Busch Gardens Animal attractions and other things to do (Tampa: appointed, houses)

[beckycat]

How big is the animal section? Could it be a day thing to just see the animals? Is it worth it? We're not really looking to do the rides, just stroll around for the day. What else is there to do at the park?

[BucFan]

Visit Lowry Park Zoo - but yes, the animals at Busch Gardens, Tampa can be worth a few hours. Not sure if it's worth the price of admission.

Both places have websites that you can visit for more information.

[Kathleen1971]

Originally Posted by BucFan

Visit Lowry Park Zoo - but yes, the animals at Busch Gardens, Tampa can be worth a few hours. Not sure if it's worth the price of admission.

Both places have websites that you can visit for more information.

I agree. If it's animals you want then Lowry Park Zoo is where you want to go. Take the River Odessy Eco tour while you are there and enjoy the water wild life along the Hillsborough River. It's a lot of fun and it's neat to see the dogs come out to the docks of the houses they live in along the river to give a woof and say hi to you.

[beckycat]

Thanks for the input! We've already been to Lowry Park zoo twice and really enjoyed it. We were given tickets to Busch Gardens, Sea World, or Aquatica but have to use them by the end of the month. Just trying to pick the best option that will be most enjoyable.

[Hockeyice]

Originally Posted by beckycat

Thanks for the input! We've already been to Lowry Park zoo twice and really enjoyed it. We were given tickets to Busch Gardens, Sea World, or Aquatica but have to use them by the end of the month. Just trying to pick the best option that will be most enjoyable.

Busch Gardens Tampa | Theme Park, Roller Coasters & Theme Park Tickets

If you watch the video "where the unexpected comes together," it looks like a pretty good experience, at least in regards in animal experience. Of course promotional videos aren't the best in terms of unbiased opinion, so take it for what it's worth.

[The716]

Originally Posted by beckycat

Thanks for the input! We've already been to Lowry Park zoo twice and really enjoyed it. We were given tickets to Busch Gardens, Sea World, or Aquatica but have to use them by the end of the month. Just trying to pick the best option that will be most enjoyable.

Easily Sea World IMO...

[It's Cin!]

I would also say Sea World since you aren't interested in going on the thrill rides. Sea World has all of the animal shows, feeding the manta Rays and Dolphins, the flamingos, the aquarium under the manta ride and its a pretty park to walk around as well. Busch Gardens has the big animals and its a nice walk around the park, and there are a few shows, but overall, its more thrill rides.

[Sumermarie]

I would also recommend the Big Cat Rescue, its a wonderful large cat sanctuary, you get to see the animals up close and you learn a lot about them.

Regarding Busch Gardens - I'm not a coaster person so when we had an AP to the park that's all I did, they definitely have enough animals to make a day of it, when we went to Lowry Park Zoo we weren't really impressed. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Big Cat Rescue

There's also a plethora of parks that have wildlife within an hour of Tampa. Hillsborough River State Park is very nice if you like to do a little hiking, also Jay B Starkey Wilderness Park is another option.

Good luck!

[tilli]

I think Busch Gardens is fantastic just as a zoo without even considering the coasters, and I have made a day of just that when I wasn't feeling the need for speed - several times in fact. It's mostly African animals so it's not a true zoo, but each exhibit they build is more phenomenal than the last. The lions and hippos have really cool habitat/viewing areas, and even the much older ape viewing area is a real pleasure. I also enjoy the namesake gardens and eating at the Stanleyville Smokehouse, yum. This is especially great weather for spending that sort of day at Busch Gardens. I like it a little warmer if I want to go on coasters or water rides. And Busch Gardens really does have some great coasters, I love Montu especially and even if I really wasn't feeling like coasters when I walked in the gate, I'll usually ride Montu at least once (front row only!) before I leave. It's just that good.

Sea World is also a fun park if you are interested in sea creatures. The penguins in particular are a must-see, it is an excellent exhibit. Keep in mind that Sea World is a pretty wet park by its nature, which is great when you are super hot in the summer and not so great when it is cooler. The last time I was there a few years ago I was really disappointed by the new Shamu show - it completely abandoned any pretense of educating the audience in favor of hi-fi sound and video seemingly designed to sell necklaces to young kids with dreams of becoming orca trainers.

[craigm1841]

Busch Gardens is a waste of money- but I enjoyed the animals. The coasters and other attractions were terrible in comparison to the busch gardens in VA. It was really pitiful.

Once you pay $75 admission and $35 for the safari, you are looking at $110 before lunch and drinks, per person. but cost is relative. If you are a executive for an IT company downtown, then it is by no means expensive.

There are a lot of animal attractions for free as well, but I got pretty excited when I saw tourists feeding giraffes (spelling) from the back of a truck.