Tampa Zoo Hours: Opening, Closing, and Holiday Hours

tampa zoo hours

If you need to know what Tampa Zoo hours of operation are before visiting, this article is where you will find the details you need.  

To that end, we will discuss the zoo’s opening, closing, and holiday hours. We will also discuss other details like its location, delivery method, and much more.  

Introduction: Tampa Zoo

Formerly known as Lowry Park Zoological Garden or Lowry Park Zoo, the Tampa Zoo is an independent nonprofit organization located in Tampa, Florida. The Zoo started out as a small animal exhibit located on the University of Tampa’s campus in the 1930s.

In 2018, a new shift took place and the zoo was rebranded as “Tampa Zoo at Lowry Park”. Tampa Zoo is now an expanded project with a gross space of 63-acre (25 ha).

The zoo featuring over 1,300 animals was voted the #1 Family Friendly Zoo in the US by Parents Magazine in 2019.

Tampa Zoo Opening and Closing Hours

At Tampa Zoo, operations are for 7 days a week under all weather conditions. The Zoo regularly operates for 7 hours 30 minutes a day. 

Notwithstanding, the Zoo also operates extended hours mostly on weekends and for special events. 

You can check the table below for details about Tampa Zoo’s opening and closing hours.

DaysOpening HoursClosing Hours
Monday9:30 AM5:00 PM
Tuesday9:30 AM5:00 PM
Wednesday9:30 AM5:00 PM
Thursday9:30 AM5:00 PM
Friday9:30 AM5:00 PM
Saturday9:30 AM5:00 PM
Sunday9:30 AM5:00 PM

Tampa Zoo Holiday Hours

Tampa Zoo is open to all its visitors and members on most holidays. Although, the zoo operates on extended hours on some holidays. 

As a result, it is good you contact Tampa Zoo to plan ahead before visiting on holidays.

On which holidays is Tampa Zoo open?


The table contains the detail of Tampa Zoo’s hours on holidays it’s open.

DateHolidayOpen/Closed
January 1New Year’s DayOpen
January 17Martin Luther King DayOpen
February 21President’s DayOpen
April 15Good FridayOpen
April 18Easter MondayOpen
May 30Memorial DayOpen
July 4Independence DayOpen
September 5Labor DayOpen
October 10Columbus DayOpen
October 31HalloweenOpen
November 11Veteran’s DayOpen
November 23Day before ThanksgivingOpen
November 26Black FridayOpen
December 24Christmas EveningOpen  (09:30 AM – 04:00 PM)
December 26Day after ChristmasOpen
December 31New Year’s EveOpen

On which holidays is Tampa Zoo closed?

Tampa Zoo doesn’t operate on some holidays. Below is a table showing the days that Tampa Zoo doesn’t operate.

DateHolidayOpen/Closed
November 24Thanksgiving DayClosed
December 25Christmas DayClosed

How To Find Tampa Zoo

Tampa Zoo is located in Tampa, 1101 W. Sligh Avenue, Florida, United States. You can get directions and the location of the zoo on this Google Maps link.

Tampa Zoo map

What Does Tampa Zoo Offer?

Tampa Zoo is a family-friendly park that all family members can visit. The zoo offers its members and visitors an indelible experience of sighting the earth’s most wonderful animals.

The list of fun activities offered at Tampa Zoo is very broad. You can enjoy animal feeding, educational programs, and up-close experiences with the animals as well as restaurants and cafes offering a variety of dishes.

However, in order to get access to the zoo and the service it offers, Tampa Zoo sells tickets to its visitors. The tickets are sold in two categories, one for adults and the other for children.

There is also a membership category where you can buy tickets with a 1-year plan. The membership plan has different classes that allow you to invite one or more guests on any zoo visit.

About Tampa Zoo

Tampa Zoo was a small collection of exotic animals in the 1930s. The independent and nonprofit organization first originated across Hillsborough River from downtown.

At a time, the zoo struggled to meet the professional standards of modern zoos. This led to the creation of the Lowry Park Zoo Association with the intention to add modern facilities to the zoo.

With the aid of national zoo designers, Tampa Zoo was re-designed to become a world-class zoo. These changes attracted many awards making Tampa Zoo the five-time winner of the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence from 2010 to 2015.

At the moment, the zoo features fun recreational amenities, up-close animal encounters, and engaging seasonal events. That’s why it is tagged as one of the country’s most family-friendly zoos.

How To Contact Tampa Zoo

Social Media Accounts

FAQs

Do I need to make reservations before visiting Tampa Zoo?

Reservations are no longer required to visit Tampa Zoo.

Can I get a refund for my ticket to the Tampa Zoo?

No, all tickets purchased are non-refundable and non-returnable.

Does Tampa Zoo offer discounts for students?

No, Tampa Zoo does not offer discounts to students.

How much is admission to Tampa Zoo at Lowry Park?

General admission to Tampa Zoo is $45.95 for adults (ages 12 & above) and $35.95 for children (ages 3 to 11).

Do I need to pay for parking at Tampa Zoo?

No, parking at the Tampa Zoo is absolutely free.

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