Fall Events

Summer was an exciting time at ZooTampa! After spending seven months in mom’s pouch, we officially got a full glimpse of Tampa’s newest furry resident, a healthy koala “joey”. The boy, named Sydney, is the first koala born at the Zoo and is part of our effort to conserve koalas through the Species Survival Plan. We also launched a new giraffe “meet and greet” experience that not only brings our guests eye-to-eye with the world’s tallest animal but also offers a unique opportunity to participate in a training session with one of our Animal Care professionals! These experiences highlight our mission to connect our guests with amazing animals that moves them to preserve and protect wildlife.

Looking ahead to autumn, the fun and adventures do not slow down. In September, we open our doors to members of The Florida Aquarium and MOSI as SWAPtember returns. This special benefit allows members of all three Tampa attractions to ‘swap’ memberships and experience all of the fun each has to offer! On the 21st of the month, we are proud to host the inaugural ZooTampa IRONKIDS presented by AdventHealth. The family event gives young athletes the thrill and excitement of competition while enjoying up-close interactions with some of the Zoo’s iconic animals.

Meanwhile, we‘ve started the transformation of the Zoo into Tampa Bay’s number one Halloween eerie family fright fest. The critically acclaimed Creatures of the Night returns on Fridays and Saturdays in October with more spooky scares and creepy frights for ghouls and goblins of all ages. The Zoo stays open late as a colorful cast of spooky characters, fearsome animals and immersive Halloween adventure zones take over to provide unforgettable eerie frights for the whole family. Unlike other Halloween events in the Tampa Bay area, ours is truly family-focused with just enough delightfully spooky and lighthearted startles to keep everyone laughing and entertained.

As we approach the end of the year, we look forward to the opening of the Sandy and Tom Callahan Center for Wildlife Conservation which will give guests a glimpse into the work we do to rescue, rehabilitate and care for animals from Florida and around the world. And, the year would not be complete without the return of one of Tampa’s most beloved holiday traditions, ZooTampa’s Christmas in the Wild. The event immerses guests into a world of seasonal cheer designed to create lasting holiday memories for the whole family.

It’s been a true “wild” year for us at ZooTampa and I remain grateful for the dedication of our team and enthusiastic support of our members and guests. I invite you to visit soon for memorable connections with wildlife and each other!

 

Joe Couceiro

President & CEO

 

Commemorations

Please review our booking tips before continuing

Outside Food & Drinks Policy

ZooTampa at Lowry Park offers a variety of delicious food for guests at several restaurants and concession stands throughout, but we understand that guests may need to bring outside food for special dietary needs. Acceptable and prohibited food items are listed below. For the convenience of our guests, there is a picnic area located outside the park near the main parking lot.

 Acceptable Items
  • Bottled water (max 20oz bottle, sealed) one per guest
  • Small snacks for young children
  • Baby food/baby formula
  • Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep (limit one per child)
  • Pre-purchased empty ZooTampa souvenir cups
  • Any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements
 Prohibited Items
  • Prepared or packaged food or meals
  • Alcohol
  • Glass or any open containers or water bottles filled with beverages
  • Hard-sided coolers of any size
  • Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
  • Suitcases and soft-sided bags with wheels larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high

Prohibited Items

For the safety of our animals, guests and employees, the following items are not permitted to be brought into ZooTampa:

  • Any type of explosive or weapon
  • Knives or other sharp objects
  • Pepper spray
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Marijuana
  • Illegal drugs
  • Straws
  • Clothing likely to create a danger or disturbance
  • Any hazardous items or materials

The following items are also prohibited to avoid blocking of walkways and/or trip hazards:

  • Segways
  • Hover boards
  • Two-wheeled scooters
  • Self-balancing electric vehicles
  • Shoes with wheels
  • Drones
  • Hard-sided coolers of any size
  • Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
  • Suitcases and soft-sided bags with wheels larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high

Please leave any unnecessary articles secured within your vehicle to expedite your entry into the park.

We reserve the right to deny entry to anyone not observing Zoo Rules.

Pay For A Day Tickets

With a new Pay For A Day, Rest of Year Free ticket – for a limited time – you get unlimited admission through December 31, 2023 including access to our seasonal event series. Some blockout dates apply — see below for details. Not valid with any other discounts.

When does my Pay For A Day ticket expire?

For a limited time, new Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free tickets are valid from the day of purchase until 12/31/2023 Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free tickets which were purchased prior to October 1st, 2022 are valid until 12/31/2022.

What are the blockout dates?

3/11/23 – 3/19/23
11/24/23 – 11/26/23
12/26/23 – 12/31/23

Can I purchase a Pay For A Day ticket on a blockout date?

Yes! You can purchase a Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free ticket for first-time use on a listed blockout date and have full access to the park on that day. Blockout dates apply to repeat visitation.

Can I use my Pay For A Day ticket on blockout dates?

If you already have your Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free ticket and wish to visit during a listed blockout date, please stop by the Zoo’s ticketing windows for alternate options:

  1. During blockout periods, Pay For A Day ticket holders have access to significantly discounted single-day tickets.
  2. For a limited time from the date of purchase, Pay For A Day tickets can be upgraded to a Zoo Membership (with no blockout dates).
I purchased a Pay For A Day ticket online. How do I get my actual ticket?

Bring a copy of your confirmation (or show the confirmation email on your mobile device) to expedite entry into the Zoo. At your convenience during your visit you can stop by the Tours & Guest Services kiosk located just inside the Zoo to print your physical pass. No need to stand in line at the ticket windows. Walk right in!
Still have questions? Email us or call (813) 935-8552 ext. 0.