Take a walk on the wild side in Greater Miami & Miami Beach at incredible wildlife attractions that will have you immersed in the lives of these wild animals. From native-to-Florida wildlife to animals that come from afar, the diversity of offerings – many of which are hands-on – will awe your whole family.

Airboat tour in the Everglades — See the wildlife on an airboat tour

Everglades Wildlife Encounters

Near the main entrance of Everglades National Park you’ll find Everglades Alligator Farm, which is home to more than 2,000 alligators. Aside from seeing more of these fascinating critters than you can count, visitors can glide through the Everglades on guided airboat tours, watch hourly wildlife shows, view alligator feedings and pose for photos with cute baby alligators.

Is a private airboat tour more your style? Try Everglades Safari Park to see local creatures including alligators, turtles, deer, wild hogs, raccoons and crocodiles from a guided airboat tour. Or stay on land and stroll along the Jungle Trail, watch an alligator show and see the world-famous Florida Everglades from the park’s observation platform.

Monkey at Monkey Jungle — Observe primates running free at Monkey Jungle

Miami Primate Tours

In South Dade, you'll find Monkey Jungle, a place where 30 species of primates – including gibbons, guenons, spider monkeys and a gorilla – live freely on a 30-acre reserve touted as North America’s only semi-natural tropical rainforest. Book a guided tour to experience great-ape sightings and tortoise feedings and to interact with primates living much as they would in their natural habitats. Regular shows, including the Wild Monkey Swimming Pool Show, are currently on hold.

Kids feeding giraffes at Zoo Miami — Experience interactive exhibits at Zoo Miami

Greater Miami Zoo Experiences

At Zoo Miami, you’ll see more than 3,000 animals – from mammals and fish to birds, amphibians and reptiles – along four miles of walkways. Majestic animals on-site include tigers, elephants, zebras, bears, lions, gorillas and chimpanzees. Feed towering giraffes and cheeky parrots, or catch an informative Meet the Zookeeper talk. Kid zones include the interactive Ocean Voyage Splash Pad and Jungle Journey Playground, plus other whimsical water play areas around the zoo. Experience the “Florida: Mission Everglades” exhibit for an in-depth look at iconic wildlife and conservation efforts in Miami’s backyard. To tackle it all in one day, rent a handy Safari Cycle – it’ll hold the whole family.

ZWF Miami – short for the Zoological Wildlife Foundation – is an appointment-only zoo half an hour west of Zoo Miami that specializes in guided wildlife tours and hands-on interactions aimed at educating the public about rare and endangered animal species. Check out the Reptile Encounter (see gators, of course, but also a Savannah monitor lizard), the Primate Experience (walk around with adult primates) or the Feline Experience (watch big cats feeding and playing tug-of-war), then have an owl perch on your shoulder and meet sloths, snakes and tamanduas (a sort of anteater).

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