Recently we had our second visit to the Brevard Zoo. Several years ago, while living in the Orlando area, we stumbled upon the zoo while exploring the Space Coast and Port Canaveral.
This year, during our Florida Road Trip / 2020 COVID-19 Staycation it was part of our destination along with the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex.
#1 – The Brevard Zoo offers a safe outdoor getaway
One of the reasons we chose to include the zoo on our road trip was its Visitor Guidelines. They are very specific about limiting their capacity and requiring timed entry tickets that are purchased online. It was easy to do and very affordable.
The zoo requires face coverings that cover your nose and mouth of all adults and children over the age of 7. When you enter the zoo and ‘animal loops’ and other places where physical distancing is not possible, they are necessary. Additionally, we came across several staff members who asked for people to put masks on in areas where certain animals are susceptible to contracting COVID-19.
Several high touch areas were closed, others offered limited capacity, and there were hand sanitizer stations all around the zoo.
#2 The Brevard Zoo is FUN!
Truthfully, strolling the outdoor pathways was relaxing and a nice getaway from looking at our four walls at home.
Beyond that, there are offerings that are super affordable, which are fun and unique.
Giraffe Feedings
Viewing platforms take you eye to eye with the zoo’s giraffes, and for $2.00 (per treat), you can hand-feed a giraffe. While this might just sound like something for the little once, you’d be wrong.
Check out Chuck (kissing) feeding a giraffe in Kenya– we had a BLAST!
Nyami Nyami River Kayak Tour
A gentle waterway winds its way through the zoo’s exhibits. For $9.95, visitors can paddle their way on a self-guided tour past rhinos, lemurs, and more. It looked like so much fun, a great way to catch some rays and stay physically distant.
Treetop Trek
This aerial adventure takes you to the top of the trees above the heads of visitors below. The course includes climbing, crawling, and ziplining on one of several courses of varying difficulty.
We watched from the ground below. It looked like a lot of fun for me; Chuck is petrified of heights. He ventured to the top of the Great Wall on our trip to China. This might be a bit much.
The fun doesn’t’ stop there. We saw parakeet feedings, a children’s shallow water play area called Paws On.
#3 – The Brevard Zoo is EDUCATIONAL
Beyond being an exceptional nature space, the Brevard Zoo provides educational Kid and Family programs and support to teachers.
We found that the zoo’s staff are not only warm and welcoming, even wearing masks and keeping physical distance. The staff are very knowledgeable and were excited to approach visitors and share information on the animals in their areas.
#4 – The Brevard Zoo is great for the Environment!
According to Wikipedia –
Brevard Zoo is a 75-acre nonprofit facility located in Melbourne, Florida, United States that is home to more than 900 animals representing more than 195 species from Florida, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
In 1986, the East Coast Zoological Society of Florida, Inc. (ECZS) formed. One of their goals was to build a zoo for Brevard County to “serve as a conversation hub where people could gather to learn about animals and nature. A place to escape from the manmade world and reconnect with the diversity of the life with which we share this planet.”
Chuck and I loved seeing solar panels around several exhibits. Beyond that, they offer reusable tote bags that are upcycled feed bags from the animal care partners. Participate in many local sustainability programs.
The zoo might be best known for its Sea Turtle Healing Center. It also partners in other field projects to ensure healthy habitats for Florida Scrub-Jays, Perdido Key Beach Mice, and protecting our shorelines.
Chuck and I absolutely loved our time at the Brevard Zoo and plan a return visit soon.
Awe! That kayak tour through the zoo looked fun and you know I love seeing Chuck kiss the giraffes!
The treetop trek sounds like really a fun activity to do and would love to get close to the giraffes as well, not sure if I will kiss one but lovely to see Chuck doing so 🙂 Giraffes are fascinating and lovable creatures.
Kissing a giraffe was interesting. It was more of them taking a food pellet out of your mouth than actual kissing.
ohmygosh the kayaking tour looks like so much fun! i think more zoo’s should be this interactive/educational
Ya, we need to go back again and do the kayak tour. It looked really cool, and it looks like they do both guided and self-guided tours
You had me at treetop adventure! And the kayaking looks fun too! I’ve never been to a zoo with either of these features and I would definitely want to do both.
we want to go back and kayak!
This zoo looks like a paradise, forget about kids but even for adults. I liked the idea of tea trek and about other fun things. Also, in the photograph the animals look healthy and in good shape. I would like to visit the zoo sometime.
LOL, yes, really fun without kids
Would be amazing to visit this zoo. Especially when these times are hard and the zoo authorities are taking good care with sanitization and social distancing. I never thought of this before but now its kind of on my wish list to hand feed a giraffe, especially when we can do that for such less amount of money.
It’s a pretty awesome zoo, we wish we were closer
I love that they use solar panels and reusable bags as well! I’m always worried about going to zoos so it’s nice to know that this one is a good one to visit.
We REALLY like the conservation efforts and sustainability of the zoo!
Wow the kayak tour looks like my type of fun! Would love to do the treetop trek too.
This looks like so much fun! My daughter would absolutely love it! I love the giarffe feedings and would love to go on the kayak tour. I love that it is great for the environment as well!
I visit the zoo sporadically. I prefer animals watching in nature, but the fact is that this is sometimes not possible and it is worth going to the zoo to see the protected animals. It is an excellent idea for a trip with children. It’s great that the Brevard Zoo offers Kayaking trips and Treetop Trek. It’s fantastic!
Wow! That’s a great list of interesting things to do in the zoo! Tree Trek looks super awesome and good to know that the zoo serves as a Sea Turtle healing center. Thanks for sharing!