This Family-Friendly Attraction Between Orlando And Daytona Beach Has Animals, A Train Ride, And Fun Events

While Orlando may be best known for its theme parks, and Daytona Beach may be most commonly associated with sandy shores and car racing, there are some cool things to see and do when driving between the two hotspots. As a longtime Central Florida local, I can confirm that one of the best attractions for families is the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. I'm not the only one who feels that way — it is one of Florida's best zoos, with a 4.3-star rating on Google from almost 11,000 reviews.  

There are more than 300 animals to see when visiting, and you'll find some cool interactive experiences that are great for families. One Google reviewer shares, "Our grandson was able to feed a giraffe. He was over the moon about doing that." It's definitely a pretty surreal experience to have a giraffe stretch its long neck down to take a snack from your hand, and you can also snap photos with a tortoise or pet a rhino. There's a family-friendly petting zoo area called Barnyard Buddies, which allows children to interact with goats, chickens, sheep, and a llama. 

One of the fun ways to explore the zoo is by hopping aboard a replica of an Atlantic Coast Line Railroad streamliner. Although the train is only one-quarter of the size of the original, adults can join in on this family-friendly ride, too. On the train ride, you'll see some of the zoo's pretty trees, bushes, and plants, representing Florida's subtropical landscapes. Afterward, take a walk through the zoo to check out the botanical gardens. You may even spot a butterfly or hummingbird in the area dedicated to pollinator plants.

The zoo is open year-round, but I suggest that you take a look at the event calendar before you go to catch any additional fun events. May through September, you can check out the monthly Sunset at the Zoo event on the fourth Friday of each month, featuring music, food, and refreshments. Some weekends in October, you can visit during the Zoo Boo Bash. There will be games, a dance party, and a pumpkin decorating contest. Families can dress up in their Halloween costumes and do some trick-or-treating while they're there, too. You'll also find other fun events that pop up on the attraction's calendar, like guided tours of the botanical gardens and storytime for preschoolers. 

One of my personal favorite events at Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is the Asian Lantern Festival. Although you can't expect to see live animals, on select nights from November to January, you can walk through the zoo and see a diverse array of lighted scenes created with Asian lanterns. There are even a few nights where Santa will make an appearance. Although the event is family-friendly, a couple of nights are reserved just for the grown folks. 

The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Sanford, which is about 40 minutes away from downtown Orlando and about a 50-minute drive from Daytona Beach. You can fly into either of those cities and make the drive, but one of Florida's most affordable airports is the Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). You may even want to make that your home base, as Sanford is "Central Florida's best-kept secret," with breweries, trails, and a brick-paved downtown.