The zoos in Florida are perfect if you want to see many exotic animals in one place. Exciting shows and animal encounters make the Sunshine State´s zoos an ideal place for families with children.
Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami is not just the oldest, but also one of the biggest animal parks in the state. Here, more than 3.000 specimens live in an area of 740 acres. The enclosures are modelled after habitats from all continents – from the Everglades and Africa´s savannahs to the Australian desert.
Contact:
Address: 12400 SW 152nd St, Miami
Phone: +1 305-251-0400
Opening hours: 10 am–5 pm
Zoo Tampa
More than one million visitors come to Tampa each year to see the 1.300 animals at ZooTampa. And exotic species like elephants, zebras, hippos, komodo dragons, primates and penguins are not the only attraction. The zoo also features exciting rides for children.
Contact:
Address: 1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa
Phone: +1 813-935-8552
Opening hours: 9.30 am–5 pm
Naples Zoo
Naples Zoo is the closest animal park to Cape Coral and Fort Myers. 70 species from different habitats live here, among them South American ant eaters, African antilopes and primates, Malaysian tigers and American alligators.
Contact:
Address: 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples
Phone: +1 239-262-5409
Opening hours: 8.30 am–4 pm
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
The Central Florida Zoo is located north of Orlando and features over 100 species: Here, American animals like alligators, bald eagles and pumas live next to leopards, giraffes and giant turtles. In addition, thrill seekers can glide through the forest with a zipline.
Contact:
Address: 3755 W Seminole Blvd, Sanford
Phone: +1 407-323-4450
Opening hours: 9 am–3 pm
Fort Myers Butterfly Estates
A place of peace and relaxation awaits you at the Fort Myers Butterfly Estates. In this beautifully designed greenhouse, you can get close to Florida´s colorful pollinators. A visit is especially worthwhile at 10 am, when the freshly hatched butterflies are released.
Contact:
Address: 1815 Fowler St, Fort Myers
Phone: +1 239-690-2359
Opening hours: 10 am–3 pm
Everglades Wonder Gardens
Everglades Wonder Gardens is a zoo in Bonita Springs that particularly attracts bird watchers. Here, you can see colorful parrots, cockatoos and lories, and even feed pink flamingoes by hand. Another highlight is the suspension bridge over a lake where 40 alligators live.
Contact:
Address: 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs
Phone: +1 239-992-2591
Opening hours: 9 am–5 pm
Busch Gardens
Guests in Tampa who want to see African animals should visit Busch Gardens. This zoo is home to giraffes, zebras and hippos, as well as lions, gorillas and chimpanzees. You can also find Asian orangutans and kangaroos from Australia. In addition, Busch Gardens features a theme-park with thrilling roller coasters.
Contact:
Address: 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa
Phone: +1 813-884-4386
Opening hours: 10 am–6 pm (closed on Mondays and Wednesdays)
Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium in Tampa features more than 7,000 aquatic animals and plants: ranging from colorful jellyfish to sharks, stingrays and Madagascan tortoises. Children can splash around on the water playground, and a 4D cinema takes visitors on virtual diving trips.
Contact:
Address: 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: +1 813-273-4000
Opening hours: 9:30 am – 5 pm
Miami Seaquarium
As one of the oldest aquariums in the US, the Miami Seaquarium houses more than 10,000 animals. Dolphin and sea lion shows are a highlight for families, and the manatee exhibit presents Florida´s “sea cows”. In addition, guests can admire tropical fish in a 750,000-gallon water tank.
Contact:
Address: 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Phone: +1 305-361-5705
Opening hours: Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
