s only 20 dollars more to become an annual member. With the annual membership you get free parking. You have to purchase your membership before you come and register your car so you can take advantage of the free parking. Facility is very well maintained with a splash zone for kids and lots of hands on exhibits.

Justin P — Google review

I was blown away by this aquarium! We spent about 4 hours here, which was so unexpected. I’ve been to the Georgia Aquarium (which has huge exhibits and shows) more times than I could count and I loved this one just as much. It’s very unique and there is just so much to see! We were also really impressed with the people who worked there. If you have small kids, be sure to pack a bathing suit and/or a change of clothes. There is a nice outdoor splash pad that we had no idea about!

Erin M — Google review

Awesome day spent at the Florida Aquarium. There are lots of different things to see and look at. I definitely recommend getting the membership if you have small kiddos. They offer military discount. They have a great outdoor splash pad area. There is also a bar outdoors that offers lemonades, water and alcohol. There is an indoor restaurant area that you can order food at.

Gloria F — Google review

One of the best aquarium experiences I have ever had. So many exhibits and species to see! The Madagascar exhibit is amazing with the open air birds and fish all together in one dome! I was blown away by the reef tank as well 500'000 gallons! Definitely a must see when in or near Tampa! Use the website to buy tickets it's cheaper!

Andrew C — Google review

I've never been so jealous of not being a fish or porpoise. The entire establishment is expertly clean and meticulous on presentation. The care for the animals is paramount, and it shows. My family and I enjoyed every moment of the day at the aquarium. The pictures we took came out incredible. This aquarium is a shining example of how to care and run a successful and sustainable business, equally beneficial to its inhabitants and patrons.

Luis M — Google review

Planned a trip up to Tampa to check out this aquarium and it was absolutely wonderful.We entered the lobby and there was a staff member by the map who answered all our questions.While we were in the lobby, they brought four African penguins through the lobby on a little show and tell. It was delightful. The waddled through and were so curious! One of the days many highlights.I really enjoyed the pace of the exhibits; they were spaced perfectly for us to leisurely stroll through and stop when we wanted to investigate something further. Another thing I really appreciated was how the exhibits flowed into one another. I never had to look at a map and we saw everything. It took us about 4 hours (2 adults, no kids). We finished with lunch from the cafe, which was also great!Something I noticed - there were always lots of staff around, helping with just about everything and answering questions, which was great.Overall it was a wonderful experience. Definitely recommend.

Elle T — Google review

The Florida Aquarium is beautiful. There is such a wide variety of wildlife that we don't get to see at a lot of other aquariums. Make sure you see the otters while you're there, they like to do backflips under water and propel themselves across the water... it's so adorable. The atmosphere is relaxing and the interior is very modern. The staff is extraordinarily nice. The only downside is parking, you need to walk about 5 minutes from the car but all-in-all it's really not that bad. Wait times to get inside aren't longer than 10 minutes either. This is a great place for kids, family, and friends. I highly recommend you take a visit and enjoy your day!

Christian C — Google review

We had a great time. Plenty to see and do. From touching jellyfish to the other interactive exhibits, it was definitely worth the price. It was quite crowded, but spacious enough that we didn't feel squeezed in. Lots of different species of animals and something for everyone. Parking can be difficult but ample paid parking in a garage across the street.

Ryan S — Google review

Such a great aquarium. Lots to look at. My only gripe was there was such a build up for the African penguins and I went to see them and there were 3 in a small, very small room outside. So sad and disappointing. So I would wait until 2025 they are building a big structure for penguins, seals and one other exhibit.They do have great displays especially the wetlands area. The birds are right next to you! I am an avid aquarium goer and this would be my number 2 it's close to my number one which is the Atlanta one.This aquarium does have a water play area for little kids plus a playground.Tickets were expensive $37Parking wasn't bad $10 for the day

Melissa W — Google review

A must do when in town. A very nice place to spend a few hours but know that it can be pretty crowded on the weekends and during special events. Wonderful displays of marine life, helpful guides and great hands on learning exhibits for kids and adults. Fairly expansive facility and a worthwhile stop in Tampa.

C L — Google review

I really love this aquarium!! I have been there twice now. They have such a great variety of animals. I would highly recommend it for all ages. There is construction in the parking lot but it wasn’t to bad. U just have to walk a little farther.The first time I went here there were not very many people but the second time an elementary school was visiting. I’m happy for them that they could go in sure it’s very fun and educational for the kids but it was SO loud and packed with kids running around. I liked it a lot better the first time without all the noise.

Meghan — Google review

This is one of the best aquariums I've ever seen! We had a phenomenal experience seeing and interacting with the different animals.The birds were in a bigger room so we could get pretty close to them. It was very interesting seeing them eating and how they move around.There are three expositions where you can touch the animals: the stingray, the jellyfish and the starfish.They had a nice eating dinner with and inside and an outside area. As well as a kids splash area outside.

Steven Z — Google review

A Wonderful Experience for All AgesI had the opportunity to visit the Tampa Aquarium in Florida and I must say it was a truly enchanting experience. The aquarium offers an incredible variety of marine animals and attractions that captivate visitors of all ages.Upon entering, I was immediately taken aback by the beauty and diversity of the aquatic animals. From colorful tropical fish to majestic sharks, there's a vast array of species to explore. The tanks are designed in such a way as to provide a clear and close view of the animals, which makes the experience even more exciting.The quality of the facilities is simply exceptional. The tanks are well maintained and clean, providing a healthy environment for the animals. Additionally, staff are always available to answer questions and provide information about the animals and their habitats.One of the things that impressed me the most was the affordable price of the ticket. Considering the size of the aquarium and the quality of the experience offered, the amount charged is very reasonable. The aquarium also offers discounts for families and groups, making it even more affordable for everyone.The environment inside the aquarium is peaceful and relaxing. The soft lighting and background music create a calm and immersive atmosphere, perfect for enjoying the beauty of marine animals. There are also comfortable rest areas where you can sit and gaze at the surrounding marine life.The aquarium offers a complete program for families, with interactive activities that delight children and adults alike. There are educational presentations, animal feeding and even the opportunity to touch some species. Children are sure to love this unique experience.Parking at the Tampa Aquarium is convenient and spacious. There is ample space available, which facilitates the arrival and departure of visitors. In addition, safety is a priority, with staff present throughout the area to ensure visitors' peace of mind.In summary, my visit to the Tampa Aquarium was simply wonderful. The variety of marine animals, the interactive attractions, the quality of the facilities, the affordable price, the relaxing environment, the family program, the convenient parking and the security are aspects that make this aquarium highly recommended for everyone. If you're looking for a fascinating and educational experience, don't miss the Tampa Aquarium.

Jairo J — Google review

Amazing!!! Best aquarium I’ve been to. I loved seeing its wide variety of fish, birds, and other animals. I especially loved watching the sharks! I spent quite a few minutes just watching the shark tank—I loved watching the sharks, stingrays, and moray eels! I visited once last summer and again this summer. I loved it both times!

Olivia S — Google review

Excellent aquarium but very crowded. They could definitely use more sharks. There's only two big sharks and one little bonnet head. Kind of pricey and parking is expensive but otherwise a good time. They also have a playground if you have the kids.

blindman4 — Google review

This aquarium a MUST! It was wonderful from start to finish and is SO much more than an aquarium. We enjoyed not only the aquatic life but also many birds, lemurs, penguins and more. There is also a playground and splash pad right next to a bar/ restaurant for the adults to enjoy a beverage. The staff was extremely informative and answered so many questions! I would recommend this to anyone of any age. Amazing !!!!

C F — Google review

I love this place. Each tank has a gorgeous display of sea creatures. Very clean. Fish look very healthy. I loved the penguin add on experience. I will never forget how adorable they are. The women who taught us about the penguins were fantastic. You can tell they really love their animals. The boat ride is a little pricey and mostly you see the industrial canal. We did see dolphins riding the bow waves of a big ship coming in which was cool. Watching the sharks get fed was really interesting. The food at the cafe was really good. Definitely try the Korean steak and noodle bowl. I also thought the soak pad for the kids was a great idea. The garden eels are my favorite to watch. This place is expensive but I do feel it is worth it.

Michelle W — Google review

We stopped in to the The Florida Aquarium while visiting the downtown Tampa area. Definitely recommend purchasing your tickets in advance, the line to purchase tickets was very long and we were able to walk right in since we had purchased our tickets online. The Aquarium was huge, it didn't seem that big from the outside. They had several areas where you can touch sea creatures like jelly fish, star fish, sea urchins and sting rays. The aquarium was very informative. My family really enjoyed it and we would recommend for people of all ages.

Tracey N — Google review

I’ve been to many different aquariums. This is not my favorite, but it’s still a nice aquarium that took us 2 hours to go through. I loved that we could see more than just the aquatic life as they had several snakes, water fowl, frogs and more. I do wish they had a dolphin or sea lion show. I enjoy aquariums who have that. However I was very excited and impressed with all the sea life we were able to feel. We touched jelly fish, sea stars and sting rays. They really have some beautiful electronic information displays too. It was nice to pinpoint where the fish was located in its natural habitat. Every worker was super friendly and customer oriented which is almost rare to find a business with that many great friendly staff! The facility was decently laid out. Just when we thought we had seen everything we’d find more to look at. It was nice to see such a variety of sea life as well. If you enjoy aquariums I do think this one is worth checking out despite it being a little pricey. However keep in mind that price helps feed and care for all their animals along with many other factors. Glad we went as my 3 kids had a great time!

Melissa R — Google review

I LOVE this aquarium. We actually got the membership and we reserved tickets online for a scheduled time.The staff are always so incredible. They’re kind, professional, knowledgeable and passionate about the animals, and they’re always so friendly. BIIIGG “Thank you!” to The Florida Aquarium’s janitors- the bathrooms are always clean, the floors always look so great! 🤗 We’ve even witnessed people diving to clean the inside of the glass! 🤩Just in the last 6 days my family and I have been 3 times! Thank you, membership! 🫡😂 This aquarium is spacious and you don’t feel like everyone is stacked up against one another which is awesome!Enjoy the photos I’ve shared from our visits! 🤗

Delilah D — Google review

This place was amazing! There's plenty to do, and it's very kid/family friendly. The food at the cafe was great and the prices weren't too bad. Definitely recommend a visit if you're in the area, but I'd also recommend buying your tickets in advance.

Busty C — Google review

Came here on a day off with my boyfriend for a date and honestly so glad we came!! I felt like a big kid in awe over all the exhibits. We came on a weekday, and they do require purchasing tickets in advance, so we made it in pretty quickly. There were a lot of kids on school trips, which made some areas a little hectic. But it was also nice to see the children learning and enjoying everything. We will definitely be on the lookout for the penguin and seal exhibit to be arriving in the years to come!

Anthi M — Google review

I took my Granddaughter for her birthday to the Aquarium . It was half outdoors and half indoors. It was fascinating to see so many different species of fish. There were other things like frogs snakes alligators.. I didn’t get tickets ahead of time so when I got there I had to buy them over my phone I had to make a reservation time so i would highly suggest purchasing tickets before you would leave to the park. Also you have to pay for parking with credit card . Location is right where the cruise ships depart .

Linda M — Google review

This place was really fun. We parked close by and parking was $10. We used a City Pass here which was quick and simple with the City Pass app. We spent roughly 2 hours at the aquarium. It had a really neat layout with a lot to explore. There lots more here than just fish, there are reptiles, birds and penguins. Would be cool to see a better, more permanent display for the penguins but they seemed fairly happy.

etch250 — Google review

It’s a nice aquarium and small, prices for tickets are quite high for the experience. Went there on a weekday and it was a lot of people. Only lasted there for an hour, wish there was more to see. I recommend buying tickets online in advance since it’s a little cheaper than paying in person on day of visit.

Airika — Google review

Great place to visit, with many unique and exciting exhibits. Fun place for the young and old alike. There are lots of things to do and explore. There are plenty of interactive experiences to entertain people of all ages. Just like anything in Tampa, try to avoid peak times for a more enjoyable experience.

William ( — Google review

I've visited 20+ aquariums across the country and this was by far the most chaotic. You must get tickets ahead of time, so we purchased 2:30 on a Friday afternoon. They had a queue line and didn't use it. Instead the line stretched down the sidewalk as far as the eye could see. It was 1:40 and we had 2:30 tickets and confirmed with the employee we should get in line. By the time we worked our way to the front the other employee was removing all the 2:30 people from the line and saying we shouldn't have been told to get in line. At 2:15 then they told the 2:30 group to get in line. There were masses of people everywhere. Why not use the empty queue lines?? My review doesn't really describe how confusing and chaotic it was. The employees weren't unfriendly, but definitely we're not friendly or helpful. Once we were inside it was a mass of people, crowded exhibits, super noisy and chaotic. We also got bad info from another employee inside, but that is another story.To be fair, if I only rated the exhibits I would give 4 stars. But the overall experience I would give 2 stars. This is the first time I've ever left an aquarium stressed. I personally would not go back. Maybe we went on a bad day, but basing my review off of the day we went.

Will G — Google review

Fun little Aquarium, right down town. Not the greatest parking but excellent exhibits and interactive areas. The kids had a great time on the splash pad, and lunch was amazingly good, not what you'd expect at a 'captive audience' park.

Mark L — Google review

Tickets are priceyMust buy ahead of timeWe were able to make a day out of it.Splash Pad and Playground was a great mid day treat, then lunch. Be prepared to pay alot for beverages. Chocolate milk was $5 my yummy salad was $14 which was worth it. I'm not sure why drinks are so pricey.Then we walked back around aquarium.

Kym S — Google review

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Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (9)

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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (10)Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (11)

Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (12)Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (13)

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3 lists

Theme park

Water & Amusem*nt Parks

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an African themed amusem*nt park with thrilling rides, live entertainment and family-friendly activities. It is one of the top attractions in Tampa for guests all year round.

A really nice park to visit for a day. Some of the rides are a little rough, but all in all a lot of fun.The Sesame Street kids area was wonderfully themed and had some great things for my son to do.Security took a little while to get through but I think that is my biggest complaint. The food and beverages around the park were delicious.

Corey A — Google review

Our visit was on Groundhog Day, lucky us, six more weeks of cooler weather. Great day to stroll this amazing theme park. Animals appeared to be more active today than in the heat of summer.Wonderful wildlife (caged or fenced in) viewing areas throughout the park. Many thrill rides and children areas. A very nice train ride where you can see many different animals. Train has wheelchair access on board. A variety of dining options; somewhat pricey. Lunch for two, Chicken Tenders / Fries / two drinks can set you back over $30. There is 10% off food, 20% off merchandise with annual pass. Check web site as prices and offers may change.Many of the attraction and shows were closed due to maintenance or health concerns. Just the same, a very enjoyable day out with family.Park is clean and staff are polite and pleasant.Recommended checking website for prices, events, and times before showing up in the parking lot.

El K — Google review

Overall wasn’t the best experience, some rides are really fun, train ride was good as well, however most animals on the train ride can’t be seen. Lines are fast moving and organized. Layout is cute. Some misters around the park to cool off was much needed, more would have been perfect. Customer service is basically non existent in the restaurant and cafe we went in. Would we go again not sure 🤔

Rima A — Google review

We arrived shortly before 9am and there were cars already waiting in line. The park opens at 10am, however, they opened the lines for parking at 930am. You can either walk to the gates or take the tram. If you have purchased tickets online, you can go directly to the self-ticketing kiosk, and scan your printout and you will receive your tickets. The park is nice, loved being able to see the animals. It was cold, so going on the roller coasters was interesting 🥶 the best ride for me was Cobra's Curse. Loved going backwards and spinning in the coater cart 💯 but it was a short ride! The longest waiting ride, is Cheetah Hunt. You will want to ride this one as soon as you get in! Definitely lots to see and do. I suggest more spots for purchasing coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Too cold for ice cold beer! LOL!

C R — Google review

Great rides staff is rude and acts like they hate their job . Don't get me started on the waste of money on the highest season passes we paid for . No preferred parking we are always told and there is always plenty of spots open , extremely rude parking people at the pay booths saying they have security and I'm not allowed to even look to see if they have any spots open when that was a lie . Aside from that the park is dirty and they choose to do yearly maintenance on rides when it gets warm outside and not in off season . Now keep in mind aside from that they have a lot of nice rides and it's beautiful and peaceful there at night time so don't not go cause of a few issues . If you like coasters then it's a great place

Chris D — Google review

Great roller-coasters and good food. No shows during the week, so plan on walking around seeing animals, which is nice until it gets hot they tend to hide in the shade. Definitely get the meal package, worth it! Waits are not bad during the week.

D. — Google review

We went to Busch Gardens for a day when it got a bit chilly for beach fun. It was Monday, December, 3rd, the last day of Christmas break and it wasn’t very crowded. Quick queue passes and all day dining made our day really easy and stress free. These triple the cost of your ticket but are well worth it, if don’t want to spend all the time in lines and have several teenagers in the family who eat a lot like we do. All day dining includes an entrée, a side or desert and a fountain drink in any of 5 main restaurants every hour. It doesn’t include any snacks or other food vendors. Mind: you still have to wait in lines to get food in restaurants, so we didn’t even go to a BBQ place that smelled so good, the line was probably more than an hour long there and we didn’t want to waste time. We also went on Serengeti safari tour and loved it: got to feed the giraffes and see all the animals up close. The rides are awesome, me and our youngest kid 9y.o. did some family friendly rides, which were too much for me anyways (I just can’t do any roller coasters). My husband with older kids had a blast on all the crazy rides. Everyone loved our day in Busch Gardens, we’ll definitely be back.

Eva V — Google review

Went on a Tuesday mid July. Park was fairly busy but literally everything was shut down. It rained for a bit but other than that it was just cloudy but they kept the rides and games closed anyways. I was there for 4 hours and got to ride 1 ride and play 1 game, the rest of the time was us walking around the park trying to find something to do. The animal exhibits were cool though, animals were very active. Don’t get the all day dining. It only works for certain restaurants and their food is sub par at best since it seems it’s not very organized in terms of making it and getting it out. I got chicken tenders and fries and it made me almost puke (I hate saying this because I know it’s an amusem*nt park, but this was just bad). The one ride I rode was fun though, it was the new iron coaster and was a lot of fun. Line went by at a decent pace and the ride itself was fun. Staff were friendly and helpful whenever we needed it. Honestly, just save your money and go to universal or somewhere else. $300 to waste that I can’t get a refund on!

Bre C — Google review

A great place for families with children. We spent three days there - that's all you need to see and do all the attractions. great option to travel by train around the complex - safari wonderful! Sesame Street and attractions around it - very well thought out, for children of all ages and more. We had a great time here! We'll be back someday :)

Emilia R — Google review

The fun card pass works best because we had rain for several days and you may not always qualify for a rain pass refund. We can also use this particular pass for the rest of the year, in case we decide to go back. The all day meal pass works best for large groups. Several restaurants provide a good portion size, so kids could probably share a meal together from one pass. The train ride is perfect for getting to different areas of the park, while getting photos of the wildlife. Make sure to check out the shows, they had an ice skating show that was a quality event, plus it is cool inside, if you need a break from the heat. The vehicle parking is across the street from the park. They have a tunnel that allows you to access the preferred parking area, which gets you really close to the entrance (it's a $15 premium over regular parking). If you download the app, the map feature will actually help guide you through the park. The location function must be active on the phone. The app will also store all your passes if you buy online, so you will not need to keep up with tickets. If it is raining, some of the walking paths can be slick. We saw one kid running and tried stopping quickly and ended up on their behind.

Richard N — Google review

I've been here a bunch of times over the years, ever since I was a kid, back with the original owners of the theme park. I most recently visited in Feb 2023. It was fun. It wasn't as fun compared to ten or twenty years ago. I feel like the park has lost some of its luster. Not run down per se, but just not as much upkeep as I remember compared to previous visits. But, the roller coasters were a lot of fun. And if that's why you're coming to Busch Gardens, and it probably is, then it's a decent place to visit.

David P — Google review

Fantastic, you get to experience the best of both worlds a zoo and a theme park. My son and I could not explore much because it was raining, and the park had to close for weather safety. We Will go back. The rides are cool and exciting. Many restaurants, and the ambiance is exciting. The scenery is different than other theme parks. That is what makes it unique.

Buffet D — Google review

I recently visited Busch Gardens in Tampa, and it was an incredible experience! The park is a perfect blend of thrilling rides and amazing animal encounters. The roller coasters like SheiKra and Cheetah Hunt were a blast, and the animal exhibits were both educational and entertaining.The staff were friendly and helpful, and the park was clean and well-maintained. The food options were diverse, and I particularly enjoyed the dining experience at Serengeti Overlook Restaurant. The landscaping and scenery throughout the park are stunning, making it a great place to enjoy a day outdoors.Whether you're a thrill-seeker or looking for a fun family day out, Busch Gardens has something for everyone. I can't wait to return for more adventures and excitement. Highly recommended!

Jennifer R — Google review

Amazing park in Tampa. Lot ofRides and fun activities inside along with animals. Loved this place. Enjoyed till last moment. DON’T miss any rides. Has good amount of rides for toddlers as well.. Sure I am gonna visit this place again..

Sam K — Google review

This place is a hidden gem. Not too crowded. Get here early and the lines for rides are not bad at all. The later you stay, the longer the lines get for the rides.The staff are helpful and friendly. The animals are worth the trip. So many to see. Gorgeous representation of their species. The park is clean. They do an outstanding job of keeping it presentable.Cost of food here is like you would expect at an amusem*nt park. Quality of food is subpar at the locations we did try.Overall, my visit was amazing. It was well worth the visit. One FULL day is all that's needed to do everything you need to do here. Two FULL days will allow you to get your complete fill of the amusem*nt park.

Jonathan W — Google review

Great park with a mix of big coasters and smaller rides. A fair number of rides and restaurants were closed. We were definitely there on a slow day, barely a wait for anything except lunch. The Sesame area is really fun for the little kids. The tree house was a favorite.

Suzanne A — Google review

Fantastic day out with the family.Easily accessible parking (albeit a little expensive) with a short connecting land train to the park. We had purchased tickets via an agent and they were really easy to collect from the self service machines.The food options were great. We took advantage of the all day dining option and despite reading some pretty damning reviews, I felt it offered excellent value for money - we each had five drinks throughout the day and two meals which were great portions and very tasty. The food at Zambia Smokehouse in particular was really nice.The rides are brilliant and there are a great selection for all ages. We visited on a weekday and in general the lines for all rides were short and I think the longest wait was around 30 minutes.The animal element of the park is great and our kids loved seeing Flamingos, Giraffes, a Rhino, Gators and Elephants as well as loads more. The staff all really seem to genuinely care about the animals too and it was lovely to see them caring for them throughout the day. The environments in which they are kept seem to be as close to natural as they can be and none of the animals at any point looked like they were sad to be 'on show'.In summary, a great day. A completely different experience to the other theme parks in Florida and well with a visit if you haven't been before.

David H — Google review

Just AMAZING.I payed for the safari tour, Sloth tour and Penguin tour and it was amazing ❤️ such a wonderful experience! I honestly love the fact that they explain to you so many things about how to help the conservation, how to save the wildlife and how their bodies work and such. I learned so much and I was just amazed by the greatness of every single animal I saw. ❤️The park is great, clean and had wonderful workers.

Luisa S — Google review

This is my first time at this location. I was very surprised to find that not only does the park have rides and attractions but it also has a grief focus on wild animals. There is an Animal Care Center that you can enter and at times there will be a veterinarian taking care of an animal. There are exam rooms that have clear glass in front of them so that you can observe what the doctor does with the animals. The park seems to be well-designed for families. I would recommend this place if you want thrill rides animals and family fun!

Michael S — Google review

I love Busch gardens. I used to go to the one in Virginia. I felt it was much better in the terms of maintenance. May be the Tampa bay park isn’t that well maintained probably due to they just opening to public after Covid. I had gone to this park in the late summer of last year.This location also has a small zoo. The roller coasters are pretty good, the park has something for everyone. They also have shows.Would definitely come back here.

Sindu — Google review

Been a Florida resident my whole life and Busch Gardens never disappoints. It is a fantastic park! The animals, the rides, the attractions... they even have up close animal encounters which are amazing. I would definitely recommend everyone go spend the day. As the rides are exciting, the park itself is relaxing and caters to everyone... whether you are a ride enthusiast, park lover, admirer of animals... everyone will have a great day.

Ashley H — Google review

We always have a great time at Busch Gardens! Lots of exciting roller coasters, beautiful animals with amazing conservation efforts, and fun shows. We liked the new Summer shows. Open late for Summer Nights. Closed a few times for Summer thunder storms, but that's to be expected in the Florida Summer. They do a great job keeping everyone safe. Wonderful staff! Very accommodating for my child with autism. Oasis Pizza was yummy! Our favorite is always the pretzels at Twisted Tail though. That's a must try! The price of the drink refills have gone up again, but the cups are still a good deal, especially when you want to stay hydrated in this heat. You'll wish you got a refillable cup. Love having a pass and we will definitely be back!

Jennielle P — Google review

First time at Busch Gardens, and it was great overall. My wife and I went on Friday, and it was surprisingly quit empty for a Friday, so it meant super quick lines. We never had to wait much for any of the rides. The ride "Kumba" was closed along with one of the water rides, which was a bummer. Also, some of the animal attraction places were empty with no signs, so that was a waste of time. Parking was $30 for the day ($45 for preferred parking), but you can take the mini tram that drives you to the front entrance of the park. The rides were definitely fun. Food options are okay over there, and the markups on beverages/water are insane (we paid close to $6 for a water bottle there...). The park felt like it was missing more rides as we got done pretty quick with no lines, and it also felt like workers were just waiting around. All in all, I'd definitely recommend paying a visit if you are in town as the rides are fun and thrilling.

Mohammed A — Google review

This place is awesome!! It has a lot of roller coasters for adults and young people and there is a special area for kids that is pretty big! You can find food, beverages, souvenirs and more! You can also enjoy the different attractions and shows, you can spend the whole day here without being bored. I really recommend it. I had a really great time here.

Becca L — Google review

We had a lot of fun here. I grew up going to Six Flags in Georgia and the rides and everything here were so much better. My favorite was the cheetah coaster. I love how everything in the park is themed and decorated and all the foliage everywhere helped keep it cooler along with all the fans. They had some Halloween decorations up as well, that was cool to see. We already want to come back again.

Jennifer S — Google review

Had an amazing time. Best theme park. Roller coasters are awesome. Safari experience is a one of a kind. Food is amazing and the atmosphere is full of fun! Glad I'm a newly season ticket holder!

Erik N — Google review

Love this place and the events they throw throughout the year. Definitely the type of amusem*nt park where you get the best of both worlds: thrilling rollercoasters and viewing animals!Definitely being a local, it’s worth it to get an annual pass for the perks and discounts. My friends and I love coming for the special events each month and seeing new shows and performances that come in or eat during their food-festival events. We are big fans of the regular foods available all-year, too, where this park definitely is above other theme parks in the state for food quality and cost.The animals look well cared for. The staff in the animal’s spaces can answer a lot of questions about them. You can also see that they have buildings dedicated to animal rehabilitation (like surgeries) and conservation efforts.Of course this is Florida and the weather can be nasty at times, they will close down rides due to weather issues in the area. This is when my friends and I would catch a show or go walk by the animal areas if it’s lightly drizzling. All the rides are outdoors, so it’s likely when the weather reports say it’s raining that all of the rides are down for that time.Parking is $30, if you are a silver or gold annual pass member, it’s free.

Ana — Google review

Busch Gardens Tampa is an amazing place! This place doesn't really have as many roller coasters as other major parks do. but I think that all of the other rides makeup for that. The coaster collection is very strong and has some of the best in the world. The flat rides in the park are also very good. The quality of the park is in very good shape after over 50 years of operation. The one complaint that I have is how there are too little kid rides and family oriented attractions. The food here in my opinion is like any other theme park food. Overall, this place is worth visiting for anyone.

Jonathan C — Google review

I love Bush Gardens! They have a wide variety of coasters plus lots of other rides for all ages and thrill seeking levels. The shows I have seen are fantastic, especially Turn it Up Remix (ice skating show). They have many animals there, including the Serengeti Savannah which you can do a safari or take the train through. There is so much to do and it is a beautiful park!It can get crowded with long lines, so you might want to pay for the quick queue.

Will G — Google review

Had a blast here. Went on a Thursday and lines were fairly short was able to ride most the rides multiple times and even getting front seats. I would suggest the food and drink day pass and share it. You can get food and a drink every 90 minutes. We really enjoyed the safari ride and feeding the Giraffes. It was an awesome experience. I also enjoyed the amount of animals to see mixed in to the amusem*nt park and rides. The Iron Gwazi was awesome and would absolutely suggest the front seat for the 91 degree drop.

Bradford L — Google review

Great number of animals to see on the train tour. Roller coasters are awesome, but be careful if you are 6 foot or taller. You won't be able to fit on a few of them. Had a great time.

Edward W — Google review

This place offers the best of both worlds, a zoo and a theme park. We started off with a train ride which brought us on a safari like tour across the plains. Being a parent with two young kids, we were definitely pleased to see the large playground with rides suited kids below the age of six. We ended the day with the ice skating show at the theatre which showcases exceptional ice skating talent. Definitely a day well spent.

Henry L — Google review

My first time and it was fantastic.Was in the park from about 11-9 and saw pretty much everything it has to offer and could even enjoy the Goo Goo Dolls doing a show while we walked around that side of the park. Wonderful views from the restaurant/bar overlooking their safari.Ashley and Taylor were wonderful as our Safari guides and I can't think of a place you can get closer to the giraffes.Multiple shuttles to & from the parking lot, easy access and a nice friendly layout.Highly recommend it and can't wait to return.

Joshua T — Google review

The Food and Wine Festival had great options! We purchased the stamp card and it was perfect. They do have a few vegan and vegetarian options at a few of the stands. The rides had short lines today, but we also purchased the fast pass. We waited maybe 2 minutes for one of the rides. All the rollercoasters were awesome! We had a great experience today and will be back in the future. Also, they actually had a decent amount of stuff for kids to do.

Chris — Google review

We had so much fun. I visited 25 years ago as a kid, it was very nostalgic to ride the roller coasters I enjoyed then all these years later. The new additions were great, we will definitely be coming back.

Scott C — Google review

My first time going and we had a blast! Plenty to do, we were there for 8 hours. There are animals, kids park and shows, great restaurants. I recommend you buy the all you can eat bracelet for $50. You can eat and drink all day every 90 minutes. There's a BBQ smoke house that's amazing. I had an amazing time!! Can't wait to go again 😍

Ginger C — Google review

My family had annual passes so we go to Busch Gardens often. It is worth looking at the website and planning if it will be your first time. The park is very big and you will not have time to do everything in one single visit, but by planning you are able to make the most of your time there.The train is one of the best rides there if you want to see the animals, and it is better to do it in the morning.The sesame street area is very cute for children, my nephew enjoys it a lot and we get to do a lot of rides with him there.The food and drinks are great, but there are some not great options. So research and consider what you like before buying anything. I would recommend Dragon Fire Grill where there is a lot of choices to maybe please the entire family.The shows are amazing, especially the ice skating shows. Definitely worth the time and you do get to sit in the AC for a while which is great for the hot summer months.This is one of our favorite parks in FL, and will definitely continue to visit!

Cristina T — Google review

This place is so fun. The cheetah ride is a blast and so fast! My daughter loved the river ride.The food was really good and I loved that all the animals had nice enclosure and they were very clean and wide open. We will definitely go back. Perfect place for people of all ages. Lots of fun things to do for very small children as well. I appreciate all the shade they provide as Florida heat can be miserable at times.

Jessica V — Google review

4

Henry B. Plant Museum

Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (14)Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (15)

Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (16)Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (17)

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Museum

Historical landmark

History Museums

The Henry B. Plant Museum is a museum in Tampa, Florida that preserves the Gilded Age period of American history. The museum is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and contains original hotel furnishings from the late 1800s. The museum also showcases exhibits on Florida's early tourism industry as well as Asian and European art.

Love the museum and staff a lot! This place is such a treasure to visit😃 so many good histories here. You got to see a lot of beautiful antiques plus old photos! The museum is really well maintained! The admission is so cheap compared to the things you can see!!! Highly recommend!

Harry C — Google review

It was very interesting learning about the history of Tampa and the hotel. I loved that I could hear the history on my phone when I wanted. In addition, on Sunday there was a delightful actress that gave some history on life at the hotel. The grounds outside were beautiful and the gift shop was nice. Bring your camera to capture the unique architecture and artifacts.

Marcia M — Google review

Beautiful hotel with original antique furnishings. I've been to many museums but I have never seen furnishings of such high quality and in such wonderful condition; exquisite! There is also an online tour of the hotel, explaining the history of Tampa, the building of the hotel, and the acquisition of its contents. A must-see for any history or architectural enthusiast! Museum staff was very friendly and helpful. The best part..., reasonably priced!

Sharon G — Google review

A fabulous museum. The history of this hotel is a tremendous piece of Tampa history. Everything was well preserved in a beautiful section of the building. I have been fortunate to be able to visit.

Alex C — Google review

Very interesting to visit, hope they have more rooms preserved in old style. The museum itself with audio tour takes about an hour to two , and probably worth some extra time walk around the campus.

Deisai — Google review

My wife and I went there today. There’s a lot of history. Amazing what they did back then. Enjoyed looking at all the antique furniture in the museum and the building is absolutely amazing. Very architecturally appealing. It’s not a huge museum but it has a lot of things in it and I think it’s worth going

Bob D — Google review

The Christmas trees at the Henry Plant Museum at the University of Tampa are a festive spectacle! Each tree is adorned with care, bringing a touch of holiday magic to the historic surroundings. The attention to detail in the decorations, coupled with the museum's unique charm, creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. It's a perfect blend of tradition and elegance, making it a must-see during the holiday season. The Henry Plant Museum's Christmas trees are a delightful celebration of the season, capturing the spirit of joy and festivity.

Diane-elaine C — Google review

UT is a a lovely campus, and we totally enjoyed the Henry B. Plant Museum. It was busy with people taking photos in Christmas, wedding, and other occassions. You must visit the museum store where they helped with our purchased, also the museum greeter was so friendly and helpful. Staff make this museum visit a 5 Star. Thank You.

Mike R — Google review

This time, I visited for the Victorian Christmas Stroll. What a treat! Feels like stepping back in time, walking through the halls, and seeing the antique Christmas decorations. I adore the reading and writing room, its spine chilling because it is still exactly the same as it was when Henry B. Plant was still around! (plus some extra decorations for Christmas!). A delightful historical experience that is a must-see in Tampa!

Victoria V — Google review

Beautiful museum to visit. Old structure made it even more interesting. It was not crowded inside during our visit and was easy to park. Very organized inside and you'll learn the history of the place while enjoying the tour.

Simply R — Google review

My visit to this museum was so pleasant! While small, they've really managed to fit a ton inside. Definitely take the time to read all the info provided on the various plaques throughout. There is also a free audio tour available by scanning a qr code at the entrance. It took a little over an hour for me and my dad to see everything, not including the full 14-minute film that's offered. The architecture is absolutely gorgeous inside and out!There are a few parking spots directly in front of the museum and if those are full, there is additional free parking in a garage about 3 blocks away.

Alex — Google review

Great piece of American history! The museum is a small portion of the building. So go in understanding that this is a very small museum. It is reasonably priced and they do well fitting a lot of historic pieces into a small area. The architecture is beautiful. The video was 14 minutes and really informative, while it is outdated I can understand why they wouldn't update it. As you go through the rooms, there are numbers to hear the guided tour. Each number is usually 40 seconds to 1 minute. They do a great job with the upkeep of everything, and the workers were all very nice.

Amanda R — Google review

Nice place to visit. Park in the Thomas garage, which is free for visitors. There is construction going on in the rear, and you will have to walk around to the park side to get in. If you have an infant, you can drop your pram off at the entrance.

Daniel S — Google review

We’re there for Victorian Christmas. It’s stunning!!✨✨The only problem is the poor lighting. It’s hard to get some good pictures since there’s too much sunlight from outside. It’s also I don’t have a good camera😣

Nova A — Google review

This was a great time. We enjoyed the decorations and learned alot about the past of the museum. Sitting on the porch and enjoying cider was also wonderful. Parking is a notemare!

Jean S — Google review

Visited this beautifully restored hotel museum. The staff are very nice and helpful. There is parking in the front or a garage just up the road if full. You can not bring drinks or bags into the museum, which is understandable. They staff work really hard to maintain museum contents and want to ensure to preserve everything for the next visitor. There's a room where you can sit and watch a video for context at the beginning of your visit. I would definitely recommend a visit if you're in the area!

Shay W — Google review

Such a jaw dropping stunning piece of American 🇺🇸 history. A true inspiration, Henry Plant created this eye catching hotel that makes anyone stop and stare.If you are in Tampa you need to visit the University of Tampa’s campus.First of all off of the canal it looks like a mosque or something with minorities. As you get closer you see the ornate structure and realize you’ve stumbled across a functional piece of art.Go there check it out. You will not be disappointed.

Hiba R — Google review

We attended the Victorian Christmas sSroll on the final evening. I had never been to the museum before. They did an amazing job at decorating for Christmas and provided a really beautiful atmosphere to celebrate the season. Staff was very friendly and I recommend anyone going.

Lena U — Google review

5

Glazer Children's Museum

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Children's museum

Museums

Non-profit organization

The Glazer Children's Museum is an interactive learning center for children aged 0-12. The museum focuses on providing fun and educational experiences for kids through exhibits that utilize their imaginations. Kids can learn about saving money, commerce, veterinary medicine, navigation, and more in the various exhibits that the museum has to offer.

My 6 yr old, 4 year old loved it!! So much to do. We went on a Saturday in April it was pretty busy but we never had to wait for anything. They had little activities throughout the day and it's stroller friendly. Even had a small area that my baby could enjoy. It's just two floors so it's smaller than ones I've gone to but so much fun.

Myranda — Google review

My little ones absolutely love this children’s museum. From the 0-3 newborn/toddler area to the waterways exhibit and from the arts & crafts corner to the play pizza making area, and more, there is something for everyone. We especially appreciate the rotating exhibit space which keeps things fresh and the little cafe which provides several options to feed one’s hungry tykes. The place is kept very clean w/ hand sanitizing stations in front of every play section. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. And we love how at the end of the day, a staff member leads the kids in attendance for the day on a mini parade through the museum. If you either live in the Tampa area or are just visiting, we highly recommend this place for families, especially those with little ones.

Kathleen M — Google review

My 7-year-old granddaughter enjoyed everything! The bottom floor had a water feature she played with for over an hour. "Big John," a fossilized Triceratops skeleton exhibit, (largest known Triceratops skeleton) on the third floor had interactive features. Tickets are required to view it at a specific time. There was a "grocery store," a fire station pole," and a "pizza restaurant," among other things.

Yvette's G — Google review

Big John is awesome! Wonderful news exhibit that will be there on the 3rd floor for the next 3 years. The fort building area is super fun and they had a reading time when we visited this time. We love the Glazer, which is always a wonderful experience because the other areas change so often. The moment kiddos might be getting bored with things, they change it up.

CC — Google review

Interactive fun for the whole family- This place is absolutely amazing! My family and I have gone to about 5 exhibits already within the last 2 years. It's aimed for young children and fun for the whole family. Both my four-year-old and two-year-old (as well as my husband) look forward to our adventures at Glaziers.They also participate in the "Museum's for All" program and have teacher discounts. This leaves for plenty of opportunity to attend no matter what your price range is.

Stacy R — Google review

I’ve never been to the children’s museum or was aware that there was nearby in downtown Tampa. Best parking is the garage next door, William Poe Parking. They charge via app or by your license plate. Parking was tight and full even though we arrived 10 minutes before opening. It’s also parking for the art museum next door and the library. I would advise to come early for a good parking spot.Upon entrance, you’ll notice the self serve food area and the first attraction is the water play area. There’s also a climbing area but the steps were too steep for small children so we passed. Second floor had the stores, farms, and all you can think of. Third floor was closed so we didn’t get to see the other attractions that were there. I don’t know if it’s always been that way or if they’re remodeling but it was off limits.It was very busy, even going as they opened up but it was fun and there was plenty to do. I would definitely go again!

Google U — Google review

The Glazer Children's Museum is a fantastic destination for families with children between the ages of 2-12. Located in downtown Tampa, the museum features a wide range of interactive exhibits and activities that are designed to engage and educate young minds.Upon entering the museum, you'll be greeted by a friendly staff and a colorful, kid-friendly environment. The exhibits are divided into different sections, each with its own theme and activities. There's a science and engineering area, a music and art studio, a health and wellness section, and much more.One of the highlights of the museum is the "Gadget Garage," where kids can experiment with various tools and gadgets to learn about mechanics, engineering, and more. There's also a "Central Bank," where kids can learn about money and finance through fun, interactive games.Another popular exhibit is the "Kid-sized City," which is designed to resemble a miniature town with its own grocery store, bank, and post office. Kids can role-play and explore this tiny world, which is a great way to encourage creativity and socialization.Overall, the Glazer Children's Museum is a must-visit destination for families with kids between the ages of 2-12. With its engaging exhibits, interactive activities, and welcoming atmosphere, it's sure to be a hit with children and adults alike

Meagan T — Google review

This is fun Children's museum with lots of area to explore! Of our family favorites is to climb up the enclosed tree and leaf area. Something that was a surprise after seeing "Big John" the triceratops, they have this impressive screen that creates a dinosaur the way you or your child has colored it, it was impressive! Bring a change of clothes as there is a fountain our front our family wanted to run through.

David J — Google review

Awesome, fun day for my grandchildren ages 3,5 & 7. The climbing structure was the absolute favorite. Second came the building areas. The youngest loved the grocery store.The water area was a little weak because it had non-floating boats and a weak current. It takes up a lot of area and has a ton of potential. (For an example, look at the water area of the Portland, Maine Children's Museum.My granddaughter loved the craft area and interacting with staff member, Bri, who was very good with her.$18 each to enter, adults and kids. We were there for 5.5 hours.

Scott L — Google review

Super fun place to visit for little ones but can get a bit pricey at $18 a person. Super fun, 3 stories with all kinds of interactive play. (Shopping center, Dr &Vet, Fire, water and sand play, dance party etc). They also lost the field trip forecast on their social media which is helpful to look up before you go.

Charlotte B — Google review

Awesome for kids. Basically a kid playground that is packed of things to learn. All hands on and my toddlers love it. Only a single (but big) elevator and 3 floors to explore. The Dino coming to life on screen was the highlight. There is public parking lots but a short walk from a few of the big hotels. Walked with a stroller which seemed easier than driving in traffic.

Kinson C — Google review

Great place to visit in Tampa, specially on a rainy day. It was quite busy today, probably a combination of rain and spring break. Lots of fun things for kids to do, learn and explore. We were there for about two hours. Our daughter had a lot of fun. We loved all the great information about water and conservation.

Aninha C — Google review

What sets Glazier children’s museum apart from the rest is their “museums for all“ policy. Low income families can come for a greatly reduced price. They frequently offer multi cultural events and monthly sensory sensitive days. This type of care for various populations in our community really sets the bar!I would have given the museum a five star rating, but there were a number of exhibits that were “down“ and in need of repair. Some were just a few parts of an existing exhibit, others were the entire exhibits. (The place has been well loved.) also cleanliness was an issue in some exhibits. But in spite of that, our family had an amazing time and I had to literally pry my youngest daughter away.Highlights of the day were the water feature on the first floor with balls running down bridges and rain coming from the sky, as well as the public shopping area, the vet and the Saint Joe’s medical unit.There is a café downstairs, but it has limited offerings and is a bit on the pricey side. We packed a lunch and ate at Chris Hickman park next-door.

Shannon P — Google review

My 2 year old had a blast here. This is an evening well worth spent a the museum. Great place to spend evening with kids and toddlers!!

Rohit R — Google review

We love our membership. Offers us an indoor place we can go have fun. I have 4 kids from, now, 2-12 and all have fun. We arrive when they open, play until done, bring lunch or a snack for after to eat on site then head home for nap. It's great.

Tamera — Google review

This kids museum is clean and has a lot of things for kids to do! The employees were very interactive with the kids. They offer a craft and a story time. The upstairs is more for older kids, but they do have a small down stairs area for babies to play. The upstairs area for the older kids has a fire station area, little Publix, a mock living room to build forts, an ice cream shop, pizza place, a disco and an area to put on plays. They offered more but those are the one I can remember. I really enjoyed the large windows as well that overlooked the park next door to the museum. It makes the place sunny and bright! This place is well worth the 25 minute drive and I will be coming back. You do have to pay for parking. Either find parking on the street or in the parking garage next door. It is pay by the hour.

Samantha F — Google review

My 8yo had fun. It entertained him for about 3 hrs. Many exhibits were either not working or were so crowded that you couldn't get near them. Not worth the ticket price

Amanda V — Google review

Very cool! The Museum is suitable for children up to 8 years, if the child is independent, it can be forgotten about, the child is engaged in three hours on its own, moving around different locations. Time flies imperceptibly, only feeling of hunger returns to reality.

Verginiya F — Google review

This place was super awesome! I have 4 kids ranging from 1 years old to 6 years old. They all loved it and there was something there for each of them. There is 3 floors, start at the top floor and work down is the best way. We spent about 4 hours here and definitely could’ve spent another hour. All the workers were super kind and were great with the kids. It was clean and all around a great place to stop with the kids if you’re passing through or in the area. The second floor is FULL of different super hands on things for your kiddos. We came on a Sunday around 12pm and it was not super busy which was great! We will definitely be coming back as this was our first time here. We live on the East coast and visited here for the day. If you’re thinking about making a trip here it’s worth it! If you have EBT or WIC be sure to use the discounts they offer as well.

Erica S — Google review

Great for kids under 7. It has 3 levels to explore. My son loves it, we go there a lot. Membership worth to get.

Mary C — Google review

Such a great experience for the family! All floors of the museum were very engaging and lots of fun for the kids. The new dino exhibit with Big John was really cool too

Hyacinth B — Google review

Took my 2 littles (4 & 6) for the first time on 02/06/2024. We all had a blast! My dino loving 6yr old was psyched about seeing Big John. His favorite part of his whole day was touching the skull! My 4yr old was in heaven having free range to play with all the things. His favorite part was the Publix grocery store play area. There's so much to do, that we were there for 3 hours & still didn't do everything! Can't wait to go back!

Amanda C — Google review

I brought my 1 year old here, and was a little disappointed with the lack of activities, but if you have an older kid they would love it here. I thought it would be more educational but it’s basically a giant play area for kids. On the third floor, however, they have a very interactive and educational exhibit about Big John the triceratops. I hope they get more educational materials in the future but overall the place looks very fun for kids. You also get a huge discount if you have food stamps!

Jessica F — Google review

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6

American Victory Ship & Museum

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Maritime museum

Sights & Landmarks

The American Victory Ship Museum is a historic museum located adjacent to the Florida Aquarium, which preserves maritime history from World War II and the Vietnam War. The museum contains exhibits on maritime history, including the bridge, weaponry, galley and mess halls, crew cabins and Captain's quarters, radio and gyro rooms.

Visited 12/26/21You have to go around the north of the Tampa Aquarium to find the ship. Not well labeled and very few signs until you get close to it.That said, once you find it the experience is amazing. The ship is huge and the main room upon entering is set up like a museum, while the rest of the ship is staged as it would have looked in WWII with an additional Christmas display set up for the holidays.Some rooms of the ship were blocked off as they were being restored, as well as a couple of areas that were for employees only. Otherwise, the majority of the ship and all decks were accessible to visitors.Many of the rooms had TVs playing documentary-like reels that further explained the purpose or usage of specific rooms, or provided other in-depth information.Despite having several designated 'cool down rooms' that were supposed to be air conditioned, none of them were running so it did get quite hot in the ~80 degree weather. Bring water, fans, and hats!

Phoenix H — Google review

The ship is located behind the aquarium, signage and walkways could be better. Once we asked directions it was easy to find. You will have to pay for parking and the lot was full on a weekday. Plan to go up and down steep stairs on the ship so wear comfortable shoes. Of course it gets warm inside and out so I'd recommend a hat,sunscreen and some water bottles. The exhibits themselves are very cool to look at and learn from. This ship has sailed around the world and to see how people lived for long periods of time definitely gives you an appreciation for it's history.

Veronica G — Google review

Very enjoyable museum! Reasonably priced, they have a nice more normal museum display in the beginning before transitioning to more of a direct display of how the ship was used. I met one of the volunteers and he shared many stories and valuable information of the ship. He showed the most interesting room in my opinion with a map of everywhere the ship has been. He was able to relate to my previous knowledge of the era, while providing solid additions of facts! I really enjoyed just being able to wander and think of all the places this ship has been. The various missions she served during her life. Parking is a bit of a challenge, but worth dealing with for this fantastic museum!

Maksim B — Google review

I visited the ship with a couple friends recently. We enjoyed our day exploring this historic ship. I have been on several old military ships, but this was the first Cargo Ship that I’ve toured. We had a beautiful February day so it was very pleasant to tour. I recommend seeing her.

J. R — Google review

A unique experience aboard a piece of history. The museum provides a lot of great information, and there's a lot to explore. The docents are very knowledgeable. A great adventure for those who love history.

Wendy N — Google review

I always wanted to see this and since we just finished at the aquarium we did. I got two tickets on Groupon for only $16.00. I really enjoyed the self tour. It was hot but they had cool spots along the way. Part of me was sad just thinking about the sailors that were on this ship but enjoyed it all. What a nice gem in Tampa behind the Florida Aquarium. A must see and do!

Grouper 3 — Google review

My sister came over from the orient on one of the Victory ships (as a child) just after the war. She actually gave us a more in-depth tour. She showed us where she bunked and played. I especially enjoyed the kitchen!

Toni B — Google review

Wonderful way to spend a day exploring this historical site! Husband is a Navy veteran. We spent 2 hours just perusing around the ship. Great experience with the staff and a good way to spend the day when beach weather is not good.

Sabrina R — Google review

Right next to the aquarium, have been meaning to check it out for a few years and finally made the time and glad we did. A great place and was fun for us and the kiddo to walk around exploring and seeing real history hands on. You have free range of most of the ship and can take your time seeing as little or much as you want, this really is a must see. Do yourself the favor and make time for it.

Erroll E — Google review

Really awesome ship. It's in very good condition, and they let you freely explore aside from restricted areas and such obviously. Had a great time. They also sell cold water and popsicles for a cheap price which helps a lot with the hot temps outside. There are also some air conditioned rooms in the ship as well where you can take a break.

Brenndon M — Google review

We had a good time exploring and learning about the history of this ship. The price wasn't bad and having free roam of the ship was a lot of fun. This place is very family friendly.

Robert E — Google review

This battleship was awesome. I had so much fun exploring it. The engine room was really cool, it had a platform so you could see the engines below you.

Samantha M — Google review

If you have toured other old historical ships you know what to expect. But I was really impressed with the liberty you have to wander almost everywhere on this old beauty! You could take a quick trip in less than 2 hours, but for real detailed exploration I'd suggest 4 or more... yah, it's that good!

A T — Google review

Took my son here for his birthday. He loves everything about military vehicles. It was amazing to be able to go onboard an actual military boat explore and experience what the military personnel experienced

Jerrean H — Google review

It’s a site that should be visited by all. Tells an unsung story. Is still a working ship. Has the history of two generations and more all in one place.

James C — Google review

Very nice museum! Be careful if you have impaired or ppl w/ issues walking up stairs. Staff and other visitors were wonderful.Looking forward to a go back visit. :)

Venikins A — Google review

Lovely vessel. Old and rustic. Wish more effort was put into restoring it, rather than just painting over everything. Note to anyone afraid of steep stairs/steps: they're easier to go down backwards. Figured that out due to habit, but when I did, it felt much faster and safer. Haha! I loved looking at the private quarters of different stations on the ship. The bunks, the showers, the muster station, etc. Can't say I've peed on a piece of history until now, but I am grateful the toilets on there still work!

Victoria P — Google review

This is a very interesting and well preserved piece of our history. The volunteer crew on this ship really made a big difference in our tour. They were friendly informative and helpful. It's an absolutely incredible experience to learn about and actually be aboard a military ship of this size. Some of our favorite parts were the Captain's Quarters, Engine room, Kitchen and as a special treat if you stay until about 4:00'pm you will get an up close and personal experience of the cruise ships departing for their journeys. I highly recommend.

Renee L — Google review

7

Tampa Theatre

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Movie theater

Concerts & Shows

The Tampa Theatre is a beautiful, historic movie palace in downtown Tampa that presents a variety of screenings, concerts and other events. It is currently on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States.

What an absolutely beautiful theatre! The architecture is spectacular. Really enjoyed looking at all the old 1920's era architecture. The staff was very attentive and knowledgeable about the building. The concessions ran like a well oiled machine and no matter what time of the show you went for a snack or drink they expedited the process so that you were quickly through and back to your seat. Wonderful place. Will definitely be back .

Frank L — Google review

Came here to watch a movie called "Waves" in February 2022 for the first time and was intrigued with the history of the building. They give a free 10-15 minute tour if you're interested. There is a lot of seating downstairs and upstairs; however, seating upstairs has less legroom. Regardless of the legroom, I decided to sit upstairs because of the general view of the theatre. They have a lot of drink and co*cktail options at the concession stand, great popcorn, candies & chocolate, and mini hummus or salami/cheese packs. They also have the wine-infused salami pack option. Before the movie, there was a man playing the organ, so that was interesting and lovely - a free show! The movie ticket only costed $10 plus a $2 online fee. I am glad I finally got to come experience the inside and would recommend coming for movies and live shows, as well!

Maria — Google review

Absolutely fantastic place. The staff are SO friendly and helpful. The popcorn is delicious! We saw Natalie Grant last night and it was a wonderful and intimate setting. The acoustics were perfect, Natalie was amazing. Could not have asked for a better experience.

Jerry G — Google review

Found this theater while walking around after dinner. We were so impressed with the old building we thought we would see a movie. The inside of the theater is amazing. You don't get recliner seats but you do get velvet seats that take you back in time. If you haven't been there you really need to go.

Tammy J — Google review

Such a historically beautiful piece of Tampa culture preserved in pristine condition! The venue shows movies and special events in such a unique way! You can purchase snacks and local beers or well crafted co*cktails as you view a show in style! I definitely recommend going upstairs for a different perspective! Parking is a little tricky at times as you will almost always have to pay in the streets or surrounding lots, but it's worth it!

Melissa P — Google review

The soul of Tampa is this theatre, one of the last great architectural wonders left in Tampa the rich history and feel of this place makes it feel like your exactly where you are supposed to be when sitting in its grand presence. Every trip here, I discover something new, top of the line service and refreshments, a staff that is happy and engaged to be there. Sense of pride being in this place. True gem of the cinematic south.

Allesandre B — Google review

This is the most gorgeous theatre I have ever been in, and I watched two of the best plays I've ever seen here over the course of two days (a tragedy and a comedy, back to back, it was cathartic)! I absolutely recommend coming and checking out the performances, and the view!

Gin D — Google review

Nearly all of my reviews are food, but here is a must go to place.This is not anything like your ordinary movie theater. This is a grand movie palace erected nearly 100 years ago during the height of the roaring 20s, when money was very plentiful and opulence ruled the day.Spectacularly ornate. Roam around and see the amazing details in the craftsmanship. Everywhere you turn, there is something unique to see.And the movie ticket was only $10. Think of going to a museum for $10 and they also offer a first run move that just came out.By the way, the movie was "Asteroid City" and despite the critics loving it, I hated it.

Steven G — Google review

Unbelievably beautiful inside! From floor to ceiling, everything is beautiful ornate art! Especially the theatre itself. Every detail is amazing! It is almost difficult to describe how the entire theatre (even the bathrooms) is a part of the beautiful artistic design. Amazing! If you visit Tampa, you MUST go to the Tampa Theatre!

Ralph H — Google review

This jewel box of a theater was painstakingly restored to its original splendor. It is an incredible venue where one can enjoy art films, new releases, classic movies as well as concerts and special presentations.

Ricardo K — Google review

Wow!! This place is beautiful! First time here and very impressed! Very cool theatre with great views from all seats! Great artwork everywhere with much detail. Must have taken a long time to create this back in the day!

Pete B — Google review

Anyone who lives on the Tampa Bay Area & hasn't been to the Tampa Theater needs to put it on your list to go! Such a beautiful, historic setting. I've been to numerous movies & events there over the years . It's a place I always take my out if town visitor's or friends who are new to the area. Going there really for any event is like being part of this City & region. It's a great place & a major part of the Tampa Bay Area & it's past, present & future. Don't miss out.

John V — Google review

I’m a huge fan of the Tampa Theatre. The architecture is gorgeous and I love their Christmas movie series in December. I finally had the opportunity to do a ghost tour and it was awesome! Jill was amazing. She’s articulate, focuses on the facts, and is a great story teller. Highly recommend! This is a great way to support the Theatre, learn some of its history, and have fun.

Nicole — Google review

Watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” last night and it was a wonderful experience! Our first time to the Tampa Theater and we had no idea what a gem that venue is. We’ll definitely be back.

Cathy W — Google review

Beautiful vintage theater. So much details in every nook and cranny. Keeps you mesmerized just looking around. Really nice restrooms downstairs. Big bar before entering the theater. We went for the Scott Kelby Photography Workshop and he sure picked the right place.

Joe C — Google review

Attended the Sold out Ancient Aliens Live show at the historic Tampa Theatre. While a little disappointed in the show, the Theatre in itself is worth the price of admission as it's a totally beautiful structure. Go see a movie or an event here as you'll be amazed. Ancient Alien's gets 3 out of 5 ⭐ but Tampa Theatre gets 5⭐👍

Charles B — Google review

One of the best places to visit in Tampa, but I’m 6’ 3”. The seats will KILL YOU and they are not ADA (nor should they be). So for ambiance 5/5, but for actually watching something there? An uncomfortable nightmare.

Blake S — Google review

Tampa Theatre is our city's most wonderful gem! We have enjoyed every single show and tour there. Recently, we attended the Little Mermaid Sing-Along; our first public sing-along. The crowd was so much fun and the experience made us feel like we were kids again. We have been fortunate to meet much of the staff and everyone is so kind and FUN!

Lid M — Google review

8

Bayshore Blvd

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Nature & Parks

Hiking Trails

Take a leisurely stroll down Bayshore Boulevard to admire the charming and historic residences and establishments. While there, dine at Water Sushi, which features live music on most evenings and offers Japanese-inspired cuisine. Afterwards, consider indulging in some delectable desserts at The Harry Waugh Dessert Room situated across from Bern's Steak House. Extend your stay by spending an additional night at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

9

Hyde Park

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Sights & Landmarks

Neighborhoods

Points of Interest & Landmarks

Hyde Park, a highly desired neighborhood in Tampa, is well-known for its vibrant dining and nightlife scene on South Howard Avenue, also called SoHo. The area boasts of several global eateries, including the well-respected Bern's Steak House, and trendy co*cktail bars that cater to a younger crowd at night. Additionally, Hyde Park Village shopping center offers an exciting mix of international chain stores and independent boutiques.

10

George M. Steinbrenner Field

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Stadium

Sights & Landmarks

George M. Steinbrenner Field is the spring training home of the New York Yankees. It is also home to the Tampa Tarpons, a minor league baseball team. The stadium can seat up to 43,000 people and features a number of amenities such as private skyboxes and a concourse that runs all around the stadium.

If you a Yankee fan. You must def take a trip down to Tampa and watch a preseason game. Nothing will get you ready and excited for the season like a good O preseason game. Great place for kids, tickets are reasonable. Anywhere you sit it's a great view. Parking was great and easy.

Jay C — Google review

It was my first football game. I'm a Detroit girl representing the Detroit Lions we kicked butt. Beautiful stadium is very comfortable even in the bleachers very clean and very organized for a sold out game I was very impressed with staff. 4 waters 37.00 that's insane though...lol 13.00 fir 8 little ceaser cheese sticks. Kinda steep, but tickets were as well & worth every penny I purchased on line fir 205.00 could have sold at 265.00 each...think I'll purchase a whole section next line and flip em...lolHad a bit of a walk, but not a problem, even for my guest with a cane. Parked across the street in the D lot, so there are lots of steps to climb.I believe there were more Lions fans than Bucs...gotta love the spirit of Detroit fans. We took over the stands. I loved it, too.Will go back whenever Lions are in town.

Yvonne M — Google review

Great ballpark!!! Security is a bit ridiculous though. They'll send you back to your car if you have a cigarette on you.I get that there's no smoking... But taking away or telling you to go back to your car is stretching it quite a bit. No need for that. You can't even bring in a SEALED bottle of water.They'd rather you die of thirst I guess.

Matt H — Google review

An absolutely beautiful stadium. I have wanted to attend a spring training Yankees game my entire life and I finally visited the stadium. The Yankees didn't have a game that day but they were practicing which was awesome and got to see them up close. I highly recommend visiting if you are in the Tampa area and a sports fan ESPECIALLY if you are a Yankees fan!

Frankie S — Google review

Love seeing the local minor league games there. Parking is easy, convenient and Free. You can always get good seats at a very decent price. All the fun of going to the game at a fraction of the price

Wj F — Google review

I didn’t see much of the stadium beyond the entrance!Worked a concession stand. The staff was super helpful and friendly. The stand I worked practice good restaurant etiquette and was fully staffed. Everyone wore proper attire and those that were handling food we’re practicing proper hygiene including hair nets if needed.Food never sat too long and was always at proper temp.

Tara H — Google review

Best place to work eventAlthough I’ve been here many times for various events. This place seems like it’s always amazing. Always taking care of the large crowds of people that attend. The bartenders are super nice and helpful. Have a great selection of craft beers and drinks, and the finger food was delicious!

YayIts K — Google review

First time here being Yankees fans on vacation we went to see the Tampa Tarpons play. Upgraded to the Any Desk Dugout package. Had a great time with even better seats.

Lori A — Google review

Made the stop even though they were closed. Wanted to see the player monuments and take pictures. It was really cool lit up at night. We have been here before but not at night. Nice views at night.

THE F — Google review

The history!! America's past time. Love the presentation, the vibe, the field, the people. Had a great time at Steinbrenner field! Prices were cheap due to it being a single a minor game! Seeing Jasson Dominguez play now before he's on the Yankees.

Nick — Google review

It's a more laid-back version of the Yankees home in the Bronx. It has more of a minor league field feel and I mean that in a good way. Helpful, friendly workers at George Steinbrenner Field who seem to really care about its patrons. Best part of the day? Judge and Rizzo hitting back-to-back jacks in their 6-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays!

Teachr K — Google review

Absolutely beautiful stadium. You really get the NY feel here. Photos of all the greatest players in the history of the game and signs for all the best Yankees of all time.Autographed balls from legends long gone. Bats they played with adorn the halls. The store is full of amazing deals and memories.I had no clue their B League was the Tampa Tarpons and that they play at that stadium during the season!!! Can't wait to catch a game.Spring training with the Yankees in Tampa is an experience you just have to witness for yourself.10 outta 10 stars and more.Thank you for such an amazing place.Also I love the actual piece of the Twin Towers metal with the memorial towers. RIP to everyone who lost their lives and was affected by 9/11 👑❤️‍🩹

King A — Google review

Went to watch workouts - most of the team was traveling- Juan Soto stayed back - watched him field and take a short batting practice.Practice field restrooms clean.Team store was nice. Did not see a game here today. Going to Lecom in evening for Blue Jays @ Pirates.

Lisa G — Google review

A must do experience for not only Yankee fans but baseball fans as well. Food is limited.....a bit pricey.....& NO cash. Must use cards. The place is beautiful with plenty of parking at $20. The outfield bars are great for a relaxed experience.

Anthony S — Google review

Had so much fun! Was a great time. The food and beer selection was very good. I had a wagyu burger and we had a hot dog too. Definitely recommend a visit here if you are a baseball fan.

Rob R — Google review

It was a nice stadium. Loved our seats in the right field terrace. There were two negatives. The stadium is poorly designed for people with disabilities . It being our first time there we had no clue where to go. We were able to drop two people off in front of the stadium who have trouble walking,we proceeded to try to park. A parking lot attendant told us the handicap lot was full, so keep moving. This took us right back out to the street. We circled the stadium, taking us right back to the same parking attendant. We asked him. Where should we park? He said across the street at the Raymond James stadium. I wish he would’ve told us the first time. There were no signs and nobody directing traffic on how to get in the The lot. It took us over 20 minutes to figure out where to park. Finally when we got in the stadium Guest Services had no wheelchairs to take handicap people to the seats.

Richard S — Google review

I went to my first spring training game here this last year. It was super fun! But as usually the foods are pretty pricey. Make sure you put on a good amount of sunscreen. There isn’t much shade in the stadium! I hope to be back for another game in the near future!

Derek L — Google review

Everything was great except the price of the seats. C'mon it's spring training, 60 dollars per seat second level? But the Yankees aren't the only ones. And what do I know, the place was full. Gotta pay those hefty salaries.

Mike D — Google review

Great experience watching the Savannah Bananas game here. I would recommend better signage as to where to park and where to enter the field (I walked along side the field not realizing the entrance was from across the street).

Jacqueline V — Google review

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Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (49)

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11

Museum of Science & Industry

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Science museum

Museums

MOSI is a gigantic science museum with interactive exhibits on hurricanes & the human body, an IMAX theater and butterfly garden. It's perfect for kids who love learning about science and technology.

Super fun for the kids and lots to learn. Brought my 3 year old here and he had a blast. Can't beat the fun for the low price of admission. There is fun activities for kids of all ages. Shoot, even the adults have fun here!Definitely recommend if you are looking for something to do with the kids on the weekend.

Brian S — Google review

This is a classic run-down museum that obviously doesn’t have enough funding to do interesting things with. Our kiddos enjoyed their time, but I suspect it will get old fast during repeat visits. The AC was great, especially on a hot day. Spend time building with the big wooden blocks. Those are the best.

Jeremy G — Google review

Loved our experience so much I forgot to pull out my phone to snap more pics! Totally worth visiting. Grabbed annual passes on our way out. We stayed up until closing. Definitely attention grabbing. Many hands on activities for our little explorers who like to touch everything! Clean and friendly staff :) they were all so helpful. We also tried the VR experience which was really fun. We couldn’t do the Sky Line activity because we didn’t have the right footwear (so make sure you wear closed toe shoes!) Wish we visited sooner! Highly recommend this attraction.

King Y — Google review

We have a membership to MOSI so we come pretty regularly. They've added more to the exhibits and they've opened the dome area. There are evening adult only events (paint & sip nights and a pub!) so we (adults) can have some science fun also! The butterfly garden is really cute and gave me ideas for creating one in our own backyard. If you haven't been or you haven't been in a while you should check it out. They're definitely putting in effort to make things interesting to all ages.

CC — Google review

It was a very hot day in Florida. This is a very nice place to visit. My adult son loved doing the ropes course. We loved the show in the planetarium and Charely was our host. He did a great job. This is a great place for young children.

Debra S — Google review

A great place for kids aged 6-12. I wouldn’t recommend for older kids and also adults who are into science as I felt the experiments and demonstrations cover mostly the basics. But within the selection there were some interesting ones such as the human body and relaxation game. Loved the open area where they do the artwork. Spoke to the artist there too and the passion he showed towards his work is surely contagious 🤩❤️The outdoor activities are great for younger kids too. They have an amazing planetarium 🪐 however I feel they can shorten the content and give a much more energetic experience that ends with a bang ‼️ (just a kind recommendation)Overall it was a great experience but again, I would recommend the place for a younger audience. 😇🙏

Sanka H — Google review

Great place for kiddos since there are so many hands on activities! Some items are just mind blowing but somehow are just blend in with all the crafts stuff. Bring on the whole family, the more the merrier! Would recommend to skip for the adults going solo.

Nadya R — Google review

One of my favorite museums in the US. Kids of all ages will love it and it’s a full day experience so plan accordingly. The extra activities are worth it but I would choose one or two and go with it. Make sure to allow your family to spend time and learn at each exhibit as there’s a lot to take in. Plan ahead if you want a tour inside the U505 submarine.

David C — Google review

It was surprisingly affordable. Family of 4, just over $40 for all day. And we took our time with each exhibit because they are all very hands-on & engaging. Even me & Dad were playing, especially with the Tesla coil. ( I was the emporer zapping Luke.) Kids made wands unexpectedly. And that was pretty cool. Every thing was very well laid out so that other visitors barely ever crossed our paths. Beautiful outside playground too. And Nature trails right off the parking lot. My 9 & 12 year old really enjoyed it. (Dad & I did, too!)

Amanda : — Google review

Happy Pi Day! We stopped by on 3/14 and glad that we did! Pi themed activities and food trucks from 11-3. Talked to the news crew, stopped at the planetarium and my favorite part was the 3D printing exhibit. Toothpick World was awesome too. The MOSI is great for young engineers and imaginations. The exhibits can keep people of all ages interested. Highly recommend.

Tiffany B — Google review

I LOVE this place! My son and I think MOSI is one of the best places to go to be entertained & to learn as well! The ride with virtual reality is great and they change the virtual reality movie too so if you go back you're may see a different one ($8 a person). It's a great place to take kids. I love how all kiddos and adults are welcome. My son is autistic and the staff there treat him so sweetly. I appreciate it immensely! Great staff and cool merchandise to buy & take home as a momento!

Holly C — Google review

It's a good place for Kids to enjoy a full day. They can spend a good amount of time learning things with every activity. Instead of a one-day entry, we can get a yearly subscription. There is not much difference.

Prabhu S — Google review

It's was better than I spected , and although it's mostly for children, I did enjoy it with my girlfriend,a lot of puzzle games seem harder which made it interesting although no cafeteria to eat something..buts it's fair and good place specially to keep your naughty children relax.

Romantico P — Google review

Took my 5yo daughter (who I homeschool) to MOSI to see everything I remembered as a child... I was slightly disappointed but I'm still glad that it is available today. It's great for little ones!

Kimberly W — Google review

Be aware that it's mainly a children's museum. I had a great time with faraday cage and other science stuff but just be informed. Go later in morning or early afternoon to avoid crush of kids. Great time. Flew a drone and drove a moon surface tractor

Joe L — Google review

The pricing for this place could be better but this place is educational and fun at the same time sure there are better options than this but there are so many things to do here the possibilities are endless! Normally you’d spend 1-3 hours here. My tip in advance is to come here in the evening/afternoon on a weekday if you’d like it to be less busy. One thing I don’t recommend is paying extra to do more things as it is too expensive and not as good as it sounds nonetheless I would recommend going here.

Allister S — Google review

Great kids museum for kids to explore and play. Spent almost the whole day from open to close. Don't miss the Mission Moonbase exhibit in the back area. Parking was free so we went out for lunch and came back afterwards. There is an area by the entrance with tables, so you can bring a brown bag lunch.

Kin W — Google review

Mosi is a very fun and family friendly activity to do. There are so many activities for the kids to engage in while there and an awesome play ground in the middle of the complex. There are also some food options including a vegan impossible burger at the eatery next to the ropes course. The museum is expanding its super hero halls of justice which already looks like an amazing place! Highly recommend!

Saleh A — Google review

My kids had a great time at the DC Superhero exhibit! We also enjoyed walking through the butterfly garden & can't wait to see more butterflies in the spring 💗

Brianna S — Google review

12

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

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Zoo

Zoos & Aquariums

Located in Tampa, ZooTampa features exhibits like the Asian Gardens, Safari Africa and the Primate World. Educational programs are also offered, including opportunities to feed a giraffe and learn about other animals. There is also a water play area for kids.

Such a fun place, my kids love it every-time we go. You buy a ticket once and it’s good for as many times back in the year that you want to come. It’s the perfect size park for kids to be able to do everything and see everything there without being too much. A nice fun day trip. There’s also two splash pads for when it gets hot, which is perfect ! Easy to navigate and the staff is always helpful when you need assistance. They have several rides. Some for little kids and some for bigger, as well as face painting & jungle gyms for the kids to play on as well. My family loves it.

Kira D — Google review

It was a hot summer day, so we took the kids to the zoo! Everything went well, but one observation was that some of the animals were not out, and the kids did not get to see them and experience them. The water activities kept the kids cool and refreshed as we walked around, and the rides were easily accessible (no major lines or wait times). We got the yearly pass for less than the day pass, so we will be going more often for sure!

Yara G — Google review

Loved this zoo!! Well kept/ maintained/ organized! Such a large assortment of animals. Bought the one day ticket that is good for free entry for the rest of the year, so I will be back! Highly recommend. Skip the restaurant, though, high prices, not the best food, and they overcharged us for 3 drinks/ sodas when we only ordered 2. Didn't realize until we got home, and they were $6 each.Great gift shop!

Janette B — Google review

It was a well maintained place. We came when most kids went back to school so it was pretty empty so we could see everything pretty fast. I highly recommend coming to visit. It has a nice water fountain for anyone to cool off so I recommend wearing a swimsuit or fast drying clothing. Overall my experience was awesome. One thing I kind of was sad was most of the animals couldn’t be seen. Maybe they were hiding from the heat or something else. The Zoo was nice, and clean. Would totally recommend!!

David G — Google review

This place was a lot of fun. They have a lot of neat exhibits in there are very interesting animals there. I also really like the Safari ride. It's not as big as a Busch gardens, but it's still very nice suit to visit. It is also very family friendly for young kids.

Scott — Google review

Great zoo! Fun for the kiddos! They have a big Mary go round with authentic animals to ride, a solid playground and even a splash park 👍. We always enjoy taking a family day trip here. The yearly passes are super easy and absolutely worth it if you have kids and plan to go more than a few times per year. This last trip was Halloween nights. All the characters were on point, very fun and family friendly. We had a great time!

Elliott L — Google review

We love this zoo. My daughter started watching their show on Disney and became obsessed with the African "Panda" dog, aka African painted dog. We did a road trip just to visit the dogs. Now, we have been back multiple times. The park has a perfect combination of animals and extra fun kid activities. The Manatee exhibit is my personal favorite. There are so many cool ways to see them up close and realize how much personality those manatees have. Seeing a Florida Panther up close was also neat. The carousel, safari ride, face painting, and log flume ride all break up the day to add an extra layer of fun. My daughter got one of their junior zookeeper vests and wears it constantly. Overall, we had a really good experience at this zoo and have already come back and plan to go more. My only negative is that the lunch options are not very healthy. We ended up doing pizza the first visit, and it was very greasy. That is where I could see room for improvement.

Laura R — Google review

Was a fun day trip. We have been talking about going for awhile, and now we are talking about heading back. The Zoo is clean, enjoyable, well laid out and the amenities are perfect. Fans and misters for hot days, lots of beverage and food options, and of course fun gift shops.The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and seemed to actually enjoy their time there. Great family trip or just two adults like us looking for something fun to do.

Chris J — Google review

We had a blast at this place. My boys were mesmerized by the the range of animals. Mommy, Daddy, and Auntie enjoyed the numerous beverages carts around the zoo. I give this place 5 stars but many of the animals were inside due to the chilly weather. Not the Zoo's fault but we didn't see the whole park. It's still deserves 5 stars based off what we saw.

Mike P — Google review

Absolutely loved it here. Great experience and was well worth the money. You can spend many hours here. We spent about 3 hours here. Tons of different animals here and you can tell the zookeepers love their jobs and the animals. They have many backstage experiences as well for an additional cost. Tons of different shows to go see as well in the different regions of the world. Tons of food and beverage spots around the park so if you are in need of something they have it. Parking is free and overall we had a great time here!

Nick G — Google review

The entrance fee was quite pricey - right around $45. The grounds were nicely maintained, and the staff were extremely helpful and pleasant. Had wonderful service from Ryan at the gift shop where we picked up our electric carts for the day. They were also prepared to store our walkers for us in a secure area and were very quick to retrieve them when we arrived back. Food prices were more reasonable than I anticipated, I suggest purchasing their refillable beverage cups when you get there - you can skip the lines and refill the cup as often as you like with soda or icees.

Lisa B — Google review

We got a membership a few months ago and have been four times. It is small enough to see everything, but big enough to have some very cool animals. I love the talks they give about being good stewards of our incredible animals and their efforts towards conservation. When we lived here 25 years ago, my little ones loved going, and now taking them as adults is just as much fun.

Melinda G — Google review

Visited a few times in different years, and it's always a great experience. The animals are well cared for, and their conservation is very extensive and impressionable. My son loves seeing the animals, the staff are always on hand for questions and the food on site is really good 👍 will be going here again for years to come no doubt.

Victoria D — Google review

Super expensive, but all of the attractions are included with the price of admission (carousel, safari tour, ect). We went on a Tuesday in October so most kids were in school, and it was much more enjoyable since it wasn't packed! The zoo was much larger than expected! We were there for about 4 hours and still missed the Africa section. Also, the food and beer selection across the park was fantastic!

Stefanie W — Google review

The personnel were very nice and ready to assist if needed. They do offer strollers, wheelchairs and scooters for rent. The animals there appear healthy and it was clean. They have a lot of food, snack and drink booths throughout the park. There's a carousel, but adults aren't permitted to ride the animals on it. There's a small flume ride and a 30 minute "safari" in a comfortable vehicle. Unfortunately, a lot of animals were unavailable due to either construction or ??? No hyenas, no gorillas, no chimps, no camels, no tigers, no lions. The habitats appear small, but they're clean. Things are expensive. All animal encounters are only available for separate payments. I'm bummed that there wasn't more to do. I will say that for the price of two tickets, we now get to come and go until the end of 2024, yes 2024, for no extra cost, so that's nice and hopefully they'll improve. Also, word has it that they're talkin about destroying the clam shell that's been there forever to make way for more parking...I really hope they don't.

Monarch S — Google review

Such a nice zoo with so many interesting animals! My boys just loved the zoo and all it had to offer. The whole family really enjoyed the Macaw exhibition as soon as we entered the main entrance. The fly overs were amazing to watch! The manatee viewing areas were amazing and were the highlight of our trip to the zoo!!! Tampa City Pass made for an easy entry into the park with no wait lines at all! Highly recommend for a fun family day out.

Sarah B — Google review

Very impressed. Great layout. All the animals were active. Love the new addition of Australia.This zoo has it all. Animals, shows, and rides! Rides are geared mainly for the littles, but we had a blast watching them have so much fun. It's definitely a must do when visiting Tampa. There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat and bars scattered across the zoo.

S G — Google review

We had a really nice day at the zoo today. They have a lot of nice exhibits, experiences and even rides! The tickets were approximately $49 per adult, which seemed reasonable. It took us a little over 4 hours to get through everything and that included waiting 30 minutes for the safari ride. I recommend getting there when they open because parking is limited.

Will G — Google review

Absolutely gorgeous zoo. Most of the animal exhibits are very large and well created for the animals. Great layout. Lots of unique animals with great descriptions at the exhibit. I would highly recommend. The only issue we faced was finding parking. We arrived late on a Thursday morning and it took more than 20 minutes to find a parking space

Scott J — Google review

This Zoo has some of the best natural habitats for their animals that we've seen. The staff is also great. The safari is worth the wait as well. We spent most of the day here and still didn't make all of the exhibits. The manatees are great to see up close. The water ride was such a blast for the kids that they went twice! We can't wait to come back again soon.

R S — Google review

Great zoo experienceUserCreate a 25-line review, talking about the excellent experience at the Tampa Zoo, variety of animals, attractions, quality, affordable price, environment, family program, great experience, parking, security and recommend it to everyone.ChatGPTTampa Zoo Review: A Great Experience for the Whole FamilyI recently had the pleasure of visiting the Tampa Zoo and was blown away by my experience. This zoo offers an incredible variety of animals and attractions that captivate people of all ages.Upon entry, I was greeted by friendly and helpful staff who gave me information about the different areas of the zoo. The variety of animals present is impressive - from the majestic African elephants to the adorable meerkats, there is something for everyone.One of the things that most impressed me was the quality of the facilities. The animal enclosures are spacious and well maintained, providing a natural environment for the animals to live. In addition, the zoo offers regular lectures and demonstrations, where you can learn more about the animals' habits and behaviors.A positive point that I must highlight is the affordable price of the ticket. Compared to other zoos, the amount charged is very reasonable, especially considering the quality of the experience offered. The zoo also offers discount options for families and groups, which makes visiting even more affordable.The zoo environment is very pleasant. There are shaded areas to rest and many food options, from quick snacks to full meals. The well-signposted trails and lush vegetation make the ride even more enjoyable, providing a sense of immersion in nature.Another highlight is the program for families. The zoo offers interactive activities, such as feeding animals and encounters with caretakers, which make a visit even more memorable for children. There is also a children's play area with games and toys to keep the little ones entertained.The parking issue was also resolved. There is ample space available, with many vacancies, which makes it very easy for visitors. In addition, security is taken seriously, with staff and surveillance cameras ensuring a safe environment for everyone.In summary, my visit to the Tampa Zoo was an excellent experience. The variety of animals, the interactive attractions, the quality of the facilities, the affordable price, the pleasant environment, the program for families, parking and security were aspects that impressed me positively. I recommend this zoo to anyone looking for an educational and fun experience for the whole family.

Jairo J — Google review

I visited ZooTampa at Lowry Park back in 2021. The place is very big, so I suggest you give yourself some time to explore. I really enjoyed their selection of birds. The monkey exhibit is really cute. You can watch them swing around on ropes and climb towers. If you like hands on experiences- there is an area where the birds are very friendly and sometimes they come so close that they touch you, for myself it was a very pleasant experience. I definitely recommend this Zoo.

Katelyn G — Google review

This zoo is so good we originally went for the day but decided to get a yearly membership. Definitely worth joining, plus 50% of other zoos and aquariums that take part in it. Animals are in habitats that resemble their natural habitat. What an awesome experience to say the least. Go online and plan out your day by feeding the giraffes, or doing one of the other activities with an animal. A kid area with rides, and games for them to play for an additional cost. Also don't forget to ride the safari truck that explains about the different African animals in that area of the zoo. I highly recommend stopping by and checking out what it has to offer.

Jeffrey S — Google review

Went for creatures of the night. Great experience for our 3 yr old great granddaughter. Not to scary. Actors were very considerate to the little ones and did not scare or chase them, but they did the older kids.

Sandra H — Google review

My son had such an amazing time here. He was able to see his favorite animals and more. We had a really good time. The pictures they take of the family are a really fun memory to have.

Xiomara L — Google review

Beautiful, well-kept zoo with happy, healthy animals. You could easily come back every day in a week and see something different. When I visited in January their special exhibit was animatronic dinosaurs. I am a Dino freak so this made me very happy! That was just an added bonus, but a good one.I'm also a birder so seeing all the lorikeets, flamingos, pelicans and more up close was a real treat.

Ellen B — Google review

I quite liked this zoo. It was very busy but the crowds seemed to flow nicely. Parking was free but took a while to find a spot. More food options inside the park would be nice, even snack carts here and there could work out. Most of the animals seemed happy and well looked after. The tiger seemed quite stressed out, pacing back and forth in a habitat far too small for it so thay was kind of sad. The special limited dinosaur exhibit was neat, had a small wait to get in as to keep people sort of spaced out once inside.

etch250 — Google review

Really really fun and educational. It's been a long time since I've been to "the zoo" and I'm so happy I went to ZooTampa at Lowry Park recently. This place is a full-blown theme park with an incredible amount of animals, activities and education if you're looking for it. We saw some amazing things and I am very content with our day long trip. That said, I got us annual passes and can't wait to go back!

Josh H — Google review

Me and my family had a blast here. Loved being able to see all the different types of animals. The prehistoric predators exhibit was amazing too. Great price for everything that’s included. Only thing that I didn’t like was the adults who were drunk and being loud and saying stuff that shouldn’t be said in front of children.

Dianna W — Google review

A very nice zoo with lots of species. Areas are well-marked and the exhibits are laid out so that you do no wandering and searching like I've done at other zoos. Only 4 stars because a number of enclosures are needing work. (No water in hippo, enclosure, water features in other enclosures no running.) Feb 20 and there were lots of elementary school children swarming from enclosure to enclosure but otherwise, it was surprisingly uncrowded. A few food spots were closed making me suspect this is the slow season. I thought the food was reasonably-priced. Entry fee was on par with other zoos.Is it better than that other Tampa place that has roller coasters and animals? I depends on what you want. I am not big on thrill rides and love animals so I would choose Zoo Tampa. The other place is more of a walk along the back of the park safari path and is cool too. If I had to choose one I would choose Zoo Tampa. If my family had to choose one it would go with the thrill ride park.

Scott L — Google review

You know it’s a great zoo when all the animals were thriving and active throughout our entire time at the zoo. It was quite empty when we went, but it was perfect, not too crowded great visibility on all the animals. Got to see a Macaw training session too!Highly recommend! The ticket was also quite affordable, we bought it at the gate and they had a deal for returning to the zoo throughout 2024.

LeDan P — Google review

This is a lovely zoo!We were able to leave our luggage at the front desk. The safari ride, for no extra cost, was a fun experience. Everyone who works here was super friendly and helpful. They had a good variety of animals. The zoo is quite shaded with misting stations, too. They also have dietary restriction friendly options. While the price is high, they're running a promotion so you can get in as many times as you'd like through 2024 for the price of one ticket.

Dana H — Google review

We had a blast here. Being able to walk into a place where you can join the birds was an experience. Please do not pass up the chance to see the flying macaw birds. The animals were all out!If you can make it before April, they have a great dinosaur exhibit.Brace yourself, it is expensive. The food, however, was very good. The portions were generous.The cost for a family of 4 was just shy of $200 for tickets, so for a bit more, we went ahead and grabbed season tickets.

Adela U — Google review

13

Ybor City

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Sights & Landmarks

Historic Sites

Ybor City, located northeast of downtown Tampa, is a lively and historic Cuban district known for its boutiques, vintage shops and Latin American eateries. The area was founded in the 1880s by cigar manufacturers and drew many immigrants from Cuba, Spain, Germany and Italy. The Ybor City State Museum showcases exhibits on the cigar industry and immigrant communities while the GaYBOR district attracts a diverse crowd to its bars and clubs.

14

Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay

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Hotel

A 4-star luxury hotel located on the bay with a nature preserve, 2 pools, and an Italian restaurant on-site.

Staying here was a wonderful experience! I had my wedding here and everyone was super nice and accomplished every step of the way. It was a truly pleasurable experience. We booked several of the casitas for the wedding weekend and it was perfect! The rooms were clean and in great condition. The beds were so comfortable. The main hotel is beautiful! We ate at the hotel for breakfast and it was impressive, Totally worth checking out!

Andra D — Google review

This was a birthday celebration. Great experience, awesome food, friendly and attentive staff. They ensured we enjoyed our time, never lacking anything. We enjoyed the bar around the pool area. Pleasant environment, cleaned and sound proof room, waterfront views. There’s a boardwalk looking over the bay and naturally peaceful. Highly recommend this hotel.

Jeanne A — Google review

Please read this before booking!Vacationer beware!This was our first day to start off our family vacation. After driving 9 hours we arrived at the Hyatt and from the beginning...checking in was confusing. You have several entrances and you really don't know which one to use. We finally made our way over to the right entrance and was greeted by the Valet. The man had such a bad attitude he screamed at us to circle around again. My husband ended up dropping me off so I could check our family in. Upon arriving we found out on our own that one of the pools are being remodeled. This was never posted on the website before booking. So if you want to swim you have to walk almost 1/2 a mile through the trees and make sure you don't get ate up by the mosquitoes. The pool on the other side of the hotel is small and is not big enough to accompany so many guests that were swimming. We decided to give up on the pool (we booked specifically for the pool). We walk the 1/2 mile back to our room to only realize that the AC is not working properly. We had lowered it before the long walk to the pool. We decided maybe it needed more time to cool down so we went down to 1832 to get something to eat. We paid $79.90 for 4 mediocre hamburgers. After dinner we went back to our room only to find it was still a sweat shop. What a overpriced hotel. I spent $324 to stay one night here. I couldn't feel more scammed. I work hard for my money and I don't have high expectations I just want things to work and a heads up about construction. If I would of known I would never have booked here. The pool looks like it is going to take several months to finish so I would definitely not book here if you are booking for the pool! I will never return to this establishment it was all a waste of my hard earned money!

Irene C — Google review

Great location and a clean room. However you can hear the noise of planes often as it’s next to the airport. The rooms are also dated and could used some new decor but other than that they are clean and fine. And the bathroom shower was also dated and needs to be replaced. Breakfast was good could have more options but it was good nonetheless. Good hotel but needs improvement considering it’s crazy price tag.

Sean J — Google review

The experience at this hotel is always very good. The rooms have all been recently updated so they are modern, very clean and comfortable. We had a nice view of the bay. The breakfast buffet has many choices and the little shop attached to the hotel is helpful and convenient.The pool area and the nature walkway are very nice but could be cleaned up more.Would always be happy to return to this hotel.

Tania P — Google review

I was here on business for two nights. My first impression was that the hotel was beautiful, though it takes a second to orient yourself on where the lobby is when you first walk in (it's sort of hidden to the left behind a wall). When I got to the 11th floor, it smelled of wallpaper paste, which I actually appreciate because it means it was likely recently remodeled. When I got to my room, 1147, I was pleasantly surprised to see how clean and put together it was, though, it was a bit bland - missing some warmth in color and decor.For the most part I had a good experience at this hotel, except that there was an issue with the hot water. When I took a show the first day there was absolutely no hot water. I called down to the front desk and they kindly said they would send someone up after I stepped out for the day. When I returned that afternoon someone had clearly been in, but there was still no hot water. I called back down and they sent a maintenance technician right away. He came in and after about 10 minutes he was able to get hot water. He said basically it's a big hotel and takes time for the hot water to circulate. When I went to take my shower that night it took 8+ minutes for the water to get warm.I probably would not stay at this hotel again due to the water issue, though it did appear to be a limited issue since the front desk seemed surprised to get my call.

Christina T — Google review

We had a fabulous stay at this beautiful hotel. The Casitas suites are really nice, well-maintained and located next to a beautiful natural preserve. The boardwalk to the main building is very nice. Staff at reception are very friendly and happy to help with requests. Dinner and breakfast was excellent. Staff at the restaurant very courteous and patient, especially with kids. Overall a very relaxing stay.

Aldo E — Google review

We stayed at the Grand Hyatt for the first time during the end of October. We had a wonderful time. Beautiful atmosphere, stellar service (very friendly/helpful staff), great food and comfy beds.We booked the Kings Bay room (highly recommend). Walking up to the bay every morning is breathtaking! We loved eating at Oyster Catchers! I tried West Coast oysters for my first time. So good! Their breakfast buffet is All-Star with good selections. Customized omelettes upon request. We really enjoyed our stay. The only complaint is that they didn’t have shuttle service to the airport.

Michia O — Google review

My work hosted a conference here and it was really excellent. All of the staff were so nice and so accommodating. The pool right outside the main building was closed but this was noted in multiple places and caused no issues. The second pool was a bit small but very nice and had a small bar and shady places to rest. The nature trail was great for morning walks each day.

Jessica S — Google review

My work hosted a conference here and it was really excellent. All of the staff were so nice and so accommodating. The pool right outside the main building was closed but this was noted in multiple places and caused no issues. The second pool was a bit small but very nice and had a small bar and shady places to rest. The nature trail was great for morning walks each day.

Ramon J — Google review

I normally do not leave reviews, but they have some things to work on. NO HOT WATER....... "I love cold showers," said no one ever..... have you ever made your 7 year old child take a freezing cold shower? He froze his but off and may have screamed a few times. Hopefully, the front desk didn't get a noise complaint. The maintenance guy gave me a lame excuse that to many people were taking showers. It's not like they have a hot line you can call and ask when hot water will be available. If there was an exhaust fan in the bathroom, it did not work. No parking for bigger trucks. The uncovered parking lot had a ginormous tent set up right in the middle of the parking lot taking up all parking close to the hotel. Had to park in back of parking lot and walk a long distance in the rain which was not to pleasant since the entire parking lot had probably a 1 1/2" of water standing which completely soaked our feet to the socks.

James W — Google review

My husband and I came to Tampa for his birthday weekend. Let me start off by saying that the staff is amazing. Riley and another young lady at the front desk were very kind and helpful. Our room was clean and spacious. The location was so convenient and it made it easy to hope on the interstate. My only issue is that the room did not have a microwave, but we did have a refrigerator. That is the only reason I did not rate 5 stars. Overall, when we are back in Tampa we will be staying again.

Jessica H — Google review

First time here and loved the hotel. Easy self parking and check in. Room over looking the bay lovely. Nice nature walk. Easy in and out when traveling in the area. Pool was closed for renovation which would upset people however this was told at booking. I would definitely stay here again! Loved the motion lights under the bed, genius.

Grouper 3 — Google review

Facility is nice, the area is not convenient for any type of activities. There are two sides to the hotel. Rooms on the airport side are above an empty garage and looks terrible. The Bay side is very nice and the hotel has large windows with a nice view. Staff is great. The shower faucets were the worst part, is was impossible to maintain a comfortable temperature it was either scaulding hot or freezing and that continued the entire stay, staff was unable to resolve.

Mark K — Google review

Beautiful location and lovely spacious rooms with a good view. The reason I have given it a low rating is that the breakfast let's the hotel down. The hot buffet breakfast was cold and tasteless. It was difficult to get the attention of the staff and you have to request a beverage every time you want one. Would have been better to just have a hot drinks machine.

N P — Google review

Room 339. Smelled like old cigarettes, it was a none smoking room. The shower handle broken, couldn’t adjust water temperature. The ac didn’t cool, had to wait for a fan. The lighting was horrible. The hotel is nice but the room was not worth the money. Nice bar. Nice staff.

Michelle M — Google review

I stayed for 3 nights for a business conference. The hotel was lovely. Every single staff member I encountered was kind and helpful from the front desk, to the bellmen, to housekeeping, to the waitstaff. The rooms and facilities were spotless. Food was excellent. Wonderful choice for a business conference or quick getaway.

Kathena F — Google review

Stayed here for the weekend as we were seeing a concert at Raymond James. Service was great, rooms clean we stayed at the casitas in the back of the hotel near the pool and bay area. Perfect little bungalows and short walk to the pool. Bartender Becca was friendly and made great drinks. Food from the oyster place was delicious. Beautiful grounds and great location would definitely come back here again.

J B — Google review

I love the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay! We went for a family vacation and had a wonderful time! We checked in late because we had spent the day at the beach. Lindsey and Luana were true professionals! There was a man yelling and threatening them, as I waited for my turn to check in, and they maintain their composure. They were complete professionals! When it was my turn to check in, Lindsey apologize for my inconvenience and even gave us a complimentary meal. She explained the hotel in great details from the restaurant times to late check out. The whole staff was great…Carl helped us with the handicap parking, Steve helped us at the pool, and the golf cart drivers were very friendly! Thank you for your amazing service! We appreciate everything you did to make our stay so memorable. We will be back!

Kim L — Google review

I recently had an incredibly disappointing experience at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, and I feel compelled to share my frustration. My stay at this hotel was marred by multiple issues, starting with the closure of the pool, which was a major disappointment. I had looked forward to relaxing by the poolside and enjoying some leisure time, but to my dismay, it was off-limits during my entire stay.Adding to my displeasure, the customer service at this hotel was nothing short of abysmal. When I called the front desk to inquire about changing my reservation to a different night to possibly enjoy the pool, I was met with an appalling lack of willingness to help. The representative I spoke to seemed disinterested and unempathetic to my situation. Instead of trying to find a solution or offering any alternative options, I was rudely dismissed and treated as if my request was a mere inconvenience.To make matters worse, I was unexpectedly hung up on by the representative during our call, leaving me feeling frustrated and disrespected as a guest. The blatant lack of professionalism and courtesy from the hotel staff was truly astounding and completely unacceptable for an establishment that claims to be a "Grand" Hyatt.Throughout my stay, I couldn't help but feel like a burden rather than a valued guest. The overall experience left a sour taste in my mouth, and I cannot recommend the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay to anyone looking for a pleasant and accommodating hotel stay. With so many other options available in the area, I strongly suggest considering alternative accommodations where your needs and comfort are genuinely prioritized. This was undoubtedly one of the worst hotel experiences I've ever had, and I am deeply disappointed in the lack of care and consideration exhibited by the staff at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay.

Tyler S — Google review

The pool is totally broken with no signs of being fixed soon. I don't understand why they charge. Resort fee for the pool when it's broken. Definitely bait and switch. At least offer free room upgrade or something to compensate or a drink voucher or something. It's 100% misleading to not let people know ahead of time the pool is out of service. Other than that my stay was great. I had a room over looking the bay and the you guessed it pool. 🤦🏾‍♂️

Raphael B — Google review

I arrived last night at 11pm. Half the electricity and lights in my room were out. My phone was also out. Then, in the morning, I tried using the iron and it leaked out water all over my shirt and the ironing board.Tonight, my group had 50+ people at the bar but regardless, they shut everything down at 11pm.They have no agility, flexibility nor desire to provide a good customer experience. They do what they do here as if policy is all that counts and nothing else matters. It's as if they think our group of 200÷ has no other options other than the terrible amenities and service that they provide.Wrong! We deserve better than this inflexible, uncaring resort. This resort is a wonderful reminder of a business unconcerned with providing great customer care.

Darren P — Google review

Globalist here. Nice rooms, great views, restaurants were very good. Breakfast buffet was very good as well. I like that the elevators return to the ground floor and remain open until a passenger enters and selects a floor. No waiting! Nice gift shop with a variety of things. Fitness center was nice too. Will return!

DBradshaw25 — Google review

Impeccable service from check in to amazing bartenders. The service at the restaurant at the towers as well as at Oyster Catcher's was also exceptional.We were here for 5 days for a long multicultural wedding each day was amazing.

Conrad D — Google review

My recent stay at the Grand Hyatt was absolutely fantastic. From the moment I arrived, the staff made me feel welcome and valued. The room was immaculate, with breathtaking views, and every detail was meticulously attended to. The customer service was unparalleled, and the amenities provided exceeded my expectations. I can't recommend the Grand Hyatt highly enough for anyone looking for a luxurious and memorable stay. Thank you to the entire team for making my experience exceptional!

Jeffrey S — Google review

Spoke to Tamara to book a room for a special occasion. She was absolutely awesome. Very hospitable and went over and beyond to make sure we knew all of the bells and whistles Grand Hyatt has to offer. Customer service was excellent.

Riah M — Google review

My husband and I came up for a concert and stayed here. The hotel is beautiful! I wouldn’t have guessed this hotel was built in 86. It is very well maintained. The service is phenomenal. We had the best conversation with Christina and she even made a point to come up and ask us how our evening was when we were eating breakfast. The customer service she provided made us want to visit again. The valet and front desk are so pleasant and really make your stay enjoyable and comfortable. Thanks for a great visit!

Dara U — Google review

We had an exceptional stay at this hotel, and our experience was elevated by the impeccable customer service provided by Holly. She went above and beyond to ensure our needs were met, making our family feel truly welcomed. The hotel itself exceeded our expectations, providing a comfortable and enjoyable environment. We highly recommend this establishment for its outstanding service and hospitality, with special thanks to Holly for making our stay memorable.

Abe H — Google review

Adding on to some of the other reviews to brag on a great hospitality experience!First, I always eat leftovers of a good meal. One day we asked if they would be able to warm up our leftovers. They said no but instead had a microwave delivered to our room, where someone set it up for us and left it for the remainder of our stay.Another evening we sat to dinner and I noticed a leftover piece of pizza under the table. A bit annoying but hey, it's a public space so I ignored it. At some point a host walked up with "excuse me! I just noticed a piece of pizza there under your table" and took care of it. I thought this was thoughtful, as it wasn't obvious and he very well didn't have to go that extra step.All staff i encountered was warm and welcoming.Overall great stay! I wouldn't recommend for families with kids as there isn't much for them to do. Most guests were here for conferences so it had more of a business feel. Didn't bother me though, just probably worth mentioning!Location was great in relation to the airport. Didn't hear any planes at all (another review mentioned this).The boardwalk to the second pool was peaceful and provided a great place to take a nap in a hammock or the cabana.I'd recommend if you need to be in town for a productive visit but want a bit of relaxation on your stay!

S J — Google review

My boyfriend and I spent three nights here and were super impressed. All of the staff was incredible, particularly Sherrill behind the front desk and Sam, the bartender. The property was amazing, we enjoyed the boardwalk every morning and even saw manatees off the dock. We would come back to Tampa just to stay here!

Madeline B — Google review

Can't say enough about this awesome location and staff. Ultra clean rooms and common areas. By far the friendliest staff we have ever encountered on our many journeys. ♥️ Ty very much to everyone. Sincerely RW

Ray W — Google review

Had an amazing stay with an awesome view!Great staff who are friendly and eager to help! Clean rooms with great smelling body wash/amenities!Only downer is they don’t have a hot tub, but then again it’s Florida and not Wisconsin. (lol)Can’t wait to come back!

Aaron M — Google review

15

HorsePower for Kids & Animal Sanctuary

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Non-profit organization

Sights & Landmarks

This non-profit provides interaction with horses, goats, and other farm animals as well as different types of animal rides. This is a great place for families to spend a day out and enjoy the natural surroundings.

What a unique find! I was expecting a small farm with a few animals, but this sanctuary far exceeded our expectations! They have so many unique animals and lots of opportunities for interaction with them! The staff was kind and laid back. My kids especially loved the talking parrots at the entrance! The first one says hello and goodbye and has the funniest laugh! Thanks for a great day:)

A R — Google review

Such an amazing experience. Cynthia, David and Robb (sorry if I misspelled) were so helpful and kind. David had incredible knowledge of the animals. His passion for the sanctuary truly shined.We got to pet so many animals. Fed a few. There are cups with feed that you can purchase when you pay for admission.We had so much fun riding the trains! It really gives you an opportunity to see what's in the park that way you can figure out where you want to go.We brought our own food and there were plenty of picnic tables and places to sit down and eat or rest.They're working sanitizing stations in multiple places around.So many wonderful things to say about this place. I'll probably have to update this later.

V S — Google review

We love this place! It is spectacular! We had fun and great experience today. Just make sure you go in early so that you can find parking easily. Also, every 1st Thursday of the month the fee is $5/person. Not so sure if that will change later. But for now, every 1st Thurs of the month that special applies. The place is huge, they have play area, pony ride(extra $5/child), petting zoo, Thomas the train ride (additional fee), picnics shades area to rest we love the one by the lake with the fountain in the middle you'll see ducks and birds everywhere and you get to see the train stopping by as well. The place clean, restrooms available and sanitation as well. They have a barn for wedding, birthdays to rent, it's a beautiful place. We love the parrots so much we keep coming back on their nest. They also have zip lining for the kiddos to enjoy. The staff are awesome, helpful and friendly. I highly recommend this place to anyone with kids to enjoy and experience outdoor fun zoo.

GrimzFamilyTravel — Google review

We visited this farm for the first time today and absolutely loved it! They had a nice collection of animals and fun things for the kids! My toddler and preschooler had a blast, we went On a Sunday and it was not too busy, great play area and well maintained animal pens! My Littles loved the train ride and the Guinea pig holding! We will return!

Jennifer V — Google review

We decided to check this place out the last day of our Florida vacation. It was raining on and off that day but this place was amazing. The kids had fun petting the animals and riding the ponies they have. We didn't get to ride the trains but we watched them go around the park. I have never saw a black swan until visiting this place. They had a park for little ones as well. We would definitely go back if we ever make it back down.

Brittany W — Google review

Our family has been multiple times and each time we enjoy it. The kids love the large playground and play areas. The animals are well taken care of. The train rides are a blast for everyone.

Anmadri B — Google review

From the moment I stepped into Horsepower for Kids & Animal Sanctuary, I was embraced by a warm, family-like atmosphere that is so unique and heartening. This place is a testament to love and dedication, not just a farm or a zoo, but a sanctuary where animals are cherished and respected.The health and happiness of the animals here are evidently the top priority. Each animal, be it the playful goats, the majestic horses, or the cheerful birds, seemed exceptionally well-cared for, showcasing bright eyes and lively spirits. Witnessing animals that are not just kept but deeply loved and valued was incredibly moving.Horsepower for Kids & Animal Sanctuary is a must-visit for all ages. It offers an enlightening journey into the lives of various animals, making it an educational experience for children and a thought-provoking visit for adults. This sanctuary educates us about the importance of animal care and conservation in a very engaging and interactive manner.In summary, Horsepower for Kids & Animal Sanctuary is more than just an attraction; it's an enriching, educational, and heart-touching experience that leaves you with a deeper appreciation for nature and its inhabitants. Whether for a family day out or a solo visit to reconnect with the natural world, it comes highly recommended.

Leon S — Google review

I was fortunate to be invited to a wedding at this location and y'all... it's so lovely. A little slice of country in the middle of the city. So many animals to pet and watch play. But the barn and surrounding area for events was just so pretty I think I might get married there! There are peaco*cks too and they brought laughter to the ceremony by voicing their opinions loudly. The owner was very nice and friendly. If I had a young child, we would go here often!

Rebecca C — Google review

Horse power for kids has been my most favorited place to go since I was little! It is such an amazing experience to see all of the exotic animals and the most loving and beautiful horses. It is so rare to find such an amazing farm that truly has the whole package. The staff are so friendly and educational with learning of the animals and navigating around the farm. This place has always left me feeling so fulfilled at heart by being able to connect with horses and see animals you would never get the chance to see anywhere else. I’m so grateful horse power for kids is available for so many children and families that get to experience the true feeling of what a farm is like. Especially with being such a beautiful environment filled with nothing but kindness and joy from everyone there!

Kendra H — Google review

My kids love this place! We’ve been quite a few times. And we come here every year during their pumpkin patch season! Even on a normal day there’s so much for the kids to see and do! During pumpkin patch season the activities are endless, we love it and we’ll keep coming back for sure!

Penina H — Google review

Absolutely wonderful! Great place for kids and the whole family. This place exceeded my expectations. I thought it was a very small petting zoo but I was wrong. We go to see many different types of animals closer than you would get to see them at Tampa Zoo. There’s lots of shade, space to walk around, sitting areas, little trains that take you around, two different playgrounds with lots of activities for the kids. 100% worth it.

Mar G — Google review

Hidden Gem. A horse ranch turned into children's party area. There is a certain feeling being there in person that is hard to see from the pictures but you feel it when you get there. This place will be a memory for you and your children if you book a party space here. I suggest shelter 1 ! Shelter 1 is closer to the playground and trampoline. It also has a great counter you can use to host your food and drinks.

Scott P — Google review

Awesome animal sanctuary. It's a lot bigger than it seems with a lot to do for kids. There's two big playground areas and a train that adults and kids can ride that goes around the lake. Tons of different animals, a lot of picnic benches and everything is pretty well shaded with trees. You can tell the owners put a lot of work into it.

Angeli — Google review

Love, love this place!! Had my daughter’s 2nd bday here. We have been taking her since she was 9months old and she loves it! So many cool animals, playgrounds and train rides. The animals are well taken care of and everyone is so friendly!

Monica O — Google review

We LOVE THIS PLACE! Just booked my daughter’s 3rd birthday party here. Train rides, pony rides, numerous playgrounds, a beautiful pond & tons of animals!!!!!

Kristen K — Google review

This place is great for young kids. There are lots of play areas with a variety of activities. Animals are safely contained, happy, and well cared for. One volunteer lovingly played with the emu, ad its obvious they care about animals and have strong relationships with them. It is a huge property with so many cool areas to explore. My kids spent 3 hours there and could have spent more. I will certainly be returning and donating extra $$.

Jonny F — Google review

We had a BLAST!! Kiddos were entertained for hours. All of the staff were extremely friendly and you can tell all of these animals are loved so much! Couldn’t recommend more!!

Gaby F — Google review

Best place to visit with kids! So many different animals and things to do. We had an amazing time visiting, we will be back soon with more family + friends.

Samee W — Google review

Where do I even begin? This place was simply amazing. I booked a birthday party for my 2 year old who adores animals and it did not disappoint. Everyone had a blast! The owners really put so much thought into everything. I didn’t catch the gentlemans name but as soon as we arrived he offered to take our things to the shelter, super helpful and kind. From the train ride to the pony rides to the zip line..there’s so much to see and do. Even though my 2 year old was quite content just going down the slide for hours she especially enjoyed feeding the goats as well as the petting zoo. We can’t wait to go back! I’m so glad I found this place.

Jessica D — Google review

We had an absolutely delightful experience at the Powerhorse Farm! Located on the outskirts of Tampa, this hidden gem provided a perfect Sunday outing for our family. Despite being in a hurry, we managed to spend 2 1/2 hours there, soaking in all the farm had to offer.The variety of activities and attractions was impressive. From adorable farm animals to thrilling pony rides, train rides, and interactive play areas, we felt like we stepped into a wholesome wonderland. The kids were overjoyed, and even the adults couldn’t resist joining in the fun.Now, let’s talk about navigation. While we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, there were a few moments when we puzzled over where we could or couldn’t go. But fear not! We eventually found our way around, and the friendly staff was always ready to assist.In summary, it was a fantastic day at the Powerhorse Farm. Whether you’re with family or friends, you’ll find something to enjoy. I’d recommend allocating 3 to 4 hours for your visit—it’s worth every minute!Thank you, Powerhorse Farm, for creating such memorable moments. We’ll definitely be back!

Gamay K — Google review

10/10 for kids. Has plenty of activities and animal to have fun with. Plenty of parking. My son and niece love it!! Definitely returning.

Elisa S — Google review

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16

Lettuce Lake Park

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Park

Nature & Parks

Lettuce Lake Park is a peaceful public park located on the scenic Hillsborough River in Tampa, Florida. The park features a beautiful wooded boardwalk with an observation tower for a birds-eye view of the water, as well as picnic areas and a fitness course.

An amazing and beautiful park to visit in Tampa Area.It has paved paths as well as include nature trails where you can see birds as well as alligators.It has a broad-walk through which one can walk and enjoy the beauty of the park.It also has public restrooms and water fountain available which are clean.Lettuce Lake park also has a playground where you can take your kids to play and enjoy.Pets are allowed in the park with lots of dog stands available.Lettuce lake park also has a lot of shelter areas which gives an ample of opportunity to do picnics in the park and enjoy as well as relish in the nature.One can canoe as well as kayak in the park which is an amazing opportunity.The entry fees to enter the park is 2$ in cash.In lettuce lake park you can definitely enjoy your weekend with the family with ample of opportunities for everyone to enjoy.

Nishant N — Google review

What a lovely park. There are paved paths, nature trails, and boardwalks. Public restrooms and water fountains available. Kayak and canoe rentals available.The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is because it costs $2 to get in. The cost is not a lot, but there are many parks that are just as great that I don't have to pay anything to enter.

Catelin M — Google review

This is a great park. Warning: it costs $2 cash at the gate. Totally worth it. There is an observation tower along the boardwalk. Canoes, kayaks, bathrooms, walking trail, picnic shelters, a playground. It’s beautiful. One time, we saw 10 gators. Many times we see no gators. And other times we see only one. It’s very hit or miss. But it’s always pretty.

Jeremy G — Google review

So glad I stopped to see this beautiful local park during my brief work-related visit. An impressive feature was the QR codes along the trail which connect you to an audio tour where you can learn more about the wildlife and unique features of the park. The boardwalk is great for families or anyone who wants to see the stunning water view without trailblazing--there's even a lookout tower close by! A mere $2 per vehicle, with pricing options for seasonal packages as well. Very clean, well maintained, and felt safe.

Lauren C — Google review

Bountiful of nature and beauty..Definitely recommended activity if you are in Largo to see the wildlife and enjoy the Flora and the fauna..We were able to spot numerous alligators , tortoises, flamingo, gillinule, heron and lots more..They have a decent long boardwalk and also a tower somewhere in the middle ..There is plenty of parking available..Highly recommended to wear appropriate clothing, even though there is shade of the tree the sun can get into your skin . Also have hydrating liquids..

Ashwin A — Google review

Well maintained park. Worth the $2 admission. The board walk during the week was not very busy, shared it with 6-8 people. Most quiet and respectful. Very nice park, we plan another visit soon. Great place to see Turkey Vultures in their winter habitat.

J S — Google review

Park is well maintained and structured. There is a big playground , plenty of shaded picnic tables , parking spaces and bathrooms in the park. I need to say this bathrooms are very clean and water fountains are for you and your pets. Board walks are for exploring the park nature and you can spot some crocodile and turtles.

Yasin C — Google review

The boardwalk and paved walking trail make this a nicely accessible park. Many people use the park to get some quiet, nature-filled exercise. Call or check the website to see if canoes/kayaks are available to rent, and explore the far shorelines for birds and alligators. Pavilions are available to rent as well.There's also a large kids playground area. Pets and bikes are allowed in the park, but they cannot go on the boardwalk.The scenery can be dramatically different if you visit during different times of year, so be sure to come back and see what's changed.

Jessica B — Google review

Ever since I moved to Florida I remember coming to this beautiful park. It just gets better with age, they do a great job keeping it up. This time I went part of the boardwalk was closed I'm sure due to all the rain, so that wasn't a disappointment at all. Just love coming to a place that can remind me of nice childhood memories. My son loved it here, he rode his scooter the whole way around. Then went and played on the super filled park as there were lots of parties going on. It was a blast nonetheless. Only a 2 dollar entry fee, so that's a nice weekend we'll spent with family 👪 😊 💕

Lala E — Google review

Lettuce Lake Park is a county park that is located on Fletcher Avenue. This is an excellent location; because not only are lots of people near it, but the river flows through the area. Everything in the park is well taken care of, and the visitors in the park are friendly as well.Because we went during the dry season, we were a bit disappointed. However, we still had fun. There’s miles of safe walking trails, and a boardwalk as well. The observation trail was very good as well. We saw an alligator and a water moccasin during our visit. Overall, Lettuce Lake Park is an excellent place to spend time!

Landon B — Google review

Beautiful park with lots of amenities. There were working water fountains throughout, great paths, a beautiful boardwalk, clean bathrooms, play structures, picnic tables, and shade shelters that could be reserved. There was also a very nice welcome center with information about the park. Along the boardwalk there was a great viewing tower where I got to see lots of gators, fish, birds and people on the lake.

Monique C — Google review

Large well shaded park with plenty of picnic spots and restrooms, making a day trip very accommodating. The trail is a mix of pavement, gravel and elevated boardwalk, giving way to splendid views of the lake, lush vegetarian and wildlife. If preference is a natural Florida setting, this is a good place to visit.

T S — Google review

It’s a nice area however, I expected a longer boardwalk or even hiking trails to explore. The park has picnic areas and is pet friendly ( on a leash) however, if you desire a long, peaceful walk I suggest seeking another spot. It’s filled with people, bird watches beware of noises, and it just was a little disappointing. I had higher expectations based upon reviews, pictures etc.

Sarah V — Google review

Hidden gem! This place is beautiful and peaceful. There's so much wildlife to view. The trails are well maintained and marked well. The park was a hit for the whole family. We saw a gator, many birds, and a turtle. I got lost in the sauce, so I didn't get a ton of photos, but the place is beautiful, and you need to check it out! The bathrooms were clean and well stocked. The staff were informative and kind. The visitor center was awesome as well. There's a small entrance fee, and they only take cash. There are a few stores nearby with ATMS!

Shay W — Google review

My favorite local place for canoeing. It is beautiful and peaceful. You may see a LOT of gators here especially compared to other parks in the area. They love to hang out in sunny spots.There are good walking paths (on boardwalks too) and lookout areas.Entry is $2. Parking is plentiful. Restrooms are extremely clean!

Macey M — Google review

This park is amazing. I drove about an hour from Largo because a random lady who I met in a different park recommended a visit here. I was so glad I listened to her. I saw and photographed so many critters: birds, alligators, turtles, squirrels - even a black cat! This park was so lush and green. I was there the whole day and still didn't get to do everything the park has to offer.

Jax M — Google review

A beautiful park nestled in the Tampa area. The 2 dollar donation is money well spent. The nature center is a great way to start then on to the boardwalk. This boardwalk and observation tower are in my opinion the crown jewels of the park. You will be all but guaranteed to see some amazing Florida wildlife each and every time you come.But make no mistake, the other trails and Canoe and Kayak rentals make this a park anyone can enjoy young or old. And don't forget the picnic areas located all over this top notch park..

Scott N — Google review

Amazing experience in this park! I'm adding my review here also, since the park is listed twice in Google and both have reviews.The cost is amazing to come in at $2 for our car. The area is beautiful and the wildlife is great too see. We didn't see any large gators, only small ones but they were still fun to watch (nap time). Turtles, birds and more birds, fish, and beautiful scenery. One part of the boardwalk and climbing the tower were closed when we were there. If you have under an hour, you can see a ton. I highly recommend coming by if you're in the area and have time!

Hethyr F — Google review

Wow! My new favorite park. Walked 3 miles and it was lovely. It was super clean, only $2 for parking and you get to see some cool things along your walk. I’ll definitely be back. You can even rent a canoe here.

Chasity — Google review

$2 cash only entry fee. There are nice boardwalks where you’re bound to see some wildlife. We saw snakes, turtles, gators, and birds. Its overall a relaxing place to enjoy Florida nature. The playground was closed and looked like it was being renovated.

Sharon — Google review

Lettuce Lake Park is a beautiful park! The boardwalk through the swamp offers alligator sightings (from a safe distance) and close up views of a variety of birds. I love this place and look forward to visiting it again!

Philipa K — Google review

What can $2 get these days? All of this...A beautifully renovated playground with excellent, modern equipment and clean restrooms nearby. The park equipment has an adorable nature theme.(Pavillions available for rent with advanced reservations)Surrounding fields suitable for all the balls (football, soccer, playing catch)Bring a blanket and a packed picnic.Lettuce Lake Park is near the river and offers many long boardwalk trails 👣 that lead to beautiful scenes of water. It is quiet and serene and your soul will thank you.Alligators, turtles, 🐢 birds 🐦(oh my) and more can be spotted along the way. One of the trails leads to a lookout tower with stunning views at the top.Canoe and kayak rentals are also available.We had a perfect day with the family for just $2 cash per vehicle upon entering the park.I highly recommend a day at Lettuce Lake Park. (We didn't see any Lettuce though ;-)

Amy J — Google review

This is a very beautiful place to escape from the city and immerse yourself into nature. Plenty of wildlife everywhere you look. We saw 4 alligators within 30 minutes of walking on the boardwalk. I highly recommend coming to this place. It’s absolutely beautiful.

Kaitlyn H — Google review

Me and my girlfriend stopped here in October, I really wanted to canoe with some alligators. There is a $2 entry fee and renting the canoes was like $20 but it was worth it. We walked along the boardwalk and saw plenty of alligators there, and counted about 15 when canoeing. Great place.

Jason S — Google review

A beautiful park and so worth the price that you pay. A wide variety of birds that you see as well. The boardwalk is nicely maintained and you get to see a lot of species on the walk. I highly recommend if you want to spend a short or a long time. There are picnic tables to have a meal to spend a longer time.

Nas S — Google review

Beautiful park with paved cycle route. Best boardwalk I’ve found. Saw gators and cottonmouths. Picnic areas can be rented.Plenty of parking. Entry fee $2 good value

Alan P — Google review

Lettuce Park boardwalk and Observation Tower next to the river will make for a lovely shaded hiking experience for all ages and are accessible to anyone except the top levels of the observation tower (there is no way for wheelchairs to access the top levels). There are many photo opportunities with shadow and light shining through the majestic live oak and cypress trees. There is a playground for the kiddo and plenty of open areas for picnicking or pavilion rentals. We found kayakers on the river and know there is a launch area, but we didn't visit that today. Next time.

Tonya R — Google review

This is a beautiful park with a very nice boardwalk along the Hillsborough River. Lots of wildlife and a great playground for kids. There is also a nature center that is very educational.

Gary E — Google review

Great park! Fully renovated shelters and playground. Playground is huge and nice! $2 entrance, but cash only. Beautiful boardwalk with wild life observations.

Natalia K — Google review

17

Courtney Campbell Trail

Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (87)Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (88)

Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (89)Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (90)

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Nature & Parks

Hiking Trails

The Courtney Campbell Trail offers a clean and spacious coastal walk in the Tampa Bay area, making it a great spot for exercise and biking. However, some visitors have noted the need for better maintenance, including more trash cans along the trail to prevent littering. Despite this, many enjoy the scenic 3.67-mile walk with its fresh air, bird sightings, and ocean breeze.

1 of my favorite places for cardio and socializing.. 🏃🏽‍♀️🌊👌🏽📸

Kari T — Google review

The connection towards Cypress Point Park could use some much appreciated ‘care’, at least from the regular of people that transit it, if not by the city by adding some trash cans along more often than none.Let’s just remember that all this plastic will somehow end up in ‘the sushi’ we eat 🤷🏻‍♂️👌🏼💯💪🏼I also don’t understand how come the people that work for the city and that go through the planters and trees lying mulch, do not clean the debris and rather cover it with mulch. Like... really??? 🤦🏻‍♂️

S. P — Google review

Was fantastic, love the view , the weather was great, people out enjoying the day walking, biking, ect. Love the water ,seeing nature. Great place to relax.

Timothy C — Google review

If your in the Tampa Bay area and would like to take a wall, exercise,need a good bike trail, I recommend this one. Clean coastline walk. Lots of space and distance. I did a 3.67 mile walk this morning. Clean air, lots of birds, ocean breeze. Great place.

Carlos M — Google review

Great place to fish swim I just check out the sunset

THOMAS L — Google review

Great place for a bike ride and watching the sunsets.

Clayton H — Google review

It’s always a nice drive on this bridge!

Nhick P — Google review

Map of Tampa — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info (2024)
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