7 Exciting Things to Do at St Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
Visiting Disney and wandering around EPCOT is practically a requisite of visiting Florida. But what about after you’ve exhausted those attractions? We recommend heading to the St Augustine Alligator Farm for up-close and personal experiences with the wild animals of Florida!
You’ll get to learn about cute animals, big and small (especially crocodilians!), while mingling with other visitors in this one-of-a-kind zoo. But there’s so much more to it than that! To make sure you get the most out of your reptilian trip, here’s our ultimate list of fun things to do while visiting the St Augustine Zoological Park.
1. Slither to a Wildlife Show
Walking also works if you really don’t want to slither, but if you want to get in the spirit, you might consider donning bright colors like the exotic parrots in one of the shows. You can catch various wildlife shows throughout the day, from reptiles to monkeys and birds. (Oh my!)
(Photo: Steve Beger via Flickr)
Shows start at 10 am and run roughly every hour each day. This is a great opportunity to learn about different animals and their habitats. You may even get a chance to hold a snake or watch the animal handlers feeding hungry crocs!
We should note that the showtimes can change based on weather, so it’s best to check the schedule for the day you’re heading to the park so you can plan accordingly.
2. Zip Through the Zoo on the Zipline
Feeling adventurous? Take a ride over the zoo on a zipline that takes you 35 feet into the air! With two courses to choose from and a combined number of 26 zip lines, you’ll have quite the adventure. The ziplines run over seven acres, so you’ll find epic zoo views as you fly over wild habitats and enclosures.
Don’t forget to smile and pose for a picture as you ride over the alligator lair!
Bonus: Take the Python Challenge!
There are over 50 obstacles that you can explore at this zoological park. One of these obstacles includes the python challenge – a 40-foot climb that offers aerial views of the park. Start with the rock wall and make your way to the net and rope climb. Once you’ve done all three, you get bragging rights as one of the most adventurous park guests of the day!
3. Explore the Fun St Augustine Alligator Farm Exhibits
Here’s the main event – the exhibits! There are 14 to choose from, with special opportunities to take it a step further with behind-the-scenes experiences. (More on that later.) Here are some of the exhibits that you’ll love, and that will keep the little ones entertained at the same time!
See the Rare Albino Alligators
Maybe you’ve seen alligators at the zoo in the past, but have you had a chance to check out albino alligators?? These gators are rare and enshrouded by myth and legend. As the stories go, you can receive good luck simply by looking at them. While we can promise you’ll win the lottery if you look at these snow-white beauties, getting to hang out with them certainly makes one’s day feel a little bit brighter!
Take a Trip to Africa With the Birds of Africa Exhibit
This exhibition features birds you don’t usually see at the zoo, like vultures and storks. This whole exhibit revolves around birds that are scavengers that originate from Africa. If you don’t mind seeing them in action, head to the exhibit slightly before 10:30 am during feed time!
Brave the Wading Bird Rookery
These birds intentionally stay near the Alligator Swamp as a protection method. By staying near the alligators, they know other animals that climb trees won’t be able to get to their nests. Herons, egrets, and spoonbills are a few of the feathery friends you can see at this exhibit, and you can enjoy up-close views of them from the wooden walkways. March through June is the best time to visit as this is nesting time for the birds!
Study the Sloths at Sloth Landing
A favorite stop for many is sloth landing – after all, these critters are super cute and fun to watch! It’s hard not to totally love sloths. You’ll likely see these lazy fellows hanging upside down in typical sloth fashion. I guess you could say they enjoy hanging out. (Cue laugh track.) While the sloths typically stick to the trees, you may get a special treat and catch them swimming during your visit!
4. Awesome Animal Encounters
For an extra fee, you can have a VIP experience with some of the zoo’s amazing animals. Who doesn’t want to hang out in the sloth habitat or get wild with giant Galapagos tortoises?! There are a few options to choose from, including a general Behind the Scenes Tour and more specialized options (like the sloth encounter). Each animal species encounter allows you to get close to the animals while learning more about them.
5. Shop ‘Til You Drop at the Gift Shop
The St Augustine Alligator Farm has one of the largest gift shops – it’s a must before leaving the farm for the day. You’ll find everything from adorable stuffed animals (like sloths!) to t-shirts, mugs, bags, etc. We love that even the gift shop has a focus on conservation!
Ask the store about their adopt an animal option; you’ll be able to contribute to conservation and get some cute accessories simultaneously!
6. Join a Fun Zoological Park Event
Check the events calendar to see if any bonus events are occurring during your visit. The farm holds fun events like 5Ks, photo contests, and even a Halloween trick-or-treating event! Start practicing your picture taking and jogging to prepare for the zoo’s events!
7. Sign Your Kids Up for Zoo Camp
Sorry adults, this camp is for kids and teens only!
Every summer, the St Augustine Alligator Farm offers single-day and multi-day camps to help kids get more involved with their favorite animals in an engaging and educational environment. If you’re only visiting Florida for a few days, the single-day options are great. Otherwise, there are also weeklong camps with fun themes like “It’s a Pirate’s Life.” Make sure to plan ahead for summer camp as tickets go FAST!
#ProTip: There are eight zoo camp rules that you’ll want to read over before enrolling your children. They’ll help you and your kids properly prepare for camp so you can avoid any dreaded calls home!
Still hunting for additional activities in Florida? Consider purchasing an Adventure Pass. This pass includes access to four major attractions in Southern Florida: The Museum of Science and Discovery, Butterfly World, Sawgrass Recreation Park, and Flamingo Gardens.
Looking to add a trip to the St Augustine Alligator Farm to your itinerary? Are you going to sign your children up for their zoo camp? Thinking about visiting for Earth Day? Let us know in the comments below!
Cover Image
Photo: Unsplash
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