Where to Find Miami’s Incredible Wildlife
Miami’s rich natural landscape of mangroves, swamps, and beaches make it a habitat for all kinds of wild creatures. From sea cows to flamingos, here’s where to catch the most incredible wildlife in the Magic City.
1. Everglades National Park
Park
2. Zoo Miami
Park, Zoo
3. Jungle Island
Park
Perched on the MacArthur Causeway leading to Miami Beach, Jungle Island is a zoological park with a private beach, waterfalls, and tropical vegetation home to exotic birds and other jungle animals. Children and parents alike can enjoy numerous educational animal shows and exhibits as well as VIP tours offered at the park! While it’s currently closed, it will reopen in spring 2018.
Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL, USA, +1 305 400 7000
5. Miami Seaquarium
Aquarium
6. Lion Country Safari
Zoo
The unique drive-through safari gives visitors a chance to watch free-roaming animals from the comfort of their car seat. The “cageless zoo” covers over 600 acres of land and is home to animals such as zebras, wildebeest, monkeys, kudus, and lions—though the latter are kept in cages for obvious safety reasons. However, be prepared for a little pecking on your windshields from a few curious wild ostriches! Once the safari driving portion of the visit is completed, you can head to camel-riding stations, feed giraffes, and watch the beautiful pink flamingos in their watering hole.
Lion Country Safari, 2003 Lion Country Safari Rd, Loxahatchee, FL, USA, +1 561 793 1084
7. Matheson Hammock Park
Forest, Park
With Bayfront views and miles of mangrove forest, Matheson is the place to go manatee-watching. Rent a kayak at the local watersport rental stand and head toward the mangroves if you can stand the rotten egg smell emanating from the tangled plants. The unique webbing roots of these plants are home to shellfish, which you can spot cluttered all about, as well as tree-climbing crabs, and all along them, you’ll be able to spot the gentle sea cows slowly meandering beneath the greenish water.
Matheson Hammock Park, 9610 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables, FL, USA, +1 305 665 5475
8. Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center
Park
Nestled in the scenic Key Biscayne, the Nature Center at Crandon Park Beach is a not-for-profit facility that conserves local natural resources and provides environmental education. It’s also a sanctuary for birds such as herons, ospreys, and hawks, as well as other migratory birds in the area.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center, 6747 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL, USA, +1 305 361 6767
9. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Butterfly lovers shouldn’t miss exploring the butterfly conservatory at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. With over 3,000 species from helicoids to owl butterflies, guests will have the chance to explore the beautiful kaleidoscope of colors fluttering through the gardens. There are two daily butterfly releases where everyone can experience an up-close look at the pretty critters. The conservatory also houses a metamorphosis lab where guests can watch the process of nurturing butterfly chrysalis through a glass wall.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables, FL, USA, +1 305 667 1651
10. Oleta River State Park
Park
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
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