Animal places in South Florida

Talli

Talli

Well-Known Member
I'm headed to Miami next month for business, but am flying in a couple of days early to do some zoo hopping. I've been to several zoos, etc, but maybe someone knows one I've missed that's worth seeing? I'm willing to drive a few hours.

Off the top of my head, I've been to:
Monkey Jungle
Miami Metrozoo
Parrot Jungle
Jungle Island
Miami Seaquarium
Key West Aquarium
Theater of the Sea
Palm Beach Zoo
Butterfly World
Lion Country Safari
Flamingo Gardens
 
ZooChat member okapikpr is an expert on Florida wildlife attractions and so I'd recommend you send him a message. The Jacksonville Zoo is in the northeastern most corner of Florida (practically in Georgia) and it is at least a 5 hour drive away from Miami. Orlando and Tampa would be shorter drives...
 
Seems like you have hit all of the main one's to see in South Florida.

In Tampa there is Lowry Park Zoo(not sure if they have their $#17 together thought) and Busch Gardens. Orlando has Disney Animal Kingdom and SeaWorld.

The Jacksonville Zoo is nice, but I'm not sure if it is worth the 5-6 hour drive from Miami.
 
Like some one else has mentioned you have pretty much visited all the zoos/aquariums in the area. Jacksonville is at least a six hour drive.
Lowry, Florida state aquarium and Busch are at least four hour drives. Any orlando area zoos (DAK, central FL) are going to be three and half to four hours. Two places you didn't mention that are with in three hours driving are Brevard Zoo and two hours from Naples Zool. I have been to Brevard Zoo and even though its small I liked the exhibits and collection. Check out their website. I have not been to Naples so I have no comment but it is closer to you. Personally I would go back to Miami Zoo but I have only been there once.
 
How about going to see some wildlife in their natural habitat in one of the best wildlife parks in the country? That would be my suggestion along with going back to the Miami Metrozoo since they have their new Amazon exhibit.
 
mweb08 said:
How about going to see some wildlife in their natural habitat in one of the best wildlife parks in the country? That would be my suggestion along with going back to the Miami Metrozoo since they have their new Amazon exhibit.
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Haha yeah that made me facepalm myself. Everglades National Park would be a great place to go.
 
loxodonta said:
Like some one else has mentioned you have pretty much visited all the zoos/aquariums in the area. Jacksonville is at least a six hour drive.
Lowry, Florida state aquarium and Busch are at least four hour drives. Any orlando area zoos (DAK, central FL) are going to be three and half to four hours. Two places you didn't mention that are with in three hours driving are Brevard Zoo and two hours from Naples Zool. I have been to Brevard Zoo and even though its small I liked the exhibits and collection. Check out their website. I have not been to Naples so I have no comment but it is closer to you. Personally I would go back to Miami Zoo but I have only been there once.
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I should have mentioned Lowry, Florida St Aquarium, Busch, DAK and Central FL because I have been to them. I've also been to the zoo in Naples, although it was still Jungle Larry's then. I haven't gotten to Brevard yet, hopefully this time.
I have to disagree about my having visited all in the area - I've done some research and turned these up (keep in mind that I'm interested in all places displaying live animals, except strictly domestic):

Sunken Gardens - St. Petersburg
Big Cat Rescue - Tampa
Museum of Science & Industry - Tampa
Pier Aquarium - ST. Petersburg
Jungle Gardens - Sarasota
Mote Aquarium - Sarasota
Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary - Sarasota (closed)
Brevard Zoo - Melbourne
Gatorland - Orlando
Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge - Orlando (free)
Jungle Adventures - Christmas (near Orlando)
Reptile World Serpentarium - St. Cloud (near Orlando)
Gatorama - Palmdale
Naples Zoo - formerly Jungle Larry's
Conservancy Nature Center - Naples
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center - Boca Raton
Loggerhead Marinelife Center - Juno
Museum of Science - Miami
Everglades Safari Park - Miami
Wootens Alligator Park - Ochopee - very bad reviews
Everglades Aligator Farm - Florida City
John Pennekamp State Park - Key Largo
Dolphin Research Center - Grassy Key
Crane Point Museum & Nature Center - Marathon
Florida Keys Wild Bird Sanctuary - Tavernier
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center - Key West

Now to narrow it down...
 
Talli said:
I should have mentioned Lowry, Florida St Aquarium, Busch, DAK and Central FL because I have been to them. I've also been to the zoo in Naples, although it was still Jungle Larry's then. I haven't gotten to Brevard yet, hopefully this time.
I have to disagree about my having visited all in the area - I've done some research and turned these up (keep in mind that I'm interested in all places displaying live animals, except strictly domestic):

Sunken Gardens - St. Petersburg
Big Cat Rescue - Tampa
Museum of Science & Industry - Tampa
Pier Aquarium - ST. Petersburg
Jungle Gardens - Sarasota
Mote Aquarium - Sarasota
Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary - Sarasota (closed)
Brevard Zoo - Melbourne
Gatorland - Orlando
Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge - Orlando (free)
Jungle Adventures - Christmas (near Orlando)
Reptile World Serpentarium - St. Cloud (near Orlando)
Gatorama - Palmdale
Naples Zoo - formerly Jungle Larry's
Conservancy Nature Center - Naples
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center - Boca Raton
Loggerhead Marinelife Center - Juno
Museum of Science - Miami
Everglades Safari Park - Miami
Wootens Alligator Park - Ochopee - very bad reviews
Everglades Aligator Farm - Florida City
John Pennekamp State Park - Key Largo
Dolphin Research Center - Grassy Key
Crane Point Museum & Nature Center - Marathon
Florida Keys Wild Bird Sanctuary - Tavernier
Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center - Key West

Now to narrow it down...
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Have you been to Homasassa Springs? Mote Aquarium, Brevard and Big Cat rescue should be on your list. Naples has two actual Indo Chinese Tigers (not Malays), Fossa, the big four predators of Africa:lion, leopard, hyena and wild dog and one of the largest black bear exhibits in the country.
 
I went to Naples a few years ago and was pretty disappointed. Brevard is better, but still not that good. If you have the time to drive, Tampa is the way to go. Three of my all-time favorite places are there: Lowry Park Zoo, Big Cat Rescue and Busch Gardens. You can do the first two in one day and Busch on the other day.

But there is plenty to do in Miami - Everglades are certainly worth seeing and it seems like the new stuff at Miami is worth a return trip. Palm Beach Zoo is also very nice - better than I expected.
 
Having just been to Florida (a week ago), I'd declare that this has to be THE best state in the USA for zoos! Any list of Florida zoological places to visit has to begin with Disney's Animal Kingdom (DAK)! It is not only one of the nation's Top 10 zoos, but one of the very best in the world! It's Kilamanjaro Safaris ride/exhibit is rated by me as America's #1 best zoo exhibit. The park's African and Asian walk-through exhibits are also top quality. After DAK, the Miami Metrozoo, Jacksonville Zoo, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, and maybe even Busch Gardens are worthy of inclusion on a USA "Top 25 Zoos" list. Since you'll be right in Miami, I would start with Miami Metrozoo, especially with its brand new Amazon and Beyond exhibit area. Beyond these big first-class zoos, I'm intrigued by (though I've never visited) the Palm Beach Zoo and Brevard Zoo, both just an hour or two up the coast from Miami. The Palm Beach Zoo is directed by Dr. Terry Maples, the same guy who rebuilt Zoo Atlanta. Their Tropics of the Americas exhibit area looks like its great.
 
I don't know if I would call it the best state, as I live in Florida. That honor I think would go to California, but there are many great zoos still in Florida. Miami Metrozoo is my personal favorite zoo in Florida, much more than DAK, and it would definitely be the one not to miss. If you are in Tampa I would much recommend visiting Busch Gardens over Lowry Park.
 
ANyhuis said:
Having just been to Florida (a week ago), I'd declare that this has to be THE best state in the USA for zoos! Any list of Florida zoological places to visit has to begin with Disney's Animal Kingdom (DAK)! It is not only one of the nation's Top 10 zoos, but one of the very best in the world! It's Kilamanjaro Safaris ride/exhibit is rated by me as America's #1 best zoo exhibit. The park's African and Asian walk-through exhibits are also top quality. After DAK, the Miami Metrozoo, Jacksonville Zoo, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, and maybe even Busch Gardens are worthy of inclusion on a USA "Top 25 Zoos" list. Since you'll be right in Miami, I would start with Miami Metrozoo, especially with its brand new Amazon and Beyond exhibit area. Beyond these big first-class zoos, I'm intrigued by (though I've never visited) the Palm Beach Zoo and Brevard Zoo, both just an hour or two up the coast from Miami. The Palm Beach Zoo is directed by Dr. Terry Maples, the same guy who rebuilt Zoo Atlanta. Their Tropics of the Americas exhibit area looks like its great.
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I agree Florida is the best state for animal facilities. Texas would be my second and California would be third. Ohio with its great zoos would be up there as well.
 
ANyhuis said:
Having just been to Florida (a week ago), I'd declare that this has to be THE best state in the USA for zoos! Any list of Florida zoological places to visit has to begin with Disney's Animal Kingdom (DAK)! It is not only one of the nation's Top 10 zoos, but one of the very best in the world! It's Kilamanjaro Safaris ride/exhibit is rated by me as America's #1 best zoo exhibit. The park's African and Asian walk-through exhibits are also top quality. After DAK, the Miami Metrozoo, Jacksonville Zoo, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, and maybe even Busch Gardens are worthy of inclusion on a USA "Top 25 Zoos" list. Since you'll be right in Miami, I would start with Miami Metrozoo, especially with its brand new Amazon and Beyond exhibit area. Beyond these big first-class zoos, I'm intrigued by (though I've never visited) the Palm Beach Zoo and Brevard Zoo, both just an hour or two up the coast from Miami. The Palm Beach Zoo is directed by Dr. Terry Maples, the same guy who rebuilt Zoo Atlanta. Their Tropics of the Americas exhibit area looks like its great.
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Allen - do you try to go to all types of animal places, or mostly the big ones, or ones with "zoo" in the name? I realize time is always a limiting factor.
I was at MetroZoo last year, so I'd like to get to new places for me.
I hadn't heard about Maples going to Palm Beach. I remember years ago when Phoenix was looking for a new director, they courted Maples and he had some difficult requirements that they managed to meet, but it seemed he was just trying to get a better deal where he was.
 
BlackRhino said:
I don't know if I would call it the best state, as I live in Florida. That honor I think would go to California, but there are many great zoos still in Florida. Miami Metrozoo is my personal favorite zoo in Florida, much more than DAK, and it would definitely be the one not to miss. If you are in Tampa I would much recommend visiting Busch Gardens over Lowry Park.
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I would guess that Florida has the most "animals per square mile". In my out-of-date animal place spreadsheet, I have the following number of places listed:
Florida: 65
California: 56
Texas: 43
New York: 33

A couple of surprises for me:
New Hampshire: 29 (mostly sanctuaries and nature centers)
Wisconsin: 25

out of 671 places
 
Answering 2 of you

BlackRhino said:
I don't know if I would call it the best state, as I live in Florida. That honor I think would go to California, but there are many great zoos still in Florida.
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OK, I've rethought this, and BlackRhino has a point! IF you're including ALL zoological institutions (including aquariums, aquatic parks, etc.), then yes, I'd agree that California is the the best state. It has a great variety of aquariums, including the magnificent Monterey Bay Aquarium, which would tip my birthstate (CA) into the #1 position. But IF we're merely talking about zoos, then I'd stick with my claim of Florida as the best state. Certainly California's 2 best (San Diego and SDWAP) are better than Florida's 2 best (Disney & .... Miami?), but Florida's 5 best (Disney, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Busch Gardens) are clearly better than California's 5 best.

BlackRhino said:
Miami Metrozoo is my personal favorite zoo in Florida, much more than DAK, and it would definitely be the one not to miss. If you are in Tampa I would much recommend visiting Busch Gardens over Lowry Park.
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We may disagree on this forever, but you must remember that MY personal emphasis in rating zoos is to promote them as "more than just a zoo". I'm into expanding the universe of zoo-fans, not just pleasing the current universe. For hard core ZooChat people, I can understand how many might like Miami more than Disney. But, having just been there, the amazing Animal Kingdom is perfect for attracting and converting new zoo fans, with its many extras. Not only does it give you the great Disney rides, shows, and characters, but it has also created perhaps the most convincing African and Asian environments -- outside of actually boarding a plane to actually go there.

Talli said:
Allen - do you try to go to all types of animal places, or mostly the big ones, or ones with "zoo" in the name? I realize time is always a limiting factor.
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My priorities vary. If there's a high profile new exhibit at one of the 60 zoos we covered in our book (ie, Minnesota's Grizzly Coast), I'll make every effort to get there. Also, within those 60 zoos, there's a handful that I haven't been to in a few years (Jon wrote their chapters), so I'm anxious to get back to see these zoos. But I'm also interested in seeing many of the smaller zoos. Last year, simply because I was passing through the area, I toured St. Paul's Como Park Zoo, Des Moines' Blank Park Zoo, and Illinois' Niabi Zoo. Later this year, I hope to see the new African area at Peoria's Glen Oak Zoo. I've also been very interested in getting to many of the nation's aquariums lately -- and I've been to more than 20 of them in the past year. But over the years, yes, I have tried to get to "all types of animal places", that is IF my time and travel budgets permit. I've enjoyed visits to Florida's Lion Country Safari and Monkey Jungle, Texas' Fossil Rim, Washington's Northwest Trek, and much more.
 
Another unique feature at Palm Beach Zoo that I've not seen elsewhere. Not only do they have free-ranging peafowl (which every zoo seems to think they must have), they also have some huge free-ranging iguanas!
 
I was at Miami Zoo in December I saw quite a few feral iguanas including a massive 5-6ft orange male that was laying across some rocks in the giraffe enclosure.
 
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