First I want to start by saying that this park is well worth the yearly family membership if you live in the area. If you don’t live in the area, it will all depend on which zoo you’ve visited and what your priority is as to whether this one will be worth your while or not. If your priority is entertaining the kids well then this zoo will make it worth your while. You have unlimited carousel rides, you have the safari tour, the petting part of the zoo, a small water section for the kiddos to get wet and they even have different events throughout the year so it is always a good idea to check out their brochure. All I can tell you is that I have been to other zoos and it wasn’t free to take the safari tour, nor to park so this zoo has a lot included in the admission price. Also the fact that is has train rides and small roller coaster rides for the kids, it feels almost like an amusement park/zoo. Is not a big zoo, so I cannot say you are going to be impressed by the large selection of animals but it is a well designed zoo, that I believed was designed with kids in mind. I cannot say that I was bored, feeding the giraffes was fun and watching the chimps was great. I’ve been to even smaller zoos and they put me to sleep, at least this zoo will not have that effect on you. Enjoy!

Beth AguileraFeb 11, 2018

Amazing experience. My daughter had a blast and got to feed Randall the giraffe which she will never forget and talks about often. Cafeteria food had fairly healthy options, good options, great taste (made to order so a little wait, we were there off season so it was okay but I can see that there may be long waits in Cafe during busy times). Kids area was great for my daughter. Overall friendly staff and great zoo. Would go back

kimberly koelmanMar 1, 2018

Got the family plus membership and I have to say it was completely worth it. The zoo does a very good job of taking care of it's animals. They were up and lively. The monkey were making all kinds of noises and very playfully. The stingrays were awesome and gentle and the elephant put on a great show. The kids loved it. We saw everything in about 3 and a half hours. Food isn't priced to high but I would recommend you bring a cooler with food and leave it in the car. Will definitely be back

staphany danasFeb 11, 2018

This was a beautifully designed zoo. The landscaping throughout is terrific, however there's not as many animals as I thought, and some of the enclosures were not size worthy. On a good note all the animals enclosures were setup in such a way that gave a great viewing experience. My favorite was the White Rhinos because they have more than any zoo I've been to and the fencing is less than 10 feet away and one came right up to it... I have never seen any rhino not to mention a majestic endangered white rhino that close before. It was magical.

Brittany HouchinFeb 12, 2018

Wonderful place - we got a pass and I'm so glad we did, as the area we explored was undergoing renovations and we didn't get to see a lot before our grandbaby was worn out. If you are bringing a small child they probably can't see the whole place in one day. The food service is better than expected at a zoo - pricey like all amusement park type stuff, but better, the black bean burgers are great. And they have an area by the free parking that you can sit on picnic tables if you bring your own lunch, which is what we'll do next visit. Looking forward to riding the tram and visiting the rides next visit and letting him play in the fountains.

L HMar 1, 2018

AMAZING! This is one of the best animal observation facilities I have visited. The animals actually seemed to respond to the presence of humans. The (real) Rhino's literally walked up to the fence and looked at us. The birds in their habitat, enjoyed resting on the humans that purchased the sweat Nectar you can purchase in the enclosed bird habitat. The kids LOVED this interaction. The orangutans and chimpanzees literally made eye contact and displayed their amazing abilities to climb. The habitat for the elephants and giraffes was like stepping into their natural habitat of the African wild. One recommendation: locate the restrooms as they are few and far between. Pack a lunch and enjoy the picnic facility located outside the main entrance.

Walter LoganApr 27, 2018

We love this zoo! Can't wait until the manatee center is revamped and ready for more manatees. Would love a lion at some point. But otherwise, it is a perfect zoo. Elliott just loves it there and we became members after the first trip. We plan on getting my husband tickets to feed the rhinos for his birthday. Elliott loves the monkeys best and I could pass through the kangaroo walk 20 times; so cute. There is a great little water area for the little kids and a nicely stocked beverage station for adults.

Jamie WaltersMar 29, 2018

Great zoo for children of all ages; there are a few rides where the child must be 36 inches or taller to ride - and they do measure each child. There is a spray park for some fun in the hot sun, so also bring a towel! Don't miss: behind the scenes experiences, like feeding the giraffe, touching the manta rays (feeding is extra), and the "safari" in the African section that gives you a different view of the animals plus some information given by the great guides. We come from out of town, and our toddler enjoyed the two days we spent at the zoo (there is enough to entertain him on our return trip). Food is surprisingly ok.

Sarah WongMay 8, 2018

My family always has so much fun at the zoo. The animal environments are attractive and provide opportunity for good behavior observation (except for the koala enclosure...I understand that it's to keep the koalas from getting infections from the humans, but it is a little sad looking). The baby orangutan and her mom are my pick for the cutest behaviors! The sting ray tank and the lorakeets are a great way for my kids to learn about our responsibilities to be gentle and kind to animals. Rides are fun for the under 10 set...food and beverage options are great for everyone. Where this zoo really shines, though, is in the special events and programming! We go to Zoo Boo and the Christmas event multiple times. The zoo management does an excellent job with planning things to add to the experience. And what's a zoo without alcohol??? There are multiple bars with special beverages for the adults! That's how we do kids activities here in Tampa. Love our zoo!

Christine HannaApr 19, 2018

Love visiting the Zoo of Tampa. You can truly sense how much the employees and animal caretakers love their job. I highly recommend taking the behind the scene tours and learn a bit about your favorite animals from the people who spend the most time with. Some enclosures did seem too small for certain animals, that was something that made me feel concerned. Otherwise, if you are ever in Tampa, you have got to visit our lovely Zoo!

Virginia MorganApr 7, 2018

I love this place! I've been coming here since I was a kid and it still never disappoints me. Everyone is so friendly and even when it's crowded, it's still a lot of fun. There's so much to see. The shows are always nice to see if you've never seen them before. It's fun whether you're an adult or bringing kids with you. They have been doing some construction to update some of the exhibits, but there's still so much to do. You have to come here if you're in the area. It's worth it even if you just spend half of the day here. They do so much for the community and have been ranked #1 zoo in the country for years and you can definitely see why when you come!

Christina LupiJun 3, 2018

This needs to be your first stop in Tampa and be prepared to spend all day there. The facilities are phenomenal and the staff goes out of their way to enrich your time there. Bring $3 or $4 in quarters for the pellet machines. The giraffe feeding is a great experience and even though it's expensive ($5 for 3 pieces of frozen seafood) the stingray feeding is a must do. There are multiple aviaries and are full of birds very used to people who are willing to let you get very close to take shots of them.

matthew hendersonMay 27, 2018

The zoo at Lowry Park is unbelievably clean and well-kept. Cost of ignition is reasonable and food and refreshments in the park are well-priced. Even the parking was inexpensive. There was a lot more animals than I expected, and the zoo was much larger than I expected. It took about three fourths the day to walk the entire zoo and see everything. Bring good walking shoes, and Pray For Rain. Florida is very humid in the rain did nothing but cool everything off. Make sure you spend some extra time at the monkey cages. They are so adorable!

Michael PataneJun 3, 2018

This is a wonderful zoo to take your family to! I recently got to go for my son's field trip and it was great. The kids loved it. I also had my son's birthday here a few years ago and had an awesome experience. They even did an animal show for us that the kids loved. It was a little bit expensive, but worth it since everyone got into the park afterward.

K BMay 30, 2018

Really enjoyed ourselves here. A great selection of animals and they seem fairly happy and very well taken care of. A lot of the enclosures also look semi natural. A refreshing change from our local zoo where the animals are just in pens. The Macaw flight was really cool to see, and we lucked out as the tiger was feeling playful in the afternoon and threw around his ball for a bit before going in the water. Honestly though, I think the aviary was my favorite. A lot of exotic birds and the Flora was also very pleasant to walk around. Really the only thing that keeps me from giving this 5 stars is that the food options around the entire park were garbage and way overpriced. Overpriced even by theme park standards.

James EvansJul 7, 2018

Great place to take your family for some quality fun times!! Highly recommended for families who have younger children (13 and under) or anyone who loves animals. Beautiful grounds, very kept up, with lots of useful info stations about the types of animals they have to view. There aren't a ton of rides but the new water ride was a blast. I will definitely go again! Parking was FREE, that was a pleasant surprise and it was a breeze getting in the front gates with my online pre-purchased tickets.

Amanda HughesJun 21, 2018

Great experience every time we go as a family. Fun and exciting things and animals to see. This zoo is everything one can expect from a well kept menagerie. The photo department has some minor flaws though. Seems like the girls working there are in need of some professional training. I will however give a shout out to an awesome photographer Jade L. The photos she took are all amazing. Thanks and look forward to visiting the park again.

Luis DiazJun 23, 2018

If you have an affiliate zoo membership it's a good deal, but without, it is a little pricey. Very good alternative to Busch Gardens and their water park because is not nearly as crowded and the kids have fun! There are a couple splash areas, one small kids roller coaster and a great water ride. There were 2 kids rides out of order though, and 3 of the roller coaster's cars were not functional so that short line took a long time. These were the only down sides. The animals were about what you expect at a mid size zoo. Overall good experience. We went on a Monday the last week of June and it wasn't crowded.

Charlie GilbertAug 10, 2018

Visited the zoo today while on vacation visiting our daughter. Extremely nice zoo..cleanliness of everything was above average. Wasn’t a big crowd due to it being Thursday. The food prices are overpriced & not worth the cost at all. We were able to do the tram ride this time, pretty disappointed but it was still nice. First off the they are not very time worthy, one train was loaded and waited way to long to leave I feel which only makes the wait longer. Then the young man instructed us (3 adults) to sit in one row, however with seats being not extremely large, we weren’t able to all fit & as he noticed he was a bit upset, to fit an adult and couple of kids would work but 3 adults is pushing it unless they are all very small. I feel the path in which the tram travels needs to be a bit smoother, lots of bumps. Overall the tram could be updated a bit more. Can’t wait to see the Manatee rescue hospital. We did have an overall wonderful time! Loved seeing all the new babies! Will definitely return.

Connie WagleJul 27, 2018

Worth the drive from across the state. There are ample play areas for kids. Particularly if interest is the water area. Food is fairly priced, for a park. Bring cash in case they are having difficulties at the giraffe feeding station. It's a worthwhile experience. Some enclosures feel small given what these animals usually inhabit. However all exhibits where clean and animals appeared quite healthy from our viewing area.

Gary MoralesJul 29, 2018

Really enjoyed this zoo. Took the family (4,2,

Ransom MaggardJul 21, 2018

Always fun for our little ones and for us! The tram ride is great and the animals all seem very well cared for. The splash zone is perfect for the baby to run some energy out as well. The year pass is definitely worth it. We usually bring our lunch since we have special diets, but the Blackbean burger is really yummy for those who don't want to have meat. 👍

Adrianna SmithsonJul 28, 2018

First I want to start by saying that this park is well worth the yearly family membership if you live in the area. If you don’t live in the area, it will all depend on which zoo you’ve visited and what your priority is as to whether this one will be worth your while or not. If your priority is entertaining the kids well then this zoo will make it worth your while. You have unlimited carousel rides, you have the safari tour, the petting part of the zoo, a small water section for the kiddos to get wet and they even have different events throughout the year so it is always a good idea to check out their brochure. All I can tell you is that I have been to other zoos and it wasn’t free to take the safari tour, nor to park so this zoo has a lot included in the admission price. Also the fact that is has train rides and small roller coaster rides for the kids, it feels almost like an amusement park/zoo. Is not a big zoo, so I cannot say you are going to be impressed by the large selection of animals but it is a well designed zoo, that I believed was designed with kids in mind. I cannot say that I was bored, feeding the giraffes was fun and watching the chimps was great. I’ve been to even smaller zoos and they put me to sleep, at least this zoo will not have that effect on you. Enjoy!

Beth AguileraFeb 11, 2018

Amazing experience. My daughter had a blast and got to feed Randall the giraffe which she will never forget and talks about often. Cafeteria food had fairly healthy options, good options, great taste (made to order so a little wait, we were there off season so it was okay but I can see that there may be long waits in Cafe during busy times). Kids area was great for my daughter. Overall friendly staff and great zoo. Would go back

kimberly koelmanMar 1, 2018

Got the family plus membership and I have to say it was completely worth it. The zoo does a very good job of taking care of it's animals. They were up and lively. The monkey were making all kinds of noises and very playfully. The stingrays were awesome and gentle and the elephant put on a great show. The kids loved it. We saw everything in about 3 and a half hours. Food isn't priced to high but I would recommend you bring a cooler with food and leave it in the car. Will definitely be back

staphany danasFeb 11, 2018

This was a beautifully designed zoo. The landscaping throughout is terrific, however there's not as many animals as I thought, and some of the enclosures were not size worthy. On a good note all the animals enclosures were setup in such a way that gave a great viewing experience. My favorite was the White Rhinos because they have more than any zoo I've been to and the fencing is less than 10 feet away and one came right up to it... I have never seen any rhino not to mention a majestic endangered white rhino that close before. It was magical.

Brittany HouchinFeb 12, 2018

Wonderful place - we got a pass and I'm so glad we did, as the area we explored was undergoing renovations and we didn't get to see a lot before our grandbaby was worn out. If you are bringing a small child they probably can't see the whole place in one day. The food service is better than expected at a zoo - pricey like all amusement park type stuff, but better, the black bean burgers are great. And they have an area by the free parking that you can sit on picnic tables if you bring your own lunch, which is what we'll do next visit. Looking forward to riding the tram and visiting the rides next visit and letting him play in the fountains.

L HMar 1, 2018

AMAZING! This is one of the best animal observation facilities I have visited. The animals actually seemed to respond to the presence of humans. The (real) Rhino's literally walked up to the fence and looked at us. The birds in their habitat, enjoyed resting on the humans that purchased the sweat Nectar you can purchase in the enclosed bird habitat. The kids LOVED this interaction. The orangutans and chimpanzees literally made eye contact and displayed their amazing abilities to climb. The habitat for the elephants and giraffes was like stepping into their natural habitat of the African wild. One recommendation: locate the restrooms as they are few and far between. Pack a lunch and enjoy the picnic facility located outside the main entrance.

Walter LoganApr 27, 2018

We love this zoo! Can't wait until the manatee center is revamped and ready for more manatees. Would love a lion at some point. But otherwise, it is a perfect zoo. Elliott just loves it there and we became members after the first trip. We plan on getting my husband tickets to feed the rhinos for his birthday. Elliott loves the monkeys best and I could pass through the kangaroo walk 20 times; so cute. There is a great little water area for the little kids and a nicely stocked beverage station for adults.

Jamie WaltersMar 29, 2018

Great zoo for children of all ages; there are a few rides where the child must be 36 inches or taller to ride - and they do measure each child. There is a spray park for some fun in the hot sun, so also bring a towel! Don't miss: behind the scenes experiences, like feeding the giraffe, touching the manta rays (feeding is extra), and the "safari" in the African section that gives you a different view of the animals plus some information given by the great guides. We come from out of town, and our toddler enjoyed the two days we spent at the zoo (there is enough to entertain him on our return trip). Food is surprisingly ok.

Sarah WongMay 8, 2018

My family always has so much fun at the zoo. The animal environments are attractive and provide opportunity for good behavior observation (except for the koala enclosure...I understand that it's to keep the koalas from getting infections from the humans, but it is a little sad looking). The baby orangutan and her mom are my pick for the cutest behaviors! The sting ray tank and the lorakeets are a great way for my kids to learn about our responsibilities to be gentle and kind to animals. Rides are fun for the under 10 set...food and beverage options are great for everyone. Where this zoo really shines, though, is in the special events and programming! We go to Zoo Boo and the Christmas event multiple times. The zoo management does an excellent job with planning things to add to the experience. And what's a zoo without alcohol??? There are multiple bars with special beverages for the adults! That's how we do kids activities here in Tampa. Love our zoo!

Christine HannaApr 19, 2018

Love visiting the Zoo of Tampa. You can truly sense how much the employees and animal caretakers love their job. I highly recommend taking the behind the scene tours and learn a bit about your favorite animals from the people who spend the most time with. Some enclosures did seem too small for certain animals, that was something that made me feel concerned. Otherwise, if you are ever in Tampa, you have got to visit our lovely Zoo!

Virginia MorganApr 7, 2018

I love this place! I've been coming here since I was a kid and it still never disappoints me. Everyone is so friendly and even when it's crowded, it's still a lot of fun. There's so much to see. The shows are always nice to see if you've never seen them before. It's fun whether you're an adult or bringing kids with you. They have been doing some construction to update some of the exhibits, but there's still so much to do. You have to come here if you're in the area. It's worth it even if you just spend half of the day here. They do so much for the community and have been ranked #1 zoo in the country for years and you can definitely see why when you come!

Christina LupiJun 3, 2018

This needs to be your first stop in Tampa and be prepared to spend all day there. The facilities are phenomenal and the staff goes out of their way to enrich your time there. Bring $3 or $4 in quarters for the pellet machines. The giraffe feeding is a great experience and even though it's expensive ($5 for 3 pieces of frozen seafood) the stingray feeding is a must do. There are multiple aviaries and are full of birds very used to people who are willing to let you get very close to take shots of them.

matthew hendersonMay 27, 2018

The zoo at Lowry Park is unbelievably clean and well-kept. Cost of ignition is reasonable and food and refreshments in the park are well-priced. Even the parking was inexpensive. There was a lot more animals than I expected, and the zoo was much larger than I expected. It took about three fourths the day to walk the entire zoo and see everything. Bring good walking shoes, and Pray For Rain. Florida is very humid in the rain did nothing but cool everything off. Make sure you spend some extra time at the monkey cages. They are so adorable!

Michael PataneJun 3, 2018

This is a wonderful zoo to take your family to! I recently got to go for my son's field trip and it was great. The kids loved it. I also had my son's birthday here a few years ago and had an awesome experience. They even did an animal show for us that the kids loved. It was a little bit expensive, but worth it since everyone got into the park afterward.

K BMay 30, 2018

Really enjoyed ourselves here. A great selection of animals and they seem fairly happy and very well taken care of. A lot of the enclosures also look semi natural. A refreshing change from our local zoo where the animals are just in pens. The Macaw flight was really cool to see, and we lucked out as the tiger was feeling playful in the afternoon and threw around his ball for a bit before going in the water. Honestly though, I think the aviary was my favorite. A lot of exotic birds and the Flora was also very pleasant to walk around. Really the only thing that keeps me from giving this 5 stars is that the food options around the entire park were garbage and way overpriced. Overpriced even by theme park standards.

James EvansJul 7, 2018

Great place to take your family for some quality fun times!! Highly recommended for families who have younger children (13 and under) or anyone who loves animals. Beautiful grounds, very kept up, with lots of useful info stations about the types of animals they have to view. There aren't a ton of rides but the new water ride was a blast. I will definitely go again! Parking was FREE, that was a pleasant surprise and it was a breeze getting in the front gates with my online pre-purchased tickets.

Amanda HughesJun 21, 2018

Great experience every time we go as a family. Fun and exciting things and animals to see. This zoo is everything one can expect from a well kept menagerie. The photo department has some minor flaws though. Seems like the girls working there are in need of some professional training. I will however give a shout out to an awesome photographer Jade L. The photos she took are all amazing. Thanks and look forward to visiting the park again.

Luis DiazJun 23, 2018

If you have an affiliate zoo membership it's a good deal, but without, it is a little pricey. Very good alternative to Busch Gardens and their water park because is not nearly as crowded and the kids have fun! There are a couple splash areas, one small kids roller coaster and a great water ride. There were 2 kids rides out of order though, and 3 of the roller coaster's cars were not functional so that short line took a long time. These were the only down sides. The animals were about what you expect at a mid size zoo. Overall good experience. We went on a Monday the last week of June and it wasn't crowded.

Charlie GilbertAug 10, 2018

Visited the zoo today while on vacation visiting our daughter. Extremely nice zoo..cleanliness of everything was above average. Wasn’t a big crowd due to it being Thursday. The food prices are overpriced & not worth the cost at all. We were able to do the tram ride this time, pretty disappointed but it was still nice. First off the they are not very time worthy, one train was loaded and waited way to long to leave I feel which only makes the wait longer. Then the young man instructed us (3 adults) to sit in one row, however with seats being not extremely large, we weren’t able to all fit & as he noticed he was a bit upset, to fit an adult and couple of kids would work but 3 adults is pushing it unless they are all very small. I feel the path in which the tram travels needs to be a bit smoother, lots of bumps. Overall the tram could be updated a bit more. Can’t wait to see the Manatee rescue hospital. We did have an overall wonderful time! Loved seeing all the new babies! Will definitely return.

Connie WagleJul 27, 2018

Worth the drive from across the state. There are ample play areas for kids. Particularly if interest is the water area. Food is fairly priced, for a park. Bring cash in case they are having difficulties at the giraffe feeding station. It's a worthwhile experience. Some enclosures feel small given what these animals usually inhabit. However all exhibits where clean and animals appeared quite healthy from our viewing area.

Gary MoralesJul 29, 2018

Really enjoyed this zoo. Took the family (4,2,

Ransom MaggardJul 21, 2018

Always fun for our little ones and for us! The tram ride is great and the animals all seem very well cared for. The splash zone is perfect for the baby to run some energy out as well. The year pass is definitely worth it. We usually bring our lunch since we have special diets, but the Blackbean burger is really yummy for those who don't want to have meat. 👍

Adrianna SmithsonJul 28, 2018