Busch Gardens

Activity Overview

Busch Gardens is both an amusement park and animal park in Tampa, Florida. While there is also a Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, the one in Florida is the original and arguably the best. The park first opened on March 31, 1959, and featured beer tasting, birds, and an escalator to the roof of the brewery.

Since opening in the late 1950s the park has grown and expanded and is currently one of the top 20 amusement parks in the US and within the top 25 in the world. There are a huge number of themed areas in the park, transporting guests from Asia to Africa in a matter of steps.

Things to Do

• See a whole host of animals at the Serengeti Safari. This attraction allows you and your little ones to take a tour of the park's 65-acre Serengeti Plain to see some magnificent African animals up close such as giraffes, ostriches, and zebras.
• Take the littlest members of your family to the Sesame Street Safari of Fun. Kids under 56" can ride The Count's Zambezi Rally or fly on Snuffy's Elephant Romp. Don't miss Elmo's Safari Go-Round or Cookie Monster's Canopy Crawl. The little ones will have a great time in this part of the park!
• Built up an appetite? Grab a bite to eat in one of the concessions at Busch Gardens. There are a variety of different eateries where even the pickiest eaters can enjoy a bite.

Busch Gardens Insider Tips

• If you're a Florida resident and looking to go back to Busch Gardens a number of times, consider getting annual passes that entitles the holder to free parking and other discounts.
• Be sure to check on Busch Gardens' website for online discounts.