Tampa: ZooQuarium- ZooTampa & Florida Aquarium Combo Ticket

Tampa’s ZooQuarium ticket gives you two very different outings for one price: a full day with land animals and family rides at ZooTampa, plus sea creatures and aquarium exhibits at The Florida Aquarium. You can visit both on one busy day or split them across seven days, which makes this useful for a longer Tampa stay.

I like the easy ticket exchange, since you can redeem your voucher at either attraction and skip the ticket line. I also like the range of activities, from Florida wildlife and animal ambassadors to water play areas, a 4-D theater, and daily scheduled programs.

The main catch is location. These are separate attractions, not two halls in one complex, and aquarium parking is not included. At $90 per person, the ticket makes the most sense if you plan to visit both rather than use it for only one stop.

Key points to know before you book

• Two attractions, seven days: Visit ZooTampa and The Florida Aquarium on the same day or separate days within the ticket’s validity period.
• Five zoo areas: Explore Florida Wildlife, Asian Gardens, Wallaroo Station, Primate World, and Safari Africa.
• Family extras included: Zoo access includes water play areas, Carousel Circle, and the Tiger Family Roller Coaster.
• Aquarium access goes beyond fish tanks: You also get scheduled activities, outdoor plaza attractions, Splash Pad access, and the Four Ducks 4-D theater.
• Zoo parking is included: Parking at ZooTampa comes with the ticket, while parking at The Florida Aquarium does not.
• Flexible and accessible: Cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, reserve now and pay later, and use wheelchair or stroller rentals at either facility.

Two Tampa attractions with two very different moods

The clever part of this ticket is the contrast. ZooTampa at Lowry Park is a broad, active day outdoors, with animal habitats, rides, water play, and shady paths. The Florida Aquarium is more focused on sea creatures, plants, exhibits, and scheduled indoor and outdoor activities.

That variety matters if you are visiting Tampa with children or with a group that does not agree on one kind of attraction. One person can watch for rare animals, another can cool off at a water play area, and everyone can regroup for a show or meal.

You get seven days of validity, so you do not have to cram both sites into one afternoon. That is the strongest practical feature of the ticket. Use one day for the zoo, then choose another day for the aquarium when you want a slower pace.

The attractions are not in the same building. ZooTampa is at 1101 W Sligh Ave, while The Florida Aquarium is at 701 Channelside Drive. You need to plan the move between them yourself, and the ticket does not provide transportation.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park: animals, shade, and family rides

ZooTampa is the bigger outdoor commitment. The ticket gives you all-day entry, so you can set your own pace instead of trying to rush through the animal areas before moving on to the aquarium.

The Florida Boardwalk is a useful place to start. It is shaded and home to hundreds of native animals, making it a good introduction to Florida species without immediately tackling every corner of the zoo. If you are visiting during a warm part of the day, that shade is not a minor detail.

The zoo is arranged around five wildlife areas:

• Florida Wildlife: A look at animals native to the state.
• Asian Gardens: A habitat area focused on Asian species.
• Wallaroo Station: A family-friendly area included in the zoo visit.
• Primate World: A chance to see primates in a dedicated setting.
• Safari Africa: The zoo’s African wildlife area.

The attraction also features rare and endangered species from Florida and other parts of the world. The broad mix gives you more than a single animal theme, though it also means you should expect a full venue rather than a quick walk-through.

Animal ambassadors add a personal element to the visit. You may meet these featured animals and speak with Animal Care Specialists. Those encounters can help explain how individual animals are cared for, but exact schedules are not specified, so check the daily program when you arrive.

For families, Carousel Circle and the Tiger Family Roller Coaster change the rhythm of the day. The rides give children a break from looking at habitats, while the water play areas offer another way to cool down. Access to these areas is included, so you do not need to treat the zoo as only an animal-viewing stop.

The tradeoff is time. With five habitat zones, rides, water areas, and scheduled activities, you can easily spend the bulk of a day here. If you also plan to visit the aquarium on the same day, you will need to accept a quicker visit at one or both attractions.

The Florida Aquarium: sea creatures, plants, and hands-on extras

The Florida Aquarium offers a different type of visit. Instead of moving through large outdoor animal areas, you encounter thousands of sea creatures, terrestrial animals, and plants through the aquarium’s exhibits and daily activities.

The ticket includes access to all aquarium exhibits. That broad entry is important because the value is not tied to one special display. You can take your time, see the main exhibit areas, and follow the scheduled activities that fit your visit.

The aquarium also gives you outdoor space at its plaza. The Splash Pad is useful for families who need a break from exhibit viewing, while Fins Bar provides a place to stop for a drink or food. The Four Ducks 4-D theater adds a short entertainment option and is included with admission.

Food and drinks are not included in the ticket, so budget separately for those purchases. The aquarium also does not include parking, unlike ZooTampa. That difference can affect the real cost of a day visit, especially if you are driving to both attractions.

The aquarium is a good second day choice if you want a less ride-focused outing after ZooTampa. It also works well as the first stop if you prefer to begin with exhibits and scheduled activities before spending a full day outdoors.

Same day or separate days?

You can technically visit both attractions on the same day, but I would treat that as an ambitious plan. ZooTampa offers all-day access, five habitat zones, rides, water play, and scheduled programs. The Florida Aquarium includes its own exhibits, activities, plaza, Splash Pad, and 4-D theater.

A same-day plan is most sensible if you mainly want an overview of each place. You can see selected areas at the zoo, then spend a shorter visit at the aquarium, or reverse the order. The drawback is that you may spend more time watching the clock than enjoying the exhibits.

The seven-day option is better for most people. Visit ZooTampa on a day when you want an outdoor outing, then return to The Florida Aquarium on another day when you want a more focused indoor and plaza-based experience.

This split also helps families. Children can handle one attraction at a time, and you can choose the visit that matches the weather and everyone’s energy. The ticket’s flexibility is especially useful because you can redeem the voucher at either location first.

What $90 really gets you

The ticket costs $90 per person. Since individual admission prices are not provided here, I cannot claim a precise dollar saving over buying separate tickets. The value depends on one simple question: will you visit both attractions?

If you do, the ticket combines entry to ZooTampa and The Florida Aquarium, with zoo parking, water play areas, daily aquarium activities, and the Four Ducks 4-D theater included. The seven-day validity also gives you more control than a ticket tied to one date or one attraction.

If you only want the zoo or only want the aquarium, this is not automatically the best buy. You are paying for access to both, so the second attraction needs to be part of your plan.

The included zoo parking improves the package for drivers. At the aquarium, parking is extra, so remember that the $90 price is not your full transportation budget. Food and drinks are also separate at both attractions, although gluten-free menu choices are available at ZooTampa restaurants upon request.

The strongest value is the combination of breadth and flexibility. You get wildlife, sea life, rides, water areas, scheduled programs, and a 4-D theater. You also get up to seven days to use the ticket rather than forcing both visits into one calendar day.

Accessibility and practical comfort

Both attractions are wheelchair and stroller accessible. Wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers are available to rent daily, and handicap parking is available at both locations.

Service animals are allowed, while pets and glass objects are not. These rules are worth knowing before you set out, especially if you are visiting with a family group.

At ZooTampa, parking is included. At The Florida Aquarium, parking is not included, so plan for that separately. Since the attractions are in different parts of Tampa, allow time to travel between them if you visit on the same day.

The booking terms are friendly for uncertain plans. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold the booking without paying immediately.

Who will get the most from this ticket?

This works best for families who want several kinds of entertainment in one trip. ZooTampa supplies animals, rides, water play, and outdoor space, while The Florida Aquarium offers sea life, plants, scheduled programs, and a 4-D theater.

It also suits visitors staying in Tampa for several days. The seven-day window means you can treat the two attractions as separate outings instead of exhausting everyone in one day.

I would be more cautious if your schedule only allows a few hours or if you are interested in only one venue. The package is built around visiting both, and the separate locations make a quick double visit less relaxed.

The ticket is also a practical choice for visitors who need accessible facilities. Both sites provide wheelchair and stroller access, rental equipment, and handicap parking, with service animals permitted.

Should you book the ZooQuarium ticket?

Book it if you want both Tampa attractions and value the freedom to visit them on separate days. The strongest points are the convenient redemption at either venue, the seven-day validity, included ZooTampa parking, and the unusually wide mix of animals, rides, water areas, aquarium exhibits, scheduled programs, and 4-D entertainment.

Skip it if you only plan to visit one attraction or if you dislike arranging transportation between separate sites. For a family or group with a full Tampa itinerary, though, the $90 ticket gives you a clear plan and plenty of variety without forcing both visits into the same day.

FAQ

Can I visit ZooTampa and The Florida Aquarium on separate days?

Yes. The ticket is valid for seven days, so you can visit the two attractions on different days.

Are ZooTampa and The Florida Aquarium in the same building?

No. They are separate attractions at different Tampa addresses. ZooTampa is at 1101 W Sligh Ave, and The Florida Aquarium is at 701 Channelside Drive.

Is parking included at both attractions?

Parking at ZooTampa is included. Parking at The Florida Aquarium is not included.

What does the ZooTampa portion include?

You get all-day entry to ZooTampa at Lowry Park, including the Florida Boardwalk, five wildlife areas, water play areas, Carousel Circle, the Tiger Family Roller Coaster, and scheduled activities.

What does the Florida Aquarium portion include?

You get access to all aquarium exhibits, daily scheduled activities, the outdoor plaza, Splash Pad, Fins Bar area, and the Four Ducks 4-D theater.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Both facilities are wheelchair and stroller accessible. Wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers are available to rent daily, and handicap parking is available at both attractions.