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Want to see alligators while in Florida? Famous for its sunshine, palm trees and stunning coastlines, Florida is also one of the best places in the United States to see alligators. In these parks, you will get the chance to see alligators and even get to see shows, feed them and take pictures with them. For those seeking to see them out in nature, Florida’s swamps, lakes, and preserves offer a chance to observe alligators in the wild. But these attractions guarantee you will see an alligator and help you learn more about them.
Gatorland – Orlando
There are a few places in Orlando that offer visitors the chance to see alligators, but Gatorland is one of the most popular gator attractions in the area. Known as “The Alligator Capital of the World” it is home to a large amount of alligators and crocodiles. From baby alligators to 14-foot monsters, Gatorland is even home to rare white leucistic and albino alligators.
Join in on the gator-themed fun with the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line where you will fly over the Alligator Breeding Marsh filled with over 130 giant alligators. At the Croc Rock climbing wall you are able to ascend 32 feet while hooked and then cross a swinging cable bridge. Other experiences include the Gator Gauntlet and the Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure.
The 110-acre theme park is not only home to alligators and crocodiles but you can even meet a capybara as well as wild cats, birds, snakes and tortoises. If you’re a Florida resident you can get special discounts on the admission.
Gator Beach – Destin
Gator Beach is the “World’s Greatest Alligator Park” located in Destin. It’s one of Destin’s best attractions and it even has free admission. Daily free admission to the park starts at 11am and you get to see the park with all of the exhibits. There are also free alligator shows to watch but if you want an additional experience like feeding or holding the alligators you have to purchase the Gator Experience VIP.
During the VIP experience you will get to help a trained gator handler do their important responsibilities. You’ll get to learn how the alligators are taken care of every day and will get to feed a juvenile alligator up close in their habitat. Then get a picture taken while holding the live alligator and receive a voucher for their restaurant Fudpucker’s for a delicious meal after.
Alligator Farm Zoological Park – St. Augustine
Join the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine for their daily wildlife shows. The first one starts at 10a.m. with an interactive program about Florida’s Forest Friends. The next shows are the Realm of the Alligator, Scales & Tails Reptile Show, Rainforest Review, and Alligator Feeding. At the Alligator Feeding show you will get an exciting feeding show where you get the chance to see their powerful jaws in action.
Want to see the Alligator Swamp and Rookery live before you go? Their live cam gives you a sneak preview of their alligators and nearby birds. Some of these birds include exotic species and other animals like lemurs, python, and sloths.
Gatorama – Palmdale
At Gatorama, gators and crocodiles are the main show with both an alligator and crocodile feeding shows. They have one of the only breeding colonies of American Crocodiles in the United States with incredible speed and agility. The keepers feed these crocodiles by hand while the crocs lunge out of the water grabbing the meat out of their hands.
The shows are not the only ways to see the gators and crocs feeding. You can be the one feeding the alligators with their fast hands challenge where you lean over the edge of the bridge as the alligators leap out of the water to grab the meat out of your hand. Likewise their face to face challenge you get to feed a gator and learn his cues while standing right next to a giant gator.
Croc Encounters – Tampa
To visit Croc Encounters take a guided tour that is available seven days a week at certain times. You can call ahead to schedule the tour which is $45 per person for a single person tour or you can go as a group of 3 or 4 for $99. On the tour, you get guided through the sanctuary getting an up-close look at the crocodiles and other reptiles. There are feeding demos and other feeding opportunities, chances to take pictures with the crocodiles, and some more hands-on activities. Some of their other animals include snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises and some frogs. Croc Encounters welcomes groups for educational programs where you get to interact with animals while learning all about them.
Everglades Alligator Farm – Miami
The Everglades Alligator Farm provides the chance of not only seeing the alligators at the farm but in the wild too. Their airboat rides take you through the Florida everglades for 20 minutes consisting of a 10 minute slow ride and a 10 minute fast ride. While it is not guaranteed to see alligators out in the wild, it is very probable and people usually see not only alligators but fish, turtles and birds. There are packages that you can purchase for an airboat ride plus general admission to the park.
Back at the farm you can do an animal encounter where you can hold and feed alligators. There are over 250 large alligators in the breeding pond that you will be participating to feed and get up close to some of the baby alligators.
Wild Florida Adventure Park – Kenansville
At Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Adventure Park in central Florida, there are so many fun adventures to be had. From the VIP Safari Tour that takes you through 170 acres of landscapes and animals to the gator park where you can see, touch, and feed gators. Gators are not the only animals you will find at the gator park. There are over 200 native and exotic animals including lemurs, bobcats, and sloths while at the Safari you will even find giraffes, zebras, scimitar oryx, and American bison.
If you’ve fed the gators here you can feed the giraffes next. For just $5 you can feed and meet these gentle giants and get a picture together. For the kids, there is a petting zoo as well where they can pet baby animals. There are also shows with exotic animals and an alligator feeding show throughout the day. Sometimes they have Gator Week to showcase the gators with competitions and special shows.
There is so much to see at the parks and safari but going on an airboat ride is also part of the fun. Explore the central Florida everglades with this boat ride and see the wild gators and other wildlife right out in their habitat.
Gator World – Wildwood
Gator World is a drive-through Alligator attraction in Wildwood Florida. From the roadway, you’ll be able to see gators lounging in the pools that are specially constructed for them. Around the pools they have places to wander that simulate their natural environment.
After you are done with the drive-through, you will have the chance to feed the gators from a raised platform by dangling a pole over with a treat. The gators come out of the water to grab the treats while you get to snap pictures.
At the petting zoo spend some time petting the bunny and goat and have the chance to even hold a gator while you have your picture taken. Meeting “Big Al” as the gator is called is one of the highlights of this park that is home to over 400 gators.
Jungle Adventure A Real Florida Animal Park
The Jungle Adventures park has created a natural habitat for many animals including alligators. There are rare Florida Panther, other exotic cats, various deer, tropical birds, reptiles, mammals and many other critters.
Hold a baby alligator, watch the guides hand feed the alligators up to 15 feet, and cruise on the Jungle Swamp Queen River Boat in a natural Florida habitat that is teeming with alligators. The park is big on education helping people discover the magic of wildlife for many years.
Busch Gardens – Tampa
If you visit the amusement park Busch Gardens, you will get the chance to see all of the animals they have in their park, including the alligators. Guests can view the gators in their habitat designed specifically for the gators that mimics their natural habitat. With over 300 acres of attractions including rides and games, Busch Gardens has one of the best zoos in Florida. There are over 16,000 animals that represent over 200 species. If you want to get up close to alligators at a park, there is no better place than here.