Florida Aquarium (Tampa)

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We are thinking of adding a day trip to Tampa to our August itinerary.

Not interested in Busch Gardens due to the heat factor. We just don't do theme parks well in those high temps. Water parks? Yes . Theme parks? Not so much.

We are considering a visit to the Florida Aquarium. Would love to hear the experiences of others. Is it worth it? Our DS will be 18 in January, so we have no interest in the splash pad (but would probably do the dolphin boat tour).

Are there any outlet malls in Tampa that might also be worth a visit? Or a beach that would be worth checking out while we are there?

 

[sympatico]

Don't know about the Aquarium. This outlet mall isn't in Tampa but a little south of Tampa: http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=92
If we're staying on the Gulf side we usually stop here.
Beaches: Clearwater, St. Pete's, Fort De Soto Park, beaches in Sarasota area (Siesta Key). We went to Turtle Beach on the end of Siesta Key and the kids (and adults) had fun finding shells.

 

[TikiGoddess07]

We visit the Lowry Park Zoo every summer when we visit family in Tampa. They have a wide range of animals and the park is very well taken care of. You can feel giraffes, ride camels -- it's a great park.

We have been to the Aquarium and it's nice, but it's small. I've never done the dolphin tour, that sounds nice.

Gulf Beaches are awesome. Look into John's Pass if you'd like something a little touristy, with beaches, restaurants, and watercraft rental/tours all in one place.

Kathy

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Don't know about the Aquarium. This outlet mall isn't in Tampa but a little south of Tampa: http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=92
If we're staying on the Gulf side we usually stop here.
Beaches: Clearwater, St. Pete's, Fort De Soto Park, beaches in Sarasota area (Siesta Key). We went to Turtle Beach on the end of Siesta Key and the kids (and adults) had fun finding shells.

We visit the Lowry Park Zoo every summer when we visit family in Tampa. They have a wide range of animals and the park is very well taken care of. You can feel giraffes, ride camels -- it's a great park.

We have been to the Aquarium and it's nice, but it's small. I've never done the dolphin tour, that sounds nice.

Gulf Beaches are awesome. Look into John's Pass if you'd like something a little touristy, with beaches, restaurants, and watercraft rental/tours all in one place.

Kathy

Excellent recommendations.....thank you both!

 

[Pammy jo]

I took my 3 boys (10,13,15)to the aquarium last year right after a cruise while we were waiting for a later train. They all loved it. I thought it was definately worth the money for the few hours we spent there.

 

[aes74]

Hi, I live in the area and second the beach suggestions. International mall is right next to the airport, and while definitely not an outlet mall, it is fun to visit. The outlet mall is in Ellenton, 45 minutes south of the airport area of Tampa. It's a beautiful drive over the Sunshine Skyway bridge. Adventure Island is a fun water park in Tampa. Hope this helps!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I took my 3 boys (10,13,15)to the aquarium last year right after a cruise while we were waiting for a later train. They all loved it. I thought it was definately worth the money for the few hours we spent there.

Awesome to hear! Especially when your boys are older (I was worried it might be to "kiddish" for our teenager).

Hi, I live in the area and second the beach suggestions. International mall is right next to the airport, and while definitely not an outlet mall, it is fun to visit. The outlet mall is in Ellenton, 45 minutes south of the airport area of Tampa. It's a beautiful drive over the Sunshine Skyway bridge. Adventure Island is a fun water park in Tampa. Hope this helps!

Great suggestions....I will check them out .

 

[summerrluvv]

There is a Groupon for the Aquarium if you are planning on going!

http://www.groupon.com/deals/the-florida-aquarium-8


Also, we went to Clearwater/Tampa for vacation last August. We went to the public Clearwater Beach and it was seriously awesome. The sand is like flour, so soft, and the water was sooo nice! We visited a few other beaches in the area, and that is our fav!

We also went to the Museum of Science and Industry, which was fun!

Not the same as a commercial aquarium, but we also went to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see Winter the Dolphin (Dolphin Tail movie). We loved it! Their main focus is rescue, rehab and release, so it's much different than the FL Aquarium I assume.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

There is a Groupon for the Aquarium if you are planning on going!

http://www.groupon.com/deals/the-florida-aquarium-8

We saw that . Unfortunately, the offer is for either two or four (and we're a family of 3). Also, if we go, we want to not only visit the aquarium but also take the boat tour. that they have running at 12 noon and 2 pm each day. I called the aquarium office last week, and to add on the boat tour to the Groupon, it would be more than buying admission for 3 with the boat tour from their website with the advance purchase discount.

Hopefully the Groupon link will help someone else, though!

 

[kamanda]

Gina
Do you remember how much it would cost to add the cruise?

Thanks

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Gina
Do you remember how much it would cost to add the cruise?

Thanks

It was something like $25 per person. I remember thinking that the Groupon offer + the dolphin cruise was no better than purchasing the aquarium admission/dolphin cruise combo ticket in advance from their website ($37.95 per adult).

I have also been able to find a discount code that you can add online that would bring the combo ticket down to $33.95, which is the best value yet. If you want the code, PM me and I'll pass it along .

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

We just bought the groupon link, cancelled it and went to Lowry on Monday. Lowry is okay they do have giraffe feeding for 3.00 each (get you on the photo) and Rhino feeding for 5.00. It is an okay zoo, run down in some pa laces but each exhibit is sponsored by different company. Worth the trip and teachers get in free with a pay stub till the end of August if that helps anyone.