Anyone in the Tampa area?

dragonzim

Active Member
Heading to Florida with the wife and kids tonight. I have a business trip in Orlando for 2 days and my wife and boys are coming along and will be staying with my sister in law in Tampa. I'll be going from Orlando back to Tampa early Saturday morning. They are going to hit the zoo in Tampa on Friday and we're thinking of hitting the aquarium on Sunday. Anyone been there? Is it worth the visit?
 
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smartorl

Guest
I would ask Teresa, she's on that coast. I'm in Central Florida and have never been. If I go to the coast, I go to the east coast.
I would suggest some of the natural springs though, they are amazing this time of year.
 

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by DragonZim http:///forum/thread/385630/anyone-in-the-tampa-area#post_3382748
Heading to Florida with the wife and kids tonight. I have a business trip in Orlando for 2 days and my wife and boys are coming along and will be staying with my sister in law in Tampa. I'll be going from Orlando back to Tampa early Saturday morning. They are going to hit the zoo in Tampa on Friday and we're thinking of hitting the aquarium on Sunday. Anyone been there? Is it worth the visit?
Ask JOE, I think he has family there
 

aquaknight

Active Member
It's been years since I've been to the Florida Aquarium, but I bet it'll be mostly the same. It's okay. It's not a Shedd's or Georgia Aquarium, but if the kids haven't been to an aquarium they'll enjoy it. You'll probably find it okay. It's hard to stand next to 10' of acrylic, watching even sand tigers, not entertaining IMHO...
No idea on the zoo, but I think Busch Gardens would be more enjoyable though. You get like 75% of the zoo, plus awesome rides.
 

teresaq

Active Member
I just saw this, Sorry, I have never been to the zoo or aquarium in up there. lol I guess some time we should drive up there. We live about an hour and a half south. Right now, its just hot and muggy. lol Summer has come early.
 
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smartorl

Guest
Ah, you touched on a serious subject. The zoo in muggy, hot Florida. The monkey enclosures often bring about many more questions and vivid visuals with children that are often best left alone, lol.
I went with my nephew to the Brevard Zoo for his field trip last year and it was "special". My nephew still cracks up and brings up monkey nuts all the time.........
 

shogun323

Active Member
I would agree that the aquarium here is mediocre. I havent been in a few years. Last time I was there they were going through renovations and it's supposed to be much better now. Heck I'd go just to zone out in front of the leafy sea dragon display!! Channelside, where the aquarium is located, is a great place with lots to do!!
 

dragonzim

Active Member
Thanks all! My wife is in Tampa at her sisters place with the boys and I just checked into the Hilton Orlando for a 2 day conference. They are taking the boys to the zoo in Tampa tomorrow, we are going to spend Saturday on my sister in laws boat in the Gulf and then hit the aquarium on Sunday. The boys are only 17 months old so they'd get a kick out of the tanks at an LFS. Even if the aquarium isnt up to par, they'll still like it.
 

dragonzim

Active Member
Florida Aquarium in tampa was actually pretty good! I'd say its definitely not on the same level as Atlanta or Chicago, but it was cool and my boys absolutely LOVED it.
 

dragonzim

Active Member

Thats great. Did you walk around Channelside at all?
Not really. We had a pretty packed weekend. Took my brother in laws boat over to some state park beach that you can only get to by boat, checked out the hard rock casino and chilled on the lake that they live on. Really liked the area!
 
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