The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is a lush, 23-acre oasis nestled in the heart of West Palm Beach’s Dreher Park, where more than 550 animals representing approximately 190 species from around the globe call home. From the misty Florida Trail where native wildlife roam to the breathtaking jaguar exhibit, this zoo delivers a full day of discovery and wonder for visitors of every age. It is one of the most loved family destinations in all of South Florida.
Unlike many large metropolitan zoos, the Palm Beach Zoo retains an intimate, unhurried atmosphere that makes it especially well-suited to families with young children. The winding pathways through mature subtropical vegetation feel more like a wildlife sanctuary than a traditional zoo. The conservation mission of the institution is felt everywhere you walk.
The Tropics of the Americas exhibit is the zoo’s flagship habitat, housing jaguars, giant anteaters, tapirs, and a spectacular collection of tropical birds in a lush environment that mimics the biodiversity of a South American rainforest. The jaguar habitat — with a large glass viewing panel at ground level — consistently ranks as one of the most dramatic wildlife encounters at any Florida zoo. Getting eye-level with a jaguar through that glass panel is an experience you will not forget.
The Florida Trail brings the state’s own extraordinary wildlife front and center. American alligators, Florida black bears, white-tailed deer, and the iconic Florida panther — one of the most endangered mammals in North America — all have spacious, naturalistic habitats along this winding path. It is a powerful reminder that Florida’s wild beauty exists right in our own backyard.
The Lorikeet Landing feeding station is where you’ll find the biggest smiles in the entire zoo. Visitors hand-feed free-flying lorikeets with small cups of nectar, and the birds land on arms, shoulders, and heads with gleeful abandon. Running daily from approximately 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, it is the highlight of the visit for many families.
For those seeking an even closer encounter, the Giraffe Feeding experience allows visitors to hand-feed the zoo’s resident reticulated giraffes from an elevated wooden platform, face-to-face at eye level. The Sloth Encounter offers a 20-minute supervised session with one of the zoo’s resident two-toed sloths, complete with a keeper talk on their biology and conservation. Both experiences require advance booking and sell out quickly on weekends.
General admission is $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for children ages 3 to 12, and $21.95 for seniors. Children 2 and under are always free, and combination tickets with the adjacent South Florida Science Center and Aquarium — just a 3-minute walk away — offer excellent value for full-day family outings. The zoo is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at 4:15 PM.
Arrive at opening to see the animals at their most active during the cooler morning hours, and bring sunscreen and refillable water bottles for the entirely outdoor experience. The zoo has two full-service dining locations — Tropics Café and the Waterhole Café — along with multiple snack kiosks. Stroller rentals are available at the entrance for $10 single and $14 double.
The annual ZooLights event every December transforms the entire park into a walkthrough holiday light experience and is one of the most popular family events in Palm Beach County. Check the zoo’s website for special events, as the calendar is always full of seasonal programming worth planning around. Free parking in the adjacent Dreher Park lot makes the whole experience easy and stress-free.
From jaguars and sloths to lorikeets and manatees, the Palm Beach Zoo gives families a day of genuine wildlife wonder in the heart of the city. It is one of the most joyful and rewarding tourist spots in West Palm Beach, combining fun with conservation in a way that stays with visitors long after they return home.
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