| The Florida Aquarium is probably one of the finest | | | | percent of all aquarium fish grown in the U.S. |
| aquariums in Florida. It has been ranked by | | | | Dragons Down Under – part of the Coral Reef |
| Parents Magazine as one of the top five child | | | | Gallery, this exhibit provides the opportunity to |
| friendly aquariums. | | | | view real Southern Australian sea dragons and |
| This very large aquarium consists of more than | | | | fascinating dwarf seahorses, which are native to |
| 200,000 square feet of exhibits and about 20,000 | | | | Florida. Absolutely awesome! |
| aquatic plants and animals from around the world, | | | | No Bone Zone – geared towards younger |
| in particular Florida. | | | | children, this section of the aquarium focuses on |
| Recognized by the Association of Zoos and | | | | invertebrates. The piece de resistance for little |
| Aquariums, The Florida Aquarium sits in Tampa's | | | | hands is the touch tank but there's also an |
| Channelside District. It opened in 1995 and last | | | | addition 400 gallon tank featuring more boneless |
| year welcomes around 675,000 visitors a year. | | | | sea creatures. Children also love crawling in and |
| Galleries and Exhibits | | | | out of human sized hermit crab shells. |
| The aquarium itself is divided into four "galleries" | | | | Year of the Frog – not one but four exhibits |
| with many exhibits within each of those galleries. | | | | outline the plight of the frog in hopes of |
| Each gallery has a different theme for your | | | | encouraging amphibian conservation. Visitors will |
| enjoyment. | | | | view frogs native to Florida as well as their sisters |
| Wetlands – this section of the aquarium is | | | | and brothers from around the world. |
| very much Florida orientated. Here visitors can | | | | Activities |
| explore fish, animals, and birds of the state's | | | | No one is ever bored at The Florida Aquarium. |
| marshes, streams, rivers, swamps, and mangrove | | | | Aside from galleries and exhibits, there are |
| forests. Children will love the adorable river | | | | plenty of scheduled activities and additional |
| otters and be awed by the alligators. | | | | attractions to keep visitors of all ages busy. |
| Bays and Beaches – visitors to this gallery get | | | | Explore a Shore – at two acres in size, this |
| the opportunity to observe the sea life typical of | | | | outdoor water zone provides plenty of room for |
| nearby Tampa Bay. Exhibits show what is at | | | | the kids to run around and cool off. It features |
| the bottom of the bay as well as fish that | | | | slides, geysers, water guns, and more, the |
| typically attract recreational fishermen to the | | | | Explore a Shore is a welcome break for little ones |
| area, like snook. The beach display presents a | | | | with short attention spans. |
| cross section of the sea life found at a typical | | | | Penguin Promenade – a few times each day, |
| Florida beach. | | | | guests can get up close and personal with |
| The Coral Reef – this colourful gallery brings | | | | resident penguins as they promenade across a |
| guests close to the waters of the Florida Keys | | | | red carpet lined with eager visitors. Guests are |
| with a look at the sea life that inhabits the coral | | | | asked to sit calmly around the carpet as the |
| formations of the Dry Tortugas, near the Keys. | | | | penguins travel through, often stopping to greet |
| Guests can walk under a virtual tunnel to find | | | | their visitors. |
| out what's inside a coral cave or peer through the | | | | Behind the Scenes Tour – these fascinating |
| Panoramic Window and watch one of several daily | | | | one hour tours take guests to parts of the |
| dive shows held at the site. Visitors will also | | | | aquarium that cannot otherwise be explored, like |
| want to check out the Coral Farm, where | | | | the quarantine areas and the kitchen that |
| biologists experiment with techniques used in coral | | | | prepares the meals for all the Florida Aquarium |
| reproduction. | | | | residents. |
| Ocean Commotion – the Florida Aquarium's | | | | Dive with the Sharks – certified SCUBA divers |
| newest gallery, Ocean Commotion invites visitors | | | | age 15 and up are invited to experience close |
| to explore the depths of the world's oceans. | | | | encounters with the aquarium's sharks in hopes of |
| Very much an interactive, hands-on gallery, | | | | dispelling the myth that sharks are man eaters. |
| children can pick up phones and learn about their | | | | Dive masters accompany each diver. An |
| favourite creature and even play with a virtual | | | | additional fee is charged and reservations are |
| dolphin. | | | | suggested. |
| Several additional and noteworthy exhibits also | | | | Wild Dolphin Ecotours – climb aboard the Bay |
| keep guests entertained and educated as they | | | | Spirit, a 49-foot catamaran, for a 90-minute |
| make their way through this excellent facility. | | | | journey to view Tampa |
| They include: | | | | Bay's bottlenose dolphins. Ecotours run daily, with |
| Aquariumania – this fun exhibit tells guests | | | | extra tours available during the weekends. Prices |
| how to go about setting up their own home | | | | are very reasonable and reservations are |
| aquarium at home and educates them about | | | | recommended. |
| Florida's fish farms, which grow more than 95 | | | | |