Tampa zoo - the shoebills

[Anonymous]

Has anyone been to the Tampa Zoo? What is it like? 1-2 days to see everything? What not to miss? At the zoo or surrounding area? We are going primarily to see the shoebill storks. 😀 I know, I know.

[Anonymous]

What's wrong with the shoebill storks? I went to Uganda to PURPOSELY see them (and gorillas). They're the coolest bird on the planet IMO.

[Anonymous]

Never been to the zoo but to Tampa several times. Busch Gardens is an extremely pleasant, low key amusement park if your family likes rides. Hyde Park is a really pretty old neighborhood with nice houses, shops and restaurants. The waterfront Riverwalk area is pleasant, there's a Jeni's ice cream booth and a bunch of other casual places to grab food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone been to the Tampa Zoo? What is it like? 1-2 days to see everything? What not to miss? At the zoo or surrounding area? We are going primarily to see the shoebill storks. 😀 I know, I know.

Just looked them up and now I have to go too!

[Anonymous]

OP here. We won't make it back to Africa anytime soon - need a new job! - but a road trip to a US zoo is doable. I actually cannot wait.

[Anonymous]

I am just coming here to say I love somewhat scary looking, weird birds like the shoebill stork and the harpy eagle.

[Anonymous]

Just got back from Tampa. You will have a blast. If you have time hit the St Pete pier and area!

[Anonymous]

Busch Gardens is fine.
The area around is not great. Don't wander around.
Go to Ybor City and eat at Colombia.

[Anonymous]

Zoo Tampa is a first class zoo! I do think one day is enough, but I live locally so go a couple of times a year. It's fun, it has a great kids water play area and a log flume ride also. And lots of shade (mature trees).

So, the area directly around it is an older area (the zoo was origionally Lowry Park Zoo, the park is next door) but the area is a known foodie area, so if that is your thing you can google restaurants nearby.

The suggestions here in the thread are good-Busch Gardens (a few miles away), the Riverwalk, St Pete Pier, also the TECO manatee viewing center in Apollo Beach is a great place to see manatees this time of year (and it's FREE). There are multiple places to rent kayaks/canoes and paddle. Not sure if your have young kids with you but if so, Glazer's Childrens Museum downtown is great! You could have a really fun trip here in Tampa Bay.

[Anonymous]

OK slight segue, we are going to Tampa over Easter and there is a festival going on in Clearwater--worth it for a day trip? Sand sculptures, band, fireworks...or stick with St. Pete for a beach fix?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK slight segue, we are going to Tampa over Easter and there is a festival going on in Clearwater--worth it for a day trip? Sand sculptures, band, fireworks...or stick with St. Pete for a beach fix?

It's an easy drive from Tampa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK slight segue, we are going to Tampa over Easter and there is a festival going on in Clearwater--worth it for a day trip? Sand sculptures, band, fireworks...or stick with St. Pete for a beach fix?

It's an easy drive from Tampa.

How long?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK slight segue, we are going to Tampa over Easter and there is a festival going on in Clearwater--worth it for a day trip? Sand sculptures, band, fireworks...or stick with St. Pete for a beach fix?

It's an easy drive from Tampa.

How long?

It would depend on where in Tampa you're coming from. I live in the far northern part of Tampa bay, I live in the top of Pasco county and I can get down to Clearwater in just under an hour, if I lived in Tampa of course it would be like half that or less. Not at rush hour LOL