We will be in Naples for two weeks this Christmas and my four year old wants to see elephants. Our Detroit zoo shipped their elephants south several years ago, because being an elephant in Michigan is not really good for you.

Anyway, she understands their need for a warmer climate, so brought up finding some in Florida since they are her favorite animal. We've done Lion Country Safari before, but they keep their elephants pretty far away. And the Naples zoo is wonderful, but sadly elephantless.

Where would be the best elephant encounter closest to Naples?

Busch Gardens in Tampa (about 2 1/2 hours away) has an elephant habitat listed on their park map.

I don't know that it's the closest option, but the Tampa Lowry Park Zoo also has elephants. That's a long drive with a 2 yr old for a day.

I second Busch Gardens; wonderful animal "enclosures" and terrific for kids.

I'm just starting to think about doing a day trip to Busch Gardens. We've never spent this much time in Naples before, so I hadn't really thought much about the surrounding areas. I wish it was one hour away instead of two.

Where do the Ringling bro's overwinter? Maybe that's an option.

Sarasota

Naples Zoo

I dont know if they have elephants but I am sure you can call them up . . .

http://www.caribbeangardens.com/home.htm

No elephants at the Naples zoo, as the OP said in her original post. I think I've seen kelliebellie mention before they've visited the Naples Zoo. If they had any elephants there I'm sure I would be able to hear them from my condo.

There are a number of circuses that still either winter or headquarter in Sarasota. Ringling Brothers used to do preview performances in Sarasota around Christmas, but I can't find anything about that. They do play in West Palm Beach all through the Christmas/New Year holiday period. Too far?

The winter home for Ringling Brothers is now in Tampa. My parents live near the old winter home and the buildings are in disarray. The museum is still in Sarasota and worth a visit.

The Miami zoo has African and Asian elephants. It would be a 2 to 2.5 hour drive. The zoo just opened an Amazon experience which is getting great reviews.

I'm definitely going to check out this Ringling Brothers stuff and Busch gardens. If Miami is as far as Tampa, we'd probably just go to Tampa. Good to know about the new exhibit in Miami though.

Can anyone provide more detail on the Ringling Bros. museum? Would it be good for a rainy day?

The Ringling Brothers Museums in Sarasota are interesting, but I'm not sure about for a 4 year old. There are several parts to it. The residence of John and Mable Ringling is interesting -- just a little over the top. The art museum has some interesting collections, mostly European Renaissance art, and the feature is some huge "cartoons" by Rubens. The circus museum itself is a lot more reading and looking at artifacts than much a 4 year old might enjoy in my opinion.

There is also the original Asolo Theatre restoration inside a new information pavillion. This is the opera house moved from Asolo, Italy many years ago and was the original home of the Asolo Theatre. They are now doing productions in that facility in addition to their much newer and larger quarters next door (which features a main theatre with the interior of another theatre from Scotland.

But yes, good rainy day activity, although you need to get from one building to another on the fairly spacious grounds. I believe they also provide golf cart service for that purpose.

We got very close to the elephants at Busch Gardens in Tampa. I got some great pictures when we visited a couple years ago.

Definitely agree about NeoPatrick's post about the museum. Could combine that with a visit to the Mote Aquarium, if you are up that way.

Thanks all. That aquarium looks great. Maybe we will wait on the Ringling until they are older.

By the looks of the weather so far, I'm never going to get anyone off the beach! I guess I could have worse troubles...

Enjoy your trip. I'm leaving for Florida on Saturday so I am looking forward to it.