Florida Aquarium, Tampa

Florida Aquarium, Tampa (must see)

A trip to the Florida Aquariums is a journey through Florida's natural world. Along the way, you'll visit and learn about the coral reefs of the Florida Keys, north Florida's freshwater springs, and the many wetlands, shallow bays, and beaches in between.

The Aquarium is massive, covering 250,000 square feet with more than 7,000 plants and animals on display. They recommend you plan to spend more than two hours here, but many visitors wish they'd allotted more time. Over a half a million gallons of seawater is pumped into the many aquarium exhibits. You'll want to spend the better part of a day here, especially if you plan on participating in any special programs.

Within the Aquarium's exhibits, expect to see sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, alligators, jellyfish, river otters, and many dozens of types of fish and marine invertebrates. The Aquarium focuses on conservation efforts and educates the public about the plight of Florida's ecosystems from pollution and habitat losses. The organization focuses on conservation efforts on coral reefs, sharks and rays, and sea turtles through habitat restoration and animal health and sustainable populations.

Why You Should Visit:
This Aquarium features more than just fish! Exhibits include detailed walk-throughs of Florida ecosystems where you'll see alligators, otters, and many species of birds. Don't miss the gorgeous Roseate Spoonbills! They've also got touch-tanks and beachcombing exhibits, along with a few lemurs and penguins.

The Florida Aquarium has consistently been rated one of the best in the country, and it's a great place to visit for adults and kids alike.

The Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is a conservation and education leader.

Tips:
- Grab a ticket for the Wild Dolphin Cruise, a 75-minute guided tour of Tampa Bay on the Aquarium's 75-foot catamaran, Bay Spirit II.
- Discounted tickets are available if you purchase Tampa Bay's CityPASS discount program. The CityPASS includes discounts on admission to ZooTampa and Busch Gardens and a few other local attractions.
- Consider signing up for an experience, like Shark Dives or Heart of the Sea Swim, to get an even more up-close experience!

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tampa. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Florida Aquarium on Map

Sight Name: Florida Aquarium
Sight Location: Tampa, USA (See walking tours in Tampa)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Tampa, Florida

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles