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Know Before You Go

Hours of Operation

9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
7 days a week

Holiday Hours Extended Spring Break Hours: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM Spring Break 3/11-3/19 and on weekends (except April 1) through April 30

Saturday, April 1: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM for Karamu

Thursday, Nov 23: Closed for Thanksgiving

Saturday, Dec 24: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM for Christmas Eve

Sunday, Dec 25: Closed for Christmas Day

Directions

1101 W. Sligh Ave.
Tampa, FL 33604

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Plan your day, upload your tickets, or get step-by-step directions throughout the park with our app!

ZooTampa Policies & Rules

The safety of our guests, employees and animals is a top priority. ZooTampa has a zero tolerance policy for aggressive behaviors along with well-defined and effective consequences for violators. Consistent with this policy, any type of acts or threats of physical violence, including intimidation, harassment and/or coercion will not be tolerated. Additionally any discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status will not be tolerated. Violators will be immediately reported to the Tampa Police Department and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We will do everything possible to create and preserve an environment where everyone can feel physically and emotionally safe to enjoy our zoological park.
Parking at ZooTampa is free for all guests. Zoo Members get access to preferred parking, subject to availability.
Re-entry is allowed with wristband. Ask the attendant at the Zoo exit for a wristband before exiting the park.
For your safety at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, we have enhanced security procedures, which may result in slight delays while entering the park. As a part of this process, we ask for your understanding and cooperation.
  • All bags, backpacks, and packages will be subject to inspection prior to entering the park.
  • Click here to see a list of items that are not permitted inside ZooTampa.
  • Please leave any unnecessary articles secured within your vehicle to expedite your entry into the park.
  • ZooTampa is not responsible for fire, theft, damage or loss of vehicle including articles left within.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park is a family-friendly cultural institution. We require that all guests wear appropriate clothing while in the park. Shirts, skirts or pants (including jeans or shorts) and shoes must be worn at all times. Costumes and masks are not permitted in the park. In addition, provocative, revealing, or offensive clothing is prohibited.

We encourage individuals and families with varying needs to reach out in advance in preparation for your visit. Click here to learn about all the resources available to you and your family.

ZooTampa is committed to providing an environment that is safe and secure for guests, employees, volunteers and the animals in our care. ZooTampa prohibits any person from using or operating any drone or UAS on or above the Zoo campus, including parking facilities and back areas. Exceptions must receive written authorization by the Zoo’s management team and must follow all rules and regulations of both the Zoo and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

This policy applies to all persons on the ZooTampa campus including guests, employees, and volunteers, as well as individuals who are operating a drone outside of the Zoo property limits but flying over its campus.

Persons in violation of ZooTampa’s drone policy are identified as trespassers and will be referred to and dealt with accordingly by law enforcement officers, including but not limited to criminal charges and fines.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park offers a variety of delicious food for guests at several restaurants and concession stands throughout, but understand that guests may need to bring outside food for special dietary needs. Click here to see a list of acceptable and prohibited outside food items

For the convenience of our guests, there is a picnic area located outside the park near the main parking lot. Guests with special dietary needs, please contact Guest Relations using the chat bubble at the bottom left corner, or call us at 813-935-8552 ext 0.

For more information on ZooTampa rules and guidelines please see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Have Questions?

Visit our FAQ page

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.