Portrait of a giraffe close-up, photographed in Florida; Shutterstock ID 624202532; Your name (First / Last): Trisha Ping; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Trisha Ping/65050/Online Editorial/Florida

Shutterstock / Kit Korzun

Jacksonville Zoological Gardens

LoginSave

Northeast Florida's only major zoo opened in 1914 with one deer; today it's home to over 1800 exotic animals and hectares of beautiful gardens. Favored fauna from around the world include elephants, jaguars, rare Florida panthers, gators, kangaroos and komodo dragons. There's an elevated viewing platform that brings you face to nose with giraffes. The zoo is 15 minutes north of downtown off I-95.

Value tickets (adult/child $25/18) include general admission as well as entry to Butterfly Hollow, Stingray Bay and unlimited train and carousel rides.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

    Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

    6.24 MILES

    This handsome museum, Jacksonville's premier cultural space, has an excellent collection of American and European paintings, Asian decorative art and…

  • Museum of Science & History

    Museum of Science & History

    5.69 MILES

    Traveling with kids? This awesomely named museum (MOSH) offers dinosaurs, all things science and exhibits on Jacksonville's cultural and natural history…

  • Big Talbot Island State Park

    Big Talbot Island State Park

    13.02 MILES

    Deposit your fee in the blue envelope and pull into the lone parking lot at this stark but lovely park. Take your camera on the short trail to Boneyard…

  • Little Talbot Island State Park

    Little Talbot Island State Park

    13.87 MILES

    This pristine island (which despite the name is almost the same size as Big Talbot Island) has 5 miles of unspoiled beaches, river otters, marsh rabbits,…

  • Treaty Oak

    Treaty Oak

    5.83 MILES

    At first glance, it looks like a small forest is growing in the middle of the concrete on Jacksonville's south side. But upon closer inspection you'll see…

  • Beautiful Jacksonville, Florida Friendship Fountain and Riverwalk; Shutterstock ID 416055679; Your name (First / Last): Trisha Ping; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Trisha Ping/65050/Online Editorial/Florida

    Southbank Riverwalk

    5.59 MILES

    This 1.2-mile boardwalk, on the south side of the St Johns River, opposite downtown and Jacksonville Landing, has excellent views of the city's expansive…

  • A sanderling (calidris alba) on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida.; Shutterstock ID 643836334; Your name (First / Last): Trisha Ping; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Trisha Ping/65050/Online Editorial/Florida

    Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

    14.2 MILES

    If you want a beach that's away from any crowds – and a slice of Atlantic coast natural beauty – come to this 450-acre park, which boasts 2.5 miles of…

View more attractions

Nearby attractions

2. Southbank Riverwalk

5.59 MILES

This 1.2-mile boardwalk, on the south side of the St Johns River, opposite downtown and Jacksonville Landing, has excellent views of the city's expansive…

3. Museum of Science & History

5.69 MILES

Traveling with kids? This awesomely named museum (MOSH) offers dinosaurs, all things science and exhibits on Jacksonville's cultural and natural history…

4. Treaty Oak

5.83 MILES

At first glance, it looks like a small forest is growing in the middle of the concrete on Jacksonville's south side. But upon closer inspection you'll see…

5. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

6.24 MILES

This handsome museum, Jacksonville's premier cultural space, has an excellent collection of American and European paintings, Asian decorative art and…

6. Kingsley Plantation

12.42 MILES

Tour portions of the oldest standing plantation house in Florida as well as the remains of 23 tabby-construction slave cabins at this former cotton and…

8. Big Talbot Island State Park

13.02 MILES

Deposit your fee in the blue envelope and pull into the lone parking lot at this stark but lovely park. Take your camera on the short trail to Boneyard…