SeaWorld (San Diego, CA)

Best for: age 3 and up

An amusement park for families fascinated by wild animals! SeaWorld in San Diego built its empire around Shamu, the lovable killer whale who splashes those brave enough to sit in the front rows. Plan your day around a roster of marine mammal entertainments including shows devoted to dolphins, sea lions, sea otters and a Cirque du Soleil-inspired circus of acrobats and contortionists. Shark tanks, manatee pools, penguin pens and an Arctic habitat including beluga whales provide an aquarium’s mix of awe and education. A rapids ride and a rollicking coaster-in-water with an eight-story drop feed adrenaline addicts. Plan to spend a day to see it all.

Details: http://www.seaworld.com/, 800/25-SHAMU, day passes from $43-$53; three-park, five-day pass to the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park and Sea World $75-$99. To bypass lines at the gate, buy tickets on-line. Sea World parks in Orlando (800/327-2424) and San Antonio (800/700-7786) host similar attractions and pricing structures. Don’t miss the floorless coaster Kraken in Florida and the new updated Shamu show when the Texas park reopens in March 2006. For more information visit http://www.seaworld.com/.

Busch Gardens (Tampa Bay, FL)

Best for: age 5 and up (visit the website and click on “Park Information” then “Age-Based Itinerary” for suggestions)

Safari park meets thrill ride center at Tampa’s Busch Gardens, where some 2,000 animals (nearly 300 species) roam over 65 Serengeti-styled acres. A railway, cable cars and walkways provide access to the wilds, home to elephants, zebras and antelopes. There are also open trucks which allow you, in the company of a guide, to feed a giraffe or have a face-to-snout encounter with a rhino. One of the park’s newest residents: Bolinga, a baby western lowland gorilla, born in November. For really close encounters sign up for the backstage tours ($120), which are two-hour meet-and-greets with critters and their keepers. If that’s not thrill enough, the park’s leading coaster, a wooden model called Gwazi, promises a double twisting ride at speeds over 100 miles per hour. The 200-foot Sheikra will debut come May as Florida’s tallest coaster.

Details: http://www.buschgardens.com/, 888/800-5447, day passes from $46-$56, five-park pass to affiliated parks in Orlando (including SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) $190-$225. Get tickets to the park online at least seven days in advance and save 10 percent on admission.