ZooTampa (Lowry Park Zoo) with Kids: 2026 Family Guide

Most Tampa families still call it Lowry Park Zoo. The official name is ZooTampa at Lowry Park, but it's the same zoo on Sligh Avenue it's always been. It's also the only full zoo in Tampa itself. Kids get manatees, tigers, rhinos, a few real rides, and two places to get soaked.

We checked tickets, parking, hours, rides, and food rules on zootampa.org on September 28, 2026. Prices and event nights change during the year, so confirm the day's details before you drive over.

ZooTampa Quick Facts

Heads-up for fall 2026: the zoo is renovating its front gate arrival plaza, so a temporary entrance and exit are in use.

ZooTampa Tickets & Parking (2026)

Ticket options

The Zoo Fun Ticket costs the same as a same-day ticket. It also covers the rest of 2026, including Creatures of the Night in October and Christmas in the Wild in December. If you're buying at full price anyway this fall, it's the obvious pick. Parking is still extra.

CityPASS lets you pick five of these: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa, The Tropics Boat Tours, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, MOSI, and Glazer Children's Museum. It's worth it only if you'll really do five in nine days.

Memberships

Memberships include unlimited visits, free parking, seasonal events, and member-only mornings like Toddler Tuesdays. Prices depend on how many named members and guests you want. See our Tampa annual passes comparison to compare the zoo with the aquarium and MOSI.

Parking

Since January 5, 2026, non-members pay $7 per day to park, through ParkMobile. That includes Zoo Fun Ticket holders. Members park free.

What to See: ZooTampa by Area

Entrance and Manatee Circle

The fun starts before you get far. The Canopy Aviary is a free-flight bird aviary just inside the gate. The Macaw Flyover sends a flock of macaws over the entrance and around Manatee Circle. The Manatee Fountains are where toddlers usually get wet first. Rydables (ride-on animal scooters) are rented here too.

Florida

This is the part that makes ZooTampa different. The Florida area has panthers, black bears, red wolves, alligators, flamingos, and owls along the Florida Boardwalk.

The David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center treats injured, sick, and orphaned wild manatees. It's one of only two federally permitted manatee rehab centers in the U.S. At Manatee Cove, kids can watch current patients through underwater viewing windows. If your kids love manatees, pair this with the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach in winter.

Florida Coast

The zoo's newest expansion includes:

• Stingray Shores, where kids can touch and feed stingrays
• Manatee Rescue, an underwater-style manatee viewing area
• Otter Oasis, a bigger river otter habitat with above- and below-water viewing
• Reptile and Amphibian Discovery, with indigo snakes, newts, toads, and more

A separate Stingray In-Water Experience lets older, braver visitors wade in with the rays for an extra fee.

Roaring Springs

This is a boat ride along a spring-themed river, ending in a three-story splashdown. Kids between 36" and 42" must ride with someone 14 or older. You will get wet, so bring a change of clothes. It closes in bad weather.

Carousel Circle

The Carousel is included with admission. Kids ride a cheetah, manatee, elephant, and more. Adults can't ride the animals, but children must have an adult or companion 14 or older with them. There's also a Build A Plush station and carnival games here.

Asia

The Asian Gardens have a Malayan tiger, sun bears, and greater one-horned rhinos. The walk-in lorikeet aviary lets kids feed the birds for a small fee.

Primate World

Most of the primates here are endangered in the wild. It's a good shaded stop between the busier areas.

Australia

Australia is the best area for little kids:

• Sydney Station barnyard: goats and a llama, open 10 AM–3 PM
• Billabong Splash Pad: closes at dusk on event nights
• Koala Clubhouse Playground: climbing and slides for younger kids
• Boomer's Flyin' Bananas: a kiddie ride for kids 30"–48" only
• Tasmanian Tiger Coaster: kids under 48" ride with someone 14 or older
• Aussie Trek: a safari ride; kids need to be 40" and age 4 to ride without an adult
• Lil' Joey's Family Stop: a private spot to nurse, feed, and change little ones

Africa

Africa has elephants, giraffes, white rhinos, painted dogs, shoebills, okapi, and pygmy hippos. The Expedition Wild Africa Safari is a behind-the-scenes ride through the area. Children under 56" must ride with an adult.

Animal Encounters

Signature encounters cost extra and need a reservation. Options include giraffe feeding, a penguin meet-and-greet, a giant tortoise encounter, a white rhino backstage encounter, and a koala behind-the-scenes tour. Most encounters require kids to be at least 5, and anyone under 18 must attend with a paying adult. Book 48 hours ahead if you can, because that's also the change and refund cutoff.

Food Rules (Read This Before You Pack)

ZooTampa doesn't let you bring a packed lunch through the gate. Here's what's allowed:

• One sealed bottle of water per guest, 20 oz max
• Small snacks for young children
• Baby food and formula
• One small soft-sided insulated bag per child (8.5" x 6" x 6" max)
• Food needed for medical reasons

Not allowed: packed meals, hard coolers, glass, alcohol, and straws. If you want to picnic, use the picnic area by the main parking lot. Ask about re-entry at the gate before you head out.

Inside, there's food in every area, including Safari Pizza Company in Africa, The Outpost in Australia, and Rango Snacks (Starbucks drinks) near Primate World. Tell staff about allergies; the zoo keeps a dietary guide.

Seasonal Events

• Creatures of the Night (October): select nights, family Halloween event with a walk-through haunted neighborhood and a scarier area for older kids. Included with membership or a Zoo Fun Ticket. See our Tampa Halloween events guide for more.
• Christmas in the Wild (late November–December): select nights from Friday, November 27 through December 30, 2026. Separate ticket; kids 2 and under are free. Included for members and Zoo Fun Ticket holders. More ideas in our Tampa Christmas events guide.

Tips by Age

Toddlers (1–3): Manatee Fountains, carousel, barnyard, Billabong Splash Pad, Koala Clubhouse. Plan 3 hours and leave before nap time.

Ages 4–8: Add Stingray Shores, Roaring Springs if they're tall enough, and the Australia rides. Check heights at home before you promise anything.

Ages 9–14: The manatee hospital, the coaster, Roaring Springs, and a signature encounter usually hold their attention longest.

How to Have a Better Zoo Day

1. Buy tickets the day before. It saves $3 per person.
2. Go early in summer. The animals are more active, and the afternoon storms haven't started.
3. Pack swimsuits or spare clothes. Between the fountains, the splash pad, and Roaring Springs, somebody gets soaked.
4. Measure your kids. The ride heights here are 30", 36", 40", 42", 48", and 56". Knowing the number ahead saves a meltdown in line.
5. Check closures. Rides and splash areas close for lightning, and the zoo sometimes closes early for private events.

Zoos in Tampa, Florida: How ZooTampa Compares

If you're searching for zoos in Tampa, Florida, here's the short version:

For a calmer day with small kids, ZooTampa is usually easier than Busch Gardens. It's smaller, cheaper, and all the rides are gentle.

Getting There

ZooTampa is at 1101 W. Sligh Avenue, just off I-275 in North Tampa. It sits next to Lowry Park, which has its own playground and picnic space.

Rough drive times without traffic: downtown Tampa 10–15 minutes, South Tampa about 20, Brandon about 25–30, St. Petersburg and Clearwater about 35–40.

Related Resources

• Tampa activities
• things to do in Tampa
• MOSI Tampa guide - Tampa's science museum, about 15-20 minutes away
• Tampa annual passes compared - zoo vs. aquarium vs. MOSI