The Florida Aquarium
Aquarium · The Channel District ·

The Florida Aquarium

Aquarium · The Channel District ·

Indoor aquarium showcasing marine life, touch tanks, and splash pad

touch tanks
stingrays
jellyfish
sharks
family friendly
educational
clean
lemurs
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null
The Florida Aquarium by null

Information

701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 Get directions

Credit card accepted
Debit card accepted
Contactless accepted
Paid parking garage
Paid street parking

Information

Static Map

701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 Get directions

+1 813 273 4000
flaquarium.org
@floridaaquarium
𝕏
@floridaaquarium

Features

•Credit card accepted
•Debit card accepted
•Contactless accepted
•Paid parking garage
•Paid street parking
•Free Wi-Fi
•LGBTQ friendly
•Trans safe

Last updated

Jan 14, 2026

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28,641 Postcards · 5,541 Cities

How to Plan the Perfect Summer 2025 Trip to Tampa

"A family-friendly indoor attraction recommended to beat the heat, showcasing marine life and immersive aquarium exhibits." - Skye Sherman Skye Sherman Skye Sherman is a travel writer based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Aside from traveling, she's also a pilot, scuba diver, bookworm, and fourth-generation Floridian. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Palm Beach Illustrated, Atlas Obscura, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

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The Florida Aquarium
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"An indoor aquarium featuring marine life exhibits and educational programming suitable for family visits year-round." - Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman is a New York-based writer and editor who specializes in travel, lifestyle, food, and shopping content. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

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The Florida Aquarium
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This AZA-accredited nonprofit showcases Florida habitats, coral restoration, and bay life. The official site confirms seasonal hours; Condé Nast Traveler regularly includes the waterfront district in its Tampa guides. It’s a family-friendly anchor with genuine conservation work.

https://www.flaquarium.org/visit
Best Attractions in Tampa (2025)
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The Florida Aquarium
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22,027 Postcards · 1,950 Cities

The Florida Aquarium, praised by National Geographic and local publications, is independently operated and a cornerstone of Tampa’s waterfront. With immersive exhibits like the Wetlands Trail and a two-acre outdoor Splash Pad, it’s a favorite for both education and play. The aquarium’s focus on Florida marine life and conservation, along with hands-on touch tanks, give families an up-close look at the region’s watery wonders.

Tampa’s Most Authentic Family-Friendly Experiences: A Local’s Curated Guide
The Florida Aquarium

Sean G.

Google
Gorgeously kept aquarium with amazing displays, tanks and wildlife. The staff is friendly, engaging and thoughtful. People here love their job. The animals seem well cared for and healthy. The food selection is pretty good with snacks, drinks and more. The price of entry is fair to slightly high for what you get but it costs a lot to care for fish this size so I’m happy to help.

greedymuppet

Google
Loved the interactive environment at this aquarium, from being able to touch sting rays and anemones, to getting up close and personal with the native flora and fauna. This aquarium showcases the beautiful species Florida has to offer, as well as their more global relatives. One of my favorite areas was the mangrove zone, where ducks, herons, ibises, and other birds free roam. My other favorite was the tank containing the sea turtle. I highly recommend it. Typically you can expect to spend about two hours here. We did it in an hour and a half.

Jeremy R.

Google
The only reason it isnt a 5 star review is that I sincerely don't think I got the full value of my 55$ ticket (plus parking). There is some cool stuff. Some interactive (pet the stingrays). I loved all of the colorful sea life in contrast to the dark, tunnel-like hallways. We saw everything, twice, and after about an hour, we were done. So, 55$/hr (+25$ parking) is pretty steep. Theres also food and drink available for a highly marked up snack/lunch. I think this would be great for kids or people who really appreciate aquatic nature, but the price...

Nancy R.

Google
This was my first time in years being at the aquarium. The staff were great, very friendly and helpful. The exhibits were awesome, well kept, educational and beautiful! My daughter and her friends had a blast, especially at the hands on exhibits. They even have a nice outdoor courtyard with a play area for the younger kids. Great place to go with the family or just on your own.

Jacob N.

Google
Really fun and beautiful exhibits. Give yourself 2+ hours to see everything but if with young children, will take much longer. Get close and practically touch all the animals... birds, fish, alligators (j/k).

Catherine C.

Google
It was a great experience and I highly recommend visiting, especially with children. There are many different species, various animals, and different viewing heights so that little ones can see everything well and enjoy it a lot. They have some specific attractions that are separate, but the vast majority are included in the ticket price. A highlight is having family bathrooms and a nursing room. The only negative point is the high price: 46.95 per adult and children over 3 years old pay almost the same (39). If you are visiting for the first time, I recommend buying tickets through an online website where you can find them cheaper.

Lucie P.

Google
Our daughter received this visit as a birthday gift from her grandparents. And she was on cloud 9. The whole experience was just amazing. The new exhibit with the coral and the jelly fish to touch is a amazing experience. Employees were very friendly and experienced. Everything was well maintained and clean. Even the restroom was very clean with a cleaning lady and I give her 5 ⭐ for that, because everywhere we go there is cleaning personal for this 😔 so I'll say big thank you for having a cleaning person there to keep the toilets clean. The cafeteria was also clean and everyone knew what to do and food was amazing. Portion/ Price/ Taste was worth the dollar. The only thing I would say is one ⭐ is the price for a bottle of water 😞

Traveling T.

Google
Such a beautiful aquarium! I loved all of the exhibits. They have cool enclosures for all of the birds and where the lemurs are at. The big tank had lots of cool fish and sharks! They also have an octopus which I thought was pretty cool. It was a fun experience and was not too crazy busy for a Saturday. Definitely glad they had the trolley that brought us right to it too, very convenient!
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Keia C.

Yelp
We took our kids for our daughter 11th birthday while we were on vacation. This was one of the best aquariums I've ever been to and we've been to a few. I enjoyed the different areas and all the fish there were. The lemurs were my favorite part though. I just wish they were a bit more active but they were still so cute all cuddled up together. The kids really enjoyed the jellyfish experience and getting to touch them was pretty cool. There was just so much to see!
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Jeannine B.

Yelp
No parking, overcrowded, overpriced Dangerous- can't figure out the exits! Lines at every elevator... ugh can barely squeeze in to see the sting rays So crowded that we lost one of the 5 grandchildren- the best part of the day was how quickly they helped us locate him- kudos to the staff!
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James T.

Yelp
What a hidden gem in the heart of Tampa! The Florida Aquarium is not just another place with fish tanks. It feels like stepping into an underwater adventure where every turn brings a new wow moment. First off, the place is spotless and so well kept. You can tell the animals here are happy campers. Whether they are swimmers, flyers, or crawlers, they all look healthy and lively. Unlike other aquariums we have visited, these animals are not just floating around looking bored. They are busy socializing, playing, and living their best lives. My family and I kept pointing out how alive and interactive everything felt. The highlight for us was feeding the roseate spoonbills and ibis birds with our guide, Susie. Shout out to her because she was absolutely amazing. She called it an "immersive experience" and she was not kidding. Imagine exotic birds walking right up to you for snacks. We could not stop smiling. Then came the fish! I had never been that close to Red Drum, Snook, Red Grouper, Lionfish, and Sheepshead fish before. The way the aquarium is designed makes you feel like you are face to face with creatures you would normally only catch a glimpse of in the wild. And let's not forget the otters who were absolutely adorable, the alligator snapping turtles that gave off prehistoric vibes, and the sharks and barracudas that looked both majestic and powerful. Every exhibit pulls you in and makes you feel like part of the scene. All in all, this aquarium is so much more than a rainy day activity. It is a family adventure waiting to happen. If you are in Tampa and miss this place, you are missing out big time.
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Jenette S.

Yelp
I feel like it is way smaller than it used to be. They are doing construction, but it still feels like a shelf of what it was before 2018. That was the last time I went and had a blast. There was a water play area that seems to have been turfed off not sure if it was for holiday season or forever. They don't have the bat cave section anymore and I feel like a lot was taken out. Still a nice place to see sea life you would never see otherwise. Tons of different kind of seahorses that were so unique.
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Skye N.

Yelp
We always have a great time at The Florida Aquarium - there's so much to see. I love how much has been added, so many viewing areas so even when it's busy it doesn't feel too overcrowded. The stingray petting area and the jellyfish area are really cool and interactive. The bright aquariums with the neon-colored fishies are great for little ones, it really grabs their attention. There's also an outdoor area which is good for letting the kiddos get some of their energy out - it can get a bit hot in the summers but the fall and winter months it's pretty nice. It's a great family outing, definitely worth it.
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Mike M.

Yelp
Recently visited on a Sunday and really enjoyed the aquarium! Tons of exhibits and enclosures to check out a huge variety of (mostly) aquatic creatures. First section you walk through has some aviary friends and even a few turtles and alligators. Great variety. Beware of birds above dropping gifts onto you. Ask me how I know...lol We visited the day before first day of school, and even though we had timed entry it felt VERY crowded. During the week is prob much better. Overall really nice place to spend a couple of hours outside of our Florida heat. It's a little pricey $47/adult) but a well designed aquarium. .
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Brooke N.

Yelp
This place was super cool but for 40/ person .... Not ideal. Now if there were penguins or animals you could interact with or pet them it would be so worth it but those were behind the scenes. With that being said it was a cool experience but no I wouldn't do it again. But for kids... yes 100% they would love this.
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Davimi J.

Yelp
We take our son around for late celebration of his birthday going around Florida. He took few spots and aquarium is one of them. We always enjoyed the aquariums in state or worldwide.
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Karly T.

Yelp
A wonderful experience of what's in the sea and land creatures. Very well for your money and some interactions that make your experience worth while.
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Patty W.

Yelp
While we were in the area, we decided to make a quick visit before we had lunch. The aquarium has a huge selection of animals and even some that were photogenic. You can definitely get a couple hours worth of visiting here. I think it is a little high for the price per person, but it's nice to check out to see what it has to offer. There's a trolley stop next to the aquarium that is a short walk and we didn't have to worry about parking. I found that it is well kept up and there are some interactive animals if anybody wants to engage with them. There are information being provided on signs as well as the staff members being around to answer any questions you may have.
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Christina S.

Yelp
Beautiful indoor aquarium near the port in Tampa! I wish they had their own parking lot, but I understand why now that I've visited, it's right next-door to the port. You do have to pay for parking in addition to your tickets. The aquarium is full with a lot of exhibits and you can take your time or be as quick as you'd like. The snacks along the way are extremely expensive so just be aware of that. I bought a bag of chips for four dollars! Anyhow, I feel like the restrooms needed a little bit more attention, and there could use more employees explaining some of the animals. I really loved the large aquarium wall where the sharks were. It was very beautiful. It was fairly busy on Saturday, but the exhibits were kept well. There is a sloth encounter that you can pay an additional fee for to pay to feed her. There is a café outside that you can get some food to eat, and there is plenty of space to sit and eat on chairs and tables. I specifically love the outdoor playground, which I think used to be a splash pad. The only thing is that I wish it was more Shady because it got very hot. However, there was a dipping dots as well, so you can cool off. It's a great idea to do this on a rainy or super hot day. Just pack your own snacks and be prepared if it's going to rain outside that the café is outdoors.
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Stephanie D.

Yelp
This was our first time visiting the aquarium, even though we vacation in the area several times a year--and it did not disappoint! My kids absolutely loved it. There were so many amazing animals to see up close, and the exhibits were really well done. One of the highlights was a section where you can walk right up to ducks and flamingos--such a unique experience! The massive tanks filled with a variety of fish were stunning, and the shark exhibit was a favorite. We were also blown away by the huge sea turtle sharing the tank! We got to touch jellyfish and stingrays, which was a hit with the kids, and we paid a little extra for the VR experience, which was worth it. Since we're not from a coastal state, it was awesome to see marine life that we normally wouldn't get to experience back home. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and educational indoor activity. A great way to mix it up from the beach!
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Ray V.

Yelp
What an experience!! My wife and I are visiting from TX and took our Grandbud to the Aquarium. He LOVED it!! And who could blame him? This place was a hoot and we were able to see and experience many cool things and species. LOVE LOVE LOVE! I can't wait to go back again with our other Grandbud when he's a little bit older. Thank you for the experience and memories with our familia! As always, Enjoy & Happy Water World spectacle!
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Abel F.

Yelp
Looks small but what a densely packed and incredibly curated collection of marine life and associated environments! Well worth the price of admission. Incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff made the experience that much more remarkable. Will definitely visit again.
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Shaira A.

Yelp
I was very excited to come here with my family.. and I am not gonna lie, I have seen and experienced better. For the price we paid, I don't think it was worth it. Although, it is a good learning area for kids. My fave part was the jelly fish area. They're so fascinating to watch. Parking was hard to find and my son got sick the day after we went here.
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Leah M.

Yelp
We're visiting the area and as avid aquarium lovers, we had to check out THE Florida Aquarium. The drive in and parking situation wasn't terrible. We parked close by for ~$5/hour. A cruise was leaving the same day so it was a bit congested, but again, not terrible. It cost about $40 a person and $30 for our kiddo under 12. Our 12 year old was charged as an adult. Didn't like that. We did get a 10% veteran's discount. That was nice. Once inside, we found the digital map. It was confusing, and hard to discern where things were. The aquarium itself was extremely underwhelming. The exhibits were limited by space it seemed. The lemurs and the upper area their enclosure was in was empty aside from a couple tortoises. For the amount of money we spent, I was expecting a longer experience. It felt like a lot of the animals were paid for experiences. You couldn't even view them without paying. It was so disappointing. Maybe we're comparing this aquarium experience to the many others we've seen for less money, with far more value.
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Trisha W.

Yelp
I have been taking the kids here since mine was 2, he is 13 now. We always have a fun time. The kids biggest issue is when there are multiple children and they cannot decide where to go first. We love that a moon jelly touch tank was added. That is a a must for everyone when we visit. 26.02.2025
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Caroline B.

Yelp
Enjoyed our time at the Florida Aquarium! Parking at their lot was difficult, luckily there was other paid parking in the area. Check in was a breeze as we prepaid and there are two separate lines. Really enjoyed the jellyfish station where you can touch them, though I think hand sanitizer nearby would make the experience even better. We came at 2pm on a Saturday and were happy with the number of guests, it was busy but we didn't have to fight our way to the front of the tanks to see. Saw many animals I had never seen before, and enjoyed the area where birds are out and about (so close to us!). I was confused if we could pet them because they were free roaming and there were hand sanitizer stations around and we got a stern warning from one of the staff members when we tried There was a birthday party of elementary school age students that were very loud but we made our way through them quickly. Some areas had a very strong smell but understand that can't always be helped. Overall enjoyed our visit and were in and out in about an hour without rushing
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Arminda D.

Yelp
It's a small place but the kids had a great time. Touching the sting rays and the moon jellyfish were the highlights along with the big fish tank with the shark. The sear turtle seemed sick and wasn't swimming. Overall it's a maybe 2 hour excursion for people with kids but it's worth the 2 hours to keep em busy.
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Tiffani S.

Yelp
Had a fun day out with my nephews and we popped over to the aquarium. At first I was a little skeptical because of the prices. Coming from DC where there is no cost or low cost to major museums, it's expensive to spend over $150 for 4 for a museum or aquarium. But when you got there and see the great work they are doing and how they respect and take care of our planet, it mostly makes it worth it. The kids truly loved the experience. We loved the shark tank area the best. Loved that there were many photo opportunities along the way. Loved the skull ranger tour. We wish they had more trail talks in the different areas around the aquarium. That was a really nice interactive area. The kids learned a lot. It's a self guided tour around the aquarium and I wish they had more videos, interactive areas or tutorials for young kids throughout.
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Jazmin P.

Yelp
We just went this past weekend and I think it's totally worth it. They had a great selections of animals and it they had some interactive parts. The staff was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. They even have an outdoor area for the kids to play at any given time. My only negative is that you have to pay for parking. We paid $5/hour which isn't super terrible but can add up quickly if you plan to stay long on top of the ticket prices. Other than that, I highly recommend. We've been to a lot of aquariums around the US and this is definitely one of our favorites.
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Charlene T.

Yelp
Me and family traveled an couple hours away to come here and it was such an amazing experience.the huge aquarium was our favorite.I wish they had more guidance as far as information I had to ask multiple workers questions about the animal feeding if their was any maps.The bathrooms was clean.i would have bought our photo we had taken by the staff but it was blurring and the flash was in our daughter's glasses.we got to touch the sting rays and jelly fish.we was their for about two hours
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Ruth C.

Yelp
I've been to several aquariums.. and this one in Tampa is pretty good. It's quite expensive for how big it is ($42 for adults). There is a lot to see and the layout is good. Saw some things here that we haven't seen at other places (different kinds of jellyfish). You can "pet" the stingrays and also hold a jellyfish here. We opted for valet parking - $20 for 3 hours. $40 for 3+ hours.
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Fred S.

Yelp
One of the best aquariums we have visited. Staff were very pleasant and knowledgeable. Grandkids had a blast.
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Bianca P.

Yelp
I really the aquarium I'm actually a member. My 7 year old daughter loves it and now I have a 6 month old and it's perfect for her growing mind. And especially in the hot weather it's really great to go somewhere fun and enjoyable for everyone in AC! And then outside they have a playground and splash pad so I love that. I do feel like if you are a member we should receive free parking . Or maybe every 3 months or so give free guest ticket to members so we can bring an additional person or half off ., some sort of better perks.

Donna T.

Yelp
The food at the aquarium is terrible now they've changed everything it used to be the only place that you could go and really have a good meal. We spent $90 and it was just nowhere near like it was before.
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Sydnee A.

Yelp
Awesome aquarium with sharks, turtles, and stingrays, but some exhibits felt a little meh, and the most of the glass had more fingerprints than a CSI crime scene ‍
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Sonali K.

Yelp
I'll be honest, I had no idea what to expect from this aquarium. I hadn't done any research on what to do with the kids in Tampa - it was an impromptu trip to see friends and family. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. The moon jellies was the best part and the kids went through line twice to be able to touch them. I love how interactive this aquarium is. You can pet a variety of different sea creatures - moon jellies, rays, star fish. They also have an impressive store filled with different stuffed versions of the sea creatures they saw, so they have now expanded their stuffed-animal collection to include some unique beings which makes me happy as an avid stuffed animal collector myself :) Along with all the water animals, they also have lemurs, which was unusual to see at an aquarium, and apparently a beautiful bird show, which we missed all three show times unfortunately. The kids got to meet their first axolotl, platypus, and starfish! I love how they had the giant fish tanks and birds in the indoor/outdoor - that was my son's second favorite after the moon jellies. Apparently they had penguins, have no idea how we missed those! Really cute place and definitely worth a stop in if you have time.
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Christina G.

Yelp
Still five stars for this great Aquarium. I'm leaving this review mainly so I can remember the parking situation. The Garrison lot by Sparkman's wharf was the cheapest. It was $2 per hour. Next was the Channelside parking garage, that was just slightly more expensive I think if you parked more than 3 hours. The Aquarium parking lot which is right next to the Aquarium is $5 per hour, so the most expensive. We parked at the Garrison lot which was great, because we grabbed food at Sparkman's wharf after. It's about a block walk, so super easy. The actual Aquarium is fantastic. They are making a puffin exhibit and the outside is going through additions too. However, all the stuff that is open is still about two hours worth of going through. My friend and I came with three six year olds and they had an absolute blast. I really enjoyed seeing all the weird looking fish as well. The majority of this place is indoors, but there is also a green area outside that the kids enjoyed sitting and playing with outdoor games. There is even a bar outside, so parents can relax while the kids play. This place is fantastic to spend a morning. I highly recommend it.
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Josh B.

Yelp
We came here so often we continue to renew our annual pass and support this great aquarium. It is always clean, and staff are always very friendly. So many aquatic animals to see and it's just a very nice place to visit if you're wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of other places. Some days it can be busy depending on school being in session or not. Try to correlate if you're trying to avoid crowds.
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Ruben L.

Yelp
The first time I've been to this place was in 2017 and for the first visit it was awesome. There are so many animals and attractions to view, and learn about. Unfortunately, I haven't visited in a while, but I plan to visit this place soon when the weather and time permits. If you love aquariums like I do, I highly recommend this place.
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Melissa B.

Yelp
Took the kids to the Florida Aquarium in Tampa it's supposed to be the largest in Florida. It was nice but I was not overly impressed. I have been to many Aquariums in the past and Chattanooga TN is still my favorite one!! But this one is very nice!! It cost $216 for 3 adult, one senior and 2 kids and baby was free!!! Go figure!! Plus $40 for 4 waters and 4 churros.....ugh!!! But kids loved it!! That's all that really matters!!! Calliope was amazed she kept looking around!!
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Kyran D.

Yelp
We loved all the exhibits full of beautiful animals, and it was a gem to be able to pet the stingrays/sea anemones! The decor leading to and around the outside area is awesome, very immersive. The drawbacks begin with the price; it's EXPENSIVE, I'm talking around a $20 burger the size of my fist, with a bag of chips on the side. A bottle of water is $5, and a regular bag of gummies is $12! That's just the food, for tickets without any discounts you're looking at $48. We then did the penguin encounter, which consisted of them letting the penguins out in the middle of our circle, with toys on the ground, but we were only allowed to pet them (with our 2 fingers, and only on their back/wing) about twice each. It was mostly talking, I would not recommend that. I recommend it if you eat before arriving and don't sign up for the encounters!
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Jessica S.

Yelp
I took my baby for the first time to the aquarium and he loved it! We parked across the street at the channelside garage which is $2 an hour. I just wish it was bigger and more to see. We loved the big tanks of sea animals. I wish there were bigger sharks or more variety of sea animals but given how it's not that big in the first place, I understand. We love the splash pad outside too. It was so fun! My baby had a blast out there.
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Vanessa T.

Yelp
Loved being a member this year! We went during their Yule Tides event this season and loved the Grinch and other characters swimming in the tanks. My kids love running through here all day! Our favorite is probably the main tank with sharks or perhaps the upstairs Florida wetlands area where the animals seem to run loose (in a good way)! Lots of great sensory experiences too. I love feeling the sea urchins and such. A new touch area is coming soon so we're excited about that. In the summer they have a lovely splash pad!
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Monica R.

Yelp
This is a sad aquarium. They need to do a big makeover. Small tanks, lackluster displays. Took an hour to see everything. There weren't any sea turtles which is really unacceptable for a Florida aquarium. They should look at other aquariums (Atlanta, Charleston) and see what a great aquarium looks like. So glad we didn't bring guests with us! One and done.
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Bailey A.

Yelp
I have mixed reviews on our experience. The Good: - staff was extremely friendly and helpful. - my daughter absolutely loved all of the touch tanks. So many fun, interactive areas for kiddos - Parking options were easy and a short walk to the aquarium. - Exhibits, bathrooms, etc. were all pretty clean. - I was able to get a discounted ticket using my zoo Tampa membership. ($22 versus $45) - Can get through everything in about 2 hours so good trip before/after nap time. - Nice, outdoor area for kids to play or rooftop for eating. The Bad: - Tickets were $45!!! That is extremely pricey for what you get. I never would have paid that- I just wouldn't have gone if they didn't give me the zoo Tampa discount. - Parking garages nearby were $20. So on top of an expensive ticket, you pay a lot for parking. I'm sure there are cheaper options nearby but when you have little ones you don't really want to park farther away or go on the hunt for cheaper spots. - We saw only one elevator. You walk in on the first floor but are supposed to start on the second floor. They only have one elevator to go up, which resulted in some wait times as multiple people had strollers or wheelchairs. You would think they would have more than one elevator.
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Lonnie S.

Yelp
Wow... it was disappointing to exit. I must have spent twenty minutes in the lobby wondering what exhibitS we must have missed, to have finished the entire aquarium in just over an hour....at 45 per person (one being a four year old kid). Nothing in the "morphed" by PAR exhibit worked, and thank god that was true, because I'm not sure they understand how kids or people use anything... had anything actually functioned, there would have been toddler fist fights at the 360 globe, and OCD parents passing out at the habitat puzzle, where pieces don't actually fit. Darwin is questioning your understanding of survival... Neutral comments on staff, as most were over the top nice to my son, while one, on three occasions was super rude- I think she miss heard him on two of those occasions...but Im still trying to understand what she could have possibly thought. Wondering why New England Aquariums (Mystic, and New England (Boston), can beat this aquarium in price and show. Worst of all, it is most expensive to buy tickets directly through the aquarium! More expensive to buy direct! Over priced/under wowed ...saw more alligators in the tampa bay Walmart parking lot. Advice-buy a set of $5 swim goggles and pay the $45 fine for jumping into the wharf to see some "sea life".
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Rosario S.

Yelp
I was in Tampa and wanted to go on a solo date so I chose the aquarium. I parked in a lil lot right under the bridge for $15. The aquarium has a beautiful assortment of fish and wildlife. It was worth the entry cost. I spent a lil over an hour walking thru. Afterwards I had a burger and fries from the cafe and enjoyed my meal outside right next to a cruise ship. I can't wait to come back with my family!
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Alyana S.

Yelp
I came here for a Thursday afternoon and it wasn't busy. You can get tickets online easily as we thought we could go up and buy tickets but they prefer you just purchase on your phone. It's fairly easy to navigate and they have various interactive spots. In the lobby we were lucky they were bringing out a penguin for an educational session. Then in the lobby they had the jellyfish interactive area. Then upstairs is where all the attractions were from the wetlands to seeing the various sea animals. We went through it pretty quickly as we're not the type to read everything. Overall we expected more attractions for how big it looks on the outside but the staff was helpful with answering our questions. As far for parking there's a parking garage nearby or you can do street parking. Highly recommend coming back here!
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Yuko Y.

Yelp
fun place to visit! so many different creatures and loved all! convenient location in downtown. you can see alligators, penguins, many kinds of birds and fishes. the seaturtle was huge and cute.
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Holly B.

Yelp
Overall it was a great day... I wish more of the exhibits were open but they are obviously working to improve the area for the animals and customers.
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Trendy D.

Yelp
Such a fun place to visit for dates or as a family!! This was my first time at the FL Tampa Aquarium. I personally think it's worth it. I loved all the unique fishes, beautiful birds, and cool other animals like lemurs and such! I also thought it was cool that they had interactive exhibits where you could touch sting rays and jelly fish. This place was HUGE!! We only spent 2 -3 hours here but we could've spent probably another 1-2 hours walking around. I felt like a kid again and I had a ton of fun aquariums are smelly but cool There's was a little outdoor water park area as well. They have deals for other exhibits close by where you can do a dolphin cruise or see an old warship I believe. If you show them your aquarium tickets I think you get discounts (if it's the same day). Tips: There's a parking lot not terribly far away. There's signs to guide you. You use the pay mobile app I think parking was $15 They have military discounts
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Tessa M.

Yelp
Had a great time with my friends and enjoyed learning about all the different types of animals.
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Robert C.

Yelp
Such a fantastic family venue! We were in Tampa during Father's Day weekend and took the water taxi to this spot for our first stop. Amazingly it was a 2 for 1 day so we got to explore at a discount! There is enough here for a full day, including a solid cafeteria and...a monkey exhibit! Very educational. Take the family and bring nature closer to you! Only wish is that something snackable and drink was available without the huge line for the cafeteria!

Jeanette C.

Yelp
This is a beautiful and interesting aquarium. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. They could and should have benches in more locations for elderly people to rest, even though they do offer wheelchairs.
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Shiva N.

Yelp
I've been here numerous times with my husband and my family. It's always wonderful to see such diversity and animals and animal life. I'm certainly glad that my family and I are vegetarians as even thinking of eating these sentient beings is beyond my comprehension
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Stephen W.

Yelp
We went here one day during our stay in Tampa. The line to buy tickets was huge--it seemed that every tourist in Florida was at the aquarium on the day we went. That meant that the displays were crowded which made it difficult to see some things. At times the number of people was overwhelming and by the end I just wanted out. The reason for 4 stars is that it is a rather small aquarium, or maybe we missed some parts (?). It is expensive for what you get. Over $40 for an adult and $36 for a kid. We did not try any of the food options while we were there, but they exist. There is a pretty good gift shop that is kind of pricey. The kid enjoyed the experience and got to touch a stingray so all in all we were happy that we went.
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Wish H.

Yelp
First time and I know that this aquarium has been around for a long time. I had a wonderful experience and to all that work and take care of this attraction. It's amazing the care that goes into this. I'll highly recommend and come back