The Tarpon Springs Aquarium offers a wide array of attractions for kids and adults alike. It features a living reef enclosed in a 120,000-gallon tank, which is home to more than 30 species of fish. Patrons of the aquarium can view a range of undersea life, including nurse sharks, bonnet head sharks, snook, tarpon, jewfish, alligators, eels, lobsters, octopus, live coral and anemones. It also features a touch tank, where patrons can pet and feed stingrays and small sharks. Guided tours are available by appointment.
Intro: Shark Valley Visitor Center and Tram Tours, or simply Shark Valley as locals refer to it, is one of the most popular sections for those who want to explore Everglades National Park. A paved, fifteen-mile path loops through this northern region of the "River of Grass," offering close encounters with native wildlife ranging from alligators, snakes and turtles to more varieties of birds than you ever suspected existed.
Must see and do at Shark Valley Visitor Center and Tram Tours
Bring your own or rent bicycles at the Visitor Center to cycle the path. It takes a good 2-3 hours to do the whole path, depending on how many times you stop. One of those stops should be the Observation Tower, at the midway point, from which you can observe the largest alligators swimming in the deepest pools of water. You can also hike two short trails near the entrance or take a guided, two-hour tram tour. The tram tour is perhaps the best way for newbies to the Everglades to understand both the complicated ecosystem and the wildlife that lives so abundantly here, and unlike some guided tours, these are hugely entertaining and interesting, led by naturalists and rangers who really know their stuff.
Best and worst time to go to Shark Valley Visitor Center and Tram Tours
Winter is the best season to visit this part of the park, especially if you plan to cycle. The weather is temperate and dry, the sun is mild and the bugs are at their most minimal. The worst time to visit is in the peak of the summer, especially during the afternoons, when thunderclouds gather. The lightning these storms bring is extremely dangerous in the flat, open land of the park. And while the summer rains are terrific for filling alligator holes, the standing water also breeds mosquitos and other biting bugs.
Admission to Shark Valley Visitor Center and Tram Tours
Entrance to the park is $10 per vehicle. For tram tours, adults are $23; senior citizens (62+) are $19; and children (3-12) are $12.75. Bicycle rentals are $9 per hour.
Wildlife at Shark Valley Visitor Center and Tram Tours
Species available for sightings will change with the seasons. For instance, you may be able to spot, if you're really lucky, a bald eagle wintering over in January. But he certainly won't be around in June. Still, you can almost always count on viewing – and perhaps even having to step over one lazing on the path in the sun – an alligator. The park is rife with 'gators, ranging from tiny to tremendous, and other reptiles and amphibians including turtles, frogs and snakes. (Other parts of the Everglades are more prone to crocodiles, manatees, dolphin and pilot whales, but it's rare to see those here.) You'll also never get tired of looking for the big wading birds such as the great blue heron, great egret, anhinga or white ibis, or birds of prey such as the majestic osprey and the red-shouldered hawk. Mammals that live in the Everglades include deer, raccoon, bobcat, the Florida black bear and the elusive Florida panther, although it's unlikely to see any mammals but deer during daylight hours.
Insider tip for Shark Valley Visitor Center and Tram Tours
It's much more expensive to buy sunscreen, bug repellent and drinks at the gift shop on site, so come prepared. Don't forget a hat, because even in the coldest winter, the sun can burn you. And if you're not planning on taking the tram tour, bring a birding book to help you identify the various breeds. Some, like the purple gallinule, are so colorful and unique you'll want to read about them. If you're planning on renting bicycles, arrive early – rentals begin at 8:30 a.m. and it's first come, first serve until they end at 4 p.m. A limited number of children's bicycles and bicycles with baby seats are available. Also, you'll need a driver's license or official ID to hold for deposit. Finally, don't worry about meeting an alligator on the path. They're too busy sunning themselves and warming up their blood to worry about you. If you don't provoke a 'gator, on land it'll leave you alone (In the water is a different story. Always assume any body of water in Florida has an alligator in it, and keep small children and pets away from the edges.) Just take a picture - they do like to pose - and step around.
Author's bio: Jen Karetnick has been living in and writing about Miami since 1992. Her most recent books are Mango (University Press of Florida, 2014) and Brie Season (White Violet Press, 2014).
The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is a nationally accredited zoo in the heart of the city. Though a small space, it offers the opportunity for guests to get up close and personal with a variety of animals. Enjoy a show led by their knowledgable staff, or explore the site on your own for a fun filled afternoon.
Best and worst time to go to Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
The best time to visit is between November and May. This is when the most animal exhibits are available for guests. Plan a morning visit to avoid the severe afternoon Florida heat. The worst time to visit is June through November, when animals are removed from the zoo and exhibits are kept to a minimum.
Must see/do at Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
The Primate Expedition Cruise is a relaxing way to make your way around the zoo. The catamaran floats near several islands where you can view monkeys, lemurs and apes interacting naturally. The South African Lion exhibit is popular when they're in town, and the Giraffe Herd exhibit is always great for photos during feeding time.
Admission to Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
General admission tickets are around $20 for adults, $13 for children 12 and under. Discounts are offered for those who purchase their tickets online.
Parking at Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Parking is free at the zoo, and a parking lot is provided on site. However, spaces fill up quickly, so it's recommended that you arrive early in the day. Additional parking is provided in the mall parking lot, which is located directly across the street from the zoo.
Public Transportation to Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
There is no direct bus stop at the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. The Collier Area Transit (CAT) makes a stop, however, at Fleischmann Park, which is across the street from the zoo.
Food at Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
A local market manages a small cafe at the zoo, where you can easily purchase salads, sandwiches and healthy snacks. They also offer triple-certified coffee (shade-grown, organic, fair trade). Prices for items range up to $20, but most are reasonable.
Insider tip for visitors to Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
If you've moved to the area and have a local address on your driver's license, you can get free admission to the zoo for the whole family on the first Saturday of every month.
Author Bio: Renee' Novelle is an author and journalist residing in Southwest Florida.
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Known in elite birding circles worldwide, the refuge also draws wildlife watchers with its relatively easy to find alligators, manatees, river otters, and turtles. Its main campus centers around 4-mile Wildlife Drive, its wetland trails, and the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center at its entrance. Nearby Tarpon Bay Recreation Area offers watersports and bike rentals and tours. The trails of Bailey Tract take visitors into freshwater habitat where alligators and bobcats live.
Parking and public transportation at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Parking is free at the refuge's three campuses. From December to April, tram tour passengers will be directed to a separate parking lot nearby on Sanibel-Captiva Road, once they purchase their ticket from the booth outside the visitor center. No public transportation is currently available.
Best and worst time to go to J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Late fall through early spring is the most productive time to see birds in greatest variety at the refuge. Check tide charts for low tides, when the birds are feeding and most plentiful. Note however, that these times also mean the highest traffic on Wildlife Drive.
Admission to J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Admission to the "Ding" Darling Visitor & Education Center is free, as are the trails at the Bailey Tract. To enter Wildlife Drive costs $5 per vehicle and $1 per bicycle or hiker. Annual passes are available as are free passes for U.S. citizens ages 62 and older.
Must see/do at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
First-timers to the refuge should take a narrated tram tour of Wildlife Drive or at least sign up for one of the free guided birding, biking, and walking tours when available. Don't miss Indigo Trail, which leads to the Wildlife Education Boardwalk ,with cool replicated tracks and scat. Sunset tours out of Tarpon Bay pass rookery islands where birds come to roost each evening.
Other places to visit near J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Nature lovers should hit Bowman's Beach for great shelling, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) visitors center, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), and the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum – all nearby. For lunch or dinner, head to Doc Ford's Sanibel Rum Bar & Grille.
Insider tip to visitors to J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge
In high season (Christmas through Easter) avoid driving around the island during morning and late afternoon rush hours. Traffic leaving the island is particularly bad from 3 to 6 p.m. If you must travel then, take the Gulf drives rather than Periwinkle Way, where traffic often comes to a standstill.
Author's bio: Chelle Koster Walton is author of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Selective & Seductive guidebook app and The Sarasota, Sanibel Island & Naples Book Explorer's Guide. An indie food and travel writer, she specializes in Florida and the Caribbean.
Brevard Zoo believes in wildlife conservation through education and participation. That makes for exciting zoo packages available to guests hoping to get up close and personal with some of the animals there. Let the kids cool off and splash in the Paws On section, where they will experience an aquarium, fort building and even a petting zoo, while parents grab a coffee or a snack and relax on the patio. From train rides and boating options, to hand feedings and even ziplines through an aerial obstacle course, expect activities to please every member of your party. Brevard Zoo is handicapped accessible. Wheelchairs, electric conveyance vehicles and strollers are available to rent.
Best and Worst Times to go to Brevard Zoo
Typically, travelers might think summertime in Florida is the worst time to go, but it may just be one of the best times if you have little ones. The zoo tends to ramp up the fun in the summer. For example, in the Paws On section, at scheduled times they have been known to drop giant ice cubes in the lagoon. Late in the day admissions are also very inexpensive (think $5-$7) and often includes live music.
Must See/Do at Brevard Zoo
Feeding the giraffes is a must if you're visiting the zoo. A raised walkway makes them easily accessible. Kayaking is a relaxing way to explore the local waterways and while getting acquainted with the native wildlife. (Age restrictions apply.) Treetop Trek, like the name implies, lets visitors explore the grounds from the treetops as they make their way through obstacle courses and even zipline.
Admission to Brevard Zoo
General Admission price for adults is $17-$20
Children 2-12 is $13-$16
Children under 2 get in free
Special zoo packages around $25 and up
Group rates are available
Parking at Brevard Zoo
Parking is free and within a reasonable walking distance.
Public Transportation to Brevard Zoo
Spacecoast Area Transit offers limited transportation to and from Brevard Zoo.
Food at the Zoo
The food at Brevard Zoo is surprisingly good. Try the burgers and homemade potato chips or pizza in the children's Paws On section. Both were served hot, delicious and not over priced. There are picnic tables but outside food is not allowed. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
Insider Tip for visiting Brevard Zoo
If you've purchased a drink, you will not be allowed to take it on the train. The best (shaded) view to eat your food is at the picnic tables, across from the café, near the flamingos. From I-95, the bus shelter blocks the zoo sign, but the zoo is located at the intersection of Murrell Rd. and Wickham Rd.
Author's bio: Edie Schmidt is an internationally published freelance writer in Central Florida. Her son, Josh says Brevard Zoo is better than the theme parks. View Edie's other work here.
