Animal Attractions

Attractions Where Animals are the Main Attraction

Central Florida offers plenty of Zoo’s, Trail Rides, Eco Tours, Petting Farms and other places where the animals are the main attraction. Take a trip on the wild side!


AVIAN RECONDITIONING CENTER: live birds of prey and environmental education: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays; 323 W. Lester Road, Apopka; donations; 407-461-1056. For more information visit their website at arc4raptors.org.

BREVARD ZOO: with hands-on area, railroad, “Paws On” kid’s area: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday (with Brevard Symphony Orchestra String Trio performing 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday); 8225 N. Wickham Road, just east of Interstate 95 (Exit 191 off Interstate 95), Melbourne; $13.50 adults, $12.50 age 60 and older, $10 ages 2-12 (free admission 5-8 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 28); 321-254-9453. For more information visit their website at brevardzoo.org.

CACTUS JACK’S TRAIL RIDES: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; Florida Horse Park, 11008 S. Highway 475, Ocala; $45 per hour; 352-978-7656. For more information visit their website at cactusjackstrailrides.com.

CENTRAL FLORIDA ZOO: native and exotic animals, Tropical Splash Ground, Zoom Air Adventures course: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; 3755 N. U.S. Highway 17-92, 1 mile east of Interstate 4 and 41/2 miles west of Sanford; $11.95 adults, $9.95 seniors, $7.95 ages 3-12, free age 2 and younger; 407-323-4450. Read our Spotlight Review or for more information visit their website at centralfloridazoo.org.

ECO-TOUR GUIDED SAFARIS: kayak and boat tours of Central Florida rivers: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays; disembarks at various locations through Orlando; $35; 321-543-4031. For more information visit their website at alligatorsafaris.com.

EXOTIC ANIMAL EXPERIENCE: a privately-owned facility stretching over 7 acres. Don’t just see animals; pet and hold them too. Enjoy up-close and personal interaction with everything from sloths to sheep, kangaroos, and more. For more information visit their website at exoticanimalexperience.net

FLORIDA AUDUBON SOCIETY’S CENTER FOR BIRDS OF PREY: conservation, education and raptor rehabilitation facility: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday (except holidays); 1101 Audubon Way, Maitland; $5 adults, $4 ages 3-12; 407-644-0190. For more information visit their website at fl.audubon.org.

FLORIDA ECO-SAFARIS: coach, horseback and zipline tours: departure times vary; 4755 N. Kenansville Road at Forever Florida, St. Cloud; $28 adults, $22 children for coach safari, $40-$80 for horseback safari, $85 for zipline safari; 1-866-854-3837. Read our Spotlight Review or for more information visit their website at foreverflorida.com.

GATORLAND: Gator Wrestling show, Gator Gully Splash Park, white leucistic alligators: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando; $22.99 plus tax age 13 and older, $14.99 ages 3-12; 407-855-5496 or 1-800-393-5297. Read our Spotlight Review, or for more information visit their website at gatorland.com.

GREEN MEADOWS FARM: tours, train ride, barnyard animals: continuous tours 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily; 1368 S. Poinciana Blvd., Kissimmee; $21 adults, $17 seniors, free ages 2 and younger ($19 Florida residents); 407-846-0770. For more information visit their website at visitgreenmeadowsfarm.com.

JUNGLE ADVENTURES: with animals, Native American Indian Village Tour, Jungle Swamp Boat Ride: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily (with “Dinner and Adventure Tour” featuring boat ride and storytelling at 6:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday); 26205 E. State Road 50, Christmas; $19.95 plus tax age 12 and older, $16.95 plus tax age 60 and older, $12.95 plus tax ages 3-11, free ages 2 and younger ($39.50 for “Dinner and Adventure Tour”); 407-568-2885. For more information visit their website at  jungleadventures.com.

LUKAS BUTTERFLY ENCOUNTER: butterfly nursery and habitat: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily; 1909 Slavia Road, Oviedo; $5 general, free ages 3 and younger; 407-365-6163. For more information visit their website at lukasnursery.com.

MARINE SCIENCE CENTER: with artificial reef aquarium and marine exhibits: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday; 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet; $5 adults, $4 seniors, $2 ages 3-12; 386-304-5545. For more information visit their website at marinesciencecenter.com.

REPTILE DISCOVERY CENTER: educational center, museum and reptile farm: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday; 2710 Big John Drive, DeLand; $8.50 adults, $5.50 seniors and ages 4-17, free ages 3 and younger; 386-740-9143. For more information visit their website at reptilediscoverycenter.com.

REPTILE WORLD SERPENTARIUM: 60 specimens of reptiles: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday (with venom programs at noon and 3 p.m.); 5705 Highway 192, east of St. Cloud; $6.75 adults, $5.75 ages 6-17, $4.75 ages 3-5, cash only; 407-892-6905. For more information visit their website at reptileworldserpentarium.com.

UNCLE DONALD’S FARM: barnyard animals, tours, hayrides, pony rides, wildlife exhibit: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 2713 Griffin Ave., off U.S. Highway 27/441 north of Lady Lake (Lake County); $10.50 plus tax adults, $9.50 plus tax children and seniors, $2.50 for pony rides (cash only); 352-753-2882. For more information visit their website at uncledonaldsfarm.com.

WILD FLORIDA – known for their airboat tours, this attraction also includes ranch buggy nature tours, an animal park, restaurant and gift shop. Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Sundays. Located at 3301 Lake Cypress Rd., Kenansville, FL 34739; Phone: 407-957-3135. For more information visit their website at wildfloridairboats.com.