Looking for some spring break family activities around the Tampa area? Check out the Lowry Park Zoo. Not only is it a great place for a kid friendly spring break, but the area has so much to offer, such as; beautiful beaches, spectacular sunsets, hundreds of family activities, and tons of ways to keep your family busy while creating magical memories you’ll enjoy for years to come. Read on to find out more insider info on the family friendly Tampa area and the Lowry Park Zoo.
Re-opened at its current site in 1988, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is today ranked the number one zoo in the U.S. (Parents magazine 2009 & Child magazine 2004) and recognized by the State of Florida as a center for Florida wildlife conservation and biodiversity (HB 457). The region’s only dedicated zoological garden, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo was designed to enhance quality of life in greater Tampa Bay as an affordable leisure destination and center for education and endangered species conservation. Natural outdoor exhibits for more than 1,700 animals from Florida and similar habitats include a Native Florida Wildlife Center and manatee hospital, Asian Gardens, Primate World, Free-Flight Aviaries, Wallaroo Station children’s zoo, and Safari Africa. The Zoo also features rides, shows and hands-on interactive exhibits designed to give you a WILD experience. The Florida Environmental Education Center ( Zoo School) serves more than 147,000 children annually. Programs offered are summer and holiday camps, daycare, preschool, and kindergarten. Zoo Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. Subject to close for special events or inclement weather. SEE MORE ON THEIR SITE HERE
spring break family activities; Lowry Park Zoo; img courtesy of Candice Collins
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is a fantastic place to take the kids on any day of the week. There’s lots to see and do there, with plenty of photo opportunities, and memories to be made. I went with the kids and the grandkids and had a wonderful time. But, just a suggestion, either eat before you go, or bring snacks in your purse for the kids because the food is not only expensive, but awful. Though, the ice cream was good I’d recommend eating lunch before entering the park, and bringing a few snacks along, and then, while inside stop for ice cream. At least they got that right– but who screws up ice cream?
See the rest of my article for more tips as well as a great slideshow at Examiner.comHere’s a sampling of my slideshow:
spring break family activities; feeding giraffes at Lowry Park Zoo; img; Candice Collins
spring break family activities; Lowry Park Zoo; img courtesy of Candice Collins
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Family Friendly Resorts and Hotels in Tampa area:
Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel
4200 Jim Walter Boulevard Tampa, FL 33607 US
Featuring a lush, open-air courtyard, this Renaissance makes you feel like you’re a world away in a Meditteranean villa.
The Westin Tampa Bay
7627 Courtney Campbell Causeway Tampa, FL 33607 US
Located in the heart of Tampa Bay on Rocky Point Island, the Westin Tampa Bay Airport’s waterfront location offers both incredible bay views and easy access … more
Tampa Marriott Waterside
700 South Florida Avenue Tampa, FL 33602 US
Overlooks Tampa Bay in the heart of Downtown near Ybor City, located adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa
5223 North Orient Road Tampa, FL 33610 US
Kick back and enjoy all of the great amenities and dining at a hotel dedicated to giving you a Rock Star experience.
If you’ve visited the Tampa Lowry Park Zoo for your spring break family vacation, or even if you ever visited the area, leave me a comment about your adventures, I’d love to hear how it went!