Jacksonville Zoo Hours & Visiting Information

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is a great way to spend a day. Housing more than 2,000 animals and 1,000 plant varieties, it makes for the prime wildlife destination for your whole family.

Also the JAX Zoo takes pride in the only walking safari in Northeast Florida. A variety of fun activities are available for guests to the zoo, from zoo & garden tours to train rides & day camps. Just join to discover the earth's wildlife and have fun interactions with animals and environment.

When to visit Jacksonville Zoo? This fantastic zoo is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 364 days a year. The zoo is not open on Christmas Day. From March 5 to September 6, summer hours will be adopted for the zoo. You can visit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and the zoo will be open until 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Please note that the Zoo gate closes one hour prior to the zoo closing hours.

Note: Jacksonville has a mild climate all year around and the city just has some cold days in the winter period. Many visitors do not visit the zoo in winter as most animals are not in the mood to welcome and interact with coming guests. The summer season is a peak travel period and involves bigger throngs and higher accommodation prices. If you want to avoid big crowds, visit the zoo on weekdays and non-holidays.

A host of fascinating upcoming events will be displayed at Jacksonville Zoo. If you're planning to visit the zoo in the near future, take advantage of these special events and enjoy more at the zoo.

Upcoming Events

Feb. 12-14: Valentine's Day Special Admission Offer

Feb. 19-20: Black History Month Special Admission Offer

Mar. 5: Spring Garden Tour - Garden Hodgepodge

Mar. 24: Wild Things Spring Event - Yabba Dabba Zoo

Apr. 2: Spring Garden Tour - Get in Touch with the Garden

Apr. 8: Member's Only Sleepover

Apr. 16: ExZOOberation 2011

Apr. 30: Earth Day - Party for the Planet 2011

May 7: Spring Garden Tour - Xeric Gardens Are Not Just for Rocks

Jun. 4: Spring Garden Tour - Gardening Without Sun

Calendar and Events of Jacksonville Zoo

http://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/events

Located on 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville Zoo can be reached easily via I-95. If you prefer to drive to the zoo, these driving directions can be your guiding light.

To get to the Zoo

1) From I-95 N - Head north on I-95 N and take exit 358A to merge onto Heckscher Drive toward Zoo Pkwy. Turn right at Haydon Road and take the first right to stay on Haydon Road. The entrance to the zoo is on your right.

2) From I-95 S - Head south on I-95 S toward Exit 362A. Take exit 358A to merge onto Heckscher Drive toward Zoo Pkwy. Make a right turn at Haydon Road. The zoo entrance will be on your right side.

3) From Dames Point Bridge - Head south on Florida 9A S. Take the Merrill Road W exit toward Jacksonville University. Turn left at Merrill Road and take another left. Turn right to merge onto Florida 9A N and take exit 41 for FL-105 S. Turn left at Heckscher Dr and drive for 5 miles. Turn left at Haydon Rd and take a right at the first crossing on Haydon Rd.

4) From Atlanta or Valdosta - Guests from Atlanta or Valdosta can drive along I-75 S and merge onto I-10 E through Exit 435 toward Jacksonville. Proceed along I-10 and merge onto I-95 N. Take exit 357 to merge onto Edgewood Avenue toward Tallulah Drive. Continue on Tallulah Drive and turn left onto Main Street N. Drive across the bridge and turn right onto Zoo Pkwy. The zoo is within a mile ahead on your right.

5) From Brunswick or Savannah - Take I-95 S toward Jacksonville. Keep on driving on I-95 S and go past the Jacksonville International Airport. Take exit 358A for Zoo Parkway. Proceed on Zoo Parkway for about 1/4 mile and the entrance will be on your right.

6) From Gainesville, Daytona, St. Augustine or Orlando - Visitors from these cities should take I-95 N to Jacksonville. Then you can follow the same routes of I-95 N to the zoo.

Back to I-95

Take exit from the zoo and turn left onto Zoo Pkwy. Drive approximately 1/4 mile on Zoo Pkwy and you'll see the entrance ramp for I-95 S on your left. The entrance ramp for I-95 N is ahead on your right.

Driving Directions to Jacksonville Zoo

http://jacksonville.citysearch.com/profile/map/605362990/jacksonville_fl/jacksonville_zoo_gardens.html

It's time to refresh yourself at the restaurants scattered throughout the zoo for the utmost enjoyment. Jacksonville Zoo has two full-service restaurants, a snack bar and more dining options. When you're touring around the zoo, you are never more than a few steps away from refreshments, like the Trout Plaza Cafe, Main Camp Cafe, Palm Plaza Cafe and Play Park Cafe. Drinks, ice cream, hot dogs, pretzels, sandwiches, salads and other quick refreshments are all available.

Restaurants at Jacksonville Zoo

http://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/yourvisit/restaurants

With three gift shops, the Jacksonville Zoo is the right place for you to take home a souvenir. These gift shops deliver a wide option of zoo memorabilia, toys and trinkets that can make your zoo vacation more meaningful. Mombassa Gift Shop, Village Market and the Kids Shop welcome visitors throughout the year.

Gift Shops at JAX Zoo

http://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/yourvisit/gift_shops