Wild Encounters
Zoos remain one of the most popular family-friendly attractions in the country, bringing in over 195 million visitors each year, and Florida is no exception. With an array of aquariums and zoos throughout the state, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Plan your next trip to Florida around these amazing wild encounters and get up close and personal with nature’s greatest creatures!
Lion Country Safari, Palm Beach County
Ranked among the “10 Best Wildlife Parks” in the country by USA Today, among many other tourism awards, Lion Country Safari is a must-see! The Park was opened in 1967 and was the first drive-through safari park in the country. Dubbed the “Cageless Zoo,” quickly developed into a popular and successful attraction. Today, the park is home to over 100 animals in the preserve. Among the more notable species on display at the park are lions, white rhino, chimpanzees, zebra, and giraffe.
Don’t miss Safari World, the walk-through area of the park, which features a restaurant and gift shops and many interactive encounters. Feed giraffes, visit the petting zoo and splash around on the water “sprayground” and slides. There are also aviaries and other animal habitats to experience. And if you’re concerned about fitting all the adventure in one day, don’t be! Take advantage of the KOA campground on-site to maximize your experience at Lion Country.
Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park | Tampa, Florida
Five-time winner of the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence (2010-2015), ZooTampa at Lowry Park is one of the most popular zoos in the southeastern US, with over 1 million visitors annually. Its popular educational programming, fun recreational amenities, up-close animal encounters and engaging seasonal events for which it has won accolades as one of the country’s most family-friendly zoos. Among its most notable animal exhibits are the African elephants, the orangutans and Malayan Tiger. For the thrill seekers among you, both big and little, don’t miss the many opportunities the zoo offers to let your adrenaline rush! Little ones will have a blast on the Jungle Carousel, Lil’ Joeys Caravan or Boomer’s Flyin’ Bananas, while the whole family can enjoy Roarin’ Springs and Tiger Coaster and more!
JacksonVille Zoo
Escape to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for the only walking safari in Northeast Florida. Discover the earth’s wildlife through interactive and educational experiences. A true family adventure, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is changing daily and is dedicated to consistently improving. With recent updates to Land of the Tiger and African Forest, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is quickly becoming a world-class establishment. Even so, Jacksonville Zoo is consistently ranked among the best zoos in the country!
Admission includes Dinosauria, 4D Theater, Unlimited Train, Unlimited Carousel Rides, and Animal Feedings as available.
Island Dolphin Care, Key Largo
A truly one-of a kind-place, Island Dolphin Care exists to provide unique, dolphin-assisted, therapeutic, motivational, and educational therapy programs to children, adults with special needs, and their families and caregivers. Through interactive programs, education, and research, participants are inspired to value and respect marine mammals and their environment.
Committed to creating a safe, meaningful home for its resident 8-dolphin family, Island Dophin care limits its number of daily visitors. The Center provides therapeutic interactions with the dolphins including paint with a dolphin, dolphin yoga and dolphin float, all the while educating their guests on the needs of the dolphin. Reading the testimonials of the lives’ changed by spending time with these amazing animals will make a believer out of you as well!
islanddolphincare.org
Exotic Animal Experience, Orlando
If you want to have a truly remarkable and up-close encounter, don’t miss Exotic Animal Experience
This magical place stretches over seven acres where you don’t just see animals; you pet and hold them too. Experience the thrill of an animal-lover’s lifetime when you enjoy a personal interaction with everything from sloths to sheep, kangaroos, and more. No one can resist a hug from one of our critically endangered lemurs or amazingly huggable sloths. Some of their animals — Mojo, Poppi, and Love Bug — are even famous, having appeared on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, and the National Geographic TV network.
And not to worry! Founder Leslie Ann Rush takes excellent care of all of them, and the business is licensed with the USDA as well as Florida Fish & Wildlife. Check online for tour times and safety guidelines for this popular animal adventure!
exoticanimalexperience.net
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park | Fort Walton Beach
The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park and CARE Center have been active in marine rehabilitation and conservation since rescuing their first bottlenose dolphin in the 1950s. Today, the Gulfarium is still caring for animals, and having fun while doing it. Enjoy amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico and Destin’s famous emerald green waves while diving into amazing encounters with the Park Marine Life. Highlights include snorkeling in Stingray Bay with sharks and stingrays numerous dolphin encounters, seal and sea lion interactive activities and many more. Don’t miss the mesmerizing dolphin show while you’re there—its sure to impress!
gulfarium.com
Florida Aquarium, Tampa
There’s no shortage of adrenaline-rushing, animal fun to be had in the Sunshine State and the Florida Aquarium doesn’t disappoint. Ranked among the top aquariums in North America by USA Today, Parents Magazine and more, they offer a dynamic group experience allows between 1 and 4 guests to enjoy a snorkel-like adventure alongside more than 1,000 fish including stingrays, barracudas, a sea turtle, and a sand tiger shark! This experience gives guests ages nine and up a unique VIP aquatic adventure. Scuba certification not required! The Florida Aquarium experience is designed to take you on a journey, starting with a drop of water from one of Florida's many freshwater springs, all the way out to the open waters of the Florida Keys. Sights include a large simulated wetlands environment located under a tall glass atrium, shallow bays and beaches, and a coral reef ecosystem encompassed in half a million gallons of natural seawater.
flaquarium.org
Discovery Cove, Orlando
If you’re into a more immersive vibe with your animal encounter, check out Orlando’s Discovery Cove. This all-inclusive day resort where you and your family can enjoy a one-of-a-kind opportunity to swim with dolphins, snorkel with thousands of tropical fish and rays, hand-feed exotic birds and unwind on pristine beaches. With no lines throughout the park, you can plan your adventure at your own pace. Unlimited food and beverage, along with towels, snorkel gear and more is all included in the price of admission. Don’t miss SeaVenture, The Grand Reef’s innovative experience is an underwater walking tour where, while wearing a dive helmet, you’ll feel right at home under the sea. Some say it’s like walking on the moon but, surrounded by fish. During the journey, you’ll experience one-on-one encounters with unique animals, schools of fish and velvety rays. You’ll even get to touch unique sea life found along the way. The adventure ends with schools of fish feeding around you with the massive open reef as your backdrop.
discoverycove.com
Horseback Riding | Ocala
Saddle-up for a spirited adventure on horseback in Ocala. Gallop open fields or relax and explore the oak-lined trails. Horseback-riding offers a unique perspective on Ocala/Marion County’s scenery fit for even the most novice rider.. Navigate through the cool forest underneath the canopy of centuries old trees as the sounds of streams and springs bubble nearby and experience the wild, untouched side of Florida. During your ride, you may see some of the state’s unique wildlife, including the great horned owl, Sherman’s fox squirrel, red tail hawk, barred owl, and coyote.
ocalamarion.com
Eco Endeavors | Goodland
If seeing wildlife in its natural habit is more your style, sit back and enjoy the waters of the barrier islands of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and coastal mangrove ecosystems of Everglades National Park on a skippered charter boar of private kayak. Get an intimate look at some of Florida’s favorite native species including manatees, bottlenose dolphins, the Roseate Spoonbill and over 150 species of birds. You may even catch a glimpse of the evasive Florida panther! Not only will you see abundant wildlife on your adventure, but the remote beach access is excellent for shelling! EcoEndeavor kayaks are also available for the anglers in your group, with space for their rods and tackle. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to see The Cape Romano Dome House and explore the natural tunnels of a mangrove forest!
ecoendeavors.org
Loggerhead Marine Life Center, Juno Beach
Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a nonprofit sea turtle hospital in Juno Beach that promotes conservation of ocean ecosystems with a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. The Center features an advanced on-site hospital, research laboratory, live sea turtle viewing tanks, educational exhibits and aquariums, and surrounding park access. As one of Palm Beach County's most visited cultural destinations, LMC is open daily and welcomes 350,000 guests free-of-charge every year.
marinelife.org
More Wild Encounters
