Busch Gardens Tampa
About an hour's drive from Clearwater, Busch Gardens Tampa is one of Florida's best days out for families and thrill-seekers alike. The park combines a full-scale zoo with some of the Southeast's most intense roller coasters, so there's plenty to do whether you're chasing rides or watching giraffes roam the Serengeti Plain.
The rides
Busch Gardens has ten coasters, including Cheetah Hunt (a smooth, fast triple-launch), Iron Gwazi (a hybrid wood-and-steel coaster ranked among the best in the world), and Tigris, Florida's tallest launch coaster. Lines move fastest on weekday mornings, so get there when the gates open.
The animals
The Serengeti Plain is home to giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and more on a 65-acre open habitat. You can watch from the train that circles the park, or book a guided safari truck tour for a closer look. The Cheetah Run exhibit lets you watch the cats sprint alongside the coaster track.
Good to know
The park is open daily, with extended hours on weekends and holidays. Parking is paid and plentiful. The Quick Queue pass is worth it on busy days. Busch Gardens also connects with Adventure Island water park next door, which shares a combo ticket.