ZOOS SARASOTA

Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a beloved family wildlife attraction located at 3701 Bay Shore Road in Sarasota, Florida, offering a lush tropical setting filled with exotic animals and engaging shows. Visitors are treated to encounters with flamingos, reptiles, and a variety of other wildlife through daily animal interactions and bird shows held throughout the day. The gardens also feature a petting zoo where guests, especially children, can get close to friendly animals in a hands-on environment. Open 363 days a year from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sarasota Jungle Gardens welcomes school field trips, birthday parties, and group visits alongside general admission guests. Its combination of native Florida plants, free-roaming birds, and interactive animal programming makes it one of the oldest and most charming wildlife attractions on Florida's Gulf Coast.

Big Cat Habitat Gulf Coast Sanctuary is a 20-acre zoological park located at 7101 Palmer Boulevard in Sarasota, Florida, welcoming over 100,000 visitors annually to experience more than 300 animals across 60 species. The sanctuary is best known for its big cats — including Bengal tigers, African lions, and jaguars — but also houses lemurs, capybaras, and many other remarkable animals. Live presentations such as Birds of Paradise and the Variety Animal Adventure bring guests up close to the residents, while interactive opportunities including animal feeding, pony rides, a petting zoo, and even capybara yoga create unforgettable memories. The sanctuary operates Wednesday through Sunday and offers memberships, animal adoption programs, and special events supporting its animal care and rescue mission.