ZooTampa Named Among 10 Best Zoos, Zoo Exhibits In Country

TAMPA, FL — ZooTampa at Lowry Park and its David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Critical Care have been named one of the 10 best zoos and best zoo exhibits in the country in the 2023 USA Today's 10Best Reader's Choice Travel Awards.

ZooTampa came in at No. 6 on the list of winners that include:

• No. 1: Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium - Omaha, Nebraska
• No. 2: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden - Cincinnati, Ohio
• No. 3: Brevard Zoo - Melbourne
• No. 4: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - Colorado Springs, Colorado
• No. 5: Brookfield Zoo - Brookfield, Illinois
• No. 6: ZooTampa at Lowry Park
• No. 7: Audubon Zoo - New Orleans, Louisiana
• No. 8: Saint Louis Zoo - St. Louis, Missouri
• No. 9: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - Powell, Ohio
• No. 10: Indianapolis Zoo - Indianapolis, Indiana

Sitting on 56 acres, ZooTampa is home to endangered, threatened and vulnerable animal species from such areas as Asia, Africa, Australia and Florida.

"This is one of the most amazing zoos in America," 10Best expert Nikky J says. "Not only do they have a mission of rescue and rehabilitation, [but] they're [also] always hosting events to bring the community of Tampa together."

Examples of that programming include Day of Discovery, a low-sensory morning for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families, and Speakers of the Wild, a series that features discussions of wildlife and wild places.

Additionally, the David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center ranked at No. 4 on a list of best zoo exhibits in the country that includes:

• No. 1: Asian Highlands at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo - Omaha, Nebraska
• No. 2: Rocky Mountain Wild at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - Colorado Springs, Colorado
• No. 3: Night Hunters at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden - Cincinnati, Ohio
• No. 4: David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center - Tampa, Florida
• No. 5: Land of the Tiger at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens - Jacksonville, Florida
• No. 6: Oklahoma Trails at Oklahoma City Zoo - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• No. 7: Kayaking tour at Brevard Zoo - Melbourne, Florida
• No. 8: Boyd Family Asian Trek at Zoo Knoxville - Knoxville, Tennessee
• No. 9: River's Edge at Saint Louis Zoo - St. Louis, Missouri
• No. 10: California Trail at Oakland Zoo - Oakland, California

The first manatee critical care center built specifically to care for sick and injured manatees, the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center of ZooTampa at Lowry Park has been helping manatees since it was founded in 1991. USA Today noted that guests can observe the rehabilitation process in the recovery pools of Manatee Mangrove.

It is the largest nonprofit and one of only four critical care centers in the world for the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Florida’s manatee. The zoo plans to open a new manatee rescue facility in January 2026.

"We are honored to have been recognized in the 10Best Readers' Choice Awards and thank our guests, members, employees and residents for their continued support throughout the voting process," said President and CEO Joe Couceiro. "Tampa Bay is an award-winning city in so many areas and we are proud to add another accolade and point of pride to our amazing community."

Related:

• ZooTampa Announces Expansion That Will Incorporate Hillsborough River
• Manatee Deaths Focus Of $30M Rescue Effort In Florida
• Zoo's Rarest Animal Has Room To Roam In New Native Habitat
• 2 Kittens May Be Key To Baffling Disease Killing Florida Panthers
• Release Of Rescued Manatee Offers Ray Of Hope Following Hard Year
• Nat Geo Wild TV Series Debuts 3rd Season At ZooTampa Sunday

10Best, which provides travel advice to more than 40 million travelers annually, asks its readers to choose the 10Best in a single category ranging from food, lodging and destinations to travel gear and things to do. 10Best’s travel experts select the top 20 nominees for each category and have the readers vote to determine the top 10 selections.

Nominees for all categories are chosen by a panel of experts which include a combination of editors from USA Today; editors from 10Best.com; contributors; and sources for both these media and other Gannett properties. The nomination panel for each award category is displayed on its associated contest page. All voting is digital and the 10Best Readers' Choice Award contest is accessible on the 10Best.com website.