Calling all animal lovers! If there's one great Tampa date you need to go on, it's a trip to ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and there's no better time than now, as they've opened their NEW Florida Waters expansion.
With the springtime weather, the temperatures outside are perfect for a day date to one of our greatest gems!
<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>ZooTampa Hours and Admission
ZooTampa is open 7 days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Right now, you can get a Zoo Fun Ticket to visit for the day, and you can come back for free for the remainder of 2026, including their seasonal events like Creatures of the Night in the Fall and Christmas in the Wild in the winter.
Zoo Fun Tickets are $51.95 per adult, and $41.95 for children ages 3-11. The Zoo Fun Ticket is the same price as general admission, so we totally recommend purchasing that ticket if you want to visit the zoo again later!
What animals can we see at ZooTampa?
ZooTampa is laid out in different sections, with so many animals from all different countries!
From kangaroos to monkeys, elephants to panthers, you can see all kinds of wildlife at the zoo. ZooTampa is conveniently sectioned into locations that feature certain animals. For example, Africa is where you'll find the Southern White Rhinos, Masai Giraffes, and so many other animals from across the plains!
Recently opened, one of the zoo's largest expansions to date is Florida Waters, featuring some of Florida's greatest underwater dwellers. Let's dive into the fun!
What is Florida Waters?
Florida Waters features underwater creatures from the streams, rivers, to the brackish waters near our coasts, and the clear waters of the Keys.
This exhibit will take you on a journey of water in our state, immersing you in the world of the animals that call the waterways home.
Otter Oasis
Here you and your date can spot some furry cuties! Your underwater journey starts at Otter Oasis, which has expanded from its original footprint, is even more lush than before.
There’s a shade structure over the guest walkway, and the otters will get their own shade sails over their habitat, so you can linger a bit longer with views underwater and above as you interact with the playful otters.
Fun Fact: Theme designers who also work with Disney and Universal are helping with the design to create the immersive experience.
Straz Family Manatee Rescue
The manatee building footprint might feel familiar, but it’s going to be a completely different experience with a more open feel since it's being completely renovated.
You’ll start above the water among the cypress trees and work your way down through the roots of the mangroves, where you’ll get to view the manatees from several different viewing windows.
Pro-tip: Our favorite spot is the new stadium seating viewing area in front of the big window.
Florida Reef Tank and Moon Jellies
Continuing your journey from the springs to the estuaries, you make your way to the sea, where, for the first time ever, ZooTampa will have tropical fish on display in a 10,000-gallon reef tank!
There are also three Moon Jelly tanks that will light up in different colors. This serves as a perfect backdrop, as the room can transform into an event space too!
Brackish Tank
There is another large tank that gives you a view from the underwater mangroves and piers, showcasing the animals that call Florida’s brackish waters home.
Once you’ve made your way through this journey, you'll move on to the existing and recently renovated Stingray Shores.
Fun Fact: The acrylic glass walls of the brackish tank and Keys tank were so heavy that the construction team had to use the largest crane in the Southeast to set them into place before the roof went on.
Reptiles and Amphibians Discovery
The exhibit has been moved out of the manatee tunnel area and now has its own standalone building in the Florida Waters realm! This is where you can get up close with some of our state's smallest creatures and unique creatures that are part of the Zoo's conservation work around the world.
What else is there to do at ZooTampa?
There are plenty of animal experiences to book, and stingrays to pet! Feed a great horned Rhino, go behind the scenes with the zoo's Koalas, meet a member of their penguin colony, and so much more!
One of our favorite experiences was the stingray encounter, where you can get right into the touch pool with these animals!
If you're planning to make a whole date out of your visit,
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