Gulf World Marine Park

Gulf World Marine Park Review

It's certainly no SeaWorld, but with a tropical garden, tropical-bird theater, plus alligator and otter exhibits, the park is still a winner with the kids. The stingray petting pool and the shark-feeding and scuba demonstrations are big crowd pleasers, and the old favorites—performing sea lions, otters, and bottle-nosed dolphins—still hold their own.

If you're really nautically minded, consider some of the specialty programs, including the Trainer for a Day program, which allows you to go behind the scenes to assist in food preparation and training sessions and make an on-stage appearance in the Dolphin Show. The $199, six-hour program includes a souvenir photo, lunch, and a trainer T-shirt. In the Swim with a Dolphin program, you'll spend some time being pulled around the dolphin habitat, receive a dolphin kiss, and get a dolphin "handshake." Priced at $150, the session lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. Park admission is included with both programs.