Sight guide · Tampa · United States
Visiting ZooTampa at Lowry Park
A medium-sized zoo north of downtown known for its Florida section and its manatee critical care centre, which treats injured and sick manatees from across the state; visitors can watch through underwater windows.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: TampAGS , for AGS Media, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
ZooTampa at Lowry Park is a zoo in Lowry Park, Tampa. Allow half a day; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Zoo
- Area
- Lowry Park
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- kids, nature and outdoors
- Best months
- February and November–December
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About ZooTampa at Lowry Park
A medium-sized zoo north of downtown known for its Florida section and its manatee critical care centre, which treats injured and sick manatees from across the state; visitors can watch through underwater windows. There are also African, Asian and Australian sections and animal encounters for children.
Tip: Head to the manatee area first; it is one of the few places to see manatees up close outside the winter season.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: Half a day.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Lowry Park.
Best time to visit ZooTampa at Lowry Park
ZooTampa at Lowry Park is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- December: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- November: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 4 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- February: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Tampa has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
ZooTampa at Lowry Park is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Tampa Riverwalk and Ybor City Historic District.
- No. 5 of the 17 sights in our Tampa things-to-do list.
- Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Tampa.
- A family favourite in Tampa with kids.
If you like ZooTampa at Lowry Park
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay — North Tampa, Full day
- The Florida Aquarium — Channel District, 2–3 hours
- Manatee Viewing Center — Apollo Beach, 1–1.5 hours
- Lettuce Lake Park — North Tampa, 1.5 hours
Staying near ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Where to stay in Tampa compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at ZooTampa at Lowry Park?
Plan half a day.
+Is ZooTampa at Lowry Park free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit ZooTampa at Lowry Park?
February and November–December for the most comfortable weather. Head to the manatee area first; it is one of the few places to see manatees up close outside the winter season.
+Do I need to book ZooTampa at Lowry Park in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is ZooTampa at Lowry Park good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Tampa. Tampa is one of Florida's easiest family bases outside Orlando: Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, a big aquarium, a zoo with manatees and calm Gulf beaches within an hour.