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Location
Visitor tip
Book the behind-the-scenes tour experience for an exceptional educational visit - reviewers highly recommend the African Elephant tour and praise the knowledgeable guides. The zoo is AZA accredited and actively involved in conservation efforts, making these tours particularly valuable for understanding animal care.
Best time
Visit during summer months when the botanical gardens are in full bloom rather than winter when vegetation may be dormant. The zoo's layout and multi-angle animal viewing areas make it easier to see exhibits, but the greenery enhances the overall experience significantly.
Visitor tip
Don't miss the popular train ride (893 mentions) and interactive experiences like giraffe feeding and the stingray exhibit - these are top visitor attractions. The carousel and splash pad are excellent for young children needing activity breaks.
About Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Vast zoo highlighting local as well as African wildlife with gardens, a train & a kids' zone.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Zoo
- Location
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Size
- 100+ acres with award-winning exhibits and gardens
- Hours
- Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
What visitors say
Unfortunately we visited just after a hard freeze in the winter so much of the vegetation was dead. The zoo was laid out fairly well making it easier to see everything it had to offer. I appreciated the fact many of the exhibits had…
Highly recommend the behind the scenes experience/tour. We enjoyed the African Elephant behind the scenes with tour guide Justin. 10/10 Definitely recommend. The Jax Zoo is AZA accredited and they work hard to contribute to conservation…
I was here on a Saturday so it was pretty busy. This zoo is beautiful. The tiger habitat is amazing. There are a lot of things for kids to do with play areas and a carousel. I found it to be very clean and well kept. The animals are…
From 21,016 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens spans over 100 acres and features award-winning exhibits across both wildlife habitats and botanical gardens
- The zoo is AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited and actively contributes to conservation efforts
- Giraffe feeding is one of the most popular visitor experiences with 273 review mentions, alongside stingray encounters with 419 mentions
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