Tampa for a few days? What to do?

[Disbound]

I don't know where else to post this question so I'll give here a try. We are fitting in a few days in the Clearwater Beach area during our trip. My daughter is a HUGE animal lover and we are looking for things she'd like with an animal theme. We plan a visit to Busch Gardens (any discounts on tickets out there?) and have also seen information about the Lowry Zoo and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Has anyone been to either of these places? Has anyone done any of the interactive programs offered at these locations? Thanks for the help!

 

[TanCharLeo]

I was raised in Tampa so I have been to Lowry Park Zoo a lot and the Florida Aquarium. Both are nice. I have never been to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. However, I have heard that the Safari Tour at Busch Gardens is excellent. My ex-roomate did it and she has some AMAZING pictures of herself feeding and petting the giraffes. It was all she talked about for days! Now I am trying to get my husband to book it for us so we can go

 

[dolphinrescuegirl]

I used to volunteer at the Clearwater Aquarium for 6 months so I could probably answer any questions you have. I personally did the picture activity. You pay before the dolphin show ($20). Afterwards they take you behind the gate, down to the platform. You get to pose with the dolphin while someone in the family takes the picture. Then you get to feed the dolphin a fish and it's over. Is it worth it? Depends on how much you want to touch a dolphin.

Lowry Park Zoo is one of the best zoos I have ever been to! There you can feed 2 different kinds of birds, a white rhino, giraffes, and ride on camels. They also have a type of ride like the Disney Safari. I didn't go on it so I don't know how it compares. They also have a skyride that takes you across the zoo and back again. It's neat to see everything from a bird's eye.

I live here in Clearwater so PM me if you have any more specific questions and I hope ya'll enjoy the trip!