A rising star among the United States’ zoos, the Miami Metrozoo in South Florida is one of the first free-range zoos in the nation. A free-range zoo means that the animals are grouped together based on their natural geographic placement and ability to live together peacefully. The animals are not separated by cages, but by natural land features such as waterways and other structures.
Plus, due to the distinctly warm weather common in the Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the greater South Florida areas, the Miami Metrozoo is home to many creatures that other zoos cannot exhibit. Creatures you can find at this Miami attraction include the African Lion, Sloth Bear, Dromedary, Asian Elephant, Pygmy Hippopotamus, and several different kinds of monkeys.
But these are just a few of the animals found in the over 100 exhibits through the Miami Metrozoo. In fact, on the 740 acres of Metrozoo property, you can see over 2,000 animals and 400 different species, 40 of which are on the endangered list. The Wings of Asia Aviary alone has over 70 species of birds.
You’re probably thinking, “How can I see all 2,000 animals in one day at the zoo?” If you are traveling from Fort Lauderdale or other areas outside Miami, you may want to find FL cheap car rentals to make your trip, get a hotel overnight, and turn it into a two- or three-day adventure at the zoo. You may not be able to do and see all that you want in just one day, especially if you are interested in an up-close animal encounter like the “Zookeeper for the Day” or “Zoo-in” programs (more info on the Miami Metrozoo website).
In addition to its diverse collection of animals, the Miami Metrozoo also has several shows, rides, and tours that might interest you or your family. You can take a ride on the Hippo Slide, the world’s largest inflatable water slide—a great way to cool down on a hot Miami day! You may want to catch the Wildlife Show, the Diego Meet and Greet, or a chance to Meet the Zookeeper. There’s no end to what you can do to explore the world’s wildlife at the Miami Metrozoo.
The Miami Metrozoo makes a great vacation destination or day-trip attraction because it is open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm all year long. Admission rates (not including tax) are $15.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 3-12. Children under age 2 are free. You can purchase your tickets at the gate or online at the Miami Metrozoo website.
If you are vacationing in other areas of South Florida and plan to get a Florida car rental from a local Fort Lauderdale car rental agency, you can easily make the short drive to spend a day at the Miami Metrozoo. Florida isn’t all about the beaches, so be sure to explore the world’s wildlife roaming not far from your resort hotel or beachside inn. You will be pleasantly surprised by the diverse animal adventures that await you at the Miami Metrozoo.
