Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Had an amazing time and loved seeing the beautiful animals from other parts of the world I would never have otherwise seen! I got to feed a giraffe!! It was so beautiful and so cool to see! The rhino and cheetah was very neat as well! My son loved it, my daughter being only 3 months old I think loved it too hahaha but me and my husband enjoyed it as well and will definitely be going back! Beautiful wildlife.

A Delightful Day at the Sanford Zoo! 😱

My recent visit to the Sanford Zoo left me thoroughly impressed and delighted. From the moment I stepped through the gates, I was greeted with a sense of excitement and wonder that continued throughout my entire experience.

The zoo boasts a wide array of fascinating animals from around the world, each housed in spacious and well-maintained habitats that mimic their natural environments. From majestic lions to playful primates, every exhibit offered a unique opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures up close.

One aspect that truly stood out to me was the dedication of the zoo staff to animal welfare and conservation efforts. It was evident that the animals were well cared for and that their health and happiness were top priorities. Additionally, the educational programs and signage throughout the zoo provided valuable insights into the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats.

Aside from the incredible animal exhibits, the Sanford Zoo also offers a variety of amenities for visitors to enjoy. From scenic walking paths to interactive experiences like feeding giraffes, there was never a dull moment during my visit. The on-site dining options were also excellent, offering delicious food and refreshments to fuel my adventure.

Overall, my day at the Sanford Zoo was nothing short of spectacular. The combination of breathtaking animal exhibits, educational opportunities, and visitor amenities made for a memorable experience that I won't soon forget. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a family looking for a fun day out, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the natural world, I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to the Sanford Zoo. It's a gem of a destination that offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Very nice place to visit with family. Very clean, well maintained. The collection of animals is small, and we only needed about 3 hours to see everything. For a small fee, you can feed giraffes or have a close up encounter with Indian rhinos. This is more of an attraction geared toward locals as opposed to the tourist giants that Orlando is famous for.

Small zoo but nice seems like they are expanding most animals are close enough to get a great look at. There is a tree top obstacle, though it doesn't run through the zoo. There is also a train. Walking around is very easy they even have a splash park to play in. All in all it was a great zoo and we really enjoyed it. Purchase your tickets online you will save a few dollars, although it really was not expensive either way.

We had such a blast there. It definitely is a lot bigger than I thought. They are very military friendly and give a discount. Driving to the front may seem a little tricky. When you drive up you will see a train station for their adorable little train for the kids, that's where you park and go past the station and you will see the front entrance. Once inside you will be able to explore everywhere definitely take your time and there are many animals to see. The staff was super friendly and they are everywhere to help. You get to feed a giraffe which our son absolutely loved. Definitely a place we will go again.

The Asian Lantern Festival is an experience that is truly out of this world! My recent visit to this event left me in awe and thoroughly entertained.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this festival is something special. The vibrant lantern displays and the magical atmosphere created an enchanting environment that captivated us from start to finish.

My family and I had an amazing time exploring the festival. The intricate lantern designs and the artistry behind them were truly impressive. It's a visual feast that you won't find anywhere else.

What sets this festival apart is the unique and otherworldly experience it offers. It's a journey into a different realm, and I felt transported to a place of wonder and delight.

I highly recommend the Asian Lantern Festival to anyone seeking a one-of-a-kind experience that's truly extraordinary. It's a testament to creativity and artistry that will leave you with memories to cherish. Thank you to the organizers for bringing this incredible event to life!

Took my 84 year old mother to the zoo last evening to experience the Asian Lantern Light Festival. We had the best time oohing and awing at the spectacular light display. We meandered down the lantern path to see each lighted installation, one more beautiful than the next. The zoo had food stands available if patrons wished to eat something. We purchased our tickets ahead of time on line.

I purchased tickets to this event for yesterday. I ended up throwing out my back and was so upset that my family and I couldn't go. I gave them a call and replied to my ticket confirmation and asked if they could extend my tickets. Didn't think they would though.

A short time later I received a call from a nice lady who was compassionate and kind. Told me they would allow us to come another day up until the display ends.

I rescheduled to today with hopes my back would cooperate and was sent new tickets for today's show. How incredibly nice of them to allow a last minute reschedule.

My husband , Mom and I had a Wonderful time. Thank you so much for being so accommodating 🙏.

Weekday visit was great. Not too many other guests. Although there were a number of school classes attending, the zoo staff kept them to one side of the paths. It was also interesting to listen in on the information they shared with the students regarding the various animals.

Was delighted to see not only animals to view, but encounter experiences, a water splash for kids and playground area.

We didn't dine at the zoo, but will add information after our next visit.

The Asian Lantern Festival is currently taking place, so the displays were erected. It was a surprise to see how colorful they are before being lit. Can't wait to see them at night!

It's easy to purchase tickets online, thus avoiding any lines at the ticket booth.

The zoo is not super large but it's nice. They have a big splash pad that is pretty nice so make sure to pack some towels and swim suits for the kids. The food at the little "restaurant" is actually pretty good and the annual passes are super affordable. They do all sorts of events all year round which are very nice

Loved this exciting zoo! Great place for children of all ages. Beautiful botanical gardens as well as pollinator garden for butterflies. Home schooling programs are offered with opportunities for playtime on the playgrounds adjacent to the giraffes.

Chinese lantern show is absolutely a must see!!! Well organized and a photographer's enjoyment, minus the crowds. But, the majority of people are there to catch pictures and almost everyone is considerate of each other, for the majority. Seriously, a must see exhibit

This zoo is wonderful! Not too big so you don't feel overwhelmed. Great for toddlers. Has a splash pad. Nice lunch. Only 2 things, the rhino wouldn't come out. Kids were so disappointed. Then when we got to the spider monkeys, they were locked in a cage way in the back while their larger cage was cleaned. Couldn't that be cleaned before the zoo opens? Monkeys are a very fun part of a zoo. Train ride is so fun, our conductor was super!

Had a really nice time here at the Central Florida zoo! Came here early on a weekend. We bought our tickets online and they came with a meal voucher so everything went really smoothly. I'm from Miami and not many zoos can even compete with ours. this zoo was way smaller in comparison but it was still nice and had an interesting variety of animals. The weather was nice. The grounds were well maintained and the animals were all very active and healthy looking.
At night in the evening this time of year they have paper lantern festival events going on. Would be a fun place to take friends or family.

This is a must for anyone wanting a magical experience. The family ticket is great value as it's for 4 people no matter the age. I've been twice now, and the theme varies, so it's always surprising. This event comes around annually, so put this on your calendar for December.

I love this zoo! You get to see a lot and there's a lot of shady areas. They have a playground and splash pad. We went while the Asian Lanterns were up as you'll see in the pictures. Buy your tickets online to save a few bucks!

I went for the Asian Lantern Festival that is held at the zoo and it was spectacular!! It was my first time visiting but not my last. The lanterns were so intricate and beautiful. I can't wait to go back and visit and see the animals.

Didn't go to the lantern festival (yet) but loved seeing all the statues out for it. This zoo is small, and some of the enclosures seem a bit lack luster, but I know they do what they can to provide enrichment and I appreciate any conservation efforts.
They have a decent arrangement of animals and I regret not taking pics of the lemurs and fossa!

I've always enjoyed going to the zoo just to see the different animals from around the globe. It's well maintained and clean. My favorite time of year is the Christmas holidays when the lights are everywhere.

I went here for the Asian Lantern 🏮 Festival and was not disappointed. It’s so beautiful and so much though and time went into these light sculptures. I recommend going at the 7:00pm time slot because the lights are in their full glory and there are snacks and some food you can get there too if you’re hungry. By far worth the $22, amazing place to get some photos.