Is Lowry Park safe?
Tampa, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Lowry Park as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Lowry Park
“Go with care. Lowry Park is home to one of Tampa's premier family attractions, ZooTampa, and features tranquil riverside parkland that is perfectly safe to visit during the day. However, street-level property crime and occasional violent incidents along major commercial corridors like Florida Avenue mean visitors should remain vigilant after dark.”
Recent local reporting focuses on continued infrastructure upgrades and pedestrian safety improvements along North Florida Avenue, alongside city-wide initiatives to curb auto break-ins in park-adjacent parking lots.
About the area
Lowry Park is a mixed residential and recreational neighborhood in North Tampa, best known for ZooTampa at Lowry Park and the adjacent public park along the Hillsborough River. The area features a mix of mid-century single-family homes, modest rental complexes, and classic roadside retail corridors experiencing gradual revitalization.
- Family-Friendly
- Riverfront
- Car-Dependent
- Up-and-Coming
Walking and biking in Lowry Park
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 52/100
There is no dedicated bike-share station network directly in Lowry Park, but the neighborhood offers access to the Hillsborough River corridor and local neighborhood greenways that connect south toward Seminole Heights.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- ZooTampa and the public riverfront park provide high-traffic, well-patrolled family recreation
- Close proximity to the burgeoning dining and brewery scene of Seminole Heights
- Steady residential reinvestment with rising home values and lower vacancy rates compared to historic highs
Cons
- Property crime, vehicle break-ins, and petty theft remain above national medians along major commercial thoroughfares
- Sections along Sligh Avenue and Florida Avenue have elevated poverty rates and occasional street-level disturbances
- Pedestrian infrastructure and lighting are uneven on interior residential side streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is present in modest numbers, primarily congregating near bus stops along North Florida Avenue and major intersections rather than inside the gated zoo or main park facilities.
What Lowry Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and busy with families, joggers, and zoo staff heading to the park and riverfront facilities.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- High energy around ZooTampa with heavy tourist traffic, making the immediate park vicinity feel secure.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet in residential areas, though commercial corridors along Florida Avenue and Sligh Avenue require standard situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally quiet on side streets, but walking alone along peripheral commercial arterials is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) serves the neighborhood primarily via Route 1 (Florida Avenue) and Route 16 (Armenia Avenue), connecting riders directly to Downtown Tampa and the University area.
Parking is abundant and free in the designated ZooTampa and Lowry Park public lots, with easy and free curbside parking throughout the residential streets.
Things to do in Lowry Park
- Explore Florida wildlife and rides at ZooTampa at Lowry Park
- Walk or picnic along the Hillsborough River at Lowry Park's public boat ramp and green spaces
- Visit the nearby historic suspension bridge at Sulphur Springs Water Tower Park just east of the neighborhood
Local favorites
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park · Zoo & Conservation Park · 4.6★ (16500)Award-winning zoo featuring native Florida wildlife, manatee rehabilitation, and immersive global animal habitats.
- Brocato's Sandwich Shop · Sandwich Shop · 4.5★ (3200)Famed nearby Tampa institution serving massive Cuban sandwiches and stuffed devil crabs.
- King Corona Cigars Cafe & Bar · Cafe & Lounge · 4.7★ (1100)Historic spot a short drive away offering authentic Cuban coffee, pastries, and fine cigars.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.