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Meet the Animals at These 10 Great Miami and South Florida Petting Zoos and Animal Farms

Meet the horses and enjoy a free ride at Happi Farm in Davie. Photo courtesy of the farm

8/11/24 - By Lindsey Scannell

Whether you are young or old, a petting zoo or animal farm is an ideal place to encounter, feed, and view animals, and always makes for a great day. In the Miami and South Florida area, we have several options where you can get your fix of smiles and laughs while you interact with the animals.

These South Florida petting zoos and animal farms enable kids to get up close and personal with the "resident" creatures in safe and engaging environments. So for a great alternative to Miami and South Florida's one-of-a-kind parks and playgrounds, beaches, and other fun things to do, pay a visit to one of these area petting zoos. Your kids will cherish the memories.

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Florida Petting Zoos and Animal Farms Near Fort Lauderdale

1. Happi Farm—Davie

Enjoy admission to this farm and pet bunnies, goats, chicks, ducks, pigs, tortoises, guinea pigs, and more. Your admission includes a FREE horse ride.

2. Marando Farms & Ranch—Davie

This petting zoo is full of furry rescue pets. All pets are under veterinary care and require special diets, so you can only feed them with the farm's food. The farm also offers weekend pony and hay rides.

3. Tradewinds Park and Farm Area—Coconut Creek

Interactive tours of this livestock farm are offered most Saturdays and Sundays. On the guided tour, visitors get to meet goats, sheep, chickens, cattle, and pigs, while learning about the roles they play on the farm.

Cuddle up with the resident bunnies at Tinez Farms. Photo courtesy of Tinez Farms

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4. Monkey Jungle—Miami

Monkey Jungle offers small groups of explorers a guided tour through its natural Eco-Show and habitat areas. The highlight is an up-close-and-personal encounter with troops of squirrel monkeys and capuchin monkeys in the Immersive Rainforest showcase.

5. Pinto's Farm—Miami

Located across from Monkey Jungle, this farm offers guests a chance to enjoy Patagonian mara, Fennec foxes, American quarter horses, goats, Muntjac deer, amd more.

6. Tinez Farms—Miami

This farm offers guests a chance to feed animals, ride ponies or horses, and bottle-feed goats.

7. Zoo Miami—Miami

Stop by the Critter Connection at this massive zoo and pet some of your favorite barnyard animals. Then, take a ride on the Wildlife Carousel.

Hang out with sloths Wilbur and Baby Fern at the Palm Beach Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo

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8. Animal Edventure Park and Safari—Boynton Beach

This animal park is made up mostly of animals that have been rescued or adopted. The park offers different exotic animal encounters every hour, at which you get to meet and learn about the animals. With admission, you have access to the petting area, feeding area, exotic animal area, kangaroo encounters, and camels.

9. Lion Country Safari—Loxahatchee

This four-mile drive-thru safari takes you through a wildlife park with large herds of animals roaming wide open in their "natural" habitats. The safari preserve is divided into seven main habitats, where you see a variety of animals, including herds of zebras, rhinos, and giraffes.

10. Palm Beach Zoo—West Palm Beach

This zoo features animal exhibits and a carousel. Feed the lorikeets at the Lorikeet Loft, and, for an additional fee, reserve a slot to encounter sloths, Aldabra tortoises, otters, koalas, panthers, and more animals.