FLORIDA'S BEST ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS

Hello all,

Spring break will be here before you know it. I know we all will be searching for something new to do to keep the kids entertained. I have compiled a list of some of the best zoos and aquariums in Florida for you to explore on your summer break. Take a look!

1. Discovery Cove (Orlando)- At this place you can swim with the dolphins, feed tropical birds, and snorkel through a saltwater reef. This place is pricey. Admission- $269-399 depending on if you want to swim with the dolphins.  It is located at 6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando. 407-513-4600.

FLORIDA'S BEST ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS - DISCOVERY COVE

2. Busch Gardens (Tampa)- This place is a lot of fun. Besides having many fun rides, they also have a lot of shows and animals. My favorites are Curiosity Caverns, Myombe Reserve, and Edge of Africa. Admission $89.00 for kids, Adults $104.99. The park is located on the corner of Busch Blvd. and 40th St.   813-884-4386.

FLORIDA'S BEST ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS - BUSCH GARDENS

3. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium (Sarasota)- They have many close-up hands-on animal exhibits here. You can touch rays at their ray animal exhibit, and sea otters, sea turtle and manatees. They also have a shark encounter where you can prepare and feed sharks brunch with staff during a training session. There is a separate $45 fee for this. Admission- Adults (13 and older) $22.00. Kids (4-12) $16.00. It is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy.  941-388-4441.

FLORIDA'S BEST ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS - MOTE MARINE

4. Big Cat Rescue (Tampa)- This is one of the largest sanctuaries in the world for abused or abandoned big cats. They have 80+ lions, tigers, bobcats, cougars and others. You'll need to schedule a tour for here. Admission Adults $37.00, Kids (10 and under) $27.00. It is located at 12802 Easy St.  813-920-4130.

FLORIDA'S BEST ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS - BIG CAT RESCUE

5. Florida Aquarium (Tampa)- They have many animal exhibits here where you can view snakes, 30 species of free flying birds, a Goliath Grouper, eels, stingrays and sea horses. For and extra fee you can go on a dolphin cruise, swim or scuba dive with their fish, or a behind the scenes tour or penguin pass. Admission- Adults $28.95,  Kids(3-11) $23.95. It is located at 701 Channelside Dr. 813-273-4000.

FLORIDA'S BEST ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS - FLORIDA AQUARIUM

6. Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Clearwater)- This marine life rescue center is home to Winter the Dolphin from the movies Dolphin Tale 1 and 2. Both movies were filmed here. Here you can see marine animals and sea turtle exhibits. You can feed their stingrays and sharks. You can take a boat tour of the waterways or a trolley to Winters Dolphin Tale Adventure where you can see a museum of props and sets from the movies. Admission-Adults $22.95, Kids $17.95. It is located at 249 Windward Passage. 727-441-1790.

FLORIDA'S BEST ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS - CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM

7. Sarasota Jungle Gardens (Sarasota)- They have over 200 animals including parrots, macaws, primates, amphibians, tortoises, reptiles and small animals. About 95% of the animals here are rescues. They have animals here you can touch like flamingos, skunks and snakes. Admission- Adults $17.99, Kids $12.99. It is located at 3701 Bayshore Rd.  941-355-1112.

FLORIDA'S BEST ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS - SARASOTA JUNGLE GARDENS

8. Monkey Jungle (Miami)- Here you can view wildlife like they would be in their natural habitats. Here you can experience unique up close encounter in this 30 acre park. you can see the Java monkey troop that numbers 90 monkeys. They dive into a monkey swimming pools collecting crabs and shellfish. You can also see orangutans and gorillas and take a rain forest adventure tour. . Admission-
$29.95, Kids(3-9) $23.95. It is located at 14805 SW 216th St.  305-235-1611.

FLORIDA'S BEST ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS - MONKEY JUNGLE

So go take a walk on the wild side and enjoy!