The Florida Aquarium is located in downtown Tampa, right next to the cruise port on Channelside. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and it offers over 250k square feet of wildlife and activities to explore. We’ve now been members of the aquarium for over a year, and since getting a family membership in August 2022, we’ve probably averaged a visit once per month.
At $185 for a family of four, an annual membership is definitely the way to go, even if you’re not fully committed to monthly visits – if you go twice in a year, it will be worth it (especially because the membership also includes parking). That being said, if you’re not totally sold, these are some of the things I love about The Florida Aquarium:
- It’s huge. You could easily spend a whole day here exploring, though we typically choose to spend a half day. That means we pick a handful of things to hit once we get there, usually based on what’s speaking to our son. There are so many different exhibits, including the new MORPH’D – which opened earlier this year, definitely would recommend – so it feels like we see something new every time we go.
- It’s family friendly. We have spent a ton of time on the outdoor playground and splash pad (of course, we also see the penguins while outside), and our kiddo is finally seeing the appeal of petting some of the sea creatures available, like jellyfish and stingrays. They also have Rocky and Tango as character meet and greets! It’s generally stroller-friendly as well, though you may end up waiting in line to use the elevator.
- There’s always something going on. Earlier this month, we attended their Penguin Waddle 2023, which they hosted for African Penguin Awareness Day. We’re currently discussing whether we are going to make a stop at Guppyween 2023 this weekend, which is their Halloween event (with a sensory friendly option available in the morning). I think they do a great job of offering different activities and engaging with the community.
- Bonus: it’s air conditioned. Look, this may not seem like a huge selling feature, but a lot of activities around the Tampa Bay area are outdoors – and that means you’re subjected to the elements, including the heat. As I’m writing this, the temperature is currently 81 degrees! We love having a built in activity that offers shade and A/C, especially when it’s so conveniently located to other things around downtown Tampa.
When it came time in August to renew our membership, it was a no-brainer for us – especially when they offered a discount for doing so early! Prior to last year, I hadn’t been to The Florida Aquarium since I was a kid, but I’m so glad we’ve made it a regular part of our lives.
