Help your kids develop an appreciation for wildlife with a visit to your local zoo. It’s the perfect weekend activity that’s exciting, educational and great exercise, too. Get your heart rate pumping as you walk from exhibit to exhibit, admiring all the wonders of Mother Nature’s universe.
From school field trips to a fun way to spend a cloudy day, a visit to the zoo never disappoints.
Find all your favorite animals near your Taylor Morrison new home community.
Fantastic Florida Felines
Home to the famed Big Cat Rescue and Big Cat Habitat, residents of Florida have plenty of opportunities to spend time with the largest felines found in the wilderness. Here’s proof that there’s a lot more to the Sunshine State than gators and manatees.
Tampa
Home to well over 1,000 species and one of the most spectacular tropical land zoological settings in the world, Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park is packed with thrills. Cool off at water play areas and enjoy exciting rides.
- Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park | 1101 W. Sligh Avenue Tampa, FL 33604 | (813) 935-8552
You’ll also find plenty of animals at Busch Gardens and Big Cat Rescue is located at 12802 Easy Street, (813) 920-4130. And Giraffe Ranch in east Pasco County is great for animal encounters in small groups – 38650 Mickler Road, (813) 482-3400.
Orlando
New Orlando real estate at Steeple Chase in Lake Mary is just 15 minutes from the famed Central Florida Zoo! Kids will love the face painting, bungee bounce and zoom air adventure! Be sure to check out more adult-themed zoo events for date night like Sunset at the Zoo happy hour or Art & Wine.
- Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens | 3755 W. Seminole Blvd. Sanford, FL 32771 | (407) 323-4450
Sarasota
Your visit to the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary helps this wonderful non-profit organization feed and home dozens of rescued exotic animals. A great place to have fun while learning about conservation.
- Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary | 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34240 | (941) 371-6377
Fort Myers & Naples
A trio of incredible options to upgrade your zoo experience. Embrace hair-raising action on zip lines and bumper boats or enjoy a long walk through exceptional botanical gardens. Check out the broad selection of education & conservation programs available for animal lovers of all ages at Naples Zoo.
- The Shell Factory and Nature Park | 2787 N Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL 33903 | (239) 995-2141
- Everglades Wonder Gardens | 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 | (239) 992-2591
- Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens | 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples, FL 34102 | (239) 262-5409
Georgia Goes Zooing
Just one-hour SW of Atlanta on I-85 is a drive-through wildlife park like you’ve never imagined. Head to Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain for an up close and personal meet & greet with all your favorite safari creatures, (706) 663-8744.
Atlanta
More than just a place to see zebras and giraffes, Zoo Atlanta is a fabulous venue for yoga, wine tasting and climbing the treetops.
- Zoo Atlanta | 800 Cherokee Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 | (404) 624-5600
Zoos Nearby the Carolinas
Posted by North Carolina Zoo on Friday, July 27, 2018
Raleigh & Charlotte
Welcome to the world’s largest natural habitat zoo. Ride an open-air vehicle through the 40-acre Watani grassland or embark on a paddleboat adventure.
Don’t forget to get tickets for the fascinating Rio the 4-D Experience at the special effects theater. Entrance is just $3.
- North Carolina Zoo | 4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC 27205 | (336) 879-7000
Fun with Wildlife in Illinois
Residents of Taylor Morrison’s new home communities in Chicago have options when it comes to planning a weekend at the zoo. Take a leisurely drive to Brookfield to feed the giraffes and enjoy a summer concert – or ride the train into the city for a fun daytrip to the waterfront.
- Brookfield Zoo | 8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513 | (708) 688-8000
- Lincoln Park Zoo | 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 | (312) 742-2000
Texas Sized Exhibits
#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: We’re takin’ it back 8 years today to May 2010, when our Giants of the Savanna exhibit opened. It…
Posted by Dallas Zoo on Thursday, May 31, 2018
Love baby animals? You’re in luck. Right now, zoos across Texas are expecting new residents who are cuter and cuddlier than you can imagine. From bear cubs to baby gorillas!
Dallas
Hop aboard the monorail for a trip through the Wilds of Africa Adventure Safari. Then it’s on to the savannah for giant elephants and giant fun feeding the long-necked giraffes.
- Dallas Zoo | 650 S R L Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75203 | (469) 554-7500
Austin
Spend quality time outdoors in the Texas Hill Country while supporting the Austin Zoo in their quest to assist animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation and education. You can even look into planning your next birthday party at the zoo!
- Austin Zoo | 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736 | (512) 288-1490
Houston
Home to a wide variety of unique animal encounters, visitors can take part in special activities that include piranha feeding, snakes, rhinos, sea lions or walking with a cheetah.
- Houston Zoo | 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030 | (713) 533-6500
Not Your Grandfather’s Zoo in Colorado
Leave it to Denver to make the zoo experience hipper than ever. From food truck charity events to the Teddy Bear clinic, there’s always something unique going on at the Denver Zoo. Check out their website to find more than a dozen feedings & shows throughout the day.
- Denver Zoo | 2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205 | (720) 337-1400
Arizona Animal Adventures
Meet Beaker.
Beaker is a giant anteater.
This is Beaker taking a relaxing bubble bath.
The bubbles used were Johnson’s “No More Tears” Baby Bubble Bath which is completely safe for animals. And while the bath is certainly relaxing, the bubbles also offer key behavioral enrichment components for Beaker in the form of new textures and smells.
Beaker usually takes a cooling dip in his pool each afternoon for about a minute or so. But he loved the bubbles so much he stayed in the bath for over 10 minutes! #SavingSpecies #MoreThanAZoo
Posted by Phoenix Zoo on Thursday, July 26, 2018
The Arizona Center for Nature Conservation in Phoenix is a one-stop-shop for making best friends who member of the animal kingdom. You’ll find camps and programs for kids, teens and adults alike, including nighttime galas like the Zoofari tasting event or Roars & Pours for beer lovers.
- Phoenix Zoo | 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008 | (602) 286-3800
Call of the Wild in California
The west coast is home to some of the best zoos in the country. Take a break from the beach and sunshine to enjoy a visit with furry friends.
Bay Area
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is unlike any other zoo you’ve ever visited. Their motto is that the best way to connect with nature is through play!
- Happy Hollow Park & Zoo | 748 Story Rd, San Jose, CA 95112 | (408) 794-6400
Ride the gondola in the East Bay and visit the extraordinary California Trail at the Oakland Zoo.
- Oakland Zoo | 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605 | (510) 632-9525\
And when you’re up for a day trip into the city, there are always the fantastic rides and BikeAbouts at the San Francisco Zoo.
- San Francisco Zoo | Sloat Blvd & Great Highway, San Francisco, CA 94132 | (415) 753-7080
Sacramento
Appreciate, respect and connect with wildlife and nature. A fully accredited zoo with a firm commitment to education, recreation and conservation, the Sacramento Zoo strives to make a real difference in animal populations.
- Sacramento Zoo | 3930 W Land Park Dr, Sacramento, CA 95822 | (916) 808-5888
Southern California
That face we make when we’re so happy to finally see rain AND the face Twelve makes because he’s so happy to be back…
Posted by Dallas Zoo on Monday, July 30, 2018
Offering an incredible array of demonstrations and shows, there’s never a dull moment at the LA Zoo. Learn about elephant care or take part in the once-in-a-lifetime hippo encounter.
- Los Angeles Zoo | 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 | (323) 644-4200
Part of a nearly 500-acre wilderness park, the Orange County Zoo is unique in its focus on animals found in the SW United States. Admission is just $2 and audio tours are available.
- Orange County Zoo | 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869 | (714) 973-6847
Special Events & Promos
Think you’ve experienced everything your local zoo has to offer? Think again!
Zoos offer a wide selection of alternate programming, up-close encounters and special events. From conservation seminars to volunteer opportunities, holiday-themed happenings, nighttime spectaculars and more, there’s always something unique coming down the pipeline on your local zoo’s “What’s Happening?” calendar. Browse events online to take your animal experience to the next level.
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