Visiting the zoo is a fun activity no matter how old you are. You can see some beautiful animals that you would never have seen in the wild and learn more about the unique creatures that share this planet with us.

The Naples Zoo has a number of incredible exhibits, shows and other things to do. This zoo is also unlike others that you may have visited before. The zoo is a part of the Caribbean Gardens, which is filled with exotic plants and amazing, mature trees. The garden has been around since 1919 and existed for 50 years before the animals came.

When you visit, you want to make the most of your time and see as much as you can. If you need some advice on how to plan a day at the Naples Zoo, we’re here to help.

Must-See Zoo Exhibits

From exhibits that are open daily to special events, there are all kinds of different things to see and do at the Naples Zoo. When you visit, you’ll find a few different types of exhibits — program animals, wildlife exhibits and botanical exhibits alike. Each of these options gives you different experiences and learning opportunities, so you should try to schedule a mix of each type into your itinerary! Then, at the end of the day, you won’t feel like you missed out on anything.

The Naples Zoo’s program animals give you a chance to interact with each animal in a more unique setting. The zoo has reptiles, mammals and birds as part of their program animal team. A staff member from the zoo will bring them out and give you a more intimate chance to get to know the animal’s diet, behavior and other facts.

The wildlife exhibits are more like what comes to mind when you think about animals at the zoo. The animals roam freely in their enclosures, which gives you a chance to see how they act on their own. But unlike other zoos, the Naples Zoo puts guests a lot closer to the animals.

The botanical exhibits show off the elements of the Caribbean Gardens. If you love plants and trees as much as you love seeing animals, it isn’t something you want to miss during your visit to the zoo.

Scheduling Your Time

Before the day of your trip, check out the Naples Zoo’s website to see what kinds of programs are scheduled the day of your visit and find out which exhibits you definitely want to see. You’ll also find some important information about parking, available ATMs and more.

When you’re putting together your itinerary, follow these tips:

• Prioritize the exhibits that you want to see, and make sure you visit them first. That way, you won’t be disappointed at the end of the day if you didn’t get a chance to see something.
• Plan which exhibits and events you’re likely to spend more time at, and include them in your itinerary.
• Remember that different animals are more active at certain times of day or during some of the special programs. You’d rather see an active animal than one snoozing in its enclosure, right?

Your itinerary doesn’t have to plan out every moment of your trip, but making some of these plans in advance can help you have an even better time at the Naples Zoo.

After you’ve had a long day at the zoo, you’ll want to stop for a bite to refuel and take a break. You could visit Wynn’s Cafe at the Zoo for a snack or lunch and then check out a delicious local restaurant for dinner. At USS Nemo, we’re a kid-friendly restaurant with an extensive kids’ menu. And, of course, there’s something for the adults to enjoy too! Contact us today to make your reservation.