Regardless of whether your kids are in preschool, kindergarten, or fully grown, there's an animal activity they’re sure to love in St. Pete/Clearwater. In fact, we’re willing to bet that you’ll love them, too! Because when it comes to animals, there's nothing more exciting than watching dolphins jump through the air, feeding giant giraffes or holding baby alligators.
1 Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Home to our most popular animals in the area, your kiddos might get a little star-struck when meeting the stars of the hit movies Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. Fall in love with the dolphins Winter, Hope and Nicholas, admire the energetic otters, watch the graceful sea turtles and make friends with the sting rays. Sign up for a special Animal Encounter to get up-close or become a Trainer For a Day (ages 10 and up)! Open daily from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. Pricing varies, but children two and under are free!
2 Suncoast Primate Sanctuary
This sanctuary is home to over 70 animals including chimpanzees, orangutans, monkeys, reptiles, and tropical birds who can no longer be cared for as a personal pet or are retiring from the laboratory and film industries. Visit these majestic animals living in peace and dignity at this volunteer-based refuge. The Sanctuary is open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for children 4-10, $10 for age 11 and up (free for children three and under).
3 Swim with the Fishes at RumFish Grill
Take the plunge in a 33,500 gallon tank inside this popular restaurant on St. Pete Beach. That's right - you can snorkel with over 200 Florida indigenous fish including grouper, tarpon, snapper, and a moray eel! You'll also get a behind-the-scenes tour of how the aquarists maintain the tanks and feed the fish. Swim with the Fishes is $35 per person (ages 8 and up) and available Tuesday-Sunday. Children of all ages will love the Touch Tank at the RumFish Beach Resort where you can hold live sea stars, sea urchins and more.
4 Busch Gardens Tampa
Feed a 15 foot-tall giraffe or watch cheetahs sprint at speeds of up to 70 mph! Busch Gardens Tampa makes for a great day trip and features one of the largest zoos in North America (more than 12,000 animals!). Take your experience to the next level with a Serengeti Safari to search for hippos, lions, hyenas and more from your safari vehicle (ages 5 and up) or care and feed the animals in the Keeper For a Day program (ages 13 and up). Prices and availability varies.
5 Seaside Seabird Sanctuary
This place is for the birds... and it's a great thing! The Sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue, repair, rehabilitation and hopefully the release of sick or injured wild birds. It also provides a safe and healthy home to non-releasable birds. Stop by for a visit in any afternoon for a chance to hand feed the pelicans at 2:30 p.m. Take some time to meet Miss Kitty the Great Horned Owl, Louie the Double Crested Cormorant, George the American White Pelican and more. Open daily from 9 a.m. to sunset, and admission is free for all ages!
6 Alligator Attraction
What visit to Florida would be complete without a chance to see live alligators? At the Alligator Attraction at John's Pass Village on Madeira Beach, you'll see over 50 live gators ranging in size from tiny babies (grunts) to the biggest resident named Chompers, who measures over eight feet long. Even better? You'll have a chance to feed and hold live gators! Don't forget to snap a pic. Open daily and admission starts at $4 for children and $5 for adults. All ages welcome.
7 Dolphin Racer
Take an exhilarating speedboat tour of the Gulf Beaches on the Dolphin Racer and giggle as you watch acrobatic bottlenose dolphins surf and dive alongside. The beginning of the high-speed tour creates a large wake, inviting the dolphins to jump and body surf nearby. Next, relax and take in the scenery as the tour finishes with a narrated inland cruise. All ages are welcome and cruises take place daily at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $24.95 for adults, $14.95 ages 3-12, and free for ages 2 and under.
