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ZooTampa at Lowry Park

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Local’s Guide to ZooTampa at Lowry Park

What you need to know before visiting ZooTampa

Looking to check out the best zoo near the St.Pete-Clearwater area? ZooTampa is an awesome place to visit for families.

As zoo members and locals, we’ve been to ZooTampa a lot. Not only do we regularly take our kids (ages 1-7), but we both have been going to the Tampa zoo since we were kids.

We both grew up with zoo memberships to what was then called Lowry Park Zoo before it rebranded as ZooTampa at Lowry Park.

We specializes in helping families find all the best things to do around the St. Pete-Clearwater area. Since ZooTampa is big, our goal with this guide is to help you make the most out of your visit.

Below you’ll find our ZooTampa review and 9 local tips to help you plan your zoo trip. We go over logistical issues like parking and stroller-accessibility too.

So, whether you’re a local or a visitor, we’re here to help you have the best time at Tampa’s zoo.

Let’s explore!

ZooTampa Highlights

Our favorite features of the zoo are:

• Epic manatee exhibit
• Free rides for kids of all ages
• Two splash pads to cool off
• Diverse animals
• Fun special events

General Information

• LOCATION : 1101 W. Sligh Ave. Tampa, FL 33604
• COST : ~$46 for adults; ~$36 for children 3-11
• PARKING : Free!
• WEBSITE : Zootampa.org

Ways to Save Money on ZooTampa Admission

ZooTampa isn’t cheap so before we dive into what you need to know before visiting, we want to highlight a few ways to save money on your visit.

We’ve included money saving ideas for both visitors and locals.

Buy tickets online

The easiest way to save money on ZooTampa tickets is to buy your ticket online before you arrive.

Tickets bought online are $3 cheaper per ticket than buying them on site.

Visit with CityPass

If you are a visitor or doing a staycation, CityPass is the best way to hit five Tampa Bay kid-friendly attractions for about 54% off regular ticket price.

With CityPass, you have a 9-days to visit:

• Busch Gardens
• Florida Aquarium (here’s our review of the Florida Aquarium )

And the choice of two of the following:

• MOSI: Museum of Science and Industry (a personal favorite when I was a kid)
• Glazer Children’s Museum
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium (here’s our review of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium )
• Boat Tour (Dolphin or Sunset-themed)

Get a ‘Pay for a Day’ ticket in Oct-Dec

ZooTampa tickets are expensive for a single visit but each ticket comes with the benefit of unlimited visits back to the zoo for the rest of the year.

They call these tickets ‘Pay for a Day’ and they grant you entry until the end of the year, except for a few blackout weeks around Spring Break, Thanksgiving and Christmas. You are also able to visit for their holiday events which is an awesome bonus.

The best way to save money on ZooTampa is being strategic about when you buy your ‘Pay for a Day’ ticket.

You’ll get so much more bang for your buck buying a ticket in January than you will in September.

In years past, if you buying in Oct-Dec. you can return to the zoo all the way through the following year. So buying a ticket on October 1, 2022 gave you free return visits until December 31, 2023!

Try the Zoo + Aquarium Joint ticket

If you’re visiting and don’t want to do the full CityPass, you could also consider a ZooAquarium ticket.

A ZooAquarium ticket gives you admission to both ZooTampa and the Florida Aquarium within a 7-day period for about 15% off regular admission.

If you’re a local, we’d recommend ZooTampa’s ‘Pay for a Day’ ticket over this option. It is only a little more to get the regular ticket and then you can return all year and visit their cool holiday events at Halloween and Christmas.

Take advantage of memberships or your reciprocal membership

Some people may want to consider the ZooTampa membership to save money on admission.

For example, the ZooTampa membership may be a more cost effective option for bigger families. Families who want to bring guests like grandparents or child care providers also will save with a membership.

For smaller families, ‘pay for the day’ and return all year tickets will likely be cheaper. As discussed above, if you’re visiting in October or November, the ‘pay for the day’ ticket will also give you a longer period of time to visit the zoo than a membership.

ZooTampa memberships may also make sense if you plan to visit zoo or aquariums that participate in reciprocal membership discounts. You can find the list of reciprocal members here .

Already a member of a different aquarium or zoo? Use your reciprocal benefit to save you a lot of money when visiting ZooTampa.

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10 Best Tips For Visiting ZooTampa

1. Watch Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa before your visit

National Geographic made a reality tv show at ZooTampa, following the zoo team as they take care of the animal residents.

You can watch the show on Disney+ and it is a great way to get excited before your visit.

The show is called Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa and it has four seasons to watch.

2. Bring your stroller

The zoo is very stroller friendly, with smooth and wide paths throughout the zoo. There is easy stroller parking spots next to all the rides too.

ZooTampa is a lot of walking and smaller kids will likely need a break from walking during their visit.

With a 1-year old and 3-year old, there was no way we could have fully enjoyed the zoo without our double stroller. If you think there’s even a chance your kid may get tired walking, we definitely recommend a stroller.

The only part I found slightly tricky to navigate with the stroller was trying to get close to the windows at the manatee exhibit. My kids were being lazy though and you’d have no problem tucking a stroller up by a wall and walking up to the windows.

3. Pack swim suits

Some of my most vivid memories of visiting Lowry Park Zoo as a kid myself are playing in the manatee fountains at the end of the day.

There’s really nothing better than cooling off in the water after walking around all day. Which ZooTampa clearly understands because they’ve added a second fun splash pad area for kids in Wallaroo Station.

Plan ahead for the splash pads and remember to pack swim suits or at least dry clothes so you don’t have soaking wet kids in your car.

4. BYO-Snacks

ZooTampa allows snacks for kids to be brought into the zoo. This is a great way to save money and also save time during your visit.

We’ve regularly brought in enough food for full lunches without any issue too, even though the official rules frown on this.

We like bringing our snacks because:

• You can sit in front of your favorite animal’s exhibit while you eat (we personally like doing this in the Africa section)
• You don’t have to backtrack to find a food stall when your kid randomly demands a snack
• On less busy days, some food stalls may not be open. We experienced this on our last visit (though that may have been because of an approaching hurricane).

That said, there are food options scattered throughout the zoo if you don’t want to deal with packing your own food.

5. Arrive early to “beat the heat”

Arrive when the zoo first opens to enjoy (slightly) cooler temperatures.

If you can cover most of the zoo before the worst heat of the day, you’ll be ready to hit the splash pads as the hottest part of the day rolls around.

Let’s be real, during Florida summer its always pretty hot but things will be more bearable earlier in the day.

At the zoo, the heat also factors into the animals activity. More animals will be hiding out from the heat or less active when its really really hot.

6. Sit on the driver’s side on Expedition Wild Africa Safari

Expedition Wild Life Africa Safari is a unique experience at ZooTampa. You ride on expedition trucks to on a backstage adventure around the Africa section of the zoo.

First, you’ll want to head to the Safari ride as soon as possible after it opens at 10am to enjoy shorter wait times. The line will get longer as it gets to midday and more people arrive to the zoo.

For the best views of the animals while on safari, try to grab the driver’s side seats if possible and put your child at the window.

The driver’s side gets much better views of the rhinos, giraffes and elephants. The passenger side gets the male elephants closer but if they aren’t by the fence you’re less likely to get cool close up views.

TIP: You’ll want to budget time for the safari experience. On our last visit, there was no line but we still spent about 30 minutes in total between waiting for the next truck, watching the safety video, riding the ride, and disembarking.

7. Don’t miss the manatees

The manatee exhibit is really a special feature of the Tampa zoo.

You won’t even see manatees like this even at our local aquariums (though Clearwater Marine Aquarium just broke ground on a manatee rehab center ).

Visiting the manatees definitely leaves a lasting impression — I remember so distinctly the manatees at Lowry Park Zoo from my childhood. I even got to do one of the “sleep with the manatee” field trips once.

The manatee exhibit is very tranquil and serene. If you can catch the manatees at a feeding time, it’s even better.

Plus, in the manatee house you’ll find a lot of other cool Florida reptiles and sea-life, like adorable tiny seahorses and less-adorable big snakes.

8. Get up close & personal with the animals

ZooTampa offers a lot of cool ways to interact with the animals.

First, you can catch some of their educational talks or experiences that happen throughout the day. You can find the schedule here .

It’s worth reviewing the schedule before your trip so you are aware of times. On our last visit, we just missed the macaw flyover by seconds and we definitely could have made it if the time had been on our radar in advance.

Second, you can interact and feed animals throughout the zoo.

There is a petting zoo in Wallaroo Station, with the option to feed the goats.

You can also feed the lorikeet birds nectar near the primate and Asia sections, though the feeding is only available at certain times of the day.

The zoo also sometimes has stingray touch tanks open. However, this closed for a period after stingrays mysteriously died ( source ). The exhibit has since re-opened with improvements but was closed again on our last visit for renovations around the area.

Finally, there are a number of paid experiences where you can get behind the scenes tours and interact with some of the zoos most beloved animals like giraffes, penguins and koalas.

9. Enjoy the free rides

All the rides at ZooTampa are free and included in your general admission admission ticket.

This is such a nice feature that I haven’t found at many of the other zoos we’ve visited.

We love being able to let our kids ride the carousel and flying bananas as much as they want, without having to think about buying tickets.

There is also a new water flume ride that adults will appreciate too. You may want to save this until later in the day to cool off.

10. Holiday special events are worth it

The zoo puts on cool holiday events throughout the year.

At Halloween, they have “spooky” evening zoo nights called Creatures of the Night. We visited at the end of August and the Halloween decorations could already be seen throughout the zoo.

Check out our review of ZooTampa’s Creatures of the Night event!

For Christmas, they deck the zoo halls with a light spectacular that you can visit at night.

We think these festive events are a lot of fun and definitely worth visiting. Plus, you get free admission to the holiday events even with “Pay for a Day” tickets!

Pros of ZooTampa

ZooTampa is awesome and has a lot of pros. We’ve covered a lot of them above, but here is a TLDR list:

• Pay for a Day, Return for a Year ticket : There is so much to do at the zoo that repeat visits are a big benefit
• Animal diversity : ZooTampa has lots of cool animals to see and interactive petting zoo opportunities
• Manatees : The manatee rescue is a very unique experience that you won’t find elsewhere in the Tampa area.
• Rides : The rides are a cool added feature at the Tampa zoo that our kids love. Plus, they’re free with admission unlike other zoos I’ve visited.
• Splash pads : A splash pad is always a welcome feature for an outside Florida attraction.
• Free parking : I appreciate any place that doesn’t hit you with an added cot for parking after already charing you so much for entry.

Cons of ZooTampa

We don’t see too many cons to visiting ZooTampa.

If you only plan to visit once, the cost is the biggest negative about ZooTampa . The tickets are very expensive for only one visit and is like cost-prohibitive for some folks.

The other negative about visiting ZooTampa is a con for any outdoor Florida activity — it’s probably going to be really hot and humid.

While that weather is expected when you’re in Florida, at the zoo the heat can impact the animal action you see . When we went in August, we saw a lot of animals taking naps tucked away in the shade. And honestly, who could blame them?

Scavenger Hunts of ZooTampa

Looking to make ZooTampa even more fun for your kids? Don’t miss out on our scavenger hunts that we’ve made for different areas in the zoo.

Want to get in on the fun? Sign up for our mailing list and you’ll get access to all our ZooTampa scavenger hunts (plus lots more scavenger hunts for parks and attractions around Tampa Baby!).

Our mailing list is also a great way to stay up to date on fun things happening around St. Pete-Clearwater for families.

ZooTampa Alternatives

You aren’t going to find another zoo of ZooTampa’s scale around the Tampa Bay area.

For visiting other animals, you could visit:

• HorsePower for Kids : HorsePower is an animal sanctuary and petting zoo. It is more farm-style than zoo style but there are lots of opportunities to interact with animals
• Old McMicky’s Farm : Old McMicky’s Farm has been in operation for over 70 years and we have fond memories of visiting on childhood field trips. Families can enjoy guided farm tours for $15 per person.

Or check out our local aquariums:

• Florida Aquarium: Florida Aquarium is the premiere aquarium in Florida. It’s located about 12-minutes away from ZooTampa
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Clearwater Marine Aquarium was made famous by the movie Dolphin Tales. CMA is a conservation and rescue-focused aquarium.

FAQs About ZooTampa

Is zootampa stroller-friendly.

Yes, ZooTampa is very stroller-friendly. If your kids are remotely stroller-aged, I’d definitely recommend bringing a stroller. The paths are smooth and wide, so it is easy to navigate. It is a long day and a lot of walking so the stroller really helps.

Is parking free at ZooTampa?

Yes! All parking is free at ZooTampa. Members get priority parking closer to the entrance but even the standard parking is only a quick walk away.

Can you bring in food or drinks into the zoo?

The official zoo policy is that you may bring in snacks for small children & babies, non-glass water bottles, and one soft cooler bags that are 8.5” x 6” x 6” or smaller per kid. No alcohol, glass or prepared meals permitted.

In practice, we’ve never been stopped for food when we’ve visited. Last time I brought a soft cooler that was probably a little over 12” without issue. That said, we go with small children and you never know who will do your bag check, so your mileage may vary.

Can you touch any animals at ZooTampa?

Yes, there is a petting zoo and stingray touch tank at ZooTampa. You’ll find the petting in the Wallaroo Station area (you can also feed goats here). The stingray touch tank is in the Florida area

How long should you plan to spend at ZooTampa?

For us, ZooTampa could easily be an all-day activity. Between the animals, the rides and the splash pad, there is so much to see and do at Tampa’s zoo. On our last visit, we spent a little over 4 hours there and felt like there was a lot still to do.

Final Thoughts: Is ZooTampa Worth It?

If you are a local to Tampa Bay or visit a few times throughout the year, ZooTampa is definitely worth the price of admission.

While the ticket price is high, it gives you free return visits for the rest of the year so you can definitely make the cost worthwhile.

Once you’re inside, ZooTampa offers so much to do for kids of all ages. Plus the rides and parking are free.

If you’re an out-of-towner, ZooTampa’s cost may not be worth it as a standalone ticket. It’s a lot for just one day at the zoo. Instead, we’d recommend looking at the CityPass ticket to get the most bang for your buck.

🤩 Check CityPass Prices

Get our best tips for visiting the Florida Aquarium , just 12-minutes away from ZooTampa.

Elizabeth Jon is a Ph.D. researcher whose work focuses on pregnancy and education. A Pinellas native & mom to a toddler and baby, she founded Suncoast Family Fun to be the ultimate guide to kid-friendly activities in the Clearwater-St. Pete area.

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Field Trips

Field trips are currently sold out for 2022-2023 school year, discovery awaits.

Bring your school group on a wild field trip filled with adventure and their favorite animals! With ZooTampa, field trips are made affordable and easy, and will make for great memories that will last a lifetime!

Field trip prices and other information is only valid for the school year and summer indicated below. Field trips have a minimum limit of 15 people per day and maximum limit of 400 people per day. If your date is not available, please choose another date to attend.

School Group Field Trip prices are only valid for children’s field trips, and are only valid on select weekdays. Field Trip prices are not valid for weekends, holidays, any days Hillsborough County public schools are not in session, certain peak days, any days during the month of March, Memorial Day, and the 4th of July.

Not a school group but would like to inquire about discounted group rates? Visit our  Group Tickets  page for more info.

Field Trip REgistration

April & may 2024 field trips are sold out.

Register your group to receive a username and password to be able to schedule your field trips on the Zoo’s website. This will only take 2 to 3 minutes.

You can skip this step if you have done this before and already have your login info — instead, please proceed to step 3.

If you have a login but have forgotten your password, please email [email protected].

Field Trip Registration School Group Field Trip prices are only valid for children’s field trips, and are only valid on select weekdays. Field Trip prices are not valid for weekends, holidays, any days Hillsborough County public schools are not in session, certain peak days, any days during the month of March, Memorial Day, and the 4th of July.

After registering your group, we’ll send you an email within 2 business days which will contain a username and password for you to login and finalize the details of your field trip.

Find your login information in the email we send you after registration. Once you’re logged in you’ll be able to pick a date and finalize the details of your field trip.

Field trip prices and other information is only valid for the school year and summer indicated below. Field trips have a maximum limit of 400 people per day. If your date is not available, please choose another date to attend.

Book Your Field Trip

Fill out and turn in the lunch order form at least 5 days in advance of your field trip. Be sure to send your completed lunch order form to our catering team at [email protected]

Download Lunch Order Form

Print out our Zoo field trip scavenger hunt for your students.

Download Zoo K-5 Scavenger Hunt

Download Zoo 6-12 Scavenger Hunt

• 2023-2024 School Year

Pricing Information

Field trips at ZooTampa include:

• Free chaperone tickets (depending on grade level and number of children in your group)
• Free admission for bus drivers
• Free parking
• School field trips require a minimum of 15 paying guests to receive a group rate

Group Field Trip Admissions

• Youth Zoo Admission:  $15.00 per student ( Pre-K through 12th grade )
• Adult Zoo Admission:  $20.00 per person
• Children 2 & under get free Zoo admission

Group Field Trip Lunches

• $8 per person. Boxed lunch orders must be received 5 business days prior to your field trip arrival. 
• Groups will be responsible for all boxed lunches that were confirmed at that time.

Field Trip Add-Ons

Zoo gift bags, excavation experience.

Discovery awaits at the Elephant Excavation! Students will sift the sand away to reveal amethyst, rose quartz, fools gold, emeralds, and many other stones. Your student will even get to take home the treasures they uncover!

Animal Plush

Pre-Order Price: $15 per student

Manatee Tunnel will be closed for renovations starting May 1.

1101 W. Sligh Avenue Tampa, FL 33604

Open today from: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Newsletter Signup

Please fill out the form below to sign up for the job fair.

Please review our booking tips before continuing

Join our Summer Camp Waitlist

Important information.

To complete your camp registration, you must:

• Add camps to your shopping cart.
• List all people that are authorized to pick-up your child from camp.
• No camper will be released unless the adult picking up the child is on the authorized pick-up list and shows a photo ID.
• Camp Waiver and Liability Release
• Camp Handbook
• Make payment.
• Upon payment, you will receive a Confirmation Email with the above documents attached. Please print, sign, and return the Camp Waiver and Liability Release to [email protected] or ZooTampa Summer Camp, c/o Jamie Elkington, 1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604. All waivers MUST be received no later than 2 weeks prior to the start of your camp program or your registration is subject to cancellation.

By clicking the registration button below, I confirm that I have read and agree to the Camp Waiver and Liability Release and Camp Handbook and will print, sign, and return the Camp Waiver and Liability Release to complete my registration.

‘Tis the Season For Giving!

Donate to the zootampa giving tree.

Trustees of the Lowry Park Zoological Society, Directors of the Lowry Park Zoo Endowment Foundation, and the Employees and Volunteers of ZooTampa understand and appreciate the vital role of philanthropy to accomplish our work. That’s why we subscribe to the Donor Bill of Rights developed by the American Association of Fund Raising Counsel, Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, National Society of Fund Raising Executives:

“Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes that they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

• To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
• To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
• To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
• To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
• To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
• To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
• To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
• To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
• To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
• To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.”

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is committed to protecting your privacy. We value the trust of our donors, volunteers, employees, and other supporters and recognize that maintaining this trust requires us to ensure the confidentiality of personal information that you share with us.

As a non-profit organization, ZooTampa relies on your support, depends on the support of generous contributors, and achieves ambitious fundraising objectives by communicating with and understanding donors. We know that it is essential to protect the privacy of that information. ZooTampa, the Lowry Park Zoological Society, and the Lowry Park Zoo Endowment Foundation will neither sell nor trade a donor’s personal information to any other entity without the written permission of the donor.

FLORIDA STATE REGISTRATION

Lowry Park Zoological Society of Tampa, INC. : Registration No. CH140 Lowry Park Endowment Foundation, INC. : Registration No. CH20389

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES

Phone: (800) 435-7352 FloridaConsumerHelp.com

Christmas in the Wild Reservation Changes

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• Date of existing reservation * Select a date Friday, Nov 24 @ 4PM Friday, Nov 24 @ 5PM Friday, Nov 24 @ 6PM Friday, Nov 24 @ 7PM Saturday, Nov 25 @ 4PM Saturday, Nov 25 @ 5PM Saturday, Nov 25 @ 6PM Saturday, Nov 25 @ 7PM Friday, Dec 01 @4PM Friday, Dec 01 @5PM Friday, Dec 01 @6PM Friday, Dec 01 @7PM Saturday, Dec 02 @4PM Saturday, Dec 02 @5PM Saturday, Dec 02 @6PM Saturday, Dec 02 @7PM Friday, Dec 08 @4PM Friday, Dec 08 @5PM Friday, Dec 08 @6PM Friday, Dec 08 @7PM Saturday, Dec 09 @4PM Saturday, Dec 09 @5PM Saturday, Dec 09 @6PM Saturday, Dec 09 @7PM Sunday, Dec 10 @4PM Sunday, Dec 10 @5PM Sunday, Dec 10 @6PM Sunday, Dec 10 @7PM Friday, Dec 15 @4PM Friday, Dec 15 @5PM Friday, Dec 15 @6PM Friday, Dec 15 @7PM Saturday, Dec 16 @4PM Saturday, Dec 16 @5PM Saturday, Dec 16 @6PM Saturday, Dec 16 @7PM Sunday, Dec 17 @4PM Sunday, Dec 17 @5PM Sunday, Dec 17 @6PM Sunday, Dec 17 @7PM Wednesday, Dec 20 @4PM Wednesday, Dec 20 @5PM Wednesday, Dec 20 @6PM Wednesday, Dec 20 @7PM Thursday, Dec 21 @4PM Thursday, Dec 21 @5PM Thursday, Dec 21 @6PM Thursday, Dec 21 @7PM Friday, Dec 22 @4PM Friday, Dec 22 @5PM Friday, Dec 22 @6PM Friday, Dec 22 @7PM Saturday, Dec 23 @4PM Saturday, Dec 23 @5PM Saturday, Dec 23 @6PM Saturday, Dec 23 @7PM Tuesday, Dec 26 @4PM Tuesday, Dec 26 @5PM Tuesday, Dec 26 @6PM Tuesday, Dec 26 @7PM Wednesday, Dec 27 @4PM Wednesday, Dec 27 @5PM Wednesday, Dec 27 @6PM Wednesday, Dec 27 @7PM Thursday, Dec 28 @4PM Thursday, Dec 28 @5PM Thursday, Dec 28 @6PM Thursday, Dec 28 @7PM Friday, Dec 29 @4PM Friday, Dec 29 @5PM Friday, Dec 29 @6PM Friday, Dec 29 @7PM Saturday, Dec 30 @4PM Saturday, Dec 30 @5PM Saturday, Dec 30 @6PM Saturday, Dec 30 @7PM
• New date requested (first choice) * Select a date Friday, Nov 24 @4PM Friday, Nov 24 @5PM Friday, Nov 24 @6PM Friday, Nov 24 @7PM Saturday, Nov 25 @4PM Saturday, Nov 25 @5PM Saturday, Nov 25 @6PM Saturday, Nov 25 @7PM Friday, Dec 01 @4PM Friday, Dec 01 @5PM Friday, Dec 01 @6PM Friday, Dec 01 @7PM Saturday, Dec 02 @4PM Saturday, Dec 02 @5PM Saturday, Dec 02 @6PM Saturday, Dec 02 @7PM Friday, Dec 08 @4PM Friday, Dec 08 @5PM Friday, Dec 08 @6PM Friday, Dec 08 @7PM Saturday, Dec 09 @4PM Saturday, Dec 09 @5PM Saturday, Dec 09 @6PM Saturday, Dec 09 @7PM Sunday, Dec 10 @4PM Sunday, Dec 10 @5PM Sunday, Dec 10 @6PM Sunday, Dec 10 @7PM Friday, Dec 15 @4PM Friday, Dec 15 @5PM Friday, Dec 15 @6PM Friday, Dec 15 @7PM Saturday, Dec 16 @4PM Saturday, Dec 16 @5PM Saturday, Dec 16 @6PM Saturday, Dec 16 @7PM Sunday, Dec 17 @4PM Sunday, Dec 17 @5PM Sunday, Dec 17 @6PM Sunday, Dec 17 @7PM Wednesday, Dec 20 @4PM Wednesday, Dec 20 @5PM Wednesday, Dec 20 @6PM Wednesday, Dec 20 @7PM Thursday, Dec 21 @4PM Thursday, Dec 21 @5PM Thursday, Dec 21 @6PM Thursday, Dec 21 @7PM Friday, Dec 22 @4PM Friday, Dec 22 @5PM Friday, Dec 22 @6PM Friday, Dec 22 @7PM Saturday, Dec 23 @4PM Saturday, Dec 23 @5PM Saturday, Dec 23 @6PM Saturday, Dec 23 @7PM Tuesday, Dec 26 @4PM Tuesday, Dec 26 @5PM Tuesday, Dec 26 @6PM Tuesday, Dec 26 @7PM Wednesday, Dec 27 @4PM Wednesday, Dec 27 @5PM Wednesday, Dec 27 @6PM Wednesday, Dec 27 @7PM Thursday, Dec 28 @4PM Thursday, Dec 28 @5PM Thursday, Dec 28 @6PM Thursday, Dec 28 @7PM Friday, Dec 29 @4PM Friday, Dec 29 @5PM Friday, Dec 29 @6PM Friday, Dec 29 @7PM Saturday, Dec 30 @4PM Saturday, Dec 30 @5PM Saturday, Dec 30 @6PM Saturday, Dec 30 @7PM
• New date requested (second choice) * Select a date Friday, Nov 24 @4PM Friday, Nov 24 @5PM Friday, Nov 24 @6PM Friday, Nov 24 @7PM Saturday, Nov 25 @4PM Saturday, Nov 25 @5PM Saturday, Nov 25 @6PM Saturday, Nov 25 @7PM Friday, Dec 01 @4PM Friday, Dec 01 @5PM Friday, Dec 01 @6PM Friday, Dec 01 @7PM Saturday, Dec 02 @4PM Saturday, Dec 02 @5PM Saturday, Dec 02 @6PM Saturday, Dec 02 @7PM Friday, Dec 08 @4PM Friday, Dec 08 @5PM Friday, Dec 08 @6PM Friday, Dec 08 @7PM Saturday, Dec 09 @4PM Saturday, Dec 09 @5PM Saturday, Dec 09 @6PM Saturday, Dec 09 @7PM Sunday, Dec 10 @4PM Sunday, Dec 10 @5PM Sunday, Dec 10 @6PM Sunday, Dec 10 @7PM Friday, Dec 15 @4PM Friday, Dec 15 @5PM Friday, Dec 15 @6PM Friday, Dec 15 @7PM Saturday, Dec 16 @4PM Saturday, Dec 16 @5PM Saturday, Dec 16 @6PM Saturday, Dec 16 @7PM Sunday, Dec 17 @4PM Sunday, Dec 17 @5PM Sunday, Dec 17 @6PM Sunday, Dec 17 @7PM Wednesday, Dec 20 @4PM Wednesday, Dec 20 @5PM Wednesday, Dec 20 @6PM Wednesday, Dec 20 @7PM Thursday, Dec 21 @4PM Thursday, Dec 21 @5PM Thursday, Dec 21 @6PM Thursday, Dec 21 @7PM Friday, Dec 22 @4PM Friday, Dec 22 @5PM Friday, Dec 22 @6PM Friday, Dec 22 @7PM Saturday, Dec 23 @4PM Saturday, Dec 23 @5PM Saturday, Dec 23 @6PM Saturday, Dec 23 @7PM Tuesday, Dec 26 @4PM Tuesday, Dec 26 @5PM Tuesday, Dec 26 @6PM Tuesday, Dec 26 @7PM Wednesday, Dec 27 @4PM Wednesday, Dec 27 @5PM Wednesday, Dec 27 @6PM Wednesday, Dec 27 @7PM Thursday, Dec 28 @4PM Thursday, Dec 28 @5PM Thursday, Dec 28 @6PM Thursday, Dec 28 @7PM Friday, Dec 29 @4PM Friday, Dec 29 @5PM Friday, Dec 29 @6PM Friday, Dec 29 @7PM Saturday, Dec 30 @4PM Saturday, Dec 30 @5PM Saturday, Dec 30 @6PM Saturday, Dec 30 @7PM

We will do our best to accommodate your request, however changes are based on availability. A member of our team will reach out to you via the contact information provided above within 48 hours. Note: an additional fee may apply to event tickets being changed to a higher priced event night. Thank you!

Commemorations

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Outside Food & Drinks Policy

ZooTampa at Lowry Park offers a variety of delicious food for guests at several restaurants and concession stands throughout, but we understand that guests may need to bring outside food for special dietary needs. Acceptable and prohibited food items are listed below. For the convenience of our guests, there is a picnic area located outside the park near the main parking lot.

 Acceptable Items

• Bottled water (max 20oz bottle, sealed) one per guest
• Small snacks for young children
• Baby food/baby formula
• Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep (limit one per child)
• Pre-purchased empty ZooTampa souvenir cups
• Any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements

 Prohibited Items

• Prepared or packaged food or meals
• Glass or any open containers or water bottles filled with beverages
• Hard-sided coolers of any size
• Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
• Suitcases and soft-sided bags with wheels larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high

Prohibited Items

For the safety of our animals, guests and employees, the following items are not permitted to be brought into ZooTampa:

• Any type of explosive or weapon 
• Knives or other sharp objects
• Pepper spray
• Alcoholic beverages
• Illegal drugs
• Clothing likely to create a danger or disturbance
• Any hazardous items or materials

The following items are also prohibited to avoid blocking of walkways and/or trip hazards:

• Hover boards
• Two-wheeled scooters
• Self-balancing electric vehicles
• Shoes with wheels

Please leave any unnecessary articles secured within your vehicle to expedite your entry into the park.

We reserve the right to deny entry to anyone not observing Zoo Rules.

Pay For A Day Tickets

With a new Pay For A Day, Rest of Year Free ticket – for a limited time – you get unlimited admission through December 31,  2024  including access to our seasonal event series. Some blockout dates apply — see below for details. Not valid with any other discounts.

When does my Pay For A Day ticket expire?

Pay for a Day Get the Rest of the Year Free tickets purchased in October, November, or December of 2023, are valid from the day of purchase until 12/31/2024. Any Pay For a Day Get the Rest of the Year Free tickets purchased prior to October 1, 2023 expire on 12/31/2023.

What are the blockout dates?

11/24/23 – 11/26/23 12/26/23 – 12/31/23 3/9/24 – 3/17/24 11/24/24 – 11/26/24 12/26/24 – 12/31/24

Blockout dates apply to admission before 4:00 PM on the above dates.

Can I purchase a Pay For A Day ticket on a blockout date?

Yes! You can purchase a Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free ticket for first-time use on a listed blockout date and have full access to the park on that day. Blockout dates apply to repeat visitation.

• During blockout periods, Pay For A Day ticket holders have access to significantly discounted single-day tickets.*
• For a limited time from the date of purchase, Pay For A Day tickets can be upgraded to a Zoo Membership (with no blockout dates).

Book behind-the-scenes tours with the stars of ‘Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa’

“ Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa ” held its season two premiere on July 12 at 9 p.m. on Nat Geo WILD — but if you missed season one, you can still catch up on all the animal-filled action on Amazon and Disney+ .

The popular six-part series shares behind-the-scenes stories of ZooTampa’s amazing animals and the dedicated team who cares for them. From rescued manatees that need round-the-clock critical care to the birth of an endangered white rhino, the series features heartwarming stories that not only highlight the zoo’s mission to protect and preserve animals, but also hope to inspire a new generation of wildlife champions.

“At ZooTampa, our commitment is to each of the 1,100 different individual animals in our care,” says general curator Chris Massaro. “We’ll do anything for them,” adds associate curator Tiffany Burns. “This is why we do what we do.”

The human stars of the show are also offering unprecedented behind-the-scenes VIP tours with the chance to get exclusive updates on all the animal stars you fell in love with from season one, including Jamie and Johnny the greater one-horned rhinos and the rescued Florida manatees. Tours can be booked online , but hurry, because spots are limited and tours are filling up fast.

Here are the behind-the-scenes tours that are currently still available:

• Join curator Chris on July 18 to learn more about top stories featured on the show, including a special stop to visit the zoo’s most famous pair from season one, Indian rhinos Jamie and Johnny.
• Associate curator Burns will lead an adventure on Aug. 1 to get an update on everyone’s favorite panthers and orangutans and to meet the newest member of the ZooTampa family, a baby binturong.
• On Aug. 8, lucky guests will take a safari to Africa with associate curator Mike to learn about some of the zoo’s most majestic species, including elephants and rhinos.
• Be part of a training session on Aug. 15, with associate curator Sue and then explore the new clouded leopards and serval habitats.
• On Aug. 22, Dr. Cynthia will lead a tour through the state-of-the-art animal hospital to learn what it takes to provide top-notch veterinary care to the 265 species that live at the zoo.

The cost for the tour is $100 for members and $125 for non-members (minimum age is 5 years old). Continental breakfast and a photo of your adventure are included. Masks are not required to enter the park but are strongly recommended. In addition, masks may be required on certain portions of the tour based on proximity to animals, staff, and other guests. If you do not have a mask, a disposable mask will be provided at no cost.

To learn more, visit ZooTampa.org/Secrets-Of-The-Zoo , and check out the trailer for season 2 below:

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One of oldest known manatees, Juliet, dies at ZooTampa

TAMPA, Fla. - According to ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Juliet was one of the oldest known manatees before she died.

The passing of the unusually large animal, who weighed 3,045 pounds, was announced on Sunday. ZooTampa says she was over 65-years-old and left a worldwide legacy for manatee conservation and education.

In December, Juliet was transferred to ZooTampa to receive an urgent medical evaluation at the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center. The center is one of only four critical centers in the US for the advanced care of critically injured, sick and orphaned manatees.

READ: Kansas zoo announces 5 of their elephants are pregnant: ‘We are extremely excited for 2025’

"For more than four months, Juliet had successfully adapted to her new environment in the Zoo’s rehabilitation pools and was socializing with other manatees," said Dr. Cynthia Stringfield, ZooTampa’s senior vice president of animal health, conservation, and education in a statement. "When she arrived at the zoo there were many aspects of her overall health that were unknown."

Officials with ZooTampa say that Juliet had been undergoing a routine medical assessment over the past week. She exhibited health issues they believe were related to her advanced age.

READ: Pinellas County leaders weighing new regulations for pet stores

Overnight, her health suddenly declined and she passed away early Sunday morning. A necropsy will be performed, according to officials.

"Juliet was a beloved animal, who captured the hearts of many worldwide. We would be contacted frequently by animal care professionals, veterinarians and even the general public who credit her for instilling their passion for these gentle sea cows. Our thoughts are with the entire manatee community and the teams who for more than six decades have cared for her," said Stringfield.

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ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Price & Hours

• Facilities 3.5
• Atmosphere 4.0

Spanning nearly 60 acres, ZooTampa at Lowry Park boasts natural habitats, educational shows and interactive animal encounters, water play areas, and a handful of rides. Here, you'll find a variety of animals from around the world, including African elephants, koalas, orangutans, penguins, and tigers, among other species. Plus, for those that didn't spot any animals at  Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center , you're in luck; the zoo is home to Florida's first nonprofit acute care manatee hospital, which means it's one of a few places in Florida where you're guaranteed to spot the area's beloved sea cows no matter the season. Other highlights include a carousel and a section dedicated to Florida wildlife.

When you're not marveling at the manatees, you'll have your pick of interactive animal encounters, ranging from feeding an Indian rhino to posing for a photo with koala bears. Recent visitors were generally pleased with the zoo, and especially recommend it for families with young children. They also say zoo employees are friendly and the zoo is well maintained. Travelers were also pleased to learn that access to all of the rides at the zoo is included in your general admission ticket.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. When purchased in advance online, single-day tickets for adults (ages 12 and older) cost about $42. Kids between the ages of 3 and 11 get in for about $32; children younger than 2 enter for free. Note that animal encounters cost extra. If you purchased a CityPASS, zoo admission is included. The zoo is located about 5 miles north of downtown Tampa. Parking is free. For more information, visit the zoo's website .

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#10 Henry B. Plant Museum

Travelers like the setting of this museum and National Historic Landmark just as much as its contents. Housed in the Moorish Revival Tampa Bay Hotel on the University of Tampa campus, the Henry B. Plant Museum preserves a Gilded Age feel and affords visitors a glimpse into turn-of-the-century living and lodging. It also offers insight into the life and work of its creator, railroad magnate Henry Bradley Plant.

Those who've visited say the museum is a great experience if you love antiques, architecture and history – specifically Florida history, though they note parking can be limited. The museum boasts several permanent exhibits, which feature the hotel's original rooms reconstructed with furniture and other artifacts to reflect the property's Victorian origins. The museum also features temporary exhibits, as well as online exhibits. During the holiday season, the museum is dressed in traditional holiday garb and exhibit rooms are decorated with trimmed trees designed in 19th-century themes and antique holiday accessories. 

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• Life & Culture

A Taylor Swift course is coming to USF Tampa

• Gabrielle Calise Times staff

Miss Americana? More like Miss Academia.

Taylor Swift has inspired yet another college course in Florida. This time, it’s an English elective at the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus.

According to The Oracle, USF Tampa’s student newspaper, English teachers Jessica Cook, Emily Jones and Michelle Taylor will team up to offer three Swift-themed fall sections of LIT 3301: Cultural Studies and the Popular Arts.

Past versions of the elective have been focused on topics like Harry Potter, The Oracle wrote on Monday. This time, students will gather twice a week for discussions on Swift’s impact and lectures comparing her music to Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson and Lord Byron.

The university’s course inventory describes the class as, “A study of American and international cultures as they are represented in the film, fiction, and other cultural artifacts of various ethnic groups and nationalities” and thats that the class “focuses on values/ethics, race, ethnicity and gender; thinking and writing skills.” The Oracle reported that students from any major can enroll as long as they have completed English Composition 1 and 2.

The news comes a year after Swift enchanted Tampa during three sold-out Eras Tour concerts at Raymond James Stadium , and just days before the release Swift’s newest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” on Friday. Track 8 will be a song titled “Florida!!!” featuring Florence + The Machine.

USF isn’t the first Florida university to use Swift and her music for educational purposes, according to the Miami Herald. The University of Miami in Coral Gables offered a strategic communication class called Mastermind Taylor Swift Brand, as well as a seven-week intensive called Intellectual Property Law Through the Lens of Taylor Swift through its school of law. This spring at the University of Florida, all fifteen spots of the one-credit class Musical Storytelling with Taylor Swift and Other Iconic Female Artists filled up within 10 seconds, the Independent Florida Alligator reported.

Should seats in the class disappear as fast as Swift concert seats on Ticketmaster, students have another option. USF also has a club called the Taylor Swift Society.

Gabrielle Calise is a culture reporter who covers music, nostalgia and offbeat Florida trends. Reach her at [email protected].

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THE 10 BEST Moscow City Tours

City tours in moscow.

• Private Tours
• Walking Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• Garden Ring
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Moscow Private Tours

2. Moscow through the Eyes of an Engineer

3. Moscow Free Tour

4. Bridge to Moscow

5. Spanish Guide Moscow - Day Tours

6. Go Russia Travel Company

7. Privilege Tour

8. Moscow Navigator

9. Put-in Tours

10. Walks With Folks

11. Moskovskiye Gulyaki

12. Moscow Bike Tours

13. Happy Moscow Tours

14. Tour of Moscow - Day Tours

15. Kremlin Tour

16. IdeaGuide - Your Personal Guide in Moscow

17. Tsar Visit

18. Excursions in Russia

19. VikiTours

20. Moscow Greeter

21. MoscowMe

22. Gulyayem po Moskve

23. Tour Gratis Moscu

24. Tour-Moscow

25. Gorodskoi Voyazh

26. Rusiatourmoscu

27. Moscow 360

28. Express to Russia

29. Russia With Love

30. Angel Taxi - Day Tour

What travelers are saying

• Put-in Tours
• Spanish Guide Moscow - Day Tours
• Walks With Folks
• Happy Moscow Tours
• Moscow Bike Tours
• IdeaGuide - Your Personal Guide in Moscow
• Moscow Private Tours
• Tour Gratis Moscu
• Moscow Free Tour
• YourLocalGuide Moscow
• Moscow Navigator
• Moscow through the Eyes of an Engineer
• Angel Taxi - Day Tour
• Your Moscow Guide & Driver
• Excursions in Russia
• Vadim Pavlov Guide and Driver in Moscow

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• Moscow Tours

Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022

Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

Accommodation

PRIVATE TOUR

A Week in Moscow

This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.

Weekend in Moscow

This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

Kolomenskoye Tour with transport

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...

Tours by car

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...

Walking tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour

Old Arbat walking tour

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...

Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...

Tour to Kuskovo with transport

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...

Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...

Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...

Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour

The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...

Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...

City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...

City Tour of Moscow

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...

Moscow Metro walking tour

Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour

KGB Tour with transport

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...

Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

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