Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford is the right-sized zoo for families with young children — small enough to cover in a half-day without exhausted legs, big enough to have genuinely interesting animals. It sits about 35 minutes north of the main Orlando tourist strip, which keeps it from feeling overcrowded even on busy days.

The zoo houses over 400 animals across 116 acres, though the walkable paths are manageable. Highlights include the cheetah habitat (one of the zoo's star attractions), Nile crocodiles, African pygmy hedgehogs, red pandas, and a Florida gopher tortoise exhibit. The botanical gardens portion weaves through the zoo paths and adds genuine beauty to what would otherwise be a functional animal facility.

The ZOOverture splash pad area is a smart addition that serves double duty: kids cool off after walking in Florida heat, and parents get a natural break point in the visit. Bring swimwear and a change of clothes — it's a full spray pad, not a misting station.

Hours are the main planning challenge. Saturday closes at 2PM, and Sunday doesn't open until 11AM and closes at 3PM — that's a narrow window that frustrates families who arrive expecting a full day. Weekday visits (Monday-Friday, 9AM-4PM) offer the most time and typically the fewest visitors.

Animal encounters including giraffe feeding are priced separately from admission but are consistently the favorite experience for kids under 8.