With summer racing towards us, one might be looking for ways to fill the days that isn’t at one of Orlando’s theme parks. So instead of heading to Disney or Universal, here are 23 Zoos and preserves in Central Florida where visitors can get up close with animals from all over the world.

Brevard Zoo 8225 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne Brevard Zoo is an internationally accredited facility with animals from all over the world. Between the many enclosures to explore, and the Zoo’s zipline adventure, there’s plenty of fun to go around. Photo via Brevard Zoo/Facebook
Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge 10525 Clapp Simms Duda Road Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest rehabilitation centers for native species in Central Florida. Guests can tour their Wildlife Walks and visit the resident animals. Photo via Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge/Facebook
Clearwater Marine Aquarium 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is more than just a great family experience. They spend their time rescuing and rehabilitating injured animal life, including non-marine animals, and then releasing those able back into the wild. They also focus their time on conservation and research, and educating and inspiring the public. Guests can check out their brand new whale exhibit, featuring a virtual reality dive and life-size models. Photo via Clearwater Marine Aquarium/Instagram
Audubon Center For Birds of Prey 1101 Audubon Way, Maitland Open since 1979, the Audubon Center has rescued over 20,000 birds of prey in their raptor conservation program. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Photo via Audubon Center for Birds of Prey/Facebook
Gatorland 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail Gatorland is “The Alligator Capital of the World” and has gators – and some crocodiles- of all shapes and sizes. Their breeding marsh is home to hundreds of them, and the park also has an aviary, snake terrariums, a petting zoo, and animal shows. Photo via Gatorland/Instagram
Black Bear Wilderness Area 5298 Michigan Ave., Sanford Black Bear Wilderness Area is a Seminole County hiking and nature trail. It cuts straight through several wetland habitats. As the name suggests, visitors might spot black bears among other Florida wildlife on their trek. Photo via Black Bear Wilderness Area/Google Maps
Central Florida Animal Reserve 500 Broussard Road, Saint Cloud A non-profit sanctuary for big cats, the Central Florida Animal Reserve houses lions, tigers, leopards and cougars at their sanctuary. Guests who visit can get up close to the enclosures, while learning about the different challenges these animals face in the wild. Photo via Central Florida Animal Reserve/Facebook
Circle B Bar Reserve 4399 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland If this reserve sounds familiar, that’s because this is where not one, but two separate viral photos and videos of a gator eating a smaller gator originated from. And alligators are just one of many different Florida wildlife one might encounter on these gorgeous nature trails. Photo via Circle B Bar Reserve/Facebook
Sea Life Orlando Aquarium 8449 International Drive This Orlando aquarium is geared to educate their guests on all things sea-life, including conservation efforts. Guests can drop by to check out the 360 degree ocean tunnel for an up-close experience, and stick around to learn about the aquarium’s conservation efforts. Photo via Sea Life Orlando Aquarium/Facebook
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens 3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford The Central Florida Zoo in Sanford is currently operating on limited hours, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., but there is still plenty of fun to be had throughout their enclosures and available experiences for guests to enjoy. Photo via Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens/Website
The Nature Conservancy 2700 Scrub Jay Trail, Kissimmee Located not far from its theme parks, Disney Wilderness Preserve – a part of the Nature Conservancy – is open Wednesday to Saturday, and free to the public. Guests can hike, birdwatch and just enjoy the outdoors. Photo via Disney Wilderness Preserve/website
Exotic Animal Experience Contact EAE for address, 407-383-6766 A privately owned zoo, guests who set up a visit will have intimitate, close up encounters with lemurs, kangaroos, wallabies, sloths, deer, and many other animals. The EAE is licenced by the USDA and Florida Fish & Wildlife. Photo via Exotic Animal Experience/Facebook
Florida International Teaching Zoo 7725 FL 48, Bushnell As the name describes, this is a teaching zoo just outside of Orlando. It has a one year, zoo animal management program, and as a part of that, guests can book zoo tours on Saturday and Sunday afternoons to view the exotic animals housed there. Photo via Florida International Teaching Zoo/website
Jungle Adventures: A Real Florida Animal Park 26205 E. Colonial Drive, Christmas Even with their Jungle Swamp Cruise closed during the pandemic, Jungle Adventures has many animal encounters and educational experiences for guests to enjoy when they stop by to visit. Photo via Jungle Adventures/Facebook
Lower Wekiva River Preserve 262 Wekiva Park Drive, Sanford Enjoy hiking, camping, canoeing and much more at the Lower Wekiva River State Preserve. Photo via Lower Wekiva River Preserve/website
Wild Florida 3301 Lake Cypress Road Wild Florida is like a giant zoo mixed with a safari. Guests can drive through the park to view all the amazing animals living on their land, including Walter, the park’s iconic giraffe. Book one of their airboat tours to see their gators up close in their natural habitat. Photo via Wild Florida/Instagram
ZooTampa at Lowry Park 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa Operated by the Lowry Park Zoological Society, the zoo is dedicated to the care, education and conservation of wildlife. They have everything from elephants to manatees, koalas to kangaroos, and have a mission to rescue and rehabilitate animals. Photo via ZooTampa/Facebook
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge 1987 Scrub Jay Way, Titusville The Wildlife Refuge has several nature points where guests can see Florida’s wildlife in its natural habitat. Black Point Drive allows families to drive through Florida marshland and see alligators, snakes, and a large variety of birds. The Manatee Observation Deck is a dock allows visitors to spot sea cows. Photo via Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge/Facebook
Twin Oaks Conservation Area 2001 Macy Island Road, Kissimmee This preserve is 370 acres of land that is characterized by natural Florida habitats- live oak hammocks, wet prairies, freshwater marshes and more. It is part of the Osceola County Environmental Lands Conservation Program which returns used lands – it was a cattle ranch – to their natural state. Guests can stop by to camp, picnic, or even hike across the land. Photo via Twin Oaks Conservation Area/website
The Florida Aquarium 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa It may be all the way out in Tampa, but if you haven’t been, the Florida Aquarium is a must-see. They have hundreds of animals for viewing, including dolphins, sharks, penguins, sea turtles and many more. The aquarium also has a myriad of education and conservation programs that visitors can volunteer at. Photo via The Florida Aquarium/Instagram
Reptile World Serpentarium 5705 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, St. Cloud The Serpentarium houses venomous snakes from all over the world, including a variety of cobras and a black mamba, all available for public viewing. It also functions as a venom factory, where guests can watch snakes be milked for their venom, which is then sent off to hospitals and research facilities around the world. Photo via Reptile World Serpentarium/Google Maps
Gator Creek Reserve 9725 N. U.S. 98, Lakeland This reserve is a great hiking area around the edge of Green Swamp in Polk County. Visitors can choose one of several hiking or biking trails through the reserve, and as they tour check out the local wildlife. Photo via Gator Creek Reserve/Google Maps
Oakland Nature Preserve 747 Machete Trail, Oakland This preserve has 128 acres of land and includes a boardwalk to Lake Apopka. The preserve is dedicated to educating the public and restoring and conserving the land within the preserve. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, wildlife watching, and any of the events scheduled on their preserve’s calendar. Photo via Oakland Nature Preserve/Google Maps