Whether you’re looking to stay local or hit the road for a small weekend adventure, we’ve got you covered with a guide to the best zoos in and around the Gainesville area!
This list was curated based on driving distance and location, as well as Yelp’s lists of the best zoos in Florida.
Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
LOCATION: 3000 NW 83 St. Building Z, Gainesville
WHAT TO KNOW: The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo offers an interactive experience where you can watch students feed and teach the animals. If you get lucky, you might catch them on a day when they’re practicing enrichment activities with the capuchin monkeys!
ADMISSION COST: Adults age 13 and up are $10, children aged 4 to 12 are $6 and children 3 and under are free.
HOURS: Daily 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
ANIMALS: Animals include a bald eagle, ostriches, lemurs, capuchin monkeys, snakes, otters and more.
Carson Springs Wildlife
LOCATION: 8528 E. County Road 225, Gainesville
WHAT TO KNOW: Carson Springs Wildlife offers two-hour walk or ride tours of exotic animals guided by professional zoologists.
ADMISSION COST: Walking tours for adults aged 12 and up are $55, walking tours for children aged 2 to 11 are $20, walking tours for children under 2 are free and ride tours are $95 per vehicle.
HOURS: Check their online calendar to view available dates and times.
ANIMALS: Animals include cheetahs, tigers, giraffes, a lioness, pumas, hyenas and more.
Morningside Nature Center Living History Farm — Barnyard Buddies
LOCATION: 3540 E. University Ave., Gainesville
WHAT TO KNOW: Every Wednesday, the Morningside Nature Center Living History Farm offers Barnyard Buddies, a free opportunity for children and families to meet and learn about farm animals. Don’t forget to bring donations like apples and carrots to feed the animals!
ADMISSION COST: Free.
HOURS: Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
ANIMALS: Cows, chickens, sheep and pigs.
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
LOCATION: 3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford
WHAT TO KNOW: This zoo is home to over 350 animals across more than 100 species. Central Florida Zoo also offers guided tours, giraffe feeding, train rides, rhinoceros encounters and more. This is the perfect zoo for a miniature weekend road trip day!
ADMISSION COST: Non-peak pricing for online tickets is $21.95 for adults, $16.95 for children aged 3 to 12 and free for children aged 2 and under. Check the website to view more.
HOURS: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
ANIMALS: Squirrel and spider monkeys, leopard, lemur, sheep, black bear, rhinoceros, birds, scorpion, frogs, snakes and more.
DISTANCE FROM GAINESVILLE: About a two-hour drive.
Camp Kulaqua Waterpark, Zoo and Nature Center
LOCATION: 23400 NW 212th Ave., High Springs
WHAT TO KNOW: Camp Kulaqua offers a waterpark, a freshwater spring, a zip line, a climbing wall, nature trails and its own zoo.
ADMISSION COST: $4.75 a person for children, teachers and chaperones.
HOURS: Saturday 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
ANIMALS: Lions, tigers, bears and more.
DISTANCE FROM GAINESVILLE: About a 40-minute drive.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
LOCATION: 999 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine
WHAT TO KNOW: The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park offers animal encounters, tours, a KidZone, a crocodile crossing zipline, daily wildlife shows and more. This zoo features 24 species of crocodilians and other reptiles, mammals and birds.
ADMISSION COST: Adults aged 12 and older are $36.99, children aged 3 to 11 are $21.99, children aged 3 to 11 in wheelchairs are $10.99 and members are free.
HOURS: Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
ANIMALS: Crocodiles, alligators, turtles, lemurs, snakes, macaws and more.
DISTANCE FROM GAINESVILLE: About an hour and 40-minute drive.
Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
LOCATION: 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville
WHAT TO KNOW: The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens features zoo exhibits and animals, a wildlife carousel, theater, animal feedings, splash ground, play park, forest play area and more.
ADMISSION COST: General admission for weekdays is $26.95 to $31.95. Weekend and holiday general admission is $36.95 to $41.95. Check the website to view more.
HOURS: Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
ANIMALS: Alligators, turtles, stingrays, snakes, emu, Florida manatees, birds, monkeys, tiger, black bear and more.
DISTANCE FROM GAINESVILLE: About an hour and a half drive.
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