Things to Do Attractions AQUARIUMS/ZOOS

BIG CAT RESCUE – NW 12802 Easy St. • Tampa, FL 33625 (813) 920-4130 • www.BigCatRescue.org

Over 10 years old: Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 3pm; Saturday-Sunday at 10am and 1pm. Ages under 10 years old: Saturday-Sunday at 9am only.

STAY 1-2 HOURS

Stand three feet from a 750-pound tiger. Take photos that everyone will think you took on a safari. 100 wild cats – one wild time! Call for availability.

BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY – BG 10165 N McKinley Dr. • Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 987-5000 • www.buschgardens.com

365-day operating schedule. Park hours are subject to change. Log on to buschgardens.com for more informa- tion. Adults $80.20; Children ages 3 to 9 $69.50; Children 2 and under are admitted for free. Prices are subject to change without notice.

STAY ALL DAY

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay combines world-class thrill rides, live entertainment and one of North America’s largest zoos in an unforgettable adventure for the whole family. Now open: join everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends for a family-fun African journey. It’s Sesame Street Safari of Fun, where imagination runs wild, and there’s fun for everyone.

THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM – DT 701 Channelside Dr. • Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 273-4000 • www.flaquarium.org

Adults $19.95; Children under 12 $14.95; Eco Tours: Adult $21.95; Children under 12 $17.95. Open daily 9:30am-5pm.

STAY 3 HOURS

Immerse yourself in one of the top family-friendly aquariums in the country with interactive programs like “Swim with the Fishes” and “Dive with the Sharks” or take a peek behind the scenes with a shark feeding or penguin encounter at The Florida Aquarium.

SEAWORLD ORLANDO – R 7007 SeaWorld Dr. • Orlando, FL 32821 (407) 351-3600 • www.seaworld.com

Open year-round at 9 am with extended hours during summer and holidays. Adults $78.95; Children ages 3-9 $68.95.

STAY ALL DAY

SeaWorld Orlando is the world’s premier marine adventure park with more than 200 acres of up-close animal encounters, thrilling attractions and unforgettable performances immersing guests in the mysteries of the sea. SeaWorld’s new show – “Believe,” showcases majestic killer whales with awe-inspiring choreography, an elaborate three-story set, original musical score and panoramic LED screens. State-of-the-art rides such as “Kraken” and “Journey to Atlantis” twist, turn, and drench guests with unprecedented thrills, while three

new sea-themed family rides are designed for kids of all ages. Whether coming face-to-face with Shamu, petting dolphins, counting the teeth on a shark or feeding seals and sea lions, vacation adventures become lifelong memories at SeaWorld Orlando.

TAMPA’S LOWRY PARK ZOO – CT 1101 W Sligh Ave. • Tampa, FL 33604 (813) 935-8552 • www.lowryparkzoo.com

Adults $20.95; Seniors (60+) $18.95; Children ages 3-11 $15.96; Free for children two and under. Parking is free. Open seven days a week from 9:30am-5pm. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

STAY 4-5 HOURS

Named number one zoo in the USA, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is only 10 minutes north from downtown. Visit 2,000 plus animals in natural habitats including the Florida Manatee. Daily shows and rides. Interstate 275, Exit 48.

BOTANICAL GARDENS/OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

BOK TOWER GARDENS - R 1151 Tower Blvd • Lake Wales, FL 33853 (863) 676-1408 • www.boktowergardens.org

Experience one of America’s finest gardens and nature preserve surrounding a 205-foot sculpted marble carillon tower with daily concerts and Mediterranean style man- sion. National Historic Landmark. Cafe and gift shop.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

BOTANICAL GARDENS – BG 12210 USF Pine Dr. • Tampa, FL 33620 (813) 974-2329 • www.cas.usf.edu/garden

Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday 9am-4pm; Sunday noon-4pm. Adults $5; Seniors (65+) $4; Children ages 6-13 $3; Students (with valid ID) $1.

STAY 1-2 HOURS

The USF Botanical Gardens offers 10 acres of landscape displays and collections, a plant shop, and bookstore. Enjoy orchids, begonias, palms, tropicals, carnivorous plants, birds, butterflies, and more.

45 ACRES 15 SPECIES CANOEING/KAYAKING

ALLIGATOR BOB’S ECOTOURS – NE P.O. Box 522 • Thonotosassa, FL 33592 (813) 986-3008 • www.gatorbob.com/ecotours

Prices from $35.00 and up. Reservation only. 100 BIG CATS

Downtown = DT 38 VisitTampaBay.com Westshore/Airport = WS Central Tampa = CT South Tampa = ST East Tampa/Fairground = ET Carrollwood/Northwest Tampa = NW Ybor City = YC Northeast Tampa = NE St. Petersburg/Beaches = SP

Busch Gardens/USF = BG Brandon/Southshore = BR Regional = R

STAY 2 HOURS Take interpretive walks in Florida’s Pristine coastal and freshwater wetlands, hardwood hammocks and flat pinewood forest. Located on private and public conserva- tion lands where opportunities abound to observe many rare and beautiful plants, birds and the diverse wildlife that it supports. Paddle nearby river systems to see alligators, otters, turtles and many of Florida’s wading and shoreline birds in their natural habitat.