Things to do in Southwest Gulf Coast, Southwest Gulf Coast: The Best Zoos & Aquariums

Located at the Mote Marine Laboratory, this is home to a 135,000 gallon outdoor shark tank and many other marine species.

This historic tropical garden and nationally accredited zoo features wildlife experiences to inspire people of all ages to respect, value and help conserve wildlife and our natural world. Visit today to enjoy your favorite animals like lions, monkeys, and giraffes. Ask those questions you've always wondered about at the Meet the Keeper Series. Be fascinated by rare creatures during premier wildlife shows. Cruise through islands of monkeys, lemurs, and gibbons. Watch our professional staff hand-feed American alligators while dispelling popular myths. The zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the organization that sets the highest standards for wildlife care, education, and conservation.

The Mission of the Peace River Wildlife Center is to contribute to the survival of native Florida wildlife through rescue, rehabilitation and education. The Center and our gift shop is open to the public for tours everyday from 11a – 4p and our hospital accepts wildlife intakes from 8a – 5p everyday, 7 days per week, 365 days per year including all holidays. We do not charge an admission fee but donations are greatly appreciated and needed to support our mission. Your donations and gift store purchases go directly to the care of our wildlife patients and residents. The PRWC does not receive any federal government support. The costs involved in maintaining these educational displays and to feed almost 120 permanent residents and more than 2,500 patient admissions annually is nearly $80,000 per year. All of the Peace River Wildlife Center’s expenses are met through donations, our recycling program, gift shop sales and small grants. PRWC’s mission is carried out primarily by volunteers

Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Our mission is to provide a safe, loving and permanent home for exotic and domestic animals in need, and to educate our guests on the importance of species preservation to ensure the survival of these magnificent animals for future generations. We are firmly committed to keeping alive the Human-Animal connection in our world and in our community. Our goal is to create habitats that mimic native environments and are complete with a staff that can provide daily behavioral, sensory, and manipulative enrichment which is the basis for a happy healthy animal in human care. As we grow and open our habitat to more rescues we will provide the same excellent care while educating the public. We are wheelchair accessible and have limited wheelchairs on-site available for guest use.

Kowiachobee animal preserve is a 501C3 educational and rescue faculty. There are over hundred animal to see your children can feed some of them hands on. Animal range from goats hogs mini pot bellie pigs, exotic mammals , exotic birds , reptiles and 12 big cats!

An Old Florida attraction since 1939, Sarasota Jungle Gardens allows visitors to experience things you won't find anywhere else. Feed free-roaming flamingos, watch perform unique behavior, catch lemurs at play, have your picture taken with an alligator. Be sure to visit the Flamingo Cafe for a refreshing lunch or snack. Enjoy one or more of our acclaimed animal shows. Annual events include Jungle Trails and Bunny Tails, every year on Good Friday.

Touch live sea life, engineer a creation, run through a rainstorm! Your admission package to IMAG provides hours of fun and entertainment for the entire family. Offering over 60 interactive exhibits, there is fun for the entire family to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and the history of Southwest Florida. You will enjoy touching live marine animals in our Sea to See Touch Tanks; a 3,200-gallon aquarium displaying a variety of fish, including sharks; our Living Lab with turtles, a ball python, frogs, a bearded dragon, prairie dogs and more; daily LIVE! Animal Encounters; the opportunity to become a TV weather forecaster in our mini-studio; a walk through Southwest Florida in our Hall of History; a 3-D movie, and so much more! A visit to IMAG nurtures intellectual curiosity, discovery, and innovation.

Beaucoup Farm's mission is to help protect endangered breeds from extinction through breeding, hatching rentals, The Petting Park & educational workshops. Advanced registration is required for The Petting Park and must be made through our website. Workshops are the 3rd Sunday of each month from 1-3pm and 3:30-5:30pm. Advanced registration is required and may be done on our website