Busch
Gardens Africa theme park
335-acre
19th century
African-themed park began as a side attraction to the Anheuser-Busch
Company brewing facility – but has taken over completely as a
major American theme park, with dozens of world-renowned roller
coasters, animal exhibits, river rides, and performances.
Skyride cars and a train help shuttle visitors around, and the park
runs a Jeep excursion into their African plains environment.
A children’s park and Hospitality House – where
visitors can get free tasting samples and enroll in brewing school
– round out the ample offerings. Visitors
shouldn’t miss a ride on Gwazi, a dueling wooden
rollercoaster.
Adventure
Island Water Park
Next
door to Busch
Gardens sits this 30-acre water park, a favorite spot during the summer
months. There are plenty of fast, free-fall type rides,
racing slides, flumes, and over a mile of tube-floating river in the
park, plus a wave pool and a children’s section.
Lowry Park Zoo
This
41-acre wooded
park features a manatee tank, aviary, and over 6,100 animals
representing 330 species. Additional attractions include
stingray feeding, the newly-opened “Safari Africa”
section, river eco-tours, and a children’s zoo named
Fairyland Village.
Florida
Aquarium
This
three-story
Channelside aquarium focuses on
exhibiting plants and animals native to various Florida
ecosystems. The aquarium features shark tanks, stingray touch
tanks, alligators, coral reefs, and offers eco-tours aboard a 64-foot
catamaran and an informative Explore a Shore play zone for kids.
Big Cat
Rescue
This
non-profit
sanctuary and educational center
is America’s largest, and permanently houses over 100 tigers,
lions, and other large cats. The park offers several tours
daily, including feeding, training, enrichment tours, plus a
photography safari package.