Palm Beach Zoo
A lush, 23-acre zoological park featuring diverse animals, botanical gardens, and a central splash pad for family fun.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Avoid heat & crowds
Palm Beach Zoo
Best Time
Avoid heat & crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A lush, 23-acre zoological park featuring diverse animals, botanical gardens, and a central splash pad for family fun.
"One of the best zoos I have seen! Felt like it was built for the animals, not just for humans."
🎟️ Buy Tickets Online
Save money and skip lines by purchasing your admission tickets in advance online.
☀️ Go Early in Summer
Beat the intense Florida heat and humidity by arriving at opening.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Interactive Splash Pad
Center of the zoo
A large, central splash pad offers a fun way for kids to cool off, surrounded by animal exhibits.
Sloth and Tamarin Habitat
New exhibit
Get up close with sloths and lively tamarins in a recently opened, immersive habitat.
South & Central American Animals
Various exhibits
Discover jaguars, monkeys, and other exotic creatures from tropical regions.
Tropical Botanical Gardens
Throughout the zoo
Enjoy beautifully maintained tropical plants and trees, making the zoo feel like a botanical garden.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Heat and Crowds
Summer Savings for Families
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎟️ Buy Tickets Online
Save money and skip lines by purchasing your admission tickets in advance online.
☀️ Go Early in Summer
Beat the intense Florida heat and humidity by arriving at opening.
💧 Bring Reusable Water Bottles
Stay hydrated! The zoo allows reusable cups and bottles.
🧳 Pack Light
Bags and backpacks are allowed, making it easy to carry essentials.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎟️ Buy Tickets Online
Save money and skip lines by purchasing your admission tickets in advance online.
☀️ Go Early in Summer
Beat the intense Florida heat and humidity by arriving at opening.
💧 Bring Reusable Water Bottles
Stay hydrated! The zoo allows reusable cups and bottles.
🧳 Pack Light
Bags and backpacks are allowed, making it easy to carry essentials.
🐾 Check for Military Discounts
Former military and first responders may receive free or discounted admission.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Palm Beach Zoo for its cleanliness, beautiful botanical grounds, and well-maintained animal enclosures. The intuitive layout and the central splash pad are highlights for families. While not a massive zoo, it offers a rich experience in a compact space, with friendly staff and engaging animal encounters.
"My wife and I visited here (for the first time) on the morning of June 16, 2025. We were en route to nearby John Prince Park Campground (where we couldn't check in until 1:00 pm) and I was towing a small travel trailer with my pickup truck, so we'd already planned to arrive here as soon as they opened at 9:00 am. I was glad we did that because I was able to find and take up two shaded parking spaces under the small solar panel awning near the entrance to their (free) parking lot, and it was not crowded yet. At the ticket booth, the very nice lady who helped us asked if I was former military or a retired first responder, and when I told her I was, she gave me free admission and my wife got a 50% discount on her ticket. The zoo itself is not very big (acreage wise), but it packs a lot of great content into a relatively small package. Just a short walk inside the entrance is a large "splash pad" area (about 200 feet in diameter) for the kids to play in, and it also serves as the center point of the zoo, with each section of the animal displays surrounding it in a spoke-like arrangement. This makes it very easy to navigate the park without the need of a map because you can't get lost here. All of the animals' living areas were super clean and well cared for. The zoo's grounds are also VERY BEAUTIFUL with all kinds of exotic tropical plants and trees that are as nicely groomed and maintained as those found in a botanical garden. The zoo also has quite a nice selection of big cats, monkeys, and other animals from South and Central America, as well as from SE Asia. We have been to about 40 different zoos all over the US and SE Asia, and this one was way up near the top in terms of its cleanliness and easy-to-navigate layout. It only takes about 2-3 hours to see everything. It should definitely be on your MUST DO list if you are visiting the Palm Beach County area of Florida. If you are visiting in the summer months, go early in the morning as soon as they open at 9:00 am to avoid heat exhaustion, because the summer sun and high humidity will get you overheated by noon."
Edward Morton
"We absolutely love this zoo and had another great experience here yesterday. This was our first time doing the Sloth Experience - what an amazing thing to see a sloth up close and even get to feed it! The lively tamarins in the enclosure were an added bonus. A huge shout-out to the staff, especially Andrea N. who assisted us quickly when something didn't go as planned. Everyone was extremely friendly and professional. We can't wait to come back to meet more animals, soon!"
JP Murphy
"Probably one of the best zoos I have seen! I felt like I was walking through a place built for the animals instead of for human needs. That being said, there was plenty of tree cover as we walked through and what was built for humans was very nice and well-kept (like the bathrooms for example). The person who was feeding the tortoises when we came through was so kind and answered all of my questions about them and even about the tigers next door.
We were also grateful to be able to bring our bags and reusable cups in. We had just come off a cruise and were carrying our two backpacks around with us with nowhere else to take them."
Madison Lovingood
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Palm Beach Zoo is located in West Palm Beach, Florida, within Dreher Park. It's easily accessible by car, with a free parking lot available.
Yes, the zoo offers a free parking lot. Arriving early, especially during peak times or summer, is recommended to secure a shaded spot.
There have been instances of parking issues with larger vehicles, so it's advisable to check with the zoo directly regarding parking for RVs or motorhomes.
The closest major airport is Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), which is a short drive from the zoo. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is another option, about an hour's drive away.
Information on public transport options to the zoo can be found on local transit authority websites. It's generally recommended to drive or use ride-sharing services for convenience.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Ticket prices can vary. It's recommended to purchase tickets online in advance for potentially cheaper rates and to avoid waiting in line.
Yes, discounts may be available for military personnel, first responders, and children during specific promotions like the summer 'Kids Free' offer.
From June 7 to August 10, 2025, up to four children (ages 3-12) receive free admission with each paying adult. Children under 2 always enter free.
Yes, tickets can be purchased onsite at the entrance, but buying online is often cheaper and helps you bypass queues.
Yes, annual memberships are available and offer benefits like free admission year-round, discounts on concessions, and access to member-only events.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Visitors often highlight the big cats, monkeys, sloths, tamarins, capybaras, otters, bears, and flamingos. The zoo focuses on animals from South and Central America and Southeast Asia. +1
Absolutely! The zoo features a large, interactive splash pad in the center, perfect for cooling off.
Most visitors find that 2-3 hours are sufficient to see everything, though you could easily spend 4 hours enjoying the exhibits and amenities.
The zoo is designed to be easily navigable, with a central layout that makes it simple to get around without a map. It's generally considered accessible.
Yes, the zoo offers special experiences like the Sloth Experience, where you can see and even feed a sloth up close.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The zoo has a restaurant that receives positive reviews for its food quality. You can also bring your own reusable water bottles and snacks.
Yes, visitors are welcome to bring their own bags with food and reusable cups.
Specific dietary options are not detailed, but the onsite restaurant is generally well-regarded. It's best to check with the zoo directly or review their current menu.
Besides the main restaurant, there are likely snack bars or concession stands available throughout the zoo for quick bites and refreshments.
While there isn't explicit mention of dedicated picnic areas, bringing your own food and finding a comfortable spot to enjoy it is generally permitted.
📸 📸 Photography
The lush tropical foliage, diverse animal enclosures, and the central splash pad offer many picturesque opportunities. The new sloth habitat is also a popular photo spot.
Yes, professional cameras and equipment are generally allowed. The zoo encourages visitors to capture their experiences.
While generally permitted, always be mindful of other visitors and avoid disturbing the animals. Flash photography might be restricted in certain areas.
Early mornings offer softer light and fewer crowds, ideal for capturing clear, vibrant photos of the animals and the zoo's grounds.
Selfies are allowed, but always maintain a safe distance from the animal enclosures and never attempt to feed or touch animals outside of designated experiences.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
+1 The zoo's layout is easy to navigate, making it manageable even with strollers. 💰 Budget Travelers
+1 Bringing your own snacks and reusable water bottles also helps cut down on expenses. 📸 Photography Enthusiasts
+1 Early morning visits provide the best light and fewer crowds for capturing stunning shots. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Zoo: Layout and Accessibility
While specific accessibility details for wheelchairs and strollers are not extensively detailed, the zoo's clear pathways and central hub suggest a generally accessible environment. Visitors have noted the cleanliness of the animal enclosures and the overall grounds, indicating a commitment to a pleasant and well-kept visitor experience.
For those looking for a more immersive experience, special animal encounters are available, such as the Sloth Experience, which allows for closer interaction and feeding opportunities.
Summer Fun: Kids Free and Beat the Heat
+1 This promotion makes it an incredibly budget-friendly option for family outings. Remember that children under 2 years old always have free admission. Given the Florida heat and humidity, visiting early in the morning, right at opening, is highly recommended.
Conservation and Animal Welfare
+1 They house over 500 animals on 23 acres, including endangered species like Malayan tigers and jaguars. The zoo emphasizes providing animals with spacious, well-maintained enclosures that mimic their natural habitats, which has been noted positively by visitors. Visitors have expressed satisfaction with the care provided to the animals, noting that the environment feels built for the animals' needs.
Special experiences, like the Sloth Experience, are designed to offer educational insights into animal behavior and conservation challenges. 
Social
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