Located about an hour away from the Orlando theme parks, Brevard Zoo is a true treasure. While smaller than some other zoos in Florida, we actually prefer the smaller size because it allows us to take our time and enjoy all the awesome activities at Brevard Zoo without feeling rushed—a benefit we especially appreciated when the girls were younger!
Brevard Zoo is a nonprofit organization with a strong commitment to conservation and education. Every time that we have visited we have found staff and volunteers on each loop that are knowledgeable and eager to share about the animals with guests. They are actively involved in sea turtle rehabilitation and mangrove restoration in the Indian River Lagoon.
The zoo is organized into four main loops: Rainforest Revealed, Wild Florida, Lands of Change, and Expedition Africa. While they have a good variety of animals and exhibits to observe, they also offer plenty of educational and recreational experiences. The following are a few of our favorites.
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1.) ANIMAL FEEDINGS
Every time we visit, the girls always want to feed the animals! Currently, you can feed the giraffes, lorikeets, cockatiels, and kangaroos (although please note the kangaroo feedings only occur once daily from 10:00-11:00am). The cost is $5/2 pieces of lettuce or $10/5 pieces of lettuce to feed the giraffes; $3/nectar cup or $5/2 nectar cups to feed the lorikeets; $3/seed stick or $5/2 seed sticks to feed the lorikeets; and $5/bowl to feed the kangaroos. There are also areas along the loops where you can purchase food to feed the fish for a quarter. Feeding the animals is one of our favorite activities at Brevard Zoo!
2.) ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
Getting a chance to meet the animals up close is another one of our favorite activities at Brevard Zoo. The encounters vary in cost and time allotment but some of the animals you can meet include an okapi, a rhinoceros, a sloth, and a gator.
Each encounter we have done has been so informative—you can definitely sense the zoo’s passion for education in the way they tell you all about the animal species in addition to the meet and greet or feeding. One of our personal favorite encounters was meeting Lorenzo the sloth. For his safety and ours we couldn’t pet him, but we fed him green beans and cucumber and learned a variety of facts about sloths, including that they are very strong and that they see in black and white. (Isn’t he adorable?)
3.) TREETOP TREK AERIAL ADVENTURES
Treetop Trek provides some of the most thrilling activities at Brevard Zoo: three different adventure courses for the daring guest, including a canopy walk over the rainforest and a zipline over the wetlands. Prices range from $28.95-$57.95 depending on the course. Zoo members receive a discount. Please note that zoo admission is required.
4.) KAYAK TOUR
Between 10:30am and 3:30pm each day, visitors also have the opportunity to partake in a kayak tour. The guided tour, which cost $12.95/person, takes guests around Expedition Africa, where they can view animals such as lions, zebras, and giraffes. The self-guided tour is in the Wild Florida area, where guests can view native Florida wildlife. The price of this tour is $6/person.
5.) PAWS ON PLAY AREA
One of the activities at Brevard Zoo created for younger guests, the Paws On Play Area provides ample opportunity to use imagination, meet animals, and have fun!
At the far end is an aquarium filled with stingrays, tarpon, and other local fish species. The aquarium abuts the Indian River Play Lagoon, a large splash pad themed after natural Central Florida habitats. Kids can wade in shallow water, explore a mangrove forest, and climb on a manatee statue. It is the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day!
Across from the Indian River Play Lagoon is the Barnyard, where guests can interact with goats, alpacas, chickens, and a giant tortoise. After meeting the animals, kids can head over to Upland Acres, a large playground that encourages imaginary play with natural elements. This is our favorite kind of playground!
If you plan to visit the zoo, don’t forget sunscreen. Although the loops are fairly shaded, there are still plenty of sunny areas and the Florida sun can be strong, especially in the summer. Water is also a must! The zoo does sell water, but you are also allowed to bring your own in, and there is a water refill station by the bathrooms at the entrance.
If you are at the zoo around lunchtime, entrees such as burgers, sandwiches, and salads can be purchased at Nourish 321, while pizza and sandwiches can be purchased at Slice, which overlooks the Indian River Play Lagoon. You are not allowed to bring in outside food, but there are picnic tables right outside the entrance if you would like to pack a lunch and eat there.
Overall, Brevard Zoo is a fantastic destination where you can learn and have fun at the same time. We highly recommend visiting and supporting their mission in education and conservation.
Looking for more ideas for things to do on the Space Coast? Check out our Central Florida page here!
Sarah
I am the main writer and website designer for Florida Unveiled. I love the parts of Florida visitors don’t often see: the tea-colored water that flows in cypress-laden rivers; the chorus of frogs after a hard rain; the rustle of palmetto as an unseen creature scampers by. Some of my favorite places in Florida are the Everglades, the Keys, Smyrna Dunes Park, Bok Tower Gardens, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and St. Augustine’s Historic District.
