St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park Review

Founded in 1893, the Alligator Farm is one of Florida's oldest (and, at times, smelliest) zoological attractions and is credited with popularizing the alligator in the national consciousness and helping to fashion an image for the state. In addition to oddities like Maximo, a 15-foot, 1,250-pound saltwater crocodile, and a collection of rare albino alligators, the park is also home to Land of Crocodiles, the only place in the world to see all 23 species of living crocodilians. Traversing the treetops in Crocodile Crossing is an inventive, ambitious, and expensive ($65) zipline/rope course with more than 50 challenges and seven zips. It's the only attraction of its kind through a zoological park. In many places, a thin cable is all that keeps you from becoming croc cuisine. Reptiles are the main attraction, but there's also a wading-bird rookery, an exotic-birds and mammals exhibit, and nature trails. Educational presentations are held throughout the day, and kids will love the wild-animal shows, alligator wrestling and all.