Florida's Tampa Bay Area

The Tampa Bay Area consists of three main cities (St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa) and a host of smaller communities.  Boasting a population of approximately 3-million residents, the Bay Area straddles the two counties (Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties) sharing the Bay that opens up to the Gulf of Mexico.

For fun, education and hands-on adventure, families should visit Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.  The zoo was named the number one family zoo in the country by Child Magazine, and it features more than 2,000 animals on 56 acres of natural habitats.  Seven exhibit areas feature a myriad of wildlife, and guests are welcome to feed giraffes, lorikeets, stingrays, goats and koi.  The University of South Florida (USF) Botanical Gardens include 10 acres of native and exotic gardens and displays.  Collections include carnivorous plants, tropical and subtropical trees, orchids, a butterfly garden, and more.  For real hands-on fun, MOSI: The Museum of Science &  Industry is an experience like no other.  The largest science center in the Southeast, MOSI is home to the only IMAX Dome Theatre in Florida.  The museum also includes the chance to pedal a high-wire bike three stories up, a planetarium, and Kids In Charge! -the largest children's science center in the country.

Across the bay, towards the beaches, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium begs the question, "how wet do you want to get?"  The aquarium showcases a wide variety of marine life, allowing visitors to observe the rehabilitation and care of rescued dolphins, otters and sea turtles.  Guests can get their hands wet petting stingrays at Stingray Beach or get completely soaked at Marine Life Adventures, and interactive marine experience.  John's Pass Village and Boardwalk in Madeira Beach is a quaint fishing village with more than 130 unique shops and restaurants, as well as a waterfront boardwalk.  Water sports, fishing and eco-tours are available here.  The Pier Aquarium is a 2,000 square-foot public aquarium and ocean science education center.  It features a Touch Tank Tour Activity, a daily fish feeding, and several interactive exhibits, guided tours and educational activities. See the Tampabay Activities Guide for a more comprehensive list of festivals , events and year-round fun in Tampabay.

Tampa Trio Pass - Florida Aquarium, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo and MOSI

General admission to The Florida Aquarium, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo and the Museum of Science and Information (MOSI). Visit viator.com for details.