Tampa Bay area activities for animal loving kids...

If you're in the Tampa Bay area, there are lots of wonderful animal adventures waiting for kids of all ages to discover.  Here are five hometown favorites (other than Busch Gardens):

1) Lowry Park Zoo - Just north of downtown, this local treasure allows even the tiniest tot the chance to see amazing animals up close.  We especially enjoy standing eye to eye with a fully grown giraffe as we hand feed them a cracker.  Be sure to have your camera ready for some memorable photos!

2) Florida Aquarium - located in downtown Tampa, the building's architecture is as unique as the sea life inside.  The stingray touch tank and outdoor water play area are particularly popular with the younger kiddos.  Be sure to get a front row seat for the penguin promenade!

3) Clearwater Marine Aquarium - Teach your children about animal rehabilitation as you visit with Winter the dolphin.  She lost her tail after getting caught in a crab trap line but is doing well thanks to a prosthetic tail.  Discounted tickets are available online.

4) Big Cat Rescue - Children older than ten can visit anytime but if you have little ones, plan to visit on Saturday for a unique and age appropriate tour.  There are lots of lions, tigers and other exotic cats at this West Tampa hideaway sanctuary.

5) The Pier Aquarium - Located at the end of the Pier in downtown St. Petersburg, this small aquarium is full of educational murals detailing hurricanes, red tide, and fish communication stories and how they impact life on Tampa Bay's Gulf Coast.  Ideal for older kids, you can even feed pelicans outdoors after your visit.

1. Lowry Park Zoological Garden

1101 West Sligh Avenue
Tampa, Florida

reviewed on: July 27 2009

"Amazing up close animal encounters"

Feeding giraffe, riding a camel, spotting cheetah and so much more are in store for you when visiting this gem of a zoo.  The walking paths are wide, paved and meander through the peaceful natural habitats.  This is a very stroller friendly place!  Plenty of restrooms, water fountains and shady spots for a break.  There are great places to grab tasty snacks (what you would expect but aslo cupcakes, ice cream and even beer!)

If the weather is bad, it's a challenge to find a place to wait out the storm or escape from the heat so it's best to venture to the zoo on a great weather day.  

The zoo added a few new rides (log flume, kiddie coaster and outdoor splash areas) which are very popular with the ten-year old kiddos.  An additional fee is required to ride ponies and camels.

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2. Clearwater Marine Aquarium

249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, Florida

reviewed on: August 18 2010

"Winter's wonderland"

This small aquarium is best known for their famous dolphin, Winter, who lost her tail in crab trap lines.  Fortunately, she was fitted with a prosthetic tail and does amazingly well.  Her story is an inspiration for animal rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the Tampa Bay area.  Your tiny tots to teens will enjoy this animal adventure.  We visit there several times a year and bring our out of town friends for a visit.  Discounted tickets are available online.

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3. Big Cat Rescue

12802 Easy Street
Tampa, Florida

reviewed on: August 18 2010

"Exotic animals up close"

This nonprofit charity is dedicated to caring for exotic lions, tigers, and other large cats in an amazingly diverse animal sanctuary.  Ideal for older children (ten and up), you can get an up close peek at all sorts of rescued animals and learn how each animal came to live at this home.  Plan to spend about $25 per person on admission and about 90 minutes for a tour.  If your kiddos are younger than ten, you must plan your visit on a Saturday.   The staff is friendly and answers questions throughout the tour.  Be warned...some of the animal rescue stories are sad but hopeful.

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4. Florida Aquarium

701 Channelside Drive
Tampa, Florida

reviewed on: July 27 2009

"So much to see"

Outdoor explore a shore area offers plenty of splashing and sand pit fun for little ones.  It does tend to be crowded which makes it a challenge to get up close to the tanks to see the animals on display.  The touch tanks have friendly volunteers able to answer questions about the creatures you can touch.  The shark tank is a favorite with many visitors.

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View 5 photos

5. The Pier

800 Second Avenue Northeast
Saint Petersburg, Florida

reviewed on: August 20 2010

"Restaurants, aquarium and the view"

The view of Tampa Bay and back to downtown St. Pete are beautiful from The Pier.  There are a few upscale and also family friendly restaurants, tourist shops with unique local items, a small aquarium and a small food court for quick treats.  We visit there each December for the annual night boat parade and Tuba Christmas concert.  There are lots of special events, live music concerts and family activities scheduled year round.  Friends from out of town enjoyed feeding the pelicans and seeing the pirate ship docked outside.  You can buy pelican food, rent bikes with child carriers, get a drink at the rooftop tiki bar and kick back to enjoy the bay front view.  Go ahead....you're on vacation.

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