Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay (Tampa, Florida)

10165 North McKinley Drive
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 884-4386
buschgardens.com/tampa/

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay(formally known as Busch Gardens Africa) is a 335-acre 19th century African-themed animal theme park located in the city of Tampa, Florida. It opened on March 31, 1959 as an admission-free hospitality facility for the Tampa Anheuser-Busch brewery on the grounds of the manufacturing plant. Visitors could watch animal acts in a tropical setting and before leaving the grounds enter a beer garden offering free Busch beer to drink.

After the manufacturing plant closed down some years later, Busch Gardens focused progressively on its tropical landscape, exotic animals, and amusements to draw visitors. Busch Gardens began charging admission as the entertainment became more complex, with extra fees for the thrill rides, such as the roller coasters for which Busch Gardens is now known. Currently Busch Gardens competes with other such parks in Florida and charges comparable fees. The park is operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, owned by the private equity firm The Blackstone Group.
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Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busch_Gardens_Tampa
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:  28°2'17"N 82°25'8"W

Comments

  • one of the best theme parks ive ever been to!
  • I agree. I enjoyed Busch Gardens much more than Disney.
  • March 31, 2009 will be 50 years since busch gardens opened
This article was last modified 4 years ago