Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida has many thrilling and beginner-friendly rides & excitement to offer its guests. In addition, they also host many seasonal shows and events year-round and have many delicious eateries to energize you after a tiring day. Not to forget about the nearby landmarks like Adventure Island and the Museum of Science and Innovation. We have provided some tips and the best time to visit here if you are curious about Busch Gardens.
Note: Travelling with a group here? Rent a charter bus in Florida so that you and your group can comfortably get around Tampa and its top highlights.
Top Rides In Busch Gardens Tampa Bay For Adults
There are many thrilling and heart-beating Busch Gardens rides that you must try unless you are a heart patient or a kid.
Iron Gwazi
It is an extreme ride that takes its riders to a peak of 206 ft and then a 91-degree drop with a speed of about 76 miles per hour. Iron Gwazi is a hybrid coaster of wood and steel. This is one of the tallest in North America and the fastest & steepest coasters in the whole world. It was also voted as the world’s best hybrid coaster in 2023.
Serengeti Flyer
It is one of the tallest and fastest kinds of swing rides in the world. It will take you as high as 140 feet with each swing that reaches a speed of almost 68 mph. You will also experience multiple negative-G moments (blood is pushed towards your eyes & head) before it again dives towards the ground. The Serengeti Flyer has 2 gondolas in which up to 40 people can experience the ride at a time.
Tigris
It is a roller coaster ride that will take you through a series of loops and twists with a to-and-fro motion. It reaches a maximum height of 150 feet before you scream your lungs out with the high-speed drop. The Tigris has more than 1800 feet of steel track and features an inverted heartline roll & replicates the power & agility of a tiger. All this while the coaster is moving at a speed of 60 miles per hour.
Falcon’s Fury
It is the tallest free-standing drop tower ride in all of North America, reaching a height of more than 300 feet. The most thrilling part about this ride is when you reach the top of the tower. Your seat will turn 90 degrees forward so that you are now facing the ground and then it will suddenly fall which is a very heart-grounding experience. And check out the surroundings while the ride is reaching its top.
SheiKra
It is another kind of roller coaster ride that will take you 200 feet into the air right at the edge of a 90-degree drop. The ride will pause at this point so the front riders are facing the ground directly before releasing suddenly. The downward ride goes up to 70 miles per hour with an Immelmann loop and a dive into the underground tunnel. You will be hit with a pool of water at the end.
Montu
It is also a type of inverted roller coaster ride that features a total of 7 inversions (intense upside-down parts). The Montu is also the very first coaster in the world to use an Immelmann loop, which is named for a German fighter pilot. It will take you into the air and what awaits is a twisting drop of a 60-foot vertical loop. It features a weightless roll at the beginning and a Batwing inversion.
Cheetah Hunt
This high-speed roller coaster is meant to celebrate the cheetah who is the fastest animal on land. The Cheetah Hunt is the longest coaster ride and is also present in the list of favourite coasters. It is a triple-launch coaster that will take you high above and then race down through the rocky gorge. Also, this roller coaster ride is about 4400 feet, which is why it is the longest thrill ride here.
Best Things in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay For Kids
There are a lot of rides and recreations that are safe and fun for kids who are visiting here for the first time.
Wild Oasis
It is one of the most interactive adventure points in Busch Gardens to entertain, educate and inspire people regardless of their age. Visitors will find a multispecies exhibit here that has a lush rainforest with 200 species of animals. There is also a 35-foot treetop drop tower for you. Additionally, the canopy climb structure is the best for kids here. Don’t forget to enjoy the Enchanted Falls which have splash pads, a play area, fountains & spray towers.
Phoenix Rising
It is the best roller coaster ride for both adults and kids. Tourists can feel the excitement as they go above the Serengeti Plain at about 80 feet and then immediately drop down into the twists and turns here. The speed of this inverted & suspended coaster ride reaches up to 44 miles per hour, which makes it so family-friendly. The ride is also equipped with onboard audio, underglow lighting & a dynamic soundtrack.
Cobra’s Curse
It is a unique spin kind of coaster ride where you will come face to face with a 30,000-pound serpent. After you reach the 70-foot height, you will be very close to the 3-foot-wide eye and 4-foot-long fangs of the snake. You will feel a different ride with each turn, moving forward and backwards and spinning freely. The coaster speeds at 40 miles per hour down the serpent track, so it’s a kid-friendly ride.
Congo River Rapids
It is one of the most fun activities to do here. It is a kid-friendly water ride where you have to sit on a yellow circular ride & hold the metal in the middle. The Congo River Rapids ride will race you down the river via Congo, where you can see spouting jets, waterfalls and water caves. The visitors standing along the banks surprise you by firing water jet sprays on the ride.
Serengeti Railway
It is a train ride on the Serengeti Express Train from which guests can get a stunning view of the 65-acre Serengeti Plain. They can see a huge variety of wildlife in the plain during the ride, like zebras, giraffes, rhinos, antelopes, ostriches and many more. Additionally, the train ride stops at two spots, i.e in Nairobi and Stanleyville and takes about 20-30 minutes for a complete tour. It also has an onboard audio guide.
Air Grover
It is best for kids who are sitting in roller coaster rides for the first time. Air Grover is a gentle junior roller coaster with a low top speed of 30 miles per hour, and parents can ride along with their scared little ones. Also, Travelers can find this in the Sesame Street Safari at the fun area here. The length of the track is 630 feet.
Grand Caravan Carousel
You can find the Grand Caravan Carousel in the Pantonia play area. This classic family attraction features beautifully painted horses and camels for young guests to ride. Kids will see both horses and camels on the Grand Caravan Carousel, and they are beautifully painted. Here, choose your favourite ride with cheerful music and colourful lights in the background. But you must remain seated and not change seats after the carousel starts. An infant must be with a responsible adult.
Ubanga-Banga Bumper Cars
It is a wholesome amusement flat ride suitable for visitors of all ages. These bumper cars are basically two-seaters and enclosed in a traditional arena. Parents must stay with their children and toddlers and not leave them alone on this ride. Also, visitors must drive all vehicles in one direction. During a special event called Howl-O-Scream, costumed scare actors intentionally bump into the cars of regular guests.
Gwazi Gliders
The Gwazi Gliders are for the young guests who want to increase their confidence before riding on extreme thrills and high-speed rides. These gliders are right next to the massive Iron Gwazi and feature bright colours like yellow and purple to match the surroundings. It is a hang glider ride where the vehicle rotates around the middle while also moving up and down. Also, handheld infants are not permitted for Gwazi Gliders.
SkyRide
It is the ultimate ride that you must take after enjoying all other rides in Busch Gardens. Visitors can check out the park from the sky itself while looking at the thrilling rides and other landscapes. They can also see the various animals on the Serengeti Plain area at a height of 50 feet. Here you can just relax while taking in the beautiful views and also best for taking pictures.
Unique Wildlife & Safari in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
First-time travellers will get many opportunities in Busch Gardens if they are an animal lover. They can go for a safari or interact with animals in their exhibits or enclosures.
Tip: Walt Disney World Florida is another of the best destinations for kids and families in Florida.
Wildlife Encounters
Busch Gardens houses more than 200 species as one of America’s most highly accredited zoos. Visitors explore the natural habitat to see why people name it one of the best zoos in the country. Here are the names of a few animals that you will see here: Rhinos, Sloths, Cheetahs, Tigers, Gorillas, Elephants, Zebras, Hippos, Giraffes, Penguins, Kangaroos, Reptiles like alligators and snakes, Antelopes, Flamingos, toucans and so on.
Animals Interactions
If you want to interact closely with a few animals, Busch Gardens has a hub just for you and your kids here called Animal Connections. Guests of all ages are welcome here. Your kids can feed the flamingos with your hand or meet with a sloth and so on. Here, they get the opportunity to observe the natural behaviours of the animals in their natural habitats. We can also recommend you stop by the Animal Care Center.
Serengeti Safari
Visitors at Busch Gardens can go on a safari on the Serengeti Plain to have a closer view of the African wilds that call it home. You will get many opportunities to take photos on this scenic journey with an open-air touring vehicle and an expert guide. The journey is about half an hour and you can hand-feed the giraffes, meet the penguins, tortoises, etc. You can visit the Kangaloom and Lion & Hyena Ridge to meet kangaroos, lions and hyenas, respectively.
Note: These safari and animal encounters have to be ticketed separately.
Lively Shows in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
You can enjoy the exciting shows and live presentations meant for all ages. It offers all kinds of shows, like indoor, outdoor, kid-friendly and seasonal.
Storytime at Sesame Street Safari Fun
This storytime is held daily at Sunny Day Theatre Stage. It is an outdoor and family-friendly tale that is surrounded by Sesame Street characters, featuring Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and many more. Additionally, it takes place on a daily basis at the respective theater.
Rhythm of Nature
It is an ice show that takes place at the Moroccan Theater. Rhythm of Nature is an indoor show about a brave young hero, Dakari, who sets out to uncover the wonders of the animal kingdom. Also, this show runs for about 25-30 minutes.
Icons
You can check out the icons at the Dragon Fire Grill. It features indoor live performances of the music hits by fan-loved legends. Moreover, you will be dancing and singing in your seat with the fun you will have here.
Animal Tales
It is an indoor educational presentation at Pantopia Theatre if you are interested in learning more about the abundant wildlife species. Animal Tales introduces the watchers to the animal ambassadors and their importance. It also tells how you can protect them.
Cirque Electric
It is a seasonal indoor performance at the Stanleyville Theater. Cirque Electric is a very popular acrobatic stunt show that brings a new style to the theater in the summer. Here, different performers and dancers show stunning acrobatic stunts. It starts on June 11th from Thursdays to Tuesdays.
Wild Skies Drone Show
You will find it surprising that Busch Gardens also has a nighttime show on the Festival Field during late dusk. As the sun goes down, the park comes alive with vibrant colour displays, drones, fireworks, ornate patterns and so on. Check it out every Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
Fun Events in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
There are many Busch Gardens Tampa events that are celebrated throughout the year.
Howl-O-Scream: September – October
It is a must-visit spot in Busch Gardens if you are here with your friends. Howl-O-Scream is the most horrific Halloween event where the entire park turns into a horror land with haunted zones. The streets are filled with creatures and unexpected surprises, terror coasters and dark entertainment.
Spooktacular: September – November
Spooktacular is a daytime and family-friendly event rather than the night Halloween event which kids can’t enjoy. It is also referred to as Kandy’s Sweetacular & features a costume parade, candy station, hay mazes, scavenger hunts and much more. Kids under 10 can wear costumes.
Christmas Town: November – January
It is the biggest and brightest Christmas event that is celebrated annually. During this event, the park is transformed into a very beautiful display featuring twinkling lights everywhere. Additionally, you can click photos with Santa, try out festive treats, shop, visit Santa’s Workshop & holiday shows like Christmas Town Live.
Bier Fest Brews & BBQs: July – September
The Beer & BBQ Festival at Busch Gardens features over 70 craft beers, cocktails, 40 local favourites and over 20 BBQ dishes inspired by beer. This is a summer event meant to be celebrated by everyone with everyone featuring entertainment, games, coasters and flavours.
Summer Nights: May – August
Just as the name suggests, this event is celebrated at night during summer. You can have fun on the coaster rides, live shows, fun entertainment and performances. After enjoying the whole day with thrilling rides and wildlife viewing, go enjoy the nightlife at this park with food & photos.
Food, Wine and Garden Festival: March – May
It is a food festival in Busch Gardens featuring a wide range of international dishes, fine wine and cocktails. In addition, during the big weekend series, live performances are held every weekend. The Food, Wine and Garden festival is the most awaited event here.
Note: Admission for all events is included in the main tickets, excluding Howl-O-Scream. Also, the dates and hours of these events change constantly. You can check the exact details of these special events in Tampa Bay online.
Cozy Eating Points in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Guests can find many options, from quick bites, beers & cocktails, family restaurants and cafes and fill up in these spots when you are feeling hungry.
| Name | Cuisine | Speciality |
| BG Cuban Cafe | International | Cuban meals, sandwiches, desserts, beverages |
| Zagora Cafe | American | Burgers, chicken tenders, desserts |
| Zambia Smokehouse | BBQ | Ribs, pork, chicken platters, kid’s menu, salads |
| Dragon Fire Grill & Pub | Asian, Mexican, Italian | Outdoor pub, beer, craft brews, desserts, beverages |
| SheiKra Eats | American | Tenders, fries, sundaes, ice cream, sodas |
| Oasis Pizza | American | Classic sandwiches, salads, pizza, desserts |
| Giraffe Bar | Beers & cocktails | Drink chilled beers while looking at wildlife in Serengeti Plain |
| Coaster Coffee Company | Sweet dishes | Coffees, pastries, soft ice creams. |
Note: All-Day Dining Deal Ticket includes all of these dining spots except Coaster Coffee Company & Giraffe Bar.
Prime Time To Visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
We would say the optimal time to visit Busch Gardens Tampa, Florida depends on your interests, like whether you want fewer crowds or a comfortable climate. If you want to take part in popular Tampa Busch Gardens events, then don’t worry about timing, as various events are held throughout the year. So interested visitors can visit any time of the year and there will be an event going on.
- Best Month of the Year: If you want fewer crowds and a pleasant climate, then September, early November, January and February are the best for you. These are the off-season months. March to August, Late November and December are peak seasons.
- Best Day of the Month: We would recommend you go on weekdays (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) to avoid crowds. But know that even though weekends are very packed here, these days bring many shows, entertainment and performances in the evenings. So the closing hours may be extended.
- Best time of the Day: The best hours of the day to come here are in the early mornings. Get inside as soon as the gate opens. You can also come here in late evenings if you want to enjoy the night events here during the peak seasons.
- Busch Gardens Hours: If there are no events or shows, then the timing is from 10 am to 6 pm. In case of special occasions, the closing time is extended till midnight or 1 pm. So before visiting, check the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Park Hours Calendar online.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tickets
| Tickets offered | Online Price | On the Gate Price |
| Single Day Ticket | $55 | $147.99 |
| AnyDay Ticket | $114.99 | $147.99 |
| 2-Day-2-Park Ticket | $99.99 | $221.99 |
| 3-Day-3-Park Ticket | $139.99 | $237.99 |
| Single Day + All Day Dining | $99.99 | $207. 98 |
| All-Day Dining Deal | $59.99 per adult, $29.99 for children ages 3-9 | |
| General Parking | $30 per vehicle | |
| Card and Passes | ||
| Fun Card | $107.49 | |
| Annual Pass | bronze($13-$165); silver($183.60); gold($205.20); platinum($369) | |
| College Pass | $82.99 | |
Disclaimer: These ticket prices are subject to change, so check the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay ticket prices on their page and purchase them online.
Local Sights in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
There are many interesting attractions around Busch Gardens Florida that you must drop by in Tampa, like an aquarium, a museum, or a riverside walk.
Adventure Island
Adventure Island Florida is the largest Tampa water park and is right across the street from Busch Gardens. You will do many water recreations at Adventure Island in Tampa like slides, corkscrews, waterfalls, a wave pool, a playground for kids and so on. There are also many outdoor cafes, picnic points, sunbathing areas, gift shops, and a sand volleyball complex here. This is the second most popular attraction for families after Busch Gardens.
The Florida Aquarium
It is a 250,000 sq ft public aquarium that you will see in downtown Tampa, Florida. You can go exploring many ecosystems and informational exhibits. They offer you the opportunity to participate in programs like SeaTrek’s underwater walking tour, an African penguin encounter, stingray feeding and many more. The Florida Aquarium Tampa is also the leading coral reef restoration research center. You can see sharks, turtles, stingrays, octopus, alligators, etc, in the Florida Aquarium.
Tampa Riverwalk
One of the refreshing things to do in Tampa is to go for a walk on this 2.6-mile trail. Visitors like walking on this path to the Hillsborough River and Garrison Channel. Some people like to rent a kayak or water taxi on the river. Many major city hubs like museums, restaurants and parks are accessible directly from Riverwalk Tampa. Tampa Riverwalk also permits you to bring beers and beverages in the open-container zones.
Museum of Science & Innovation
It goes by the short name MOSI, which is a science museum in the Uptown district of Tampa, Florida. Groups visiting the MOSI museum in Tampa can expect to see numerous activities and exhibits here, like walking on the moon as an astronaut or riding a bicycle on a high wire. MOSI Museum features exhibits like Mission Moonbase, Saunders Planetarium, Connectus and Flight Club Drone Zone. There is a Beakers Bar where visitors can enjoy chilled beverages.
Tip: The Boca Raton Museum of Art, Florida, is another such artistic museum in Florida for travellers.
Visitor Information of Attractions
| Name | Location | Entry | Hours | Parking |
| Adventure Island | 10001 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 | Paid for adults; free for kids below 3 | 10 am – 6 pm | Paid |
| Florida Aquarium | 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 | Paid for adults; free for kids below 3 | 9 am – 5 pm | Paid |
| Tampa Riverwalk | 200 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL 33602 | Free | 24 hours | Paid |
| MOSI | 4801 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617 | Paid | 10 am – 5 pm | Free |
Disclaimer: Check the entry prices and current working hours from the respective website to avoid confusion.
Travel Tips for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Here are some tips and tricks that will save you at Busch Gardens Tampa & help you get the most out of this trip.
- Arrive as early as possible before the school camps and midday crowds hit.
- Explore the outdoors and animals first after arriving to escape the afternoon heat.
- Do any kind of water rides last so that you do not have to walk around in wet clothes.
- Get the all-day dining pass as it will save you a lot of money here while hungry.
- Dress for the Florida weather and comfort. Check the climate before leaving.
- Take the SkyRide to the front entrance at the end when you’re about to leave so that you can let your feet rest and enjoy the scenic views.
- The park allows only bottled water and bans all other outside foods and drinks.
- Rent an EVC if you’re having difficulty walking around the park.
- Purchase Tampa Busch Gardens tickets online as they are relatively lower than window ticket cost.
Final Thoughts
Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay is one of Florida famous attractions and hidden gem for visitors. We have given you all the details that you will need to get the best out of Busch Gardens. It has many things for visitors of all ages. To easily navigate around the park, download the Busch Gardens Map online so as to know which ride is where. At last, we hope you have a great journey here.