I accompanied Ella on her Kindergarten Field Trip to the Jacksonville Zoo. With 85 degree temps it was bound to be a great day out.

Ticket prices vary depending on what you want to do and Ella and my ‘field trip’ ticket included the Train ride, Stingrays and Carousel ride which are extra after the price of admission.
We jumped on the train and it choo chooed us around the perimeter of the back side of the exhibits. It is a disappointing ride so I would skip it and get a better view of the animals from the main pathways!
Next we entered the Stingray Exhibit where the kids can touch the stingrays and feed them. Hand feeding them freaked us out so we just threw the food in there and watched them fight for it! Definately worth the $1
Next we walked the Plains of East Africa and into the Reptile Building – this area is a great walk for the kids to see all the animals. Then it was onto the Lions who were all sleeping in the midday sun. Our most favorite thing to do at the zoo is to feed the Giraffes and today didn’t disappoint. For just $2 you get 3 pieces of food to give to the Giraffes. So much fun and it is a must do at the Jax Zoo.

We stopped to get a snow cone at one of the vendors carts and then some ice cream to help cool us down….any excuse for ice cream really.
We crossed over to take a ride on the Carousel & then into the Play Park where a Garter Snake slithered across the path! Super fun for the kids to see a native snake up close and personal! The Play Park is a cool climbing structure with nests, nets and concrete slides! We couldn’t leave this area without seeing the Tuxedo Coast Penguins from underneath their exhibit. The kids then checked out the Titanoboa which was a little disappointing but the fake snakes were really cool!

Then we petted and brushed some of the Pygmy Goats.
One of the new additions to the zoo is the Sea Lion Splash ($5) This is a cute show with the Sealions doing tricks and silliness to entertain us. We choose to stick around afterwards to meet one of the Sealions and get Ella’s picture taken with her! ($10)

We didn’t get a chance to go to Asia this time but this part of the zoo is a must see with the new Land of the Tiger exhibit.

We slowly made our way back to the Exit through the Great Apes and Wild Florida pathways.

All in All the Jacksonville Zoo is a MUST See but be prepared to spend more money on all the feedings and interactions that are not included in the admission price. Snacks, drinks and lunches can all be brought into the zoo and there are plenty of areas throughout where you can stop to take a break in the shade.