The Ultimate Family Afternoon at The Florida Aquarium

One of the fun things about Tampa is that everything is so close to one another, you can easily fit several fun activities for kids in one day without fatiguing them or driving them around too much.

A good, easy day with kids would be to start at the Glazer Children’s Museum. Have lunch either at Ulele Restaurant or Columbia Restaurant (two of the most iconic restaurants in Tampa). And top off the day by visiting The Florida Aquarium.

Located in downtown Tampa, the Florida Aquarium is a fun place with over 20,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and all over the world. So, it’s a perfect indoor pardon from the extreme Florida heat.

Read on and learn what activities your kids can enjoy at the Florida Aquarium, as well as all the important details about tickets, exhibits, shows & events, and more.

The Florida Aquarium Review

The aquarium is just the right size, approximately 250,000-square-foot. I know that sounds odd, but it seems to pack in a lot for the size that it is. And, judging by the way my kids are at aquariums, after one hour or so they start to get restless. In this case, you can see the majority of the place by then and even get a quick show and feeding in as well.

What I loved most about this place as they have a full outdoor park. After visiting the actual aquarium, your kids can go nuts on playgrounds of all sizes.

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Petting Areas

The Horseshoe Crab – the oldest living creature on our planet. Over 450 million years old.

Nemo’s home – Anemone

A Bit Different

Lemurs – yes, that’s right lemurs. Totally out of place, but so cute you overlook that you’re at an aquarium and not a zoo.

Environmental Programs

Florida’s reef, as in the rest of the world, is dying fast. The aquarium has a great Coral Farm program going on.

The Tank

Every aquarium has a huge tank for the big fish. This one is no different. But what is really cool is that they have a huge viewing window where you can watch the kids watching the fish.

Catch a Show

This was one of the most unique show’s I’d attended at an aquarium. The divers were pointing to different fish and talking to us from under the water. They even heard all the kid’s questions.

Information for Visiting The Florida Aquarium in Tampa

• Address: 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602
• Phone: (813) 273-4000
• Hours 9:30am to 5pm

Prices

• Adults $23.95
• Seniors (60+) $20.95
• Children (ages 3-11) $18.95
• Children 2 & Under Free

Florida Aquarium Exhibits

The Florida Aquarium offers a variety of exhibits for kids to explore, learn, and have fun. Some of the top exhibits include:

Wetlands Trail

A journey through swamps where you will see and learn about alligators, otters, and two 14-foot Burmese Pythons. It’s enclosed by an 80-foot glass dome, which is truly a unique experience. If you love photography, snap some stunning shots of the animals in their natural habitat.

Journey to Madagascar

This exhibit offers a rare opportunity to marvel at wide-eyed lemurs and fluorescent geckos. What’s astonishing is that over 80% of Madagascar’s plants and animals are endemic. This exhibit has Lemurs and Hissing Cockroaches, colorful chameleons, and much more. You can glean interesting and educational facts about the habitats, plants, and animals, due to the Aquarium’s easy-to-read plaques.

Bays and Beaches

More than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals both native to Florida and from the shores around the world. It’s within these rocky refuges that you’ll encounter the peculiar and often misunderstood creatures of the sea – from the sinuous, almost creepy eels weaving through the coral, to the pufferfish, masters of defense. Unbeknownst to many, these diverse inhabitants play critical roles in maintaining the delicate balance of their underwater world.

Coral Reef

The gallery simulates a 60-foot dive starting in shallow-water reefs and descending to deeper waters. Each viewing window presents a microhabitat that changes as the depth increases.

Ocean Commotion

This is their newest gallery. It gives you a close encounter with some of the most amazing animals found in our oceans.

Stingray Beach

Stingray Beach is a small pool where a lot of stingrays swim around all day and night. Their skin is like warm velvet and it’s one of the coolest things you’ll ever touch in your life. They also feed these guys throughout the day.

The Bone Zone

In this fascinating underwater habitat, you have the opportunity to interact with a diverse array of vibrant marine creatures that defy conventional anatomy! Explore the intricate beauty of anemones, the fascinating movements of sea cucumbers, the elegance of sea stars, the spiky uniqueness of urchins, and so much more awaiting your discovery.

Shows & Schedule

• 10:00 – River Tales: Animal Talk
• 10:30 – Live Animal Presentation
• 11:00 – Predators Of The Reef
• 12:00 – Fish School – Safety In Numbers
• 1:30 – River Tales: Animal Talk
• 2:00 – Live Animal Presentation
• 2:45 – Penguin Promenade
• 3:15 – Predators Of The Reef
• 4:15 – Fish School – Safety In Numbers

Programs

• Dive with the Sharks – Certified SCUBA divers, age 15 and older, get to come face-to-face with live sharks by diving into the Aquarium’s Coral Reef Exhibit.
• Shark Swim – Swim amongst 1600 fish including stingrays, barracudas, sea turtles, and Sharks. You don’t need to be a certified SCUBA diver for this one.
• Swim with the Fishes – It is an in-water reef experience, gives guests 6 and older an adventure on a replica of one of the Florida Keys.

Tips for Visiting the Florida Aquarium

Get there EARLY

Seriously. Weekends or rainy days mean the place gets packed, and so does the parking lot. We aimed to be there right when they opened and had no problem parking. Plus, you get to see the animals before the crowds get big.

Ditch the stroller if you can

If you have a tot or a smaller toddler, pack a front-facing carrier Cause, the paths in the aquarium can get narrow, and it’s just a hassle with a bulky stroller.

Speaking of kids, bring swimsuits!

The outdoor play area is fantastic, but prepare for soaking-wet kids. Their splash pad is really nicely done, but even the playground equipment will be wet from it. They’re likely to get wet, even though it was “off” when we went.

Snacks For The Win

Although, You can’t bring in full meals, as per the website rules, but the aquarium was super relaxed about small kid snacks. My kids are always hungry when we’re out, and those snacks saved us! I saw pretty much every other parent doing the same thing.

Buy Your Tickets Online Ahead Of Time

The Florida Aquarium uses demand-based pricing, which kicks the prices based on demand. Buying tickets early not only saves you a few bucks, but it makes getting into the aquarium easier with little ones in tow. I apply the same formula when I do things such as comparing Flamingo Park odds or buying concert tickets. Always buy early!

Final Thoughts

The Florida Aquarium is a fantastic outing for the entire family, and it’ll be an absolute blast if you have animal lovers in the house. Even though we got there early (being a weekday helped), by the time we were done at 4:00 pm, there were a ton of people there. If you can swing it, try to get there earlier when they open. With numerous exhibits, shows, and programs to choose from, I can say you could easily spend the whole day here.

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Last Updated on June 24, 2025