Central Florida ZooWith more than 500 animals and 23 acres of beautiful gardens, the Central Florida Zoo is one of the top attractions in Sanford, FL. It's filled with incredible attractions for the entire family. From the splash playground to the live animal encounters, to the aerial adventures, there's so much to do and see at the zoo.

The Animals

Of course, the main reason you go to the zoo is to see the animals and the Central Florida Zoo certainly delivers with more than 500 animals to enjoy. Enjoy all types of animals including:

  • Amphibians
  • Birds
  • Invertebrates
  • Mammals
  • Reptiles

Bring the entire family and check out the Tiger Salamanders, Poison Dart Frogs, or White's Tree Frog. If you prefer birds, there are plenty to choose from including the Guira Cuckoo, Green-Winged Macaw, Blue and Gold Macaw, and many more.

Maybe you're more interested in the many beautiful mammals found at the Central Florida Zoo. You can check out the Amur Leopard, Cougar, Florida Black Bear, Giraffe, Llama, Clouded Leopard, Cheetah, and so many more. Of course, if you happen to enjoy snakes and other reptiles, there are plenty of choices including the scary, yet very popular American Alligator and American Crocodile.

The Botanical Gardens

While you may head to the zoo for the animals, you might find the Botanical Gardens to be a wonderful break from the animal exhibits. Several gardens are found throughout the Zoo including:

  • Butterfly Garden
  • Health and Wellness Garden
  • Spines, Thorns, and Prickles Garden

In addition to these three gardens, you can enjoy the fern collection, along with the bromeliad collection found throughout the Zoo. The Central Florida Zoo also offers other collections of plants all throughout.

Other Attractions

The animals and the botanical gardens are certainly the main attractions, but the Sanford Zoo has plenty more to offer. Enjoy Keeper Chats, Giraffe Feedings, Rhinoceros Encounters, Face Painting, and so much more.

The Seminole Aerial Adventures offers one of the most popular attractions. Get a different perspective with the Kids and Upland Courses, along with the Rainforest Course. You can enjoy navigating the trees and obstacles throughout the courses as you take in the beautiful views below.

The Central Florida Zoo also offers the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground, which is perfect for cooling off. This splash ground features sprays, sprinklers, streams, and more making it the perfect place for kids of all ages to splash around on summer days.

Of course, a trip to the Central Florida Zoo isn't complete without a ride on the Little Florida Railroad and a spin on the Animal Carousel. The Little Florida Railroad was the first miniature streamline train built in the entire world and dates back to 1951. Enjoy a mile-long ride and views of the wetlands, along with a 110-foot tunnel.

Admission, Hours, & Location

As of the writing of this article, admission to the Central Florida Zoo is $19.50 for adults and $13.75 for children ages three to 12. Seniors (60+) get in for $15.95 and children ages 2 and under get in for free.

The Central Florida Zoo is open from 9am to 5pm daily and the last ticket is sold at 4:15pm with the last entry at 4:30pm. Hours for the Seminole Aerial Adventure Course and some of the other attractions may vary.

The Zoo is located at 3755 West Seminole Boulevard in Sanford Florida.