Hillsborough County Employee Appreciation Salute

Special Offer for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa Employees

JUNE 1ST – August 31ST, 2023

In appreciation of our county employees’ dedicated service, ZooTampa is proud to offer complimentary admission to Hillsborough County Government team members whose contributions every day help our community. From the first responders who keep us safe to the sanitation employees who keep our street and parks beautiful, we salute the almost 5,000 Hillsborough County employees. Join us for a day full of up-close animal encounters and outdoor adventures for the whole family. This special offer is valid for one (1) complimentary admission for the employee, plus a 25% discount for up to three (3) additional guests.

To redeem this offer, please visit the ticket windows at the Zoo entrance with employee ID. Valid for one visit during the promotional period.

LIST OF ELIGIBLE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY DEPARTMENTS

  • 911 Agency

  • Administration

  • Affordable Housing

  • Aging Services

  • Americans With Disabilities

  • Attorney’s Office

  • Board of County Commissioners

  • Building & Construction Services Division

  • Children’s Board

  • Children Services

  • Clerk of the Circuit Court

  • Code Enforcement

  • Communications & Digital Media Services

  • Conservation & Environmental Lands

  • Consumer and Veterans Services

  • Customer Service & Support

  • Development Services

  • Economic Development

  • Emergency Management

  • Enterprise Solutions and Quality Assurance

  • Facilities Management

  • Fire Rescue

  • Fleet Management

  • Geospatial Services

  • Government Relations and Strategic Services

  • Head Start

  • Health Care Services

  • Homeless Services

  • Human Resources

  • Information Technology Department

  • Internal Auditors

  • Library Services

  • Managed Document Services

  • Management and Budget

  • Medical Examiner

  • Pet Resources

  • Procurement

  • Public Utilities

  • Public Works

  • Real Estate Services

  • Recreation & Neighborhood Parks

  • Risk Management & Safety Division

  • Social Services

  • Solid Waste Division

  • Sunshine Line

  • Tax Collector’s Office

  • Water Resources

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.