Zoo & aquariumLIVE DEALWHAT'S ON
Photo from the venue's own site
Zoo & aquarium · Admission from $21.95 · 8 verified savings
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Admission from $21.95.
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford holds over 350 animals representing more than 200 species, including giraffes, Indian rhinoceroses, Amur leopards, and sloths. Visitors explore the botanical gardens while attending twice-daily keeper chats included in admission, or reserve spots for Rhino Encounters or Tortoise Encounters. The Champion Miniature Train offers rides through the grounds, and the Wild Explorer VR Experience provides interactive entertainment. The Zoo hosts special events including Zoo Boo Bash in October and Sunset at the Zoo celebrations. Military personnel and teachers receive 20% off daily admission. Healthcare workers, law enforcement, first responders, college students, and hotel guests receive 10% off. AZA members with participating memberships receive 50% off for up to two adults and six children.
See who pays what, then book on Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens’s own ticket page. You choose and pay there, not here.
These are Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens’s own prices. You choose and pay on Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens’s ticket page, not here.
Prices from Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens’s own ticket page. Fees, if any, are shown at checkout. The checkout shows today’s prices.
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., open to 5 p.m. on select days
Buy tickets on shop.centralfloridazoo.org →Prices and hours quoted from centralfloridazoo.org. Prices can change — the link above goes to the page they came from.
4 reasons to go, each in the venue’s own words, with the date we checked it.
Oct 31Event
Ghosts, goblins and ghouls celebrate Halloween at the Zoo Boo Bash. Families dress up and enjoy the fan-favorite event with festive activities throughout the grounds.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Zoo Boo Bash – October 31st”
Oct 31Event
Ghosts, goblins and ghouls celebrate Halloween at Zoo Boo Bash on October 31st, starting at 9 AM, with Halloween-themed activities throughout the zoo.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“31Oct. Zoo Boo Bash – October 31st”
Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027Season
The zoo transforms at night into the Asian Lantern Festival from November 13, 2026 to January 17, 2027. Families wander a path filled with larger-than-life lanterns inspired by North American wildlife, space, polar experience, and Chinese folklore.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild, presented by Publix, returns November 13–January 17.”
Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027Season
The Zoo transforms into a glowing evening experience with over 30 larger-than-life illuminated lantern displays depicting wildlife, space, and Chinese folklore. Families walk a three-quarter-mile path with seasonal food and live music.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild, presented by Publix, returns November 13–January 17.”
10% off single day general admission
“Receive 10% off single day general admission. Must show”
20% off general admission
“teachers) receive 20% off general admission. Must provide”
50% off admission for up to 2 adults and 6 children with participating AZA membership card
“We offer 50% off admission for up to two (2) adults and six (6) children listed on a participating AZA zoo or aquarium's membership card”
10% off general admission for yourself and entire party
“Receive 10% off general admission for yourself and entire party. Must show proper I.D.”
20% off daily admission for service member and entire party
“Receive 20% off daily admission for service member and entire party”
10% off general admission for yourself and entire party
“Receive 10% off general admission for yourself and entire party”
10% off single-day admission for hotel guests and their entire party with hotel key card.
“Local hotel guests receive 10 percent off single-day admission for their entire party when they show their hotel key card.”
10% off single day admission for entire party
“Show your hotel key card to receive 10% off single day admission for your entire party”
2 miSanford
Sunday–Thursday 10:00am–9:00pm, Friday–Saturday 10:00am–10:00pm
6 miSanford
3 miSanford
Mon–Thu: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Fri: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM; Sat: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sun: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Hours via Google Maps
4 miSanford
Monday: Noon - Midnight, Tuesday: Noon - Midnight, Wednesday: Noon - Midnight, Thursday: Noon - Midnight, Friday: 10AM - Midnight, Saturday: 10AM - Midnight, Sunday: 10AM - 10PM
3 miSanford
Daily with morning, afternoon, and sunset departures
Sanford
Tue - Fri 9:00 AM — 7:00 PM Sat 10:00 AM —7:00 PM Sun - Mon CLOSED
6 miSanford
Mon: Closed; Tue–Fri: 5:30 – 9:00 PM; Sat: 2:00 – 9:00 PM; Sun: Closed
Hours via Google MapsWithin 25 miles of Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. Dates and wording are each venue’s own.
Sat & Sun14 miWalking tours of DeLand's National Historic DistrictsDeland Memorial MuseumDeLand, FLOct 1 – Apr 30See details
Sat & Sun14 miLittle is Said, but Much is Heard: The Paintings of Oscar Bluemner and Harry SonntagHand Art CenterDeLand, FLSep 8 – Dec 5See detailsSat & Sun14 mi37th Annual Student Juried ExhibitionHand Art CenterDeLand, FLOct 15 – Nov 21See details
Sat only17 miFall Bird Migration Walks – Orange Audubon SocietyMead Botanical GardenWinter Park, FLOct 10 – 31See details
Sun only18 miMove, Mark, Mend: Healing Through Body and ArtOrlando Museum of ArtOrlando, FLSun, Nov 1 · 1:30 pmCheck tickets
Sat & Sun18 miIsamu Noguchi: Metal the MirrorMennello Museum of American ArtOrlando, FLAug 28 – Feb 28See details
Sat & Sun20 miFall FestivalAmber Brooke FarmsEustis, FLSep 19 – Nov 22Check tickets
Sat only22 miFULL - Nature Sprouts: Turtles 10:30 am - 11:30 amTrout Lake Nature CenterEustis, FLSat, Oct 31See details
From Nov 213 miDynoClimb STEAM Intensive: Strength, Mindset, and STEAMDynoClimbDeLand, FLNov 2 – 4See detailsFrom Nov 418 miStroller ToursOrlando Museum of ArtOrlando, FLWed, Nov 4 · 10:30 amCheck tickets
From Nov 814 miKristallnacht Commemoration EventThe Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of FloridaMaitland, FLSun, Nov 8See detailsFrom Nov 818 mi12:00 PM - 04:00 PMMennello Museum of American ArtOrlando, FLNov 8 – Feb 14See detailsTheatre, games and concerts within 25 miles, with dates and tickets.
