Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Tucked away off US 41 in Sarasota, Florida, is a little gem called Sarasota Jungle Gardens. We took my son there when he was about a year and a half old, - not being quite old enough for traditional amusement parks - and he loved it! There aren't many places where you can walk through lush tropical vegetation and have free-roaming flamingos eating out of your hand.

The trails wind through the property that has been operating since the 1940's and gives visitors a look at many unique animals and plants. As you wind through the gardens, you can make your way to the refreshment stand and have lunch under the trees while listening to the sounds of the wildlife. Adjacent to the picnic area is a small playground that is just the right size for little ones. You can let them run off some more energy before stopping at the pony rides.

Freshwater springs keep Sarasota Jungle Gardens nice and damp for the more than 3,000 varieties of plants that grow there. The rich soil lets the plants thrive and Sarasota Jungle Gardens maintains the plants with no pesticides or fertilizers! Some exotic and rare plants were donated to the Jungle Gardens years ago and as they have died off, they have been replaced by native Florida vegetation. There are several areas in the Gardens that feature the native Florida habitats in which these plants thrive.

All of the animals at Sarasota Jungle Gardens have been either donated or rescued. The park offers educational displays regarding exotic pet ownership as many of the animals in the park came from people who thought they wanted to own an exotic animal and then realized that they were not capable of the type of care the animals required. In addition, Sarasota Jungle Gardens features great animal shows such as "Birds of Prey", "Critters and Things", "Reptile Encounter", and "Birds of the Rainforest". There is plenty to keep children occupied at this place! The Web site is http://www.sarasotajunglegardens.com/

The price to get in is $14 for adults, $10 for children, and under age 3 is free.