lowry park zoo safari ride

Local’s Guide to ZooTampa at Lowry Park

What you need to know before visiting ZooTampa

Looking to check out the best zoo near the St.Pete-Clearwater area? ZooTampa is an awesome place to visit for families.

As zoo members and locals, we’ve been to ZooTampa a lot. Not only do we regularly take our kids (ages 1-7), but we both have been going to the Tampa zoo since we were kids.

We both grew up with zoo memberships to what was then called Lowry Park Zoo before it rebranded as ZooTampa at Lowry Park.

We specializes in helping families find all the best things to do around the St. Pete-Clearwater area. Since ZooTampa is big, our goal with this guide is to help you make the most out of your visit.

Below you’ll find our ZooTampa review and 9 local tips to help you plan your zoo trip. We go over logistical issues like parking and stroller-accessibility too.

So, whether you’re a local or a visitor, we’re here to help you have the best time at Tampa’s zoo.

Let’s explore!

ZooTampa Highlights

Our favorite features of the zoo are:

• Epic manatee exhibit
• Free rides for kids of all ages
• Two splash pads to cool off
• Diverse animals
• Fun special events

General Information

• LOCATION : 1101 W. Sligh Ave. Tampa, FL 33604
• COST : ~$46 for adults; ~$36 for children 3-11
• PARKING : Free!
• WEBSITE : Zootampa.org

Ways to Save Money on ZooTampa Admission

ZooTampa isn’t cheap so before we dive into what you need to know before visiting, we want to highlight a few ways to save money on your visit.

We’ve included money saving ideas for both visitors and locals.

Buy tickets online

The easiest way to save money on ZooTampa tickets is to buy your ticket online before you arrive.

Tickets bought online are $3 cheaper per ticket than buying them on site.

Visit with CityPass

If you are a visitor or doing a staycation, CityPass is the best way to hit five Tampa Bay kid-friendly attractions for about 54% off regular ticket price.

With CityPass, you have a 9-days to visit:

• Busch Gardens
• Florida Aquarium (here’s our review of the Florida Aquarium )

And the choice of two of the following:

• MOSI: Museum of Science and Industry (a personal favorite when I was a kid)
• Glazer Children’s Museum
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium (here’s our review of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium )
• Boat Tour (Dolphin or Sunset-themed)

Get a ‘Pay for a Day’ ticket in Oct-Dec

ZooTampa tickets are expensive for a single visit but each ticket comes with the benefit of unlimited visits back to the zoo for the rest of the year.

They call these tickets ‘Pay for a Day’ and they grant you entry until the end of the year, except for a few blackout weeks around Spring Break, Thanksgiving and Christmas. You are also able to visit for their holiday events which is an awesome bonus.

The best way to save money on ZooTampa is being strategic about when you buy your ‘Pay for a Day’ ticket.

You’ll get so much more bang for your buck buying a ticket in January than you will in September.

In years past, if you buying in Oct-Dec. you can return to the zoo all the way through the following year. So buying a ticket on October 1, 2022 gave you free return visits until December 31, 2023!

Try the Zoo + Aquarium Joint ticket

If you’re visiting and don’t want to do the full CityPass, you could also consider a ZooAquarium ticket.

A ZooAquarium ticket gives you admission to both ZooTampa and the Florida Aquarium within a 7-day period for about 15% off regular admission.

If you’re a local, we’d recommend ZooTampa’s ‘Pay for a Day’ ticket over this option. It is only a little more to get the regular ticket and then you can return all year and visit their cool holiday events at Halloween and Christmas.

Take advantage of memberships or your reciprocal membership

Some people may want to consider the ZooTampa membership to save money on admission.

For example, the ZooTampa membership may be a more cost effective option for bigger families. Families who want to bring guests like grandparents or child care providers also will save with a membership.

For smaller families, ‘pay for the day’ and return all year tickets will likely be cheaper. As discussed above, if you’re visiting in October or November, the ‘pay for the day’ ticket will also give you a longer period of time to visit the zoo than a membership.

ZooTampa memberships may also make sense if you plan to visit zoo or aquariums that participate in reciprocal membership discounts. You can find the list of reciprocal members here .

Already a member of a different aquarium or zoo? Use your reciprocal benefit to save you a lot of money when visiting ZooTampa.

Join Our Newsletter

The best things to do in Pinellas this weekend, delivered right to your inbox!

10 Best Tips For Visiting ZooTampa

1. Watch Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa before your visit

National Geographic made a reality tv show at ZooTampa, following the zoo team as they take care of the animal residents.

You can watch the show on Disney+ and it is a great way to get excited before your visit.

The show is called Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa and it has four seasons to watch.

2. Bring your stroller

The zoo is very stroller friendly, with smooth and wide paths throughout the zoo. There is easy stroller parking spots next to all the rides too.

ZooTampa is a lot of walking and smaller kids will likely need a break from walking during their visit.

With a 1-year old and 3-year old, there was no way we could have fully enjoyed the zoo without our double stroller. If you think there’s even a chance your kid may get tired walking, we definitely recommend a stroller.

The only part I found slightly tricky to navigate with the stroller was trying to get close to the windows at the manatee exhibit. My kids were being lazy though and you’d have no problem tucking a stroller up by a wall and walking up to the windows.

3. Pack swim suits

Some of my most vivid memories of visiting Lowry Park Zoo as a kid myself are playing in the manatee fountains at the end of the day.

There’s really nothing better than cooling off in the water after walking around all day. Which ZooTampa clearly understands because they’ve added a second fun splash pad area for kids in Wallaroo Station.

Plan ahead for the splash pads and remember to pack swim suits or at least dry clothes so you don’t have soaking wet kids in your car.

4. BYO-Snacks

ZooTampa allows snacks for kids to be brought into the zoo. This is a great way to save money and also save time during your visit.

We’ve regularly brought in enough food for full lunches without any issue too, even though the official rules frown on this.

We like bringing our snacks because:

• You can sit in front of your favorite animal’s exhibit while you eat (we personally like doing this in the Africa section)
• You don’t have to backtrack to find a food stall when your kid randomly demands a snack
• On less busy days, some food stalls may not be open. We experienced this on our last visit (though that may have been because of an approaching hurricane).

That said, there are food options scattered throughout the zoo if you don’t want to deal with packing your own food.

5. Arrive early to “beat the heat”

Arrive when the zoo first opens to enjoy (slightly) cooler temperatures.

If you can cover most of the zoo before the worst heat of the day, you’ll be ready to hit the splash pads as the hottest part of the day rolls around.

Let’s be real, during Florida summer its always pretty hot but things will be more bearable earlier in the day.

At the zoo, the heat also factors into the animals activity. More animals will be hiding out from the heat or less active when its really really hot.

6. Sit on the driver’s side on Expedition Wild Africa Safari

Expedition Wild Life Africa Safari is a unique experience at ZooTampa. You ride on expedition trucks to on a backstage adventure around the Africa section of the zoo.

First, you’ll want to head to the Safari ride as soon as possible after it opens at 10am to enjoy shorter wait times. The line will get longer as it gets to midday and more people arrive to the zoo.

For the best views of the animals while on safari, try to grab the driver’s side seats if possible and put your child at the window.

The driver’s side gets much better views of the rhinos, giraffes and elephants. The passenger side gets the male elephants closer but if they aren’t by the fence you’re less likely to get cool close up views.

TIP: You’ll want to budget time for the safari experience. On our last visit, there was no line but we still spent about 30 minutes in total between waiting for the next truck, watching the safety video, riding the ride, and disembarking.

7. Don’t miss the manatees

The manatee exhibit is really a special feature of the Tampa zoo.

You won’t even see manatees like this even at our local aquariums (though Clearwater Marine Aquarium just broke ground on a manatee rehab center ).

Visiting the manatees definitely leaves a lasting impression — I remember so distinctly the manatees at Lowry Park Zoo from my childhood. I even got to do one of the “sleep with the manatee” field trips once.

The manatee exhibit is very tranquil and serene. If you can catch the manatees at a feeding time, it’s even better.

Plus, in the manatee house you’ll find a lot of other cool Florida reptiles and sea-life, like adorable tiny seahorses and less-adorable big snakes.

8. Get up close & personal with the animals

ZooTampa offers a lot of cool ways to interact with the animals.

First, you can catch some of their educational talks or experiences that happen throughout the day. You can find the schedule here .

It’s worth reviewing the schedule before your trip so you are aware of times. On our last visit, we just missed the macaw flyover by seconds and we definitely could have made it if the time had been on our radar in advance.

Second, you can interact and feed animals throughout the zoo.

There is a petting zoo in Wallaroo Station, with the option to feed the goats.

You can also feed the lorikeet birds nectar near the primate and Asia sections, though the feeding is only available at certain times of the day.

The zoo also sometimes has stingray touch tanks open. However, this closed for a period after stingrays mysteriously died ( source ). The exhibit has since re-opened with improvements but was closed again on our last visit for renovations around the area.

Finally, there are a number of paid experiences where you can get behind the scenes tours and interact with some of the zoos most beloved animals like giraffes, penguins and koalas.

9. Enjoy the free rides

All the rides at ZooTampa are free and included in your general admission admission ticket.

This is such a nice feature that I haven’t found at many of the other zoos we’ve visited.

We love being able to let our kids ride the carousel and flying bananas as much as they want, without having to think about buying tickets.

There is also a new water flume ride that adults will appreciate too. You may want to save this until later in the day to cool off.

10. Holiday special events are worth it

The zoo puts on cool holiday events throughout the year.

At Halloween, they have “spooky” evening zoo nights called Creatures of the Night. We visited at the end of August and the Halloween decorations could already be seen throughout the zoo.

Check out our review of ZooTampa’s Creatures of the Night event!

For Christmas, they deck the zoo halls with a light spectacular that you can visit at night.

We think these festive events are a lot of fun and definitely worth visiting. Plus, you get free admission to the holiday events even with “Pay for a Day” tickets!

Pros of ZooTampa

ZooTampa is awesome and has a lot of pros. We’ve covered a lot of them above, but here is a TLDR list:

• Pay for a Day, Return for a Year ticket : There is so much to do at the zoo that repeat visits are a big benefit
• Animal diversity : ZooTampa has lots of cool animals to see and interactive petting zoo opportunities
• Manatees : The manatee rescue is a very unique experience that you won’t find elsewhere in the Tampa area.
• Rides : The rides are a cool added feature at the Tampa zoo that our kids love. Plus, they’re free with admission unlike other zoos I’ve visited.
• Splash pads : A splash pad is always a welcome feature for an outside Florida attraction.
• Free parking : I appreciate any place that doesn’t hit you with an added cot for parking after already charing you so much for entry.

Cons of ZooTampa

We don’t see too many cons to visiting ZooTampa.

If you only plan to visit once, the cost is the biggest negative about ZooTampa . The tickets are very expensive for only one visit and is like cost-prohibitive for some folks.

The other negative about visiting ZooTampa is a con for any outdoor Florida activity — it’s probably going to be really hot and humid.

While that weather is expected when you’re in Florida, at the zoo the heat can impact the animal action you see . When we went in August, we saw a lot of animals taking naps tucked away in the shade. And honestly, who could blame them?

Scavenger Hunts of ZooTampa

Looking to make ZooTampa even more fun for your kids? Don’t miss out on our scavenger hunts that we’ve made for different areas in the zoo.

Want to get in on the fun? Sign up for our mailing list and you’ll get access to all our ZooTampa scavenger hunts (plus lots more scavenger hunts for parks and attractions around Tampa Baby!).

Our mailing list is also a great way to stay up to date on fun things happening around St. Pete-Clearwater for families.

ZooTampa Alternatives

You aren’t going to find another zoo of ZooTampa’s scale around the Tampa Bay area.

For visiting other animals, you could visit:

• HorsePower for Kids : HorsePower is an animal sanctuary and petting zoo. It is more farm-style than zoo style but there are lots of opportunities to interact with animals
• Old McMicky’s Farm : Old McMicky’s Farm has been in operation for over 70 years and we have fond memories of visiting on childhood field trips. Families can enjoy guided farm tours for $15 per person.

Or check out our local aquariums:

• Florida Aquarium: Florida Aquarium is the premiere aquarium in Florida. It’s located about 12-minutes away from ZooTampa
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Clearwater Marine Aquarium was made famous by the movie Dolphin Tales. CMA is a conservation and rescue-focused aquarium.

FAQs About ZooTampa

Is zootampa stroller-friendly.

Yes, ZooTampa is very stroller-friendly. If your kids are remotely stroller-aged, I’d definitely recommend bringing a stroller. The paths are smooth and wide, so it is easy to navigate. It is a long day and a lot of walking so the stroller really helps.

Is parking free at ZooTampa?

Yes! All parking is free at ZooTampa. Members get priority parking closer to the entrance but even the standard parking is only a quick walk away.

Can you bring in food or drinks into the zoo?

The official zoo policy is that you may bring in snacks for small children & babies, non-glass water bottles, and one soft cooler bags that are 8.5” x 6” x 6” or smaller per kid. No alcohol, glass or prepared meals permitted.

In practice, we’ve never been stopped for food when we’ve visited. Last time I brought a soft cooler that was probably a little over 12” without issue. That said, we go with small children and you never know who will do your bag check, so your mileage may vary.

Can you touch any animals at ZooTampa?

Yes, there is a petting zoo and stingray touch tank at ZooTampa. You’ll find the petting in the Wallaroo Station area (you can also feed goats here). The stingray touch tank is in the Florida area

How long should you plan to spend at ZooTampa?

For us, ZooTampa could easily be an all-day activity. Between the animals, the rides and the splash pad, there is so much to see and do at Tampa’s zoo. On our last visit, we spent a little over 4 hours there and felt like there was a lot still to do.

Final Thoughts: Is ZooTampa Worth It?

If you are a local to Tampa Bay or visit a few times throughout the year, ZooTampa is definitely worth the price of admission.

While the ticket price is high, it gives you free return visits for the rest of the year so you can definitely make the cost worthwhile.

Once you’re inside, ZooTampa offers so much to do for kids of all ages. Plus the rides and parking are free.

If you’re an out-of-towner, ZooTampa’s cost may not be worth it as a standalone ticket. It’s a lot for just one day at the zoo. Instead, we’d recommend looking at the CityPass ticket to get the most bang for your buck.

🤩 Check CityPass Prices

Get our best tips for visiting the Florida Aquarium , just 12-minutes away from ZooTampa.

Elizabeth Jon is a Ph.D. researcher whose work focuses on pregnancy and education. A Pinellas native & mom to a toddler and baby, she founded Suncoast Family Fun to be the ultimate guide to kid-friendly activities in the Clearwater-St. Pete area.

Similar Posts

11 Best Splash Pads in St. Pete-Clearwater for Kids

Ready to beat the heat with a visit to a splash pad? Splash pads are amazing outdoor activities for babies, toddlers and kids. This list will save you time searching for splash pads near you in the St. Pete-Clearwater area to keep your kids cool all summer long.

Honeymoon Island State Park: Local’s Guide

Heading ot Honeymoon Island? Check out this local’s guide to Honeymoon to make the most out of your visit!

Tarpon Springs Splash Park: Local’s Guide

The Tarpon Springs Splash Park is located in the Live Oak Recreational Complex in Tarpon Springs Florida. Here’s everything you need to know before visiting the Tarpon Springs splash pad!

25 Ways to Save Money at Disney World

Looking for easy ways to save money at Disney? Check out these Disney money saving tips, including easy ones that are simple to try on your next trip.

Old McMicky’s Farm Review: Is It Worth It?

Check out our review of Old McMicky’s Farm, an education farm with farm tours for families, and find our if it is actually worth the trip.

Raprager Family Farm: Local’s Review

Everything you need to know before visiting Raprager’s Farm in Odessa FL. We include tips to make the most of your visit (like pack extra clothes!)

Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park Review

We spent a week in Florida a few years ago, and drove to Tampa on two separate occasions – once to see Busch Gardens, and the other to see the zoo. We wish we would have spent two days at the zoo instead! This zoo is a hidden gem for out of town visitors. The interactions and proximity you’re able to have with the animals is incredible. We’re saving time in our schedule for the zoo on our next visit to Florida!

Highlights:

• Africa – LOVED the Africa exhibit! Giraffe feeding, a savanna where they can roam, and a free safari ride to get a better view of the exhibit!
• Florida Animals – maybe it’s because we’re from Chicago, but we thoroughly enjoyed the Florida section, including Florida panthers, alligators, and my wife’s favorite – manatees! This zoo does a lot by way of manatee rehabilitation
• Sting Ray touch tank – typically we see sting rays in temporary homes, so seeing them down in Florida was very nice – they were more interactive than we were used to!
• Australia – an area to walk among the wallabies, and koalas! 

© 2018, Zoo With Us . All rights reserved.

Dale, Let's Travel!

Ready? Okay, vamos. Time to have fun!

• May 22, 2023

What to Expect when Visiting ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Updated: Dec 4, 2023

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is 56 acres of naturalistic animal exhibits in Tampa, Florida. It is a great place to connect with wildlife, learn more about them, and learn how to protect them. There is so much to do at ZooTampa that you will want to spend the entire day - let's explore!

Address: 1101 w. sligh ave. tampa, fl 33604, hours: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm, 7 days a week - check their website for more details on extended hour days and holiday closures, parking: free.

What are the 6 Sections?

ZooTampa is split up with Manatee Circle in the front (yellow), Wallaroo to the right of that (burnt orange), Africa at the top (beige), Florida on the left (blue), with Asia (fuchsia), and Primates (green) towards the middle. Side note: going in as first-timers, we did not expect it to be so big and immersive - we were impressed! Now, let's go over what to expect at each section of the zoo.

Manatee Circle

As soon as you enter ZooTampa, you are in Manatee Circle. Currently, the first thing you will see ahead of you is a display for Bugtopia, I will go over what this is later on, and behind that, you will find the Manatee Statute and Fountains. It serves as a refreshing splash pad with plenty of bench seating surrounding it. Towards the left, you will find Macaw's Landing Cafe, an indoor quick-service restaurant perfect for escaping the Florida sun. They offer burgers, salads, drinks, ice cream, and milkshakes - to name a few! Moreover, in the center towards the right is the Main Aviary which allows you to get close to many different species of birds as you enter their habitat! Towards the back of Manatee Circle, you will find the Carousel.

Using the above map, to the right of the carousel is Wallaroo! It is Tampa’s own land down under, a.k.a. an Australian-themed kid area at ZooTampa. The main splash pad of the park is found here along with a playground and various attractions. Some of these attractions include Boomer's Flyin' Bananas and Tasmanian Tiger Coaster. You can even meet Flora the Florida Panther. The kiddos can easily spend their entire day in this section with its colorful and inviting elements - you can even see a koala here! Do not worry, parents if anyone gets hungry, you will be next to Boomer's Cafe, which offers grab-and-go chicken tenders, personal pizza, corn dogs, and more. Another distinct feature of this section is the Wendy's Frosty trailer, where you can purchase Frosty Sundaes!

The top of the zoo is Africa, home to large, rare, and impressive animals! You can board the Expedition Wild Africa Safari to visit these animals in their habitats through the Habari Preserve. However, you can also meet a majority of the animals by walking the Africa Savanna. We saw rhinos, okapis, giraffes, elephants, a giant tortoise, and many others! This section also has Savanna Oasis, where you can buy pizzas by the slice or the whole pie, and Chakula Canteen, where you can build your own nachos or grab some BBQ. The unique part about Africa is that they have a Beer & Wine Garden called the Coppertail Watering Hole!

As you exit Africa and pass the African Penguins, go right, and you will enter the Florida section of the zoo. The first thing you will notice is Roaring Springs, a boat ride along a crystal clear spring that ends with a three-story splashdown! To the side of this ride, you will see a little play area for the kids and the entrance to the Florida Boardwalk. Along the Florida Boardwalk, you will find many animals, from skunks, flamingos, a wolf, otters, Florida Panthers, alligators, and more! The Manatee Critical Care Center is in the Florida section here you will witness how ZooTampa is working on rehabilitating these injured Manatees in hopes of releasing them back into the wild.

As you leave the Florida Boardwalk, you enter Asia. There are so many unique animals here that I have never seen before. In this section, you will see a Malayan Tiger, Siamangs, Binturongs, a Sun Bear, and a Komodo Dragon - to name a few! There is also another aviary here, but it is smaller than the Main Aviary at the entrance of the zoo.

The last main section of ZooTampa is the Primates section. A majority of the animals found in this section are endangered in the wild, making this area perfect for learning about the different primates and how to help protect them. It was one of our favorite sections, as it was entertaining to see how these primates carried themselves as individuals in their pack. There was a lot of monkeying around in this section which led to a lot of laughs among the visitors. You will also find Rango Snacks in this section which features Starbucks.

Between the end of the Florida Boardwalk and Asia, you will find the Bugtopia nook of the zoo. This exhibit is temporary and ends on May 28, 2023! Within this exhibit, you will meet 13 larger-than-life animatronic bugs. A few bugs you will meet are Black Ant, Emperor Scorpion, Say’s Firefly, and Mexican Redknee Tarantula. Some animatronics move, make noise, or spit, so be on the lookout. For sure, though, you will get the opportunity to learn more about each species.

Unforgettable Animal Interactions

Throughout the day, you can join the animal care team for special chats and animal experiences. Each Wildlife Connection features a different animal, so you can enjoy each one throughout the day and learn something new every time! While at the zoo, check out the schedule listing on the back of your map.

Upgrade your Day

Another way to enjoy your trip to ZooTampa is by upgrading your day with a signature animal encounter. You can get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Manatee Critical Care Center, get up close and feed the rhinos, have some "Koala-ty" time with the Koalas, and more. These experiences can be reserved online or at Guest Services while at the zoo.

This blog post is the third of our tampa bay citypass series. this ticket allowed us to visit zootampa at lowry park , the florida aquarium , busch gardens tampa bay , and two other attraction visits of your choice (from a listing). the listing comprises the clearwater marine aquarium , the tropics boat tours dolphin or sunset cruise, the museum of science & industry, and the glazer children's museum. adult ticket prices are $139, and children (3-9) ticket prices are $124..

In purchasing the CityPASS, we saved money on these 5 visits, skipped the ticket counter, and increased our flexibility as we did not have to reserve a spot for most attractions. Everywhere we go, even when we are local, we search for discounted ticket packages like CityPASS to get the greatest bang for our buck and visit the most well-known attractions in that area!

Disclaimer: as an affiliate of citypass, i may receive monetary compensation if you purchase through the links in this blog post. however, i want to clarify that this will not come at an extra cost to you. your use of the links will help support my blog and allow me to continue creating high-quality content for you. thank you for your support, want to purchase the tampa bay citypass to visit these amazing attractions and save over 50% at 5 must-see attractions click the below image to do so, check out our monthly tip blog post regarding citypass (and go city) here for more details on what they are, what's the difference between them, where you can use them, and how to use them.

Such a Zoo-tastic Day!

There is plenty to see and do at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and I hope this article has better prepared you for your visit. So grab your comfy shoes, a bottle of water, and your CityPASS ticket (using our affiliate link 😉), and get ready to explore the 56 acres of naturalistic animal exhibits!

Have you been to zootampa at lowry park if so, what was your favorite part let us know in the comments below. if you haven't gone when you do, share your experience on social media and tag us on our dale, let's travel pages. speaking of social media... don't forget to follow us 😊.

Did you enjoy and find this blog post helpful?

If yes, subscribe at the end of this page to "Join the Fun 🥳" and receive our weekly newsletter so you do not miss out on a blog post! You can also show your support and rep Dale, Let's Travel! by purchasing our 3x3 inch glossy sticker for $5! Free shipping within the United States. Are you interested in purchasing a sticker or two? Email us at [email protected] with the subject line "DLT! Sticker" or "Blog Sticker," we can finalize your payment method and grab your mailing address there! Thank you for supporting my small business! 😊

* This article is not sponsored by ZooTampa at Lowry Park or any of the other businesses mentioned above or their affiliates. However, as previously mentioned, Dale, Let's Travel! LLC is an affiliate of CityPASS and may receive monetary compensation if you purchase tickets using the above affiliate link. *

• Go City / City Pass

Recent Posts

A Beginner's Guide to Visiting The Florida Aquarium

Discovering the Wonders of Clearwater Marine Aquarium: A Complete Guide

2 Amazing Discounted Ticket Packages for Top Tourist Attractions

Comentarios

We use cookies to give you the best experience on our site. Learn more or close to accept.

COMMUNITY PARTNER

• , Tampa , Tampa Bay

Water Taxi Launches Lowry Park Zoo Route

• February 28, 2017
• • By Andrew Harlan

50 minute rides from the Convention Center to the zoo

Explore Lowry Park Zoo’s roaring new exhibit

Andrew Harlan

Don't miss a story 👉, get all the best local content delivered to your inbox, 👇 don't miss a story 👇.

Recent Stories

Couture USA is Tampa Bay’s top store for high-end designer brands for over 20 years

Dapper Doughnut makes debut in Tampa with speciality doughnut ice cream

Lovsl leaders support Amtrak expansion, Brightline high-speed rail service in Tampa Bay

Related Stories

The Mustard Seed is Tampa Bay’s dreamy deli and charcuterie market

Two bike trails to experience in Tampa Bay with incredible views

A popular flower and wine bar in Brandon is expanding to Seminole Heights

More recent stories.

Plans for Tampa’s Black History Museum announced as Juneteenth celebrations kick off

Tampa Bay Bucs tease the return of their iconic creamsicle jerseys

Top Tampa Weekend Events

Tampa is one of the top cities for a staycation in America

The hottest new restaurants to visit in Tampa

The Rome Collective, a huge mixed-use development in North Hyde Park

Bo’s Ice Cream, a family-owned treasure in Tampa since 1954

Open-air sunset bookish event, Pages & Play, set for Water Street Tampa

Since 2013, That’s So Tampa has been the most trusted local resource for discovering All Things Good in Tampa Bay.

All Things Good

More from us.

• About / Contact
• Send a Gift
• Privacy Policy

From splash pads to pools, the best ways to get wet & beat the heat in Palm Beach County

The heat is most definitely on this summer and if you listen to the news it's only going to get hotter. While it can feel downright apocalyptic out there, and the temptation is to just hunker down in an air-conditioned cave, watch movies, play video games, maybe even take that pile of clothes off your Peloton bike and go for a ride, you can't stay there forever.

When you've just got to get out of the house and get outside (or maybe, more importantly, just get the kids out of the house and outside), what can you do? Get wet and go wild! That's what!

And luckily, in Palm Beach County there are plenty of options from splash pad to full on water park. Here are some of the standouts:

Get wet and wild at the Palm Beach Zoo

Though known mostly for its fulltime residents, including jaguars, tigers, koalas, bears, caiman, cougars, capybaras, monkeys, flamingos, owls, and more, the Palm Beach Zoo also has a massive, interactive fountain for kids to play in and cool off. Included in the price of admission, the fountain is located in the center of the zoo with the four main areas branching off of it. Though the attraction "is mostly used by kids, adults are welcome to cool off as well," zoo spokesperson John Towey says. He also added that the zoo is very well shaded making it comfortable on even some of South Florida's hottest days. Towey said that the animals are also well protected from the heat with all of their habitats having shaded areas and most also having water features. In addition, many of the animals are given ice treats, including frozen bones for the tigers and piles of ice for the bears. The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Adults $28.95; seniors (60 and up) $26.95; ages 3 to 12 $22.95; ages 0 to 2 free. Purchase online and save $2 per ticket.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Hot summer special: From June 1 through July 31, each full-price adult ticket purchased allows free admission for two children 12 and under.

Information: 1301 Summitt Blvd., West Palm Beach. palmbeachzoo.org

Drive through Lion Country Safari then walk through the 'Sprayground'

Open since 1967 and ranked as one of the best safari parks in the United States, this Loxahatchee landmark also has the means for keeping you cool in the summer. Enjoy 23 different water features at the Safari Splash Sprayground, satisfy that need for speed the on free fall and loop water slides at the Safari Water Slides and get creative at the Safari Falls exhibit where guests can enjoy slides, water sprayers, dump buckets and more. The Safari Splash Sprayground opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 5:15 p.m., the Safari Water Slides and Safari Falls both open at 11 a.m. and close at 5:15 p.m. Ages 10 and older $49; ages 3 to 9 $37; two and under free.

Hot summer deal: The park is once again offering its 'Summer Savings Pass.' The pass is $67.99 for adults and $56.99 for ages 3 to 12. It provides unlimited admission to the park as well as unlimited admission to Zoo Miami, Cox Science Center and Aquarium and Everglades Alligator Farm.

How great is Lion Country Safari? Zoo made this USA top 10 list for the seventh time!

Information: 2003 Lion Country Safari Road, Loxahatchee. lioncountrysafari.com

Ride the lazy river at Calypso Bay Water Park

Owned and operated by Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation, this water park opened in 2001 and is a great way to cool off, burn some calories and wear out those out-of-school kiddos. Check out the two 30-foot water slides and the interactive water playground. There's also a lap pool with diving boards and a nearly 900-foot-long meandering river to coast along in an inner tube. Summer hours (May 31 to Aug. 11) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Ages 12 and older $16; senior, military with ID $12; ages 3 to 11 $12; ages 1 and 2 $7; infants free.

Hot tip: the price of entry drops after 3 p.m.

Information: 151 Lamstein Lane, Royal Palm Beach. calypsobaywaterpark.com

Walk atop the lily pads at Coconut Cove Waterpark

This Boca Raton hot spot for keeping cool is jam packed with liquid refreshment. There are two four-story-tall water slides, the lily pad walk, a children's water playground, a recreational pool and a nearly 1,000-foot-long river ride. There's also a concession stand serving up brownies, chips, ice cream and more. Summer hours (June 1 to Aug. 11) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Ages 12 and older $17; seniors and military with ID $13; ages 3 to 11 $13; ages 1 and 2 $7; infants free.

Hot tip: admission price drops by $2 after 3 p.m.

Information: 20130 Regional Park Drive, Boca Raton. Information: coconutcove-waterpark.com

Check out the Mega Mayhem water slide at Rapids Water Park

Palm Beach County's ultimate destination for high-speed, water slidin', lazy floatin' fun has absolutely got game. This park features over 40 slides and attractions, a quarter-mile-long lazy river, a 25,000-gallon wave pool, FlowRider surf simulator, tube slides, kids structure and much more. New at the Rapids in 2024: the Mega Mayhem experience. Standing 54 feet tall with dueling runs of over 800 feet each, this slide will have you racing side by side and hitting speeds of 22 mph. It is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week through Aug. 11, with hours changing on Aug. 12. $64.99 plus tax at the gate, $54.99 plus tax online for Monday to Friday ticket and $59.99 plus tax online for an Any Day ticket good weekends and holidays.

More on Rapids: Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach unveils largest ride in history for 2024 season

Information: 6566 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. rapidswaterpark.com

Wade into Barracuda Bay Aquatic Complex

A great place to cool off during those hot summer days this park features water slides, fountains, an interactive activity pool and much more. There are even several FPL solar trees where guests can grab some shade before jumping back into the aquatic action.

Information: 1621 W. Blue Heron Blvd., Riviera Beach. 561-845-4076; solarnow.fpl.com/project/brbp

Go jump in the lake at Shark Park 561

Within the vast Okeeheelee Park, not one, but two water play options await at Shark Park 561. You can tackle the obstacle island or try wake boarding, knee boarding, skiing or more towed not by a boat but by cable. For both the Cable Park and Ostacle Island there are some age restrictions and safety lessons required for some activities. For ticket prices and reservations go to sharkwakepark.com/561

Dive in with Keylypso of the Palm Beaches

Cool off in the beautiful Atlantic waters with a snorkeling trip aboard the 34-foot, power catamaran Keylypso. Their tours explore some of the most exclusive and pristine snorkeling spots in the Palm Beaches. See vibrant coral reefs in the ocean or encounter exotic marine life around Peanut Island. Top-quality snorkeling gear is provided to ensure a comfortable and safe underwater excursion. They also offer a sunset cruise and a Palm Beach mansion tour. Keylypso operates 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Contact for trip schedule.

Information: Lake Park Marina, 105 Lake Shore Drive, Lake Park. 561-718-2723; keylypso.com

More Palm Beach County splash pads, fountains

South Olive Park Splash Pad , 345 Summa St., West Palm Beach. wpb.org/government/parks-recreation/parks-facilities-locations

Bill Moss Hillcrest Paseo , 3401 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach. wpb.org/government/parks-recreation/parks-facilities-locations

Centennial Fountain at Nancy M. Graham Centennial Square , 150 N. Clematis St., West Palm Beach. wpb.org/government/parks-recreation/parks-facilities-locations

Lincoln Park , 5100 N. Haverhill Road, West Palm Beach. wpb.org/government/parks-recreation/parks-facilities-locations

Catherine Strong Splash Park , 1500 SW Sixth St., Delray Beach. visitdelraybeach.org/plays/cathering-strong-splash-park/

Lake Lytal Park , 3645 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach. discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Locations/Lake-Lytal

Kintz Park and Splash Pad , 301 Glenbrook Drive, Lake Worth Beach. atlantisfl.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Kintz-Park

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at  The Palm Beach Post , part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at  [email protected] . Help support our journalism.  Subscribe today .