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Zoos

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Name: Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Address: 3755 W Seminole Blvd, Sanford, FL 32771, Sanford, FL, US
Telephone: (407) 323-4450
Rating: 4.3

★★★★☆ 4.3 (10501 reviews)

📍 3755 W Seminole Blvd, Sanford, FL 32771

📞 (407) 323-4450

🌐 www.centralfloridazoo.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	9 AM–4 PM
Tuesday	9 AM–4 PM
Wednesday	9 AM–4 PM
Thursday	9 AM–4 PM
Friday	9 AM–4 PM
Saturday	9 AM–5 PM
Sunday	9 AM–5 PM

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About Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Reptiles, monkeys, leopards & a zip line. Opened in 1923, this zoo stars endangered big cats & reptiles, plus a zip line & rope bridges. Opened in 1923, making it over 100 years old and establishing it as a historic recreational institution in Central Florida. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 10,501 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Location: Sanford, FL
Best For: All ages
Hours: Weekdays 9 AM-4 PM, Weekends 9 AM-5 PM
Highlights: Animal encounters, Zoo Camps, overnight adventures, botanical gardens

💡 Did You Know?

🏛️Opened in 1923, making it over 100 years old and establishing it as a historic recreational institution in Central Florida
⭐Features a zip line attraction integrated into the zoo experience, an unusual recreational amenity for a traditional zoo setting
⭐Offers overnight adventures and Zoo Camps as immersive educational programs, allowing visitors extended engagement with animals beyond standard daytime visits
⭐Hosts an annual Asian Lantern Festival that transforms the zoo into an illuminated nighttime attraction, combining cultural art installations with the zoo experience
⭐Specializes in endangered big cats and reptiles as primary exhibit focus, with a dedicated herpetarium for reptile collections

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Start with the giraffe feeding experience - it's a highly mentioned highlight that staff like Kelton make memorable and entertaining. Plan this early in your visit when animals are most active.
💡The splash pad is a major attraction with 400+ mentions - bring swimsuits and plan 1-2 hours for water activities, especially if visiting with kids during warm months.
💬This is a compact, manageable zoo perfect for families - allow 3-4 hours total rather than a full day. It's stroller-friendly with plenty of rest spots, making it ideal for young children without the exhaustion of larger zoos.
💬Check the calendar for special events like the Asian Lantern Festival (winter), Brews at the Zoo, and Mother's Day free admission. These events offer unique experiences and potential savings on admission.
💡Take advantage of the Zoo Camps and education programs available for all ages - these provide deeper learning beyond casual viewing and make the educational value of your visit significantly higher.