Information
Landmark: Central Florida Zoo and Botanical GardensCity: Orlando
Country: USA Florida
Continent: North America
Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Orlando, USA Florida, North America
Overview
You’ll find the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford, a quiet town just north of Orlando where palms sway in the warm breeze.Spread across 116 acres, the zoo lets you wander among wildlife from every corner of the globe, pause for hands-on activities and lively programs, and stroll through gardens bursting with color and scent.The zoo, established in 1923 and moved to its present site in 1975, now stands at the heart of the community, where families gather and rare birds find refuge.The zoo houses over 400 animals, from sleek snow leopards to colorful parrots, representing more than 100 species from every corner of the world.The exhibits teach visitors about animal behavior, biology, and conservation, and they also let you stand just a few feet from a bright-eyed parrot or a slow-moving sloth.One highlight is the African Savanna, where giraffes stretch for tender leaves, rhinos roam the grass, zebras graze, and a host of other African wildlife wanders.Visitors can explore the wildlife of the African plains and discover whether each species is thriving or at risk, from thundering herds of zebra to solitary lions under the acacia trees.In the Asia and South America exhibits, you’ll spot slow-moving sloths, chattering monkeys, and the sleek, striped form of an Asian tiger.The exhibit’s designed to shine a spotlight on the one-of-a-kind wildlife found across these continents, from the flash of a parrot’s wings to the silent prowl of a snow leopard.Florida Wildlife: Step inside to see Florida’s own alligators basking in the sun, sleek panthers prowling, and a host of other creatures that call this state home.It underscores why protecting Florida’s wild places matters, from quiet mangrove shores to sunlit stretches of pine forest.Birds of Prey: Step up to see owls blinking in the dim light, eagles scanning the room, and hawks poised to strike-each offering a glimpse into the vital role these hunters play across different ecosystems.The zoo puts animal welfare and conservation first, caring for species from tiny dart frogs to towering giraffes, many of which take part in breeding programs designed to keep them thriving.One of the zoo’s highlights is its Botanical Gardens, stretching across several acres and bursting with the scent of fresh blooms.The gardens showcase Central Florida’s vibrant flowers and greenery, offering a quiet spot where you can hear the wind rustle through the palms, far from the zoo’s lively crowds.Guests can wander through different themed gardens, including the Tropical Garden, where glossy palm fronds sway overhead and bursts of bright hibiscus make the zoo feel like a hidden island retreat.Butterfly Garden: Designed to draw in local species, this inviting spot lets visitors watch bright wings drift among the flowers in their natural home.Azalea Garden bursts to life each season with vivid blossoms and a sweet, heady scent drifting through the air.Palm Garden: Here you’ll find palms of every shape and shade, from feathery fronds that sway in the breeze to towering trunks that catch the sun.The gardens delight the eye, with bursts of color and quiet pathways, and they’re also a hands-on part of the zoo’s mission to teach visitors about sustainability and caring for the planet.Attractions and experiences await - the Central Florida Zoo offers far more than watching animals pace behind fences.It also features plenty to keep visitors thrilled, like Seminole Aerial Adventures-a treetop zipline and obstacle course where you can soar past leaves brushing your shoulders and tackle challenges high above the ground.Families and thrill-seekers will both enjoy this course, with sweeping views of the zoo and the pine-scented forest beyond.Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground is a lively water play spot where little ones can dash through sprays and giggle under the fountains-just right for families with young kids.Fountains sparkle, water jets shoot into the air, and splash zones beckon-an inviting way to beat the heat on a sweltering Florida afternoon.Barnyard Buddies Petting Zoo is a hit with little ones, letting them feed goats, stroke a llama’s soft fur, meet curious alpacas, and watch pigs snuffle in the straw.It’s a hands-on experience that fosters a connection with animals.Giraffe feeding is a crowd favorite at the zoo, where visitors get to hand over crisp leaves to those long-necked giants.You can stand just a few feet from these gentle giants, offer them a handful of fresh leaves, and walk away with a moment you’ll never forget.Rhino Encounter: Guests can meet the zoo’s resident rhinoceroses up close, hear their deep snorts, and join engaging sessions that share fascinating facts about these remarkable animals.Keeper Chats: All day long, zoo keepers drop by different exhibits to share stories and facts-like how the lions roar loud enough to rattle the fence.In these sessions, you’ll get a close look at how the animals behave, learn how they’re cared for, and see the work that goes into protecting them.All year long, the zoo rolls out events and hands-on programs that draw visitors in and spark interest in protecting wildlife.One crowd favorite is Brews Around the Zoo, a 21+ night with cold craft beer, live music drifting through the grounds, and up-close moments with the animals.Crowds flock to the event for the laughter, the music, and the chance to support a good cause.Colors, Creatures & Canvases: a lively art event where guests paint vivid animal portraits, then meet the whiskered, feathered, or scaled muses behind them.Homeschool ZOOventure Classes offer hands-on learning for homeschoolers, exploring topics from biodiversity to animal behavior-like watching a parrot crack a walnut with its beak.Through these programs, students get to meet the zoo’s animals up close and talk with the experts who care for them.Storytime at the Zoo offers lively, engaging tales for little ones, mixing playful animal adventures with lessons they can carry home.It’s a fun way for kids to meet animals up close and explore nature through hands-on activities.The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens welcomes visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the gates close to new arrivals at 3:30 sharp.Here’s what you’ll pay for general admission: adults 13–59 are $21.95 online or $23.95 at the gate; seniors 55+ are $17.95 online or $19.95 on-site; kids 3–12 are $15.95 online or $17.95 in person; little ones 2 and under get in free.Parking won’t cost a dime, and you can plug in at the EV charging stations using the FPL EVolution app.safeThey let visitors step right up to certain animals-like sloths, rhinos, and giraffes-and maybe even feel the warm breath of a curious giraffe.Knowledgeable zookeepers guide these experiences, offering a closer look at how the animals are cared for, protected, and how they behave-like the slow sway of a giraffe’s neck as it reaches for leaves.With so many exhibits, attractions, and events at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, you’ll want to set aside a few hours-enough time to watch the lemurs, wander the gardens, and see it all without rushing.At the zoo, interactive experiences like Keeper Chats and animal encounters give visitors a chance to learn-sometimes right up close to a giraffe’s swishing tail.Bringing kids along?They’ll love the Tropical Splash Ground, with its bright sprays of water, and the Barnyard Buddies Petting Zoo.Older visitors can test their nerve on the zipline or get up close while feeding the animals.In conclusion, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is a lively, hands-on place where you can spot a lemur leaping onto a branch and discover far more than just its animal exhibits.The zoo blends animal exhibits, lush gardens, thrilling rides, and hands-on learning, creating an experience that draws families, nature enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about protecting wildlife.Whether you’re itching to wander through the vibrant streets of Central, with the scent of roasted coffee drifting from a corner café.
