Central Florida Zoo: Wharton-Smith Children's Zoo & Botanical Garden Trails

About this adventure

Nestled along the shores of Lake Monroe in Sanford, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens offers a relaxed, intimate wildlife experience with over 350 animals representing 100 species. The Wharton-Smith Children's Zoo is a major highlight for toddlers and elementary-aged kids, featuring the Barnyard petting area where children can gently brush friendly Nigerian dwarf goats and observe heritage farm animals up close. Families can stroll shaded wooden boardwalks beneath native cabbage palms and live oaks to view Florida black bears, clouded leopards, one-horned rhinos, and African cheetahs, or participate in daily giraffe feeding sessions. Young adventurers can test their balance on Seminole Aerial Adventures' Kids Course (a specialized tree-to-tree ropes course for children under 5 feet tall). The park offers single and double stroller rentals, modern family restrooms with diaper changing stations, picnic pavilions, and the Graze Cafe.