Florida Aquarium in Tampa

Let’s take a trip to the Florida Aquarium.

This activity took us about four hours to complete. Then there was a bit of shopping in the gift shop!!!

We arrived at 9:30 a.m., which was perfect timing to purchase our tickets take a quick look at the aquarium map. We planned our route and headed upstairs to the Penguin Promenade. We were the oldest ones enjoying the penguins without kids, but it was definitely worth the odd looks from the kids. The two handlers were informative and as you can see the penguins were awfully cute.

Next, we headed off to visit the Wetlands where birds flew overhead, and we were entertained by exhibits of otters, alligators, and many aquariums full of native Florida wildlife.
From the wetlands we ventured to the invader and bay and beaches. Our walk was perfectly timed to see the presentation at the Bays and Beaches where they fed the stingrays. It was a no touch zone, but not to feel left out once you are back on the main level you can touch the stingrays in a special tank. My husband enjoyed the No Bone Zone where you could be a bit touchy feely on the sea sponges and starfish.

From the No Bone Zone we headed to the coral reef exhibit and watched a wonderful presentation on native Floridian coral in a tank replicated from a coral reef in the Keys.

Kids of all ages love the “Swim with the Sharks” tank where two divers give a shark presentation. Kids love sharks and they really loved the fact that there were people in the tank with them.

We enjoyed our trip to the Florida Aquarium. To be up front, It is not the National Aquarium where my husband and I spent many a weekend when we lived in Baltimore, but for the price it is a must see when you go to the Tampa area.