Jacksonville Zoological Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville Zoological Gardens, located at 370 Zoo Parkway in Jacksonville, Florida, is home to a variety of exhibits and programs that promote education and conservation of animal and plant species. Opening in 1914 with a single red deer fawn as its animal collection, the zoo has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Today it features exhibits of apes and primates, native African animals, creatures of the South Pacific, big cats and lush, vibrant gardens.

Committed to promoting synergy among people, wildlife and the environment, the zoo prides itself in introducing guests to enriching experiences, offering a plethora of educational programs, embracing an entrepreneurial spirit to expand exhibits and educational initiatives, as well as fostering a culture of stewardship among future generations. Interaction through giraffe feedings, the animal care goat yard, the Discovery Center and Splash Ground, the play park on site, young people are encouraged to take an active role in learning about their environment and how their daily decisions play a role in determining the future.

Sitting on 2.5 acres, Splash Ground is a place where children can connect with nature, while engaging in fun, educational activities. The 4,000-square-foot play yard allows for climbing, jumping and splashing, with a tree house and rock climbing wall, as well as a forest play area. Guests can swim above a tunnel window, while watching river otters, or they can groom pygmy goats in the Animal Care area. A variety of kid-friendly foods are available at the site's Play Park Cafy.

The River Valley Aviary, a two-story, 9,000-square-foot enclosure, houses a wide collection of exotic birds. These colorful creatures include yellow-billed storks, white-bellied bustards, lesser flamingos and turacos. The graceful birds are allowed to fly around at will. Also on the grounds, the Lorikeet and the Emerald Forest aviaries are open to visitors in the Australia area and the Range of the Jaguar exhibits, respectively.

The African Loop introduces visitors to crocodiles in the Nile crocodile exhibit, wart hogs, antelope, impala, African ground hornbills, saddle-billed storks and a host of other animals native to the continent in an open region called the Plains of East Africa. A 1,400-foot boardwalk is open for guests to stroll to witness the spectacular display, which also features wattled cranes, the rarest of cranes native to Africa. Rhinoceros, greater kudu and ostrich call the area home, along with cheetahs that are contained in a 300-foot long, 50-foot wide enclosure.

Located in the Seronera Reptile Building are some of the deadliest snakes, including vipers, cobras and mambas. The Elephant Plaza neighbors the building and is home to a spectacular collection of African elephants that swim and play in a 275,000-gallon pool. Vultures, bats, klipspringers and other animals also call the plaza home.

A one-acre track, Mahali Pa Simbia, translated from Swahili to mean "Place of the Lion,'' is home to the park's massive lions. Dwelling in front of the lion's expanse are Angola colobus monkeys, which gracefully swing and leap from tree to tree. From a gazebo on the main path, leopards can be seen at the end of the African Loop

Savanna Blooms, the zoo's one-of-a-kind garden, modeled after the South African oasis, is lined by soft grasslands and acacia leaves, and bursts at its center into a contemporary garden. African water lilies and water edge plants dot the border of a crystal pool, which is fed by a crisp spring. A giraffe overlook from a high platform allows guests to see the elegant and powerful beasts from their view.

The Gardens at Trout River Plaza is perfect for hosting events, with a scenic view of the Trout River and a majestic fountain topped by an anhinga bird sculpture. Surrounded by pebble mosaic paving of animals indigenous to the Trout River, the fountain is a focal point of the space, which also features 13 Grecian-style columns sprouting from garden beds and wrapped in colorful vegetation.

The zoo's two-time award-winning South American exhibit Range of the Jaguar features animal exhibits in a village that includes a restaurant, a gift shop and restrooms. Along with the exquisite jaguar exhibit, guests can walk through the halls of the Lost Temple, which is home to snakes, poison dart frogs, vampire bats, Amazon tree boa constrictors, anaconda and other formidable creatures.

Wild Florida consists of 2.5 acres of natural wetlands and is home to some of the state's native animal and plant life. Black bears, otters, red wolves, whooping cranes, bald eagles, bobcats, alligators, Florida panthers and a variety of other creatures live in the region.

Three gift shops ensure that visitors will find the perfect souvenir to commemorate their visit. Visitors also can take group garden tours, or hold birthday parties or corporate team building functions at the site. Also available are day camps and after dark programs, as well as field trip and home school opportunities. The zoo's hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Sunday, with summer hours from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Observed holidays include Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.