Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

State: Florida. Type: African-themed amusement park and zoo in Tampa, Hillsborough County. Opened March 31, 1959, originally developed by Anheuser-Busch alongside a brewery. Covers about 335 acres and is landscaped throughout around themes of Africa. Home to more than 200 animal species and nine roller coasters. Owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts. Address: 10165 N McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612. Guest line: 813-884-4386 (813-884-4FUN).

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a large African-themed amusement park and accredited zoo on the north side of Tampa. It opened in 1959 as a garden and hospitality attraction tied to an Anheuser-Busch brewery and grew over the decades into one of Florida's major theme parks, combining record-setting roller coasters with one of the country's more substantial zoological collections. Across roughly 335 acres organized into African-inspired themed areas, the park pairs thrill rides, among them the hybrid coaster Iron Gwazi, the SheiKra dive coaster, the inverted Montu and the launch coaster Cheetah Hunt, with animal habitats that hold more than 200 species. Its centerpiece is a broad open savanna, the Serengeti Plain, where giraffes, zebras, rhinos and antelope roam and can be viewed on foot, from a train or on special tours. Alongside the coasters and wildlife, the park offers family rides, live shows, dining and seasonal events, making it a full-day destination that blends the feel of a zoo with that of a modern amusement park. It is operated by United Parks & Resorts, the company formerly known as SeaWorld Entertainment.

The park is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County, on the northeast side of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area at 10165 N McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612. It sits inland from the bay near the University of South Florida area and is reached via major roads and interstates serving north Tampa.

Busch Gardens is in the humid subtropical Tampa Bay region, with hot, humid summers (roughly June through September) marked by frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and mild, drier winters. The strong Florida sun and summer heat make sun protection and hydration important for a day of walking the outdoor park, and the region falls within the June-through-November hurricane season. Rides can close temporarily during lightning and storms.

Cooler, drier months from late fall through spring generally offer the most comfortable weather for a full outdoor day at the park and tend to have shorter ride lines outside of holiday peaks. Summer brings heat, humidity and frequent afternoon storms that can pause outdoor rides, though it aligns with school vacations and busier crowds. Weekdays outside holidays are usually less crowded than weekends, and the park runs seasonal events that draw visitors at certain times of year.

Busch Gardens opened on March 31, 1959, created by the brewer Anheuser-Busch as a landscaped garden and hospitality complex attached to its Tampa brewery, originally offering free admission, bird shows and beer tasting. Over the following decades it steadily transformed into a full theme park, adding animal exhibits and, increasingly, roller coasters: Kumba debuted in 1993, Montu in 1996, SheiKra in 2005, Cheetah Hunt in 2011, Tigris in 2019, and the acclaimed hybrid coaster Iron Gwazi in 2022, followed by the family coaster Phoenix Rising in 2024. Ownership passed from Anheuser-Busch through corporate changes to what is now United Parks & Resorts, the operator formerly branded SeaWorld Entertainment. Throughout its evolution the park has kept its African theme and its large zoological collection, positioning itself as a combination of thrill park and accredited zoo.

Visitors ride the park's nine roller coasters and numerous other attractions, watch live shows and animal presentations, and explore the extensive animal habitats. The signature wildlife experience is the Serengeti Plain, a large open savanna viewable on foot, by train and on special guided or behind-the-scenes tours that can bring guests closer to giraffes and other animals. Families enjoy gentler rides and a children's area, while thrill-seekers focus on coasters such as Iron Gwazi, SheiKra, Montu, Cheetah Hunt, Kumba and Tigris. The park also offers dining, seasonal festivals and events, and animal encounters throughout the day.

Highlights include the Serengeti Plain savanna with its free-roaming African animals; the Myombe Reserve, home to gorillas and chimpanzees; and the park's signature coasters, including Iron Gwazi, SheiKra, Montu and Cheetah Hunt. Additional animal habitats feature big cats, elephants and other species across the themed areas, and family attractions and a children's play area round out the park. Live shows and seasonal event zones change through the year.

Busch Gardens is in north Tampa and is most easily reached by car via interstates and major roads serving the area; it has on-site parking. The nearest major airport is Tampa International Airport (TPA), a short drive away, with St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) a further option. Some visitors staying in the Orlando area, about 60 to 90 minutes east, drive over for the day. There is no dedicated rail line to the park, so a car, rideshare or organized tour is the practical way in.

As of research, the park's operating hours vary by day and season; the official site directs guests to a calendar for exact daily hours, with a sample day showing hours such as 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Opening times commonly fall in the morning and closing times shift with the season and special events. Always check the official park-hours calendar for the specific date of your visit before arriving.

Admission is sold as single-day tickets, multi-park tickets, fun cards and annual passes, with prices varying by date, season and how far in advance you buy; buying online in advance generally offers the best rates. The official site did not display a fixed single-day price at the time of research, and parking is charged separately, so confirm current ticket and parking prices on buschgardens.com/tampa before visiting.

A full day is the norm for Busch Gardens, given its size, nine coasters, extensive animal areas and shows; committed coaster fans and families may still not cover everything in a single day, which is part of why multi-day and multi-park tickets are offered.

The park has no on-site hotel, but the surrounding north Tampa area and the wider Tampa Bay region offer abundant lodging, from chain hotels near the park and the University of South Florida to downtown Tampa hotels and the Gulf-beach resorts of Pinellas County a drive away. Many visitors combine a Busch Gardens visit with a broader Tampa Bay stay, and some day-trip from the Orlando area. Rates rise in the winter high season and around holidays.

Inside the park, a range of quick-service and sit-down dining is available across the themed areas, and the park offers dining packages and seasonal food events. Outside the gates, the north Tampa area around the park and the University of South Florida has numerous casual and chain restaurants, and the broader Tampa Bay region adds the Cuban and Spanish cuisine of Ybor City, fresh Gulf seafood and a strong craft-brewery scene for evenings after a park day.

Busch Gardens shares north Tampa with its affiliated water park, Adventure Island, nearby. The rest of the Tampa Bay region, including downtown Tampa and the Riverwalk, historic Ybor City, and the Gulf beaches of Clearwater and St. Pete, is within reach for a longer stay. Orlando's theme parks lie about 60 to 90 minutes east for visitors extending their Florida trip.

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the nearest major airport, a short drive from the park, with St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) a secondary option. The park is reached mainly by car via north Tampa's highways, and it has on-site parking. There is no direct passenger-rail or dedicated transit line to the gate, so most guests arrive by car, rideshare or tour coach.

Roller coasters and thrill rides carry posted height, health and safety restrictions, so check each ride's requirements, especially for children and guests with medical conditions. Stay hydrated and use sun protection during long, hot outdoor days, and take shelter and expect ride pauses during Florida's frequent afternoon thunderstorms and lightning. Keep track of children in the large park and note meeting points in case your group separates. Follow all posted rules around animal habitats. For any emergency in the park, dial 911 or alert park staff.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a refillable water bottle for the hot, sunny park, plus comfortable walking shoes for a full day on foot. A light rain poncho is useful for afternoon storms, and a small bag or locker-friendly items help on coasters, since loose articles are restricted on many rides. Tickets on your phone, a portable charger and a card for in-park purchases round out the essentials.

Buy tickets online in advance for better prices and to save time at the gate, and check the official hours calendar for your specific date, since the park's hours vary daily. Arrive near opening to ride the most popular coasters before lines build, and consider using lockers for the many rides that prohibit loose items. Plan around the heat by tackling outdoor coasters and the savanna earlier and shows or indoor spaces during midday, and build in flexibility for storm-related ride pauses in summer.

For any emergency in or around the park, dial 911, the nationwide emergency number in the United States, or notify park staff or first-aid personnel. For non-emergency guest questions, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's guest line, as listed on its official contact page, is 813-884-4386 (813-884-4FUN).

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - https://buschgardens.com/tampa

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.