The top cities between Concord and Fort Myers are Orlando, St. Augustine, Savannah, Charleston, Tampa, Sarasota, Clearwater, Titusville, Charlotte, and Daytona Beach. Orlando is the most popular city on the route. It's 9 hours from Concord and 3 hours from Fort Myers.
Located in North Carolina, Charlotte is a bustling metropolis and a significant economic center. Its contemporary downtown area, known as Uptown, is home to various attractions such as the Levine Museum of the New South that delves into the history of the South post-Civil War and Discovery Place which showcases interactive science exhibits. Additionally, Uptown boasts the NASCAR Hall of Fame that celebrates auto racing through immersive displays and movies.
4% as popular as Orlando
6 minutes off the main route, 4% of way to Fort Myers
Charleston, a seaport in South Carolina that was established in 1670, is characterized by its paved streets, horse-drawn carriages and colorful antebellum homes, particularly in the sophisticated French Quarter and Battery areas. The Battery walkway and Waterfront Park both provide views of Charleston Harbor, while Fort Sumter - a federal fortress where the initial shots of the Civil War were fired - is located on the opposite shore.
14% as popular as Orlando
51 minutes off the main route, 28% of way to Fort Myers
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Savannah, a charming coastal city in Georgia, is famous for its well-maintained parks, horse-drawn carriages, and historic architecture. The city's historic district features cobblestone squares and picturesque parks like Forsyth Park with its oak trees draped in Spanish moss. The Gothic-Revival Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist stands at the heart of this area.
16% as popular as Orlando
13 minutes off the main route, 37% of way to Fort Myers
Located on the northeast coast of Florida, St. Augustine is renowned as the oldest city in the United States, having been established in 1565. Its Spanish colonial architecture adds to its charm, and visitors can enjoy Atlantic Ocean beaches such as Crescent Beach or explore Anastasia State Park's protected wildlife sanctuary. One must-see attraction is Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century stone fortress that offers breathtaking views of St. Augustine Inlet.
17% as popular as Orlando
15 minutes off the main route, 59% of way to Fort Myers
Daytona Beach, situated on the Atlantic coast of Florida, is famous for Daytona International Speedway - home to the iconic Daytona 500 NASCAR race in February. Visitors can drive on designated areas of the beach with its hard-packed sand, while free summer concerts are held at Daytona Beach Bandshell near the boardwalk's rides and arcades. The city is also home to Daytona Lagoon water park which offers go-karts, laser tag and waterslides. Located about 2.
3% as popular as Orlando
11 minutes off the main route, 66% of way to Fort Myers
I'll never travel to Fort Myers without this trip planner again
Titusville, a charming city in Brevard County, Florida, is nestled along the picturesque Indian River. With a population of nearly 50,000 people, it's known for its proximity to Merritt Island and the renowned Kennedy Space Center. The area also boasts the stunning Canaveral National Seashore. Additionally, Titusville is part of a region that includes Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Rockledge, Viera, Melbourne, Satellite Beach and more.
4% as popular as Orlando
22 minutes off the main route, 69% of way to Fort Myers
Located in the heart of Florida, Orlando boasts over a dozen theme parks, including the world-renowned Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. Visitors can enjoy attractions such as Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Islands of Adventure and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Along with its theme parks, Orlando is known for its warm weather and beautiful white sandy beaches.
Most popular city on this route
7 minutes off the main route, 73% of way to Fort Myers
Clearwater, located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, is renowned for its bright and sunny weather as well as its stunning gulf coast beaches. Visitors can enjoy a 3-mile stretch of white sand at Clearwater Beach, which is surrounded by numerous hotels and restaurants. The city also has the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where injured dolphins and sea turtles receive rehabilitation services. Additionally, Spectrum Field is home to the Phillies pro baseball team's spring training games.
6% as popular as Orlando
32 minutes off the main route, 82% of way to Fort Myers
Tampa is a coastal city situated on Tampa Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. The city is renowned for its rich cultural offerings, including various museums and attractions like Busch Gardens, an African-themed amusement park with thrilling rides and animal viewing areas. Ybor City, a historic neighborhood established by Cuban and Spanish cigar factory workers at the turn of the 20th century, is an ideal dining and nightlife destination that attracts tourists from all over.
12% as popular as Orlando
11 minutes off the main route, 82% of way to Fort Myers
Sarasota, situated on the Gulf Coast of Florida and close to Tampa, was once a popular winter destination for the Ringling Brothers Circus. Presently, it provides an array of cultural institutions including the Ringling Museum of Art that features both old masters and modern art. Sarasota also offers access to several miles of stunning beaches with white sand and crystal-clear waters like Lido Beach and Siesta Key Beach.
8% as popular as Orlando
15 minutes off the main route, 88% of way to Fort Myers
Best stops along Concord to Fort Myers drive
The top stops along the way from Concord to Fort Myers (with short detours) are Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World® Resort, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Other popular stops include Savannah Historic District, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and LEGOLAND® Florida Resort.
Carowinds is a seasonal, family-friendly amusement park that offers a variety of thrilling rides and attractions. It is known as the Thrill Capital of the Southeast and boasts 13 world-class roller coasters, including Peanuts-themed rides in Planet Snoopy. In addition to these adrenaline-pumping options, there are plenty of other family rides like Boo Blasters on Boo Hill, Skytower, Rip Roarin Rapids, and Dinosaurs Alive featuring lifelike animatronic creatures.
Went with my family during Winter Fest. We had so much fun and all the lights and Christmas trees were beautiful. So much to do and look at and all the hot chocolate you can drink. After the initial purchase all refills are free. Huge plus that the smaller coasters were operational. I love all coasters it was just a little chilly for me but plenty of people were riding so it's nice to have that option
Jacob Gonzales — Google review
I purchased a seasonal pass & food pass which I highly recommend. A meal can cost around $18 and that's without a drink. I've been going here for years and my daughters really enjoys it. They have a new section Aeronautica which has some cool rides.
Deanna Troy-Billups — Google review
Went with my bestie, it was fun, we walked around and rode the Viper, completely shook us!🤣 not much good food choices, panda express is there but seems to be lacking. It was a good walking park though, and there was also a parade which the kids enjoyed. Not that busy when we went there which was a Sunday.
ANNE — Google review
I absolutely love this park! The park is beautiful with a huge variety of rides. The majority of the coasters were great. My favorite coaster was Fury 325! We ate at several restaurants and the food was good. I can't wait to come back!
Will Gausman — Google review
It was excellent! They had plenty of help, security had a presence. Everyone had a great time. The food was outstanding too! I love to eat, so I thought there was plenty of food portioned out. Get the dining package. If you eat twice, you've got your money's worth.
jay shepherd — Google review
We have been to a lot of amusement parks and this one was setup correctly. My kids loved the snoopy land! The staff is amazing to work with and the whole process was simple from start to finish!
Matt Williams — Google review
Cedar Fair parks are fun, but to bad Fury 325 is down because of cracked support.
I'm glad, After Burner still has airplane there. Hint when finished with it can I have it 😉
Park needs a Chicken Shack like Kings Island has.
I have VIP pass but want a waste of money. Bait and switch when they said soda and snacks. I only saw a water pitcher there. I will never get VIP on my pass next year.
Missed Parade that was at 5pm when thinking it was 8pm. Couldn't get info on it inside the park..
All in all, I had a great time. See ya in 2024...
Chuck Allred — Google review
A little on the pricey side but if you want to try to save money you can always go to the website and pay for day tickets a day in advance (for the cheaper tickets in the evening.. It looked like if you paid for tickets for 4pm and after a day in advance, you could get tickets for $37.99). We paid about $43.00 (because we purchased tickets for the same day for 4pm and after) per person but it was better than $75.00 or $80.00 per person that they charge if you try go earlier (for us anyways, to each their own). I definitely recommend buying tickets online, especially if you plan to go at 4 or after, I didn't see any ticket booth open to buy tickets). When I called the number, it straight up told me we had to purchase tickets online. Also, be prepared to go through a metal detector if you have anything metallic on you. I highly recommend checking your pockets and purse and leaving anything unnecessary in the car before walking into the park. They will go through everything you have (and dump it all out on the table in front of everyone) to find out what is causing the metal detector to go off. We had fun though. The kids had fun. That's what it's about anyways. We got to enjoy the park and all of its rides and it was open until 9 that evening (well, it was supposed to be but that's another story for another day). Just so you know, parking has to be paid separately as well and it was $30.00. This was on a Thursday (Just mentioning that because I kept seeing people online saying it was $25.00). That's not the price we paid. Just want you all to be able to make an informed decision and still be able to have fun at a price that works for you. Be safe!
Amanda Reed — Google review
My family and I love coming here. We get Gold passes every year so we can go to Scarowinds and WinterFest. It is crowded so I suggest taking a picture of your child with what they are wearing that day incase you might get separated, especially if you have a runner, and I always put my phone number in my kids bag just to make sure.
Brianna Hughes — Google review
Fantastic Park. Very clean, and super clean restrooms (which is an oddity). I will note that the food is good all around. They have a lot of GREAT roller coasters. The Fury is wild!
We have been here 2 times and have had a blast. We had a minor issue with our Fast Pass but Shane in Guest Services was awesome and took care of us.
We will be back soon!
Mark Henry — Google review
Went for Winter Fest to celebrate New Year's Eve with family. Enjoyed the festive mood, decorations, hot cocoa, and variety of warm beverages. Riding the attractions that were open was fun!
Cel St.Pierre — Google review
Haven't been to the park since I was 25..Many years ago!!! It's very well kept,lots of attendants to help find your way around!! The food is very expensive so it's worth getting the meal ticket if your gonna be there all day!!! The rides were just as I remembered!!! Fun and full of excitement!!!!
Robin Bryant — Google review
Came here for the first time for Winter fest. Lights were really done well. Copperhead was the best ride they had operating, very fun. Only complaints were that there was no directory of what rides are operational, causing a lot of wandering around. Food was limited as well.
Mucko LA — Google review
We visited here in the evening. So the entrance admission fee was less than regular. It's the holiday season and pretty chilled at night. Part of the exciting rides were closed, but those roller coaster rides were open. Your teens still can have great exciting fun. For those young children, Snoopy Camp is a good area to impress them. There were also a lot singing/dancing shows to watch. Finally, there was a parade like Disney which brought a perfect end of night. Holiday lighting decorations here is one of the attractions for all visitors.... Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!!
Peng Hsu — Google review
A fun time for all ages, friends, family, & co-workers. Tons to do for all from thrill-seekers to the more calmer individuals. Definitely worth the trip, but be sure to get the season pass and meal plan if you plan on going more than one day, as this will definitely pay for itself.
Bobby Guthy — Google review
We had a great time, we arrived early to make sure we avoid the crowd. We got into several lines and by noon the wait time was about an hour. Still we had fun. The park is very nice, clean, the staff is nice, mostly tan by young adults. When we got hungry we ate at the big food court and the food was decent, we got chicken strips and fries. We are definitely coming back
Carla Rodriguez — Google review
Great place, but they're getting greedy. $30 for parking is ridiculous! Buy tickets online prior to visiting because it's much cheaper.
Dameka Watson — Google review
This visit was for winter fest. Do not go expecting rides very few are running but the lights and magic feeling of Christmas is great try being the kid you know you want to be.we had a blast worth the trip as long as you know what to expect. Also find scrooge and tell him I sent you bet dressed group there and keep a eye out for deer they got loose when we were there
john baker — Google review
We went for Winter Fest. The park was decorated nicely and I absolutely loved the parade. There were people walking around in costumes of Christmas old. There were performances throughout the park and the times and locations were posted in several locations. We didn't ride while we were there...we just enjoyed the festivities.
Trena — Google review
Amazing amusement park! Very clean and well kept, staff that we interacted with were all very friendly and helpful. Beautiful decorations for their winter festivities and so many fun things for kids and kids at heart! Everything was easily found and we found the app to be helpful finding locations around the park. Handicap accessible areas and restrooms available.
-Artsy Photos LLC- — Google review
We were able to go pretty early in the morning, before many people were there and the lines got too long. Every ride had about a 15 minute wait once it got a little more busy. The food places there were good and they have cute souvenirs. The rides are all amazing and so much fun!!!
Jay G — Google review
Lots of fun for all ages. We purchased tickets online and added the meal and drinks for the entire day. Be careful with the food if you are planning to dine later, while it states that food is available up to the time the park closes, we found that most of the "restaurants" were closed an hour earlier.
Melissa Ashurst — Google review
I visited the place during the opening weekend. It was a fun thrilling experience. Since the park wasn't that busy, there weren'tany long queue for the rides, so was able to go on all the thrilling roller coasters. Fury 325, thunder strike, night hawk are my top 3! I also tried the ripcord and it was an amazing experience!
Arya Saraswathi Potti — Google review
Terrible experience. Paid a lot of money for myself and 2 grandchildren to get in. Most rides were down and only running intermittently. Not a weather problem. Someone said they were having electrical problems??? Then close down and refund money. See all of the down ride pictures in my view!
Terri Johnston — Google review
Dear Mr Carowinds. Today was spring break and may daughter who is six almost seven and I thought this would be a fun place to adventure. We got to the park just after open. It was easy to get in. Although 30 dollars to park was almost the same price of a third ticket. We entered the park quick and were ready to ride. The park was very clean. My mini me is 46 inch. Which was just under the 48 inch mark. Seems to be a gap in the small kids rides to the big kids 58 inch tall. But we did find a lot to ride. Four roller coasters, three that were age, appropriate and one that was for smaller kids. We did find about seven other things to ride. The haunted house was fun. It was a bit extreme on the prices of food. $17 for a piece of pizza was really pricey. But we did manage to have a great day. At the very end of the day we got one the gear spin. Sophia was running it. She closed the line right after we got in line at 8:02. She was amazing and made our day. As we got on she talked the ride up and made the last ride of the day so much fun. She went far and beyond someone who just enjoyed their job. We did have an amazing day. It would have just been a little been in a year or two when she can ride more of the bigger coasters. See you again in a couple years and thanks for the memories.
Troy Faries — Google review
Winterfest (New Years Eve celebration) was great! Our family had an amazing time. There were lots of people, but lines were not long for the rides that were open, and hot chocolate and cider were amazing and kept you warm. We enjoyed the rides, the food, the parade, and the live bands! (No issues, and it appeared that everyone was having a good time)
We have season passes, so being able to enjoy a year-round experience is always fun for our family. You can't go wrong buying a season pass if you live in the area.
Great way to end 2023!🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉
Cherise Johnson - MS — Google review
Nice clean park. Food is food and rides are top notch. Our home park is cedar point but we like to make this a yearly trip.
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is a family-friendly zoo with African and Australian animals, reptile galleries, a bird house, a farm, and botanical gardens. The zoo features a splash pad with rubber surfaces that has been upgraded in the summer. There are also playhouses, treehouses, a large field with toys and games, a waterfall and 2 splash pads.
Riverbanks zoo reminds of Animal Kingdom set in good old Disney World without the financial hard ship going there. Riverbanks is simply an amazing zoo. I would recommend setting aside 3-4 hours to see everything, this of course is set with a two old in mind. We stopped and saw just about everything and even petted some very friendly goats. Some stuff does cost extra, $20 on the zoo card will be more than enough for two children.The giraffe feeding stops at 1:30pm so if that is on your agenda I would get in line early. We went on a Sunday and the crowds were not too bad. We will definitely become frequent visitors. 10/10 I highly recommend.
Tai Sanders — Google review
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is fabulous! We absolutely love it here and have been visiting regularly for 10+ years. The animal variety is second to none. The layout of the zoo flows very nice to ensure you can enjoy each stop to see all that it offers during your visits. The staff do a great job of keeping the zoo very clean and safe. They are very, attentive, and provide excellent service every time we are there. The expansions keep coming and continue improving and evolving this Zoo into one of the best visits you and your family can make.
If I was going to provide a critique, I would recommend more fans through out the park. South Carolina (especially in the midlands) can get very hot and humid during the summer months and that heat can make visiting the park a less than pleasant experience if you are not use to the heat down here (heck even if you are 😂). More fans through out the park would add to the already amazing atmosphere and help create some more much needed cool zones through out.
One last add. Please visit during the Halloween and Christmas events. They are fantastic and highly recommended. For adults the Brew at the Zoo is one of the best attractions around. Enjoy!
Jacob Gillen — Google review
This was an amazing experience! The $5 parking is worth it if you are wanting to go to the botanical gardens/splash pad first or last on your visit. The prices were fair for adults at $26 for how big of a zoo it is! There were some of every animal including giraffes you can feed, a kangaroo exhibit you can walk through, and sea lions you can stand next to. Animals included monkeys, gorillas, lions, tigers, snakes, birds of all kinds, goats, alpacas, bears, otters, tortoises, penguins, tropical fish, jellyfish, sea turtles, koalas, sloths, and so much more. I even tried out the ropes course within the zoo (requires shoes w/ heel strap) which was priced at $7 for non-members. It was a good ropes course for the price! I do recommend having a parent or older sibling go up with a younger child if they're new to ropes courses. The height can be a fear factor and the way the harness is attached to the top of the course can make it harder for smaller kids to reach in order to move around the course. As an adult, it's a fun add-on especially if you're looking for some more thrill with your zoo experience. The botanical gardens were gorgeous! They were located right next to the $5 parking and the tram. Overall, I really enjoyed visiting the Riverbanks Zoo and all of the staff here were polite and happy.
Michelle Luna — Google review
Wild Nights was awesome! Really looked great from the front gate fungi/coral to the animated creatures. Went on Black Friday with family in town for the holidays. Highly recommend buying tickets in advance as another group mentioned it was already sold out when we arrived right after 5pm. The kids loved that the train and carousel were both running.
The person at the gate was very helpful as we had multiple ticket purchases across several confirmation emails. Would definitely go again.
Jeremy Lane — Google review
A place where families can come and witness animals from around the world in a protected and safe environment. The Riverbanks Zoo rescues animals from around the globe to rehabilitate them and care for them with such love. The zoo is filled with a variety of animals ranging from tigers, lions, gorillas, and birds from all countries. This place is clean, family friendly, and caters to all ages. If you're ever in Columbia, SC, I would definitely recommend this place for a fun family outing. If you wish to take friends, you can purchase yearly passes that give you 4-8 guest passes, depending on your choice of yearly pass.
Alexander Nunez (Alex) — Google review
The zoo is well maintained, clean, and organized.
There’s a $5 dollar fee for the parking and they have plenty of parking spaces.
You can book in advance “behind the scenes” to pet some of the animals. (Check their website).
If you go early in the morning you can feed the giraffes.
There are plenty of restrooms around, some of them smell bad and are messy, specially
If the zoo is pretty busy.
The bird part smells bad but is just the smell of the birds. Just be aware.
They rent strollers
Gift shop available
They have photographers at the entrance with a giant green screen.
They have an interactive farm for kids, a carousel, and more.
Food and drinks from outside are not allowed.
Veronica — Google review
we love this place! this is my fourth time at the riverbanks zoo, and it's never failed to please. easy access, plenty of parking, affordable ticket prices (I recommend getting the extended bracelet deal, feeding the giraffes is part of it, and it's really worth it). the animals seem to be well taken care of, and if you go earlier in the day, you'll be able to see everyone waking up and hanging out (the otters were especially excited for the sunshine and company). definitely dress comfy and bring plenty of water! there's lots of shade and several drinking fountains, but it was nice to have our own on hand. this was our first time making it up to the gardens, and that was also really worth the trip up. the waterfall splash area is great for the kiddos in the heat. I believe there's a lot on the west side where you can park and the access is much easier for the gardens and play area. all around great time!
Heather Hitz — Google review
The zoo was awesome! There were a lot of nice animals, and the enclosures/habitats were more than adequate for the animals. Healthy animals! My favorite places to visit had the flamingos and the lions. They had a grizzly bear, which I had not seen before. The botanical gardens were nice, as well. Small, but nice. There is a tram that takes you from the zoo to the garden. It took me and my partner about 3.5 hours to do the zoo and the garden.
Mar Pepin — Google review
I visited her in the spring, and it was fantastic. We enjoyed feeding the giraffes. We were able to get up close to the gorillas even though their enclosure is going through renovations. I loved the sea lion exhibit. The aquarium had just recently opened back up and was super crowded. We were not able to check that out, but it looked super nice from the outside. My daughter and nephew loved all the activities this zoo offers. This zoo is very well kept, and the animals looked happy and healthy.
Marsha Dowdle — Google review
Went this past week with my nieces (1 yo) and they had a blast. There are lots of exhibits and we saw all of them and stayed for about 2 hours total. We were able to see all of the animals except the tiger(s). My nieces especially loved the aquarium and the penguin exhibit. We got to see them performing maintenance/cleaning in one of the aquarium tanks which was pretty cool. Also got to see a couple of young gorillas nursing. I would recommend bringing some bug spray and sunscreen. There’s a lot of tree cover and canopies at exhibits providing shade throughout the park but there are also areas in direct sunlight at many of the exhibits. The park overall was very clean and there was lots to do. Also recommend going during the week/off season as the temperature is cooler so you’re able to see more animals and it is WAY less busy. There were maybe a max of 5 other people at an exhibit with us. Did not see or visit the garden this time, but definitely have plans to visit next time. This was our 2nd time making the trip to this zoo and we will definitely be back!
Faith Lide — Google review
Beautiful and spacious zoo. There are unique animals that live here, that are not at a typical zoo. Lots of shade to keep you cool while viewing the animals. And very, very clean!
The enclosures have lots of space and the animals seemed happy and energetic, compared to other zoos I’ve visited. There are friendly zookeepers posted around the zoo to share interesting information on the animals. They were well informed and were able to answer all the questions we asked. My favorite part was visiting the Kangaroos. You are able to actually go inside the enclosure (while staying on the path) to view the kangaroos from a short distance without any fence or obstruction blocking your view. The experience felt up close, but was a safe distance away.
We enjoyed the trek up the trail to the garden through dense trees that felt like it’s own separate space from the zoo. The garden is well taken care of and has a calming atmosphere. We then rode the tram back down the trail where we were brought back to the zoo. It is nice the facility offers the tram at no extra cost.
Overall, we had a great time! This is probably my favorite zoo now.
Gabi Bambach — Google review
I visited with my kids here during the Christmas holidays. The weather was pleasant.
There was no wait line at the ticket counter.
The charges for kids and adults are almost the same.
It's not very big zoo but there are lots of animals and well maintained.
There are more than one lion, tiger, orangutan and many more.
There are different animal talk times for more information.
With special bands you can go near few animals like giraffe, feed birds and play games.
Sometimes the layout gets confusing but it's small enough to trace the steps back.
The alligator 🐊 was not there.
There are lots of picnic tables.
I could go near kangaroo 🦘.
Zoo rangers are always nearby and helpful with information or directions.
There are many eating outlets.
It's a good to spend with kids.
Archie — Google review
The zoo was pretty big, and had a good selection of animals. Compared to other zoos I've visited, it was ok. Animals were on the smaller size, and the one grizzly bear we saw looked like he had mange (fur was patchy in several places). The plus for me was that you can take the free tram to the botanical gardens which was included in the ticket price. That was my favorite part. Walking through the gardens was a nice outing, and there were places with seating, food, activities, and a splash park for kids. Overall I enjoyed it.
Tonya — Google review
I would recommend getting here EARLY and leaving before 1-2pm. It gets extremely busy after lunch time, but aside from that I had a wonderful time! I had to bring my service dog with me and the staff were respectful and understanding! There are some places you aren’t allowed to go with a service animal but that is understandable and totally fine! Bathrooms were kept clean and smelled fine, there wasn’t trash or debris everywhere. The animals confinements looked clean and well taken care of which was a favorite of mine! I will say it took a while to get our food when we went up to a food truck. This was at lunch time and the place was getting pretty crowded by then. I had an absolute blast here and will definitely come back.
Jayden Cash — Google review
I dropped in unexpectedly, looking to get some steps in. Lots of trails and flora. Many places to sit and take a load off.
You can walk from the garden to the zoo, it's only 3/10 mile. Zoo was a bit more crowded, but pretty cool....and they sell beer 😁.
Check out Saluda Ruins, BEAUTIFUL walk and an interesting story. I was there for about 2 hours and got in my 10k steps.
Erik Summers — Google review
Well worth the visit! I went with my wife and 2 kiddos, oldest is 9. We really liked the aquarium with a wide variety of up close exhibits. The ocean exhibit had numerous "Coming Soon" attractions. Note that to ride the carousel or do the climbing wall, you must buy extra tickets like at a carnival, but the prices are not ridiculous. When we went, the carousel cost $2 per ride. We also let our daughter try the high ropes obstacle course. This was another fee ($7 per person) but well worth it. Mom and Dad enjoyed the bridge and trails to the botanical gardens, which was included with the zoo admission. Great family outing!
Jarrod Reed — Google review
Free zoo map is available. I was able to see all the animals so close. Was also able to feed a giraffe and brush the goats. They are very cute. Don't forget to get some merchandises too on the way to the parking lot.
Andita Meilyana — Google review
I've always loved the zoo, and now I get the joy of taking my girls. I do suggest a membership as it pays for itself and tickets are pricey but it's worth it. We usually take snacks with us and we have the souvenir cups. We love doing boo at the zoo and the lights at the zoo
Angel Watters — Google review
Such a great place to bring the family to! The kids loved seeing the animals and learning about all them. Love their aquarium area too! So neat to see them all and watch the kids eyes light up with joy over seeing how they live. If you haven’t gone yet I’d strongly suggest going asap!
Danielle Ortega — Google review
Beautiful zoo, kept clean, prices are as you'd expect going to any big park these days. Good food variety, as well as snacks, drinks. Tons of animal exhibits, overall great for the fam & everyone!
Great parking options.
C Price — Google review
Took advantage of the last free Friday for this month. First time at the zoo and was not disappointed. Only spent about 2 1/2 hours but really enjoyed. I pretty much stuck to one side of the zoo this time and will explore the other half later on. Highly recommend. The only thing I wish they had was more food options but I’m not complaining because i know how that goes but I went prepared! Took my own food!
Annie Maiden Gipson — Google review
Very well put together Zoo and Gardens. There is a lot of various animals to see, such as gorillas, giraffes, kangaroos, grizzly bear, sea lions and so forth. I recommend you bring some water for your walk around this zoo you will be doing a lot of walking especially if you want to walk across the pedestrian bridge.
There are a couple different options you can take to get to and from the Zoo side and the Botanical Garden side. One way is taking the Woodland Trail beginning on the garden side. Next would be taking the walking path that runs along the Tram Road it is rather steep. Finally is the Tram with are two Ford Super Duty Pickups with three “wagons” attached behind each pickup it will take you to and from the Zoo side and the Garden side. There however is usually a wait for the Tram. We chose to walk the path along the Tram road.
This Zoo was extremely crowded. It is probably best if you try to go on a weekday. We went on a Saturday it was extremely busy. I highly recommend checking out the gift shop and buying a souvenir. This is one of the best Zoos I have been to.
Jake Young — Google review
We had a great time,animals were cool food was good and wait times were a bit long on a few things but other wise it was great, it’s very nice and nothing is to far apart so it’s not that bad when walking from place to place extra things were very affordable being 2 dollars a person just so you know the zoo does a coin system kind of so if you want to do an extra and you had 3 people it would 6 dollars with each coin being 1 dollar a piece,extras were very cool with the extras being feeding giraffes,feeding birds and other things. I would recommend getting to the zoo as early as possible because it gets crowded very fast you could get to see more things actually moving and running around and that’s just a few things to keep in mind.
Mc Bojangles — Google review
God have us an absolutely perfect day for our visit! It was 75°, partly cloudy, and a gentle breeze. Although it was fairly busy, everyone moved along through all the exhibits quickly. I'd have to say that our group's highlights were feeding the Coconut Lorikeet, walking among the kangaroos, and visiting the botanical garden (took the tram up). It's a great place for kids of all ages. The garden has quite a few play areas of all different themes and many water features. The kids were having a blast in the water activities. They even have a cabana for bathing suit changes. It's a "must see" if you're in the area. We'll be visiting again in the future.
Patricia Vasko — Google review
Came to the zoo in the morning. Most animals were out as breakfast was being served to some of the animals. It was pleasant that the weather was cool, so a light coat or long sleeves did the trick. By the time it was 11 a.m., it warmed up. Not very crowded, it was nice to walk through and take some time to see the animals starting their day. Since it was 9:30 am when I got in, not many food/drink places were available until closer to 11, so I purchased a bottle of water from one of the vending machines and kept exploring. If you're looking for a slower pace to venture, I recommend the morning, I enjoyed it.
Ari George — Google review
"Love taking the kids here! Awesome zoo with aquarium and aviaries. Large habitats are great but animals can be shy. Park lacked water due to a break on a hot day, $4 for water bottles is steep. Offering cheap bottles until boil mandate lifted would've helped. Kids enjoyed feeding birds and the sky high safari was a highlight!"
Cobey Riley — Google review
Riverbank zoo is a all day adventure for the family! I recommend buying tickets online as somedays it's packed here. Always building new and exciting exhibits for the animals. This is definitely a all day trip for all ages. Many many animals to see and multiple locations thay are indoors and cooled when you get too hot. There is also petting zoo areas and small rides like a train and carousel for the little ones. They do sell food and drinks there but they are very very expensive. We bring food and eat it outside on the benches then go back inside.
Tony Goehring — Google review
Riverbanks Zoo is always a fun day for the kids. Even after multiple visits, it never gets old. A great way for the kids to get their energy out. They absolutely love it when Waterfall Junction is open and love the giraffe feeding, too! The grounds and gardens are always beautiful!
Deanna Breivik — Google review
This is a great Zoo. Downside is make sure you get the wristbands to actually participate in feeding the 🦒 and doing a good amount of things the kids will want to do. Downside was we didn't see the large tortoise or many monkeys. There were no cats available to view either as a lot of exhibits were being renovated. The food is definitely not great, everything costs so much these days. Expect to spend at least $160 for a few hours and 2 people. Clean, well staffed and easy to find.
Ree C — Google review
Here visiting for the weekend and came on a Friday. Really enjoyed this zoo! I think it is very kid friendly and has a lot of activities for them to do, not just see the animals. We came at a good time (10 am) so most of the animals were pretty active. We enjoyed seeing the reptiles and Gorillas the most. It was definitely busy that day due to many schools having field trips to the zoo. They only really had snacks around the park, which is expected at a zoo. I do recommend doing to Tuskers if you real food while visiting though. We also really enjoyed walking the Garden trails. I highly recommend checking out this zoo!
Lauren Lowell — Google review
Other than the number of people, we had a great time. The staff was nice and all the animals were out. Can't wait to go on a weekday and be able to take our time watching the animals.
Lydia Dean — Google review
We got there at 1pm and had enough time to stop by most the exhibits, but many of the animals were sleeping. I'd recommend getting there earlier so you can go back to see the animals you missed on the first round. The zoo itself was not very big, so you can easily make a couple laps. The parking lot was hectic when we got there (1pm on a Saturday), but once we got past the entrance, we found many open spots, while others were fighting for closer parking.
Middleton Place, a sprawling rice plantation on the Ashley River dating back to the 1730s, is located about fifteen miles northwest of Charleston. Once home to the Middleton family, who played significant roles in South Carolina's colonial and antebellum history, this landmark suffered damage during both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Despite being ransacked by British troops and burned by Union soldiers, Middleton Place stands today as a National Historic Landmark District.
We have visited four plantations in the Charleston area. This is our favorite setting and relaxing atmosphere. The grounds are exceptionally maintained. We spent two hours walking the grounds. It is the various buildings that tell the story. One stop shows a very large number of Middleton slaves. Depicted by each location and where they determined their value to the plantations.
The house tour is self guided after a short synopsis of the Middleton family and furnishings.
We had lunch outdoors in a very relaxed setting. Salad with baked chicken breast, green fried tomatoes with sauce and corn fritters with honey butter.
Runnsun — Google review
Lovely grounds. You pull into the gravel parking lot and there is a Cafe/market to the left. Please know that is not the only place to grab a bite. You can access this, as well as the gift shop, prior to your paid entrance. We opted for a tour of the house for an additional $15pp. Not sure if I would do that again. We were maybe in there 15 minutes....maybe. it's self guided but there are volunteers to tell stories or answer questions. If you are expecting a grand southern plantation mansion, this is not it. Its a small 2 story home. The first thing you see upon entering the plantation is the large reflecting pond. Very beautiful. The next thing you'll notice is the livestock running amuck. Namely sheep. So be careful where you walk. 😉 they do have a lovely dining room. It was a very nice plantation. Lots of grounds to explore. Everyone was very nice. Just not that grand southern home. Not sure the livestock gets the best care. Which is why I gave it 4 stars.
Sherri Fischer — Google review
We visited Middleton in late September 2022. Granted, hurricane Ian provided atypical weather, but in general, it’s probably not the best time to visit. Little to nothing was in bloom. The grounds were well kept and people were friendly and helpful. There were a few animals freely roaming - a handful of sheep and some swans. They had horse stables but nothing super interactive. There are some small buildings to showcase how the enslaved lived, but it’s not very detailed. The grounds had easy walking paths - mostly sand-based so if you are wearing sandals, know you’ll get a little
dusty. There’s a restaurant on site which is nice. The beyond the fields tour … wasn’t a tour. You gather around under a tree, sit on benches and listen to a historian explain the enslaved conditions. It was informative, but different than how it was presented. There is a restroom, gift shop and plant shop in the parking area. It’s not a must-see for me. We spent about 2.5 hours here.
Cortney Ayers — Google review
Absolutely gorgeous location. The oak trees are stunning, the gardens are lovely to stroll through, and I love a history lesson. We went to the restaurant last week and enjoyed the drive out, delicious food and cocktails and friendly and helpful staff. Shout out to Maggie who helped us make memorable dish selections. Looking forward to coming back later this fall for a wine stroll. I went last year and enjoyed it so much, I am coming back with girlfriends! I would recommend it as a date or as a nice evening with friends.
BKV — Google review
Middleton Place is really special. First the staff are very helpful. And they are easy to find. Everything is well organized & with the map, it's not hard to get around. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful. There are plenty of beaches to set and enjoy the views. It's nice the restaurant is on the grounds. Having a place to set, cool off and relax helps so much.
K A — Google review
Restaurant had a very good steak, but the locally made cinnamon ice cream, I honestly cannot stop thinking about it. The view outside this restaurant, although "wild" not tamed, alligators were ALL OVER THE PROPERTY, was Southern thick farmland and just spectacular. The property tour was very neat and the history was rich and interesting. The Inn was very different and unique, rooms had ceiling to floor windows showing the lush grounds. An interesting property worth the visit.
cyndi becker — Google review
Breathtaking! This place was the highlight of our honeymoon. The cured gardens and ponds were like a dream. The staff are all very helpful and know their stuff or will send you to someone who does. What a pleasant and enjoyable day. Give yourself a whole day to soak in the history and experience of this estate. Enjoy!
Kevin Keller — Google review
Beautiful grounds and house. Wonderful restaurant on property with absolutely amazing food. House tour was very informative as were the historical interpreters around the grounds. Very relaxing and serene surroundings.
US 1 — Google review
What a wonderful place to visit. It has great trails throughout the property, and it is so peaceful and beautiful. It is truly a step back in time. I loved the trails that were bordering the Ashley River.... phenomenal! A huge Osprey dove down, caught a fish, and flew right by us. So cool! We did not do the house tour, but I was perfectly content outside with the beautiful topography and interacting with all the animals, most excellent visit!
MA B-B — Google review
Great historical place to visit. Beautiful landscapes and the old buildings are amazing. Bring bottled water as it was hot a d humid and there is a lot of walking but, worth every minute of it.
Jeff King — Google review
Absolutely beautiful! Loved getting to walk around and explore the gardens- there were tons of free garden tours or other guides that you could listen to- to learn more information about. But overall it was such a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. It’s pretty far North Charleston- and tons of walking- we got there around 9:30am and didn’t get done until 12:45pm- so allocate for a good chunk of time here!
Kelley — Google review
Absolutely loved it! Amazing grounds and scenery. The house tour was really cool, lots of history in the building. The restaurant waa nice, I didn't eat there, but it smelled amazing. Had a couple drinks at bar, beat Old Fashioned I have had in years! Huge shout out to Colby H.....kudos buddy!
Gloria Worthington — Google review
We booked a tour van out to the estate which included transportation, tour of house and lunch. Self guided tour of grounds and gardens in between the timed tour and lunch.Beautiful place and well preserved house with interesting articles from the Middletons. Gardens are beautifully maintained. All of the staff were extremely helpful and kind. A must if visiting Charleston.
Bernadette Jamieson — Google review
This is a lovely place to spend the day. We went specifically to see the Middleton Oak. The ticket agent was helpful with directions to get to the oak on the shortest route. The grounds are lovely with lots of wooded, shady paths. We saw swans in the reflecting pond and alligators in the flooded rice fields, which my daughter was very excited about. The two gift shops are very nice and well stocked with a variety of items of different price points.
Rhonda Waterhouse — Google review
Visiting from Georgia and this was such a fun outing! Bought student tickets online, quick and easy. The parking is good. The whole estate is very large and worth the price. There are some small trails around the swamp, some by the water, some around the garden. It is all well maintained and beautiful. We were not able to attend any of the tours but there are plenty scheduled throughout the day. The livestock here are very nice and obviously well taken care of. The chickens ran up to us expecting food, which kind of startled my partner. I loved the whole experience here. Though I do recommend coming when the heat of summer isn’t in full affect, we were dripping sweat by the time we were done here in July.
Unknown Inc. — Google review
Middleton has beautiful gardens and grounds along the Ashley River. You can find period reenactment of many of the trades that used to exist on the plantation, along with animals that would have been present during the Middleton family's residency. It has also been the set for movies, such as "The Patriot."
The Foundation that runs Middleton does an excellent job maintaining the property and in recent years has been very open about the tragic reality that the Middleton family owned hundreds of enslaved people. It seems they are trying to do their part to preserve history and acknowledge the failings of the past.
Scott Penick — Google review
Went on a Wednesday night when they were having one of their annual wine walks. Four stations with a red and a white wine as well as a cheese board and finger sandwiches at each station. The grounds were beautiful, not a lot of colorful flowers, but lots of greenery. The ponds had alligators and turtles, made for a magical night. Highly recommend.
Jaime Kessler-Gengler — Google review
Huge property, nicely laid out walking tour of the gardens and working areas. The day we were here, they were doing guided golf cart tours of the rice field.
There is an extra cost to see the home on this site. I would suggest going earlier in the day rather than later due to heat during this late spring and summer.
Leith Britt — Google review
I have been to Middleton multiple times over the years. It has beautiful gardens that you can get lost in. Don't look at the pics here. Just get out and see it. I went to a Creative mornings event that was hosted here and didn't pay but there is usually a fee. There is a cute garden center where you can buy plants, but the big draw is the incredible southern landscape. Enjoy!
Descartes — Google review
Incredible tour with lots to do! My husband and I spent 6 hours walking around the beautiful property, ate an incredible lunch and toured the main house. So many beautiful things to look at and a lot of rich history. Make sure to say hello to Arthur, the resident stable cat!
Miranda Zook — Google review
Amazing plantation with knowledgeable guides and tons of history. We visited early October and the weather was spectacular. Did Beyond the Fields and Guided Garden Tour. Both were included in the admission price. Ate lunch in the restaurant which was wonderful. Our wait staff was engaging and attentive. (No tax on the bill!) Learned so much about slavery and history of the plantation. The trees alone were worth the visit. One was 1,000 years old! I highly recommend.
Robyn Brooks — Google review
Great way to spend the afternoon in Charleston area. This place was brimming with history but had enough to keep all ages occupied. I have 4 kids aged 12-17 and they really enjoyed the grounds. The house tour is an addition that added a lot of context. They have numerous guided tours on the grounds themselves including a garden tour and a stable tour. Beautiful place and worth the trip.
Andrew Jameson — Google review
Magnificent! You could spend all day here and still want to come back for more. The volunteers there are very knowledgeable and helpful, you can tell they love being there. A ton of history to absorb there. Animals are friendly and there is no shortage of picture opportunities. Restaurant on site is good but a little pricey.
Katie Ishee — Google review
Beautiful ❤️ and Natural Surroundings. Please check Flower Blossoms season and you will enjoy it.
Yes, live alligator 🐊 all around the place.
The Charleston City Market, a market complex located in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, has a rich history dating back over 200 years. Spanning four blocks, this historic market offers a diverse array of food vendors and artisans selling various crafts such as sweetgrass baskets. The Market Hall, an architecturally significant building that faces Meeting Street, serves as the centerpiece of the market. Stretching from Market Hall to East Bay Street are a series of one-story market sheds that complete the complex.
I went to this beautiful gallery of art. I was told that Jonathan Green was one of the best artist in town. Great Customer Service. Willie was very nice, neat and charming. Great Prices too!!🙂
tawana gadsden — Google review
I loved visiting this market. It was fairly big for the area that it’s in. I was expecting a much smaller market and was pleasantly surprised. There was so much to see and buy. I bought some prints, little gifts, jewelry, candies and had to buy some of the beautiful grass woven art pieces. There is lots more to do outside of the market that is very close and I loved that aspect also. It was a tight squeeze but we went on a weekend so maybe it’s less crowded during the weekdays. You are going to love it, but pack your comfy shoes for sure.
JJ Herman — Google review
The City Market is a must-stop if you are visiting Charleston. This market is packed with all different types of vendors and artisans. The handmade straw baskets are works of art, and the paintings are breathtaking. Different vendors vary throughout the week, so stop in several times.
Chris Trethewey — Google review
Had a great time browsing all the very unique and interesting gifts offered by so many different vendors. Everyone was polite & friendly, the basket weavers even made a rose for our little one which made her day.
david willis — Google review
Starting from the intersection of Meeting Street and Market Street then extending all the way to East Bay Street, the Charleston City Market is a renown location to buy a wide assortment of locally produced goods or at least from certified local vendors. During the day it serves predominantly as tourist market (but still nice) and there are, on certain evenings a Night Market where only locally produced goods are available. In both cases it is worth a visit if you are visiting as you are sure to find a nice memento of your visit here...and you'd be supporting a small local business. Enjoy!
Craig Bromberg — Google review
This was my 2nd visit to Charleston City Marketplace. It's an open-air market with no walls and vendors lining either side of the aisles with all sorts of unique sweet grass baskets, jewelry, clothing, food, books and so much more. I purchased a very unique handmade cane with a silver metal handle for a friend at a very reasonable price. Also, I purchased several pieces of jewelry for gift giving and some sweet grass items. The vendors are generally very friendly and some are the artisans who created the items on display. Three blocks long with lots of parking nearby, both street and lot parking. Each time I've gone, I wish I had more room in my suitcase for additional items. Several restaurants surrounding the market, including Henry's with great food and ambiance, are either at the bar or table seating. There's also an area to get carriage rides within a block. Easy walking area and open 7 days a week.
Micki K Kirkland — Google review
Definitely a must see in Charleston. Although busier, it's probably better to go on a weekend when I would imagine more vendors would be out. But I am not exactly sure how that works. If you are really shopping, it probably takes about 2 hours to get through the entire market. There are plenty of public parking areas. The parking garage we parked at was $4 for 2 hours.
Jordan Yoshimine — Google review
A must see when you visit Charleston! Packed with something for everyone. I bought a book, a few pieces of art, and post cards. Very welcoming. I felt comfortable with my mask on. I would visit here again. From grits, to baskets, to art there is so much to see! Such a beautiful experience. Truly a place worth stopping and experiencing. You can find parking, there are lots and street parking. Also there is a lot of food in the area. Enjoy!
MJ Worldwide — Google review
This was my second time visiting the market while in the state. It was such a lovely time. So much beautiful art and good snacks! Of course, everything is surrounded by the beautiful city with so many different shops. The only downfall is the horse carriage rides, leaves horse poop in the ground in some areas with a fresh scent.
I do recommend going during the week if you can, so it's a little busy.
Lauren LaPinta — Google review
We were looking for something to do before we had to head to the airport. This is an interesting market that has a huge variety of things to look at and shop. There are permanent stores and what appears to be less permanent stalls for local vendors. Most of it is in outdoor covered pavilions with one section indoors and air conditioned. It began to rain hard, which quickly flooded the streets. There were 7 to as much as 12 inches of water between the buildings. I had to take my shoes off and roll my pants up to escape. Would have like to see the whole thing. It was a very memorable experience.
Brent Husband — Google review
Love the Charleston City Market.
There are a lot of interesting shops. Some are handmade items, too.
Wide variety of artworks,spices, etc.
The high ceiling with fans and long 2 buildings are impressive. There are also bathrooms.
Walking down the shops is sure a nice experience. ...
Phia Velasquez — Google review
The Market is great and houses lots of great vendors both day and night with food, artifacts, art, jewelry, bags, clothing, and so much more. Lots of the items are handmade, especially at the night market. The market extends about 3 or more blocks and lots of great eating places and other stores around the market. You definitely want to visit the market! We did twice!! 😃
S Martin — Google review
There seems to be something for everyone. Whether you are looking for handmade jewelry, accessories, candles, hats, fragrance, jellies, cookies, or Charlston themed souvenirs, I am sure you will enjoy your visit. Be sure to visit the numerous nearby shops and horse and carriage tours.
Mario Mccoy — Google review
Marvelous public market in the middle of downtown Charleston. The place has different kind of vendors, from arts and crafts to local shoes designers. Even if you don’t buy anything, I encourage people to talk a walk inside to enjoy its architecture.
Arthur Alexander — Google review
One of my top fave experiences while we were visiting Charleston. Really cool market with all sorts of local stuff to buy and eat. Also just fun to look around. They only have certain hours so make sure to check the site. We caught the tail end of the market so a lot of people were already packing up or gone already for the day. Still a unique experience to find touristy or less touristy m/more unique Charleston items. I bought some delicious pecans roasted in cinnamon sugar. I will say roads are really tight and smaller in this part of town so brace yourself and search for nearby parking.
Chelsea C — Google review
This is definitely a must stop, whether during the day or at night. My friend and I loved walking through the market and perusing all the local vendors and shops. We purchased a couple of gifts for ourselves and for others. I loved some of the unique jewelry and basket shops, and other items like the freeze dried skittles I couldn't quite understand. There's a plethora of things to buy!
Heidi Morales-Hake — Google review
The barn was very clean and smelt nice, and had bathrooms, which we were not expecting. It was easy and fast to get into the wagon as they tell everyone where to sit. We had Jordan, who was a very good coach horse and clearly knew the route. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. We saw a lot of the beautiful back alleys and were told a lot of history.
Julie Jett — Google review
A great place for unique gifts and souvenirs from the Low Country. Authentic, hand made items by local craftsmen, garments, soaps, etc. Sweet grass baskets too. Parking is a bear or the other "B" word. Garages and lots can be $20/day. Place floods during a heavy rainstorm. Closes at 5 with vendors taking all their goods with them. A must see.
Steve Tishko — Google review
Ok so it's getting an average review based on access and walking. Repeat of products and parking. Worth the shopping trip but if you have mobility issues just know it's going to be a challenge. The horse carriage is a mixed thoughts, really hard to get in for some, But such a nice way to hear stories and see the sights. Just wish they had a horses only lane .
Amy Ramses — Google review
My husband and I shopped at Charelston City Market and we bought a beautiful ornament of a Charleston map, put on an oyster shell. It is so unique and beautiful. This wonderful lady sold it to us, she was so nice. I also bought a wallet to match my purse that I bought in Savannah, Georgia. There was so many things to choose from and I love what we bought. My husband also, bought me a beautiful bohemian cover-up with a brooch, it is also reversible.
Kelly Webb — Google review
Open air market with vendor booths amid centuries old buildings. Great walking / touring area. Close to waterfront and historical parks and buildings. I'm not much for markets, but the walk was very nice.
AccuSpect Inspections — Google review
Just steps from the port so best not to go when ships are visiting. Specialty foods and local crafts and kitschy souvenirs. Pick up a pack of benne wafers for a nice gift for friends.
Irene S. Levine — Google review
The market has so many booths with unique items - it took over three hours to see it all. I lucked out and went on the day of the Christmas tree lighting so there was a night market too. I went to the market in the morning and then again for the night market. A lot of different vendors set up for the night market. It wasn’t difficult to find a parking spot for either time. It was a lovely day and I bought many unique items from food items to baskets to jewelry.
Side note: Be careful of the people outside the market trying to “gift” you with a handmade sea grass rose. They are relentless with demands for money. Just be prepared to pay if you accept the “gift”.
Suzanne Symon — Google review
Very cool, large market with lots of local vendors selling many different products. You could purchase belts, paintings, hats, handmade leaf baskets, and much more. We visited at least 2-3 times in our short stay. It was a bit pricey, but it's also a big tourist attraction so it makes sense. It wasn't too busy though, we were able to take our time and got a few souvenirs to bring back.
Caleb Sanchez — Google review
This place is usually on the list of places to go and see on Trip Advisor and Google. I usually go to these to look for unique souvenirs and shot glasses. Yes, it’s a tourist trap and worth walking around to window shop. I didn’t buy anything because I didn’t see anything that interested me and the prices weren’t cheap. People were friendly. You’ll see some weaving baskets, jewelry, clothing, etc.
Nicholas P — Google review
Cool market, lots of vendors and stuff to see and possibly buy. Watch out for the street folks peddling the grass roses though. This kid tried to get my elderly mom to give him money for a "basketball trip to Alpharetta". I told him no thanks and he cussed me out and walked off.
The Joe Riley Waterfront Park on the east side of Charleston provides sweeping views of the harbor and is a popular spot for people to relax, picnic, and take in the sights. There are drinking fountains scattered throughout the park and wireless Internet access.
This park is set along the ocean and calls you to remember the history of the area as you walk along its paths.
Flowers & Majestic Trees line the walking routes that eventually guide you to the the famous Pineapple fountain ⛲️ and the pier.
Lots of restaurants and shopping close by.
A relaxing way to spend a few hours or all day.
Laura Lockhart — Google review
Such an amazing place to walk around and have a nice evening stroll. Lots of benches to sit down and take a moment to relax. Beautiful fountains (including the famous Pineapple fountain) down here! The boardwalk is right next to the water and leads all the way to the water taxi pickup. The grove of trees is like walking through a green tunnel, especially gorgeous close to sunset with the suns rays penetrating the leaves.
Ajimon Thomas — Google review
Here is a Google traveler review for Joe Riley Waterfront Park:
Pros:
Beautiful waterfront location with stunning views of the Cooper River
Large, open spaces with plenty of room to walk, run, or bike
Several playgrounds and splash pads for kids
Picnic areas with grills and tables
Public restrooms
Free parking
Cons:
Can get crowded during peak times
No shade in some areas
Not much shade for picnicking
No food or drink vendors on-site
Overall:
Joe Riley Waterfront Park is a great place to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and get some exercise. It's a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, so be prepared for crowds. If you're looking for a quiet place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, this might not be the park for you. But if you're looking for a beautiful, well-maintained park with plenty of activities to keep you busy, then Joe Riley Waterfront Park is definitely worth a visit.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Date of visit: June 21, 2023
Time of visit: 10:00 AM
Weather: Sunny, 75 degrees Fahrenheit
Overall impression: I really enjoyed my visit to Joe Riley Waterfront Park. The views of the Cooper River are amazing, and there is something for everyone to enjoy. I would definitely recommend this park to anyone visiting Charleston.
Eduardo Jasso — Google review
We visited on a weekday afternoon in the spring. It was fairly busy with spring break tourists. It was difficult finding parking. We had to circle a lot before we found a lot with open spaces. There are two fountains and a boardwalk. People are allowed to play in the fountains! No one was in them due to the cooler weather. The pier has a covered picnic area and bench swings. My kid loved the swings! There's a Carnival Cruise Line dock next door and there was a ship there! The pineapple fountain was gorgeous. It was much more detailed than I expected. There's an area with benches close by shaded by many live oaks. Just beautiful.
Amber Connell — Google review
A staple must do on your Charleston visit!
Enjoy the park with trails under oaks or along the marsh, benches, swings on the dock leading to the marsh, a dock by the Tug Boats, and of course infamous Pineapple Fountain.
One of the best views of the Charleston area bay and especially for sunrise!
You can find me here occasionally doing my morning rucks or on the docks enjoying the sea!
We hope you enjoy our beautiful city of Charleston!
- The Pirate Hunter
Justin Myers — Google review
Super cool cool park. We felt like we were in a Jane Austin book taking a turn around the gardens. It was incredible beautiful and well cared for. We wish we had more time to just come and chill. This is a must got for a quiet place to rest. It’s very peaceful. Now should be mentioned it’s not a park for kids to run or dogs to be walked etc. even a sign that says no running. It’s a tranquil park. Which is what brings some of it awesomeness.
Steven deSteuben — Google review
Beautiful water front park with lots of trees, benches and great views. Check out the pineapple and other fountain. Kids should wear their bathing suits, and adults can dip their toes too! A few restaurants and an ice cream shop are nearby.
Steve Tishko — Google review
Nice walking area along the water. There are 2 fountains that the kids are allowed to play in and cool off, dont forget to bring a towel. I fountain is called the pineapple fountain which looks like a pineapple. The pier is nice, has a shaded area with a couple of swings. Grandchild was able to ride her bike along the path.
Joy Berthiaume — Google review
Beautiful waterfront location with stunning views of the river. The park is full of large, open spaces with plenty of room to walk. Although some of the sidewalks were under water today due to rain. There are several playgrounds and splash areas for kids. There are picnic areas with grills and tables,
Free parking if you can find a spot.
Kelly Biastre (KellyBee) — Google review
Gorgeous park with lot of area to walk, sit and relax, take photos, etc. Loved going here with family and had an amazing time.
Jacks — Google review
We visited in late March when it is chilly in the mornings but warms to 70’s in the afternoon, perfect time to visit these outdoor locations in Charleston. Flowers were starting bloom and spread through the park. There are two walkways one that is the pier and one the has elaborate homes, lined with huge oak trees. Several cute places to sit and watch the pier or to have a nice picnic. The fountain was beautiful.
Savanna Huffman — Google review
AWESOOOOME! SUCH a gorgeous place to walk around and have a nice evening stroll. Beautiful fountains down here! And the boardwalk right next to the water…and the grove of trees is like walking through a tunnel. So beautiful, such a nice little pretty spot. If I lived in Charleston, I’d be down here every week! A MUST VISIT if you ever find yourself in historic Charleston! 👍👍
Dan Thompson — Google review
This park is a great place to take a break from the touring and activity of the city proper. There was a lovely breeze and shade so it was refreshing. It is a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy watching the sailboats in the harbor or the kids playing in the fountains.
Cris Letourneau — Google review
Wow. What a beautiful park. The fountains are the main attractions in the park other than the view of Fort Sumter. Great place for kids to dip themselves in the fountains on a hot summer day. Had sail boats floating by. Plenty of shady places to cool off while walking the surrounding area. The swings on the dock are the best. So much to do here. You won't regret giving this beautiful part of Charleston SC a gander. Will definitely be back for more.
Frankie Rodriguez — Google review
Joe Riley Waterfront Park is an easy walk from King Street and City Market. This beautiful and pristine park overlooks the Charleston Harbor. Stop at the Pineapple Fountain, slip off your shoes, and wade in the water. Stroll along the tree-lined pathway and enjoy the beauty of Charleston.
Chris Trethewey — Google review
We had a beautiful day. October is a perfect time to visit. Nice place to take a break and rest. You can reflect, watch sail boats, and listen to street artists.
Laura Mantooth — Google review
If you are looking to take an early morning or late evening stroll, this is the perfect spot. There are plenty of benches if you want to grab a book to read, have a picnic, or just take in the scenery and enjoy nature.
Kevin Guy — Google review
Beautiful waterfront park in downtown Charleston. We got to see a cruise ship docked nearby. Perfect place to admire the fountains, sit on swings or benches and relax or visit with friends, have a picnic. Very nice park with water views. We enjoyed it.
Brandi W — Google review
Wonderful waterfront park! We went end of March 2024 and there was a ton of construction which made getting there with a wheelchair a tough experience but once we did it was great! The paths were not very wheelchair friendly because roots had grown under the bricks (not unexpected) so I would suggest having someone assist a wheelchair user. We did see a dolphin on the peer! Swings were busy so we didn’t get to try those. Will return again in warmer months!
Sandy Reamer — Google review
This park is awesome, it's got the pineapple fountain you can put your feet in and it's also got the splash pad, there is the pier that is a must go to, it's where you can find the famous swings.
Trey .M. — Google review
Beautiful park for family and friends. It’s an easy walk from city market, plenty of spots for taking pictures and relaxing at the park . It has nice pier, fountains, eco rock, benches along the big trees etc. We enjoyed walking around and took some nice pictures here.
Chanchal — Google review
Beautiful park with two water fountains overlooking river, with lots of benches for your evening enjoyment.
Chanbo Keo — Google review
Wow what a beautiful place to spend a few hours!! Beautiful sights and walkways! Lots of benches and places to sit & soak up some South Carolina sunshine also🌞
Callie Paige — Google review
This place is really nice. Easy to spot dolphins. I saw a dolphin couple. We took a really nice walk. It's also really nice to rent a bike and ride. Pineapple fountain is also really beautiful.
Krishna singh — Google review
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Vendue Range, Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
I'll never travel to Fort Myers without this trip planner again
The fort at Fort Sumter was the site of the first shots in the Civil War, and it continues to be a popular tourist destination. The fort is only accessible by water, and daily ferries run informative trips back and forth. It's also a National Historic Landmark.
The paddle boat ride was relaxing. The raising of the flag was really cool and the story that he shared was neat. Gave you a better appreciation for both sides of the civil war. It's amazing how much the enslaved people did in this part of the country to build this part of the country.
Joni Garrett — Google review
This starts with a nice relaxing ferry ride to the island. We loved sitting on the deck outside and looking at the water and the city. Once we arrived at Fort Sumter, we were giving a brief overview by one of the Rangers about the monument. The Rangers are extremely knowledgeable and can answer almost any questions. There is a lot of history there and it is interesting to learn. It’s well preserved a great addition to our Charleston trip. We probably would not go back again but we were glad we went once.
Erica Jo Byers Pelton — Google review
The tour of Fort Sumter was the perfect length at approximately an hour. We took the first tour at 9:30 and I highly recommend it. It is cooler and better yet we rode with all the docents! Ranger Walter gave the history of the Fort and the area. It is mostly preserved in its mostly destroyed state. Restoring it imo would take away from the story.
Walter Ford — Google review
A definite must when you come to Charleston, especially if you're a historian, you will really enjoy this one. The ferry ⛴️ was nice as well this is a very educational tour, get in line early if you want to pick your seat on the ferry, also I recommended the last one of the day because they have the flag folding ceremony where the you get to participate if you want. I was a bit taken back, standing in the middle of the fort thinking of the events that took place there, I only wish it was a bit longer there was a lot to take in but not a lot of time to do it.
Dominique Chance — Google review
Must do experience while in Charleston. I must admit spending time on the water to and from the island was half the reason I visited Fort Sumter. The views of the Battery, Ravenal Bridge, and Sullivan's Island from the ferry were stunning. Knowledgeable guides and a very well written brochure provided more background and history than could be absorbed for one day. Next time I'd like to go early and stay late, so I could spend more time in the museum. The sound system can't compete with the engine and the waves. More speakers on board are needed to be able to actually hear the park ranger clearly. Old and young alike catch just enough snippets to be tantalized without being informed. Also, the web site refers to a garage on the Charleston side without providing a map or the cost of parking, so we opted for Patriots Park on the Mt Pleasant side for $5. All in all, the excursion was well worth the time and money. I'll make time for a fourth trip when I can make a day of it. Fascinating, really.
S Hodges — Google review
This is a must do exhibit if you visit the Charleston area. You have a brief ferry trip to the monument. As you arrive, you can see the stations of where the cannons were pointing outward. The fort itself is well preserved and it’s history is very fascinating. Quick tip: You can take part in the “raising” and lowering of the American flag if you are on either the 9:00 or 4:00 tours. The overall tour was quite informative and pleasant.
Michael Androvett — Google review
While it was one of the hottest days, the Ferry ride and the Fort were amazing. Because we were on the first tour of the day, they needed help raising the garrison flag. I didn't hold the flag but I got to witness my family participating. Bring a water bottle, they have refill fountains at the fort.
Jeanne Sutton — Google review
The ferry ride to Fort Sumter is pleasant and relaxing. When we got to the fort, we had to wait almost 15 minutes for the ferry in front of us to load and depart before we could disembark and explore the fort, and our time was cut short because of it. My advice, please plan to get back to the ferry on time so others may have the same experience. Other then being rushed, it was a great experience, hearing the story of the history of the fort was fascinating, and the museum was packed full of information and artifacts.
Michele Stroud — Google review
Ft Sumter Is Beautiful a lot of cool history!
I recommend you take the Last Ferry of the day you also will have a chance to take down the flag and fold it when arriving at the island for the last Trip!
Very beautiful place and the museum is pretty cool!
The Wilfords — Google review
Fort Sumter has an amazing history that is worth the visit. The ferry takes about 30 mins to get out there and a ranger will give a quick 10 min presentation upon arrival. You only have an hour while you're out there so take full advantage of it. I wish we had more time but it was still a blast. We were even greeted by dolphins at the fort.
alex monsrud — Google review
Essential American history expedition. Park Rangers were knowledgeable and did a great job sharing both Union and Confederate viewpoints to give the complete story of one of the pivotal places in our nation’s history.
Darren Holley — Google review
First, the 30 min ferry ride was relaxing and informational. We were able to spot dolphins several times during the ride. The historic Fort itself is wonderful to explore. They have a museum which explains the history of the Fort and displays historic artifacts. The flag raising ceremony (first trip only) was also very meaningful. Restrooms were clean and well maintained. There’s also a tiny gift store at the fort.
Han Stw — Google review
Nice relaxing and informative boat ride out. We were the first tour of the day so we got to see the raising of the flag. Amazing when coupled with the history of the fort. The young lady who gave us the history was amazing at her job. I teared up a couple times. (I'm like that with some history things I guess.) When arriving and going to the flag pole, and continued history, it knocks out 10-15 minute from the hour that you have, The only thing I would like to see is an extra half hour to tour the grounds more. Other than that it was well worth the time and ticket to get there!!
Stagerlee — Google review
Great place to soak in history. Wish we had a bit more time to get around and read all the plaques and fully experience the museum.
Matthew Rice — Google review
As a history nerd, this monument literally makes me giddy. I spent several hours exploring this place boring my poor parents with every random fact I know. It is definitely worth the trip if you know the history. Even if you don't know the history, it is still pretty darn cool. I mean, who doesn't love old abandoned forts and cannons?
Jeanette Healy — Google review
A great experience!! I wish the ferry options allowed for a longer visit, as it did feel rushed. You get about an hour to explore, however I would have probably wanted 2 hours to really immerse myself and read all the history. Also, the ferry will cost you $30+ per person just as a heads up.
Katelyn Austin — Google review
Wonderful place, can feel the past come alive here. The ferry ride gives you a chance to see other ships too. Currently a ticket is $35.. Note to park in the lot for the ferry, is $5 same as it has been the last 10+ years.
Matthew Fletcher — Google review
Very important events in our nation happened here. The rangers on the island & visitors center tell the story well. You have to take a boat ride to go. You can catch it from Liberty Square (difficult to find parking) or from Patriots point at Mount Pleasant. At the Point there is adequate parking for a small fee.
kathy harra — Google review
Honest revel I love national parks. The historian did a wonderful job sharing the history. We had 3 park rangers on our ferry. It was about 30 minutes each way plus about and 1 1/2 hours to tour. Not enough time to go through the museum. But loved the information and experience. FYI we had dolphins jumping in front of our ferry...so cool!
Janice Marley — Google review
Arrived at Patriots Point early and had to wait an hour for the next ferry over, which was fine. The trip across the bay was nice and met some nice folks both ways of the ride. Supposedly, there were dolphins on the way back, but I didn't see them.
You are allotted one hour in the fort, which doesn't seem like a lot, but the fort isn't that big, so that's plenty. There is a museum there but did go in.
Overall, it was a nice day, as you can see by the picture.
The red line on the pole is how high the way used to be.
M S — Google review
Nice ferry ride to the fort with a speaker who tells a short story about the fort. Impressive information about our nations history. You're only allowed 1 hour on the fort, so don't take too long at the museum or gift shop! !
Angela Harvey — Google review
Visited on a Wednesday afternoon - rode the ferry ($37/person) to Fort Sumter, stayed an hour on the island, then rode back.
There was a 10 minute history presentation by a ranger upon arrival, and the rangers were available for questions during the visit.
Cool to see the cannons, brick walls, etc. But I personally felt it was an overpriced experience.
Would recommend for anyone interested in historical monuments.
Jamie Oakland — Google review
A piece of history. You can still see the scars from the cannon fire. Great museum inside. Only problem is it's hard to take it all in during the hour you have at the fort. The boat ride there and back is enjoyable.
Harry Pennington — Google review
Fun historical site. Great place to help your kids have a sense of patriotism and learn some history! Our park ranger, Andy, was amazing. My only complaint was that our national park pass didn't do anything for us at this location.
Nestled on Wadmalaw Island, just a scenic drive from Johns Island, the Charleston Tea Garden is a picturesque site with acres of tea plants and offers trolley and factory tours. Established in the late 1700s, it continues the tradition of American grown tea that was invested in by the Lipton Company in the early 1900s. Visitors can explore this historic plantation and sample its renowned American Classic Tea.
This was a wonderful tour. I especially liked that it was very easy and not much walking. We parked right by the factory and gift shop. They have a trolley tour that explains everything about their teas. Our tour guide was funny and enjoyable. I plan to bring friends back for the tour, especially those that don’t want a lot of walking. The tea samples are great. The inside tour is quick and has benches along the way to sit. My recommendation is to go when they are harvesting so you can see the whole process on the tour. We will be back.
B H — Google review
We enjoyed our visit to the tea farm, great tour guide on the trolley and very informative. The factory tour was good and fun to watch. The gift shop had hot and cold teas to try. We had a chance to try the first cut tea of the season which had a rich and buttery flavor. Lots of cute tea items in the shop. They have a wonderful place under trees with picnic tables and nice bathroom facilities.
Terrie White — Google review
We loved this tour. It is such a rare and unique experience to see how tea is grown, harvested, maintained and processed. This is not an Antebellum plantation tour, it is a tour of an active tea plantation. Do not miss the factory tour (which is separate from the trolley tour) and does not have a separate charge. Hopefully you can see the factory in operation, which is most of the time from April to October. It is just down the road from the Angel Oak tree which is very much worth stopping to see as well.
Nicki Athey — Google review
This was the second time my fiancé and I have visited, but the first time with my family. I will always love coming to the Charleston Tea Plantation. There is a free factory tour every 15 minutes on the hour that explains how they process their tea. There is also a trolley tour - $15 per person for ages 12 and up, $7.50 per child ages 4-11. The trolley tour is such an incredible and informative experience. It was fascinating learning about the tea and the history of tea. In addition to the tours, there is also a great gift shop. They have dispensers (hot and cold) so you can try a variety of their teas. I would recommend the Charleston Tea Plantation to anyone wanting to learn more about the history of Charleston!
Jillian Gravizi — Google review
We had the best time visiting on Mother's Day.
We enjoyed the quick factory tour which is about 12 minutes but was very informative. We also had booked, in advance, the trolly tour. Out driver was very nice and provided a good amount of info to supplement the recording. The grounds are fun told walk around. We enjoyed sampling all the different teas for free. If your in the SC area go check them out if your a tea lover.
Debbie Avery — Google review
A must-go if you are a tea fan. Maybe the only large-scale tea plantation in the US. Go on the $15 trolley ride and learn all about tea agriculture. Walk through the free factory tour and learn about processing. Beautiful location, free iced and hot tea tasting, public bathrooms, fun gift shop.
RickK — Google review
A wonderful little experience to fill 2 hours. A cute gift shop with many tea products and free tea samples (hot and cold). A free factory tour that is video led and allows you to see in on the small operation. We paid for the trolley ride through the tea fields with a stop at the greenhouse. It's not super cheap, but a great way to view the only tea farm in North America. We enjoyed it with our kids and would recommend it as something to do during a visit out to see the 400 year old Angel Oak tree and park.
Rebecca McDonald — Google review
This is a good stop if you're in the Charleston area and don't mind doing a little driving, especially if you're a tea fan. There is a large gift shop filled with your standard gift shop items, a free video guided factory tour, and all you can drink hot/cold tea while you're there. I'd say the most impressive thing in their gift shop is tea from their first harvest. Most of the cold tea varieties are sweetened already, and you can find whatever add-ins you may need next to the teas.
They have lots of outdoor seating including picnic tables where you can wait if you're doing the garden trolley tour ($15). The tour was very informative and it included a visit to their greenhouse as well.
Sara O — Google review
The Charleston Tea Garden is such a fun experience. The drive out to it is absolutely serene. Step into the don't shop, where you can browse through a vast collection of craft items, tea, and treats. Sample hot and iced teas of various flavors. (They were all good!) Take a free tour of the factory. It will only take approx. 10-15 minutes. And for $15/person, take the trolley tour of the entire property.
Chris Trethewey — Google review
A must see place if you are a tea lover. It is the only tea farm in the entire region of the country. They process the tea leaves once a week. The trolley tour is really nice. You can sample tea in the gift shop. So many cute things in the gift shop
Eloise J. Li — Google review
Our visit was 28 August 2023 during a family vacation for the week. I am a connoisseur tea drinker, especially for herbal tea varieties. We were a family of 6 women from 80s to 50s. It was nice to ride in the bus with seniors especially in heat. Some of the dust does kick up when it is dry out. We really enjoyed the tour and information provided. The staff were all so pleasant and the sample teas helped in our choices. Yes, we all left with some teas and other items. I am still cherishing the last box of mint tea and apple butter that I have. My two great-nieces enjoy their flower pens. I would recommend a trip to this location. If down with my traveling friends, I would bring them over as well.
Philly Red — Google review
Had the pleasure of visiting the tea garden today. It is a unique to SC experience, offering fascinating history of this one of a kind farm. The spring weather was beautiful for the open window trolly tour. The tour wasn’t terribly long however it included 4-5 stops with explanations, Q and A time, and an audio recording lecture supplemented the drivers speeches. In the gift shop there were hot and cold tea samples available and other items for sale. It was pleasant browsing and the shop attendants were kind and quite knowledgeable. Highly recommend visiting!
Onna Koehn — Google review
The only tea farm in the USA! Free factory tour, free tea tastings, both hot and cold and well stocked gift shop. Restrooms and free parking available. Tour the Tea farm on a tour bus for $15. The tour is about 45 minutes. Our tour guide, Andi, was informative and entertaining. Sara from the gift shop was helpful and took a group photo for us. If you love tea, farming or beautiful scenery, this tour is for you.
Gail Hicks — Google review
One of my favorite places I visited while in Charleston! Our tour guide was hilarious and I learned so much about tea. Who knew green tea and black tea were from the same plant?! The gift shop was full of so many great finds, and there are a few interesting locations to take pictures at. It’s definitely worth the stop!
Kylie — Google review
We very much enjoyed our visit and tour at the Tea Garden. Sally drove us back in to see the fields and greenhouse and gave us some great insights into the industry.
The free tea bar was a treat and the little self guided factory tour was interesting and educational.
Stephen Balza — Google review
This is a great little secret of Charleston. The Charleston Tea Garden is the only location in the US that grows and sells tea. This location has two tour options and a gift shop. As a bonus the gift shop has many cold and hot teas on site that you can enjoy -- unlimited.
The first tour option is free and about 15 minutes long. It takes you through the process of how they process and make different teas. Unless it's bad weather, they generally are harvesting and processing tea daily.
The second tour option has a small fee. I think it was around $15 a person for adults. This is a trolly tour that is covered (great for when it's raining). This tour takes you around their 18 fields and the nursery. You can see first hand how the tea is harvested, learn the history of the tea garden, and quit a lot about tea. The guy giving the tour is fun and knowledgable.
Overall it's a great stop, even if you don't want to take the tour. The tea on site is grown and processed there. The First Flush is the best to get.
brandon dierker — Google review
The Tea Garden is a great place to spend a few hours. It's free to park, walk around, and visit the guest shop plus factory. There are also free restrooms just outside. You can choose to pay for a tour on a bus run by the tea garden. If you choose no to, you can always walk around on your own. It's a pretty place that's worth your time.
Michael Barton — Google review
I did this because I felt it was unique, and I am so grateful. The place itself is beautiful, and our guide, Steve, was knowledgeable and fun. There is a little shop full of cute items and you can, of course, also get some tea. In addition to the gardens and greenhouse, you also get to view the manufacturing area, and they are videos that explain how everything is processed. I learned a lot and really enjoyed my time here!
Nicole Walker — Google review
If you are in the Charleston area, you should not miss this. You’ll learn more than you ever could have imagined about tea.
For example, did you know that all varieties of tea come from the same plant? Yeah, me either.
They have a small little self-guided factory tour, a tasting room with unlimited tea, and a paid trolley tour around the farm. You can spend about a half a day here,and it’s quite educational.
Ben Hendricks — Google review
The Charleston Tea Garden (Plantation) in South Carolina. This is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL plantation. The trolley costs $ and no dogs allowed on it so we didn't ride them but dogs are allowed on the grounds but not image the shop. Parking is FREE, admission is FREE, lots of hot tea and cold tea samples (full cups) inside are FREE, and there is a little self guided tour that's FREE with video and you can see through large windows the factory where they make the Charleston Teas. The gift shop is where the tea tasting is and how you enter the free tour and lots of cool things to buy in there. This is a PERFECT place to go to if you're looking for FREE stuff to do in/around Charleston, SC.
Laura W — Google review
I really enjoyed the trolley tour and tea tasting The charming tour guide was funny and engaging. Seeing the factory inside was also interesting. Even the kids enjoyed it. I never knew there was so much to know about tea. We bought our tickets once we got there and had 45 minutes to taste tea and do the factory tour.
Kim Manning — Google review
Area is comprised of three main activities; main area is the gift shop, behind of which is the free video guided viewing area of a processing factory floor, and the last of which is a trolley tour of the tea plantation. There is no walking around on the plantation nor walking tour permitted.
Gift shop has free tea of varietal flavors in both hot and cold complimentary to sample. Bathroom is outside.
Trolley tour was pretty fun. Had Andie as our tour guide, cracking quirky jokes and tea puns that I assume has been well practiced as she spouted them with great enthusiasm.
Although the tour and videos purport this being the only tea producer in NA, Believe it's really just the largest commercially viable one. Probably due to the historical establishment of the tea plants.
Peyton Hu — Google review
If you know a minimum about tea & always wanted to know more take the time to visit this place. Interesting history & tea processing explained. Endless cups of tea, hot or iced & information to enlighten! Trolly ride around the active farm fields is the only way to see it all. No walking about in the fields on your own allowed as it's an active, working farm. Trolly is worth doing. Enjoyed the ride & the driver was thorough, personable & truly seemed to enjoy sharing his time with us. No question was too large or too small. Gift shop is delightful. Did I say there's endless cups of tea?!!
Dona Brandle-Boylan — Google review
This was a very informative tour and our trolley driver was great! Very informative and passionate about the plantation. The gift shop could use some brighter lights. It's cute and they have a lot of stuff, but some things are hard to read due to lack of light. The tea is good. A different taste than what I'm used to (Numi black breakfast tea), but still very good.
shannon mcferren — Google review
Highly recommended while in Charleston - it's free to visit the site but an additional charge to take the trolley tour.
There is a gift shop with all the tea that you can drink and a factory tour as you walk past a series of recorded video presentations.
Ryan Smith — Google review
We took the Trolley tour while visiting Charleston and loved it! This place is a gem and the people working there are very passionate about their craft. The garden was beautiful and the tour was very educational. They also had samples of different teas available in the gift shop and a short and free factory tour. I would highly recommend visiting!
Molly Sahler — Google review
Such a quiet and relaxing area. We stop in every time we visit Charleston to pick up loose leaf tea. They have different hit and cold teas to sample while visiting. We enjoy sitting outside in one of the ricking chairs, sipping tea just relaxing. They do offer a tour of the plantation which is very informative as well.
Nancy Benton — Google review
If you like tea, this is the place to stop by. My husband and I went on both the property tour and the factory tour. Both of these were informative and interesting! Our guide was upbeat and kind. We really enjoyed listening to him!
Hunting Island is a state park featuring sandy beaches, marshes, a maritime forest, a saltwater lagoon, and a lighthouse. The park is well-maintained and boasts various historical buildings, two beaches with bath houses and beach gift shops, as well as campgrounds with their own gift shop. Driving through the island feels like entering a rainforest due to its lush vegetation.
my favorite beach ever. it’s so peaceful and quiet, at least the part i went to was!! it was also just so beautiful.
Brenna — Google review
This beach captured my heart like very few other places on earth have. Its pristine sands, crystal-blue waters and serene atmosphere make it my favorite beach in the world. Watching the sunrise here feels like witnessing a masterpiece painting come to life. Each visit feels like the first, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Truly, a hidden gem that deserves all the praise and more.
Ken Yamashiro — Google review
I always love Hunting Island. It's well maintained and the beach is beautiful. There is a light house that you can go up in, various historical buildings, a campground, 2 beaches, bath houses, a beach gift shop, and a campground gift shop.
Christina Smith — Google review
Top campground just meters from beach — good facilities, clean, quiet — some fun trails for cycling/hiking — beware the mosquitoes!
Andrew Hood — Google review
Pretty magical Little Beach. Evidently my family's been coming here for years and I finally realized why, the views are fictitious!
Dylan Wisser — Google review
We enjoyed our visit to the island. The drive into the park was remarkable. It would be easy to get lost if they didn't have signs telling you the way out.
Brenda Wilhelm — Google review
What a beautiful park! Driving through seems as though you're entering a rain forest. Gorgeous beach and amazing lighthouse. We were disappointed to find out upon arrival that the lighthouse is closed.
Mary Richardson — Google review
Tranquil, relaxing beach in October. The water was still warm enough to swim. Clean shoreline and the palm trees behind the sand make a peaceful backdrop.
Phyllis Maclay — Google review
Quiet, relaxing beach. Great for shell hunters. Picnic area for family gatherings,with tables and grills.
Robin Walker — Google review
We went twice in one week. The visitor center is a nice first stop. Lighthouse is at the upper (northern) beach with picnic tables (gnats drove us away from lunch there, however, early March). You can find some shells, but had better luck last year. Saw some people on horseback. Not crowded at all; plenty of room! I explored only a small bit of trails; looks great if you want to hike or bike. The road into the park is also beautiful.
Mark Metcalfe — Google review
This is either the end of the world or it’s beginning. Excellent beaches, inland trails, scenic views, camping / campgrounds, fishing piers, history, etc. etc. If you are in Beaufort, go. If you’re in South Carolina, go. Just go!😀
Carl Wahl — Google review
Gorgeous. Miles of beautiful beach along the Atlantic Ocean. The museum was so informative. Can't wait to visit again. Hopefully the Lighthouse will be open to the public
Stacy Wright — Google review
This was our first time visiting and we loved it!!! Driving to the beach you feel like your in a Jurassic park movie!!! The beach is beautiful, filled with shells!! And the lighthouse is magnificent! Be sure to go see it, and there’s a cute little gift shop too!!! Also…. The boneyard beach is simply amazing!!! I’m sure if you go you will enjoy this beautiful area as much as we did!! ☀️🌴
Lyn S. — Google review
This is our 3rd visit to this South Carolina state park and it doesn’t disappoint! Our campsite was on the perimeter of the campground and backed up to the primitive campsites of which none were occupied during our visit
The RV sites have electric and water, fire pit and picnic table and many are heavily wooded and private. Its more of a hard packed sand rather than gravel site for parking. The store has ice, firewood and other supplies.
There’s a trail that you can walk to from the campsites as well as beach access. Other trails start from the 2 other entrances along Sea Island Parkway as well as a short hike on the sound side which connects small islands out in the marsh via boardwalks. That’s a great place for birding. We saw a river otter and 4 Bufflehead ducks hunting fish in the marsh. The trails all offer a variety of scenery from forest to marsh to beach including the ghost forest at the south end of the island. Its a photographer ‘s paradise !
Hiker Shirl — Google review
One of the few South Carolina beaches. The park is clean and they road leading in is interesting.
Robert Rakosi — Google review
Love this place!!! We have been going every year for 14 years. I enjoy the NOT crowded beach, the lighthouse, spacious sites, unique finds in shells & the wildlife. The last couple years price has went up & have started adding fees per night if you bring a Golfcart-so be sure to check for extra charges-love they added a place to wash & dry clothes!
Shelter Cove Community Park is a popular gathering spot in the city that hosts frequent shows and festivals. In addition to its entertainment value, the park also features green space for sports and fitness activities. The park is well-designed for children to burn off energy, making it an ideal destination for families with young kids. Located in Hilton Head, the park is surrounded by great shopping options including numerous restaurants and small shops.
Shelter cove has some of the best shopping in restaurants hands down. This park was so well designed for the kids. They were able to burn some energy off so they could behave well at the dinner table. We went twice in our week vacation down there in Hilton Head. Highly recommend stopping by here if you have kids. Let them burn some energy off so they don't act up at the store's while shopping lol
Emily Banks — Google review
Beautiful path to walk or bike along the marsh/water. Great for bird watchers. Mixed path - paved and raised wood decking over marsh. Art sculptures too.
Jeanne Louks — Google review
Shelter Cove Community Park is a beautiful park located adjacent to the Shelter Cove Towne Centre. It includes a large grassy area for recreation, a stage for concerts, and an area with playground equipment for children. Plus, it has a gorgeous view of the marshland. It's a beautiful place to run and play or simply to sit and relax.
Greg Squyres — Google review
This is a awesome Greenway that goes put over the edge of the marsh area near shelter cove. There is open parking at the end, and there are two small parks that this takes you to.
One is a veterans memorial park with pavers of some veterans of various wars. I am not sure how the featured veterans were chosen, but still a pretty stop
The 2nd park is behind shelter cove shopping center, and has a playground, and gazebo area as well as easy access to shops and restaurants.
The whole trail is probably about a mile, but might be a nice excursion if you find yourself in the area
Andrew McAllister — Google review
Have been here a couple times while visiting the area.. Nice park with good views. There are stores and small shops. Also a few nice restaurants and club located close by.
john sgrulletta — Google review
Love this park. It's close the restaurants and shopping and has the Memorial park. It's a great place to watch the sunset and to look at the amazing Memorial built for veterans. You can even purchase a brick for a veteran and they will have there name there for ever. They have done such a good job in building a beautiful park. It's a MUST visit while you're in HHI.
Don K — Google review
Cute little park with a community market on Sundays. Location was excellent to do extra shopping after the market. Playground was perfect for kids of different ages to explore and had good benches for parents.
Morgan Melton — Google review
This is new to us. Wonderful amenity. Well laid out paths, nice views, respectful of the natural environment. Nice veterans memorial. Perfect place for sunset pics. Connects to other Shelter Cove paths. Highly recommended
Brian Capron — Google review
Shelter Cove Community Park is a very well-designed shopping center, community park for the whole family to enjoy. All of the photos were taken on our recent visit at Christmas and the park is just beautiful! The playground is great with rubber mulch and very cushioned for wild kids like mine:). Large grass area to run around or picnic with the family. Hilton Head puts on events there all the time such as movie nights under the stars, snow at the beach, 4th of July celebrations etc. Check with the community calendar to make sure you don't miss out on any of the great events going on there. This is a park we often take people that come to the beach to visit us. They always seem to maintain the park very well and we will continue to go there as it is just a great place to hang out, walk around, shop, eat, date night and of course go and see Santa Clause at Christmas!
Anchors Away Sailing Charters — Google review
It's a wonderful community park but there's very little shade along the boardwalk so pick your days carefully and wear lots of sunscreen. The views are absolutely beautiful
Ralph Landi — Google review
Beautiful place to watch the sun set!
SEG — Google review
This was one of our favorite stops as a family on our day-long biking trip! Beautiful waterfront views and a very well put-together park with lots of seating, a very nice playground (with video surveillance), and restrooms. This park is right next to the French Bakery and other good eateries.
Devon McKenzie — Google review
This is a wonderful place to watch the sunset. There are walking trails, picnic benches and a nice playground for kids. Lots of children, families, teens and elderly enjoying the evening. Several people were walking their dogs. This location is near the marsh and is very peaceful. We saw lots of water birds flying overhead heading to the rookery for the night.
Debbie Wilburn — Google review
The best on this side of the island! Free and a playground foe kids with water fountain, restrooms lots of seats and walking for the family. Sunscreens in the bathrooms and lots of cameras around to spy on you! And free wifi however not enough handicap parking.
Cya Vsqz — Google review
4.7
(1136)
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5.0
(2815)
39 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, USA
Coligny Beach Park is an oceanfront recreational area featuring well-maintained walking and biking paths, as well as amenities like Wi-Fi, swings, and the option to rent beach equipment. It is a popular destination for families as it is conveniently located near a playground and the Hilton Head Island Children's Museum. Locals also frequent Islanders Beach, where they can enjoy grilling facilities and picnic pavilions in addition to swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.
I love this beach park. The trees are so beautiful and the water was so clear. They have lots of pine trees and the bright green leave plants. I also love that parking was easy, at least when we went in December. They also have bathrooms and showers.
Atche Portillo — Google review
Free public access to the Atlantic Ocean in a Hilton Head Island, SC! Beautiful boardwalk bringing you into the heart of the park. Clean restrooms, rinse off area, changing rooms and lots of shaded seating stops. Wheel chair and scooter accessible mat also available. Beach with lifeguards is very clean with several umbrella chairs and prime seating for families enjoying the day at the beach. Would definitely return!
Elizabeth Kibby — Google review
Beautiful beach with all amenities like washrooms, foot wash, changing rooms, showers, parking.
Walk to the beach is a pathway with beautiful trees, you can take your carts along with beach chairs.
During the day beach was quite jammed but when I went in the morning around 7am it was much less crowded and looking more peaceful and beautiful then the day.
Water of the beach is very very salty so if you skin allergies take precautions.
You get Chairs along with umbrella shed on rent but I did not take it so don’t know the rent.
P.S- I would request to each of you reading the review not to leave your plastic cans/items near the beach( I saw many during the day visit). Also other request would be to minimize the use of plastic so that our oceans don’t get destroyed.
Arpita ABhatia — Google review
Wonderful beach! Very clean and well maintained. We loved the walk up to the beach. There is plenty of seating where you can just rest and admire the beauty of the park. Just a short ways from the main Coligny Beach Park entrance, there is tons of safe, free parking. People (tourists and locals) are very friendly and will guide you if you need help. We particularly loved the outdoor changing area because we visited the beach again on the day we had checked out of our hotel. We were able to let the kids get in the ocean and play in the sand, and then come and rinse off and change into dry clothes right at the park. This extended our trip and gave us another day to enjoy the beach as we still had a safe area to get dressed. The park is close to tons of restaurants and shops. Just leave your car in the free lot and go explore. It’s worth it!
Renita Taylor — Google review
I live in Atlanta and don’t mind driving here because it’s clean, family-friendly, has free parking, and it really is beautiful. I love this beach! Lovely place to spend the day with my family
Nurse Yana — Google review
This place is really nice. The beach is usually very clean and well maintained. Has a nice long wide mat that makes it easy to get through the soft sand. There are some nice shops and places to eat. All of which are within walking distance from the beach and where you park. Definitely recommend coming here. FYI It does get crazy busy during tourist season
John — Google review
Beautiful place, flat beach area, soft sand nice to walk in the area that close to the water, not crowded, there is clean station and toilets. Pretty nice and clean side walk. Ocean water is pretty cold right now. friendly wave all day long..
AnVe 2021 — Google review
Cool beach, gets busy during hot days for swimming.
Many people around so it's mostly safe.
Nice sunrises over the Atlantic and decent sunsets.
Oceans can be flat as pancake or have 4-5 foot choppers in the same day. High and low tides add about 20 yards to beach area.
Fun place to people watch
M Caff — Google review
This was our first time coming here. Making our way to Florida. This park is actually really nice & convenient! So many wash off showers, bathrooms are decent, swings to sit down and chill. The beach sand was so nice, there was some trash here and there. The waters are warm!! I've never felt the waters that warm before. I recommend this park though, it's a nice place to take the family.
Katie Kramer — Google review
FREE PARKING!
HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE right down to the ocean! There are mats lining the path that wheelchairs can roll on easily.
This place is stunning.
Very little shells on the beach. It's nice to see a city put so much into public access. Restrooms, showers, water faucets and more! The water was good and cold from the fountain which is a surprise.
The sunrise was pretty even if that one cloud blocked it a little.
Plenty of restaurants within walking distance too!
Ray Smith — Google review
A beautiful park with lovely bench swings on the walkway to the beach. We were there in December and the temps were in the mid 50s. It was warm on the swings and cooler on the beach, where it was windy. If you dress for the wind it is a beautiful walk along the beach and not very crowded this time.if year.
Hadassa 1 — Google review
A good beach access point for the public. It has all the necessary after beach clean up facilities. The restrooms were kept as clean as possible for a public restroom. There was good enough sanitations. The park had several shops and restaurants which were unfortunately all closed as I visited on Christmas day.
Abhish Abraham — Google review
Coligny Beach Park on Hilton Head Island is a must-visit destination for both solo travelers and families alike, the boardwalk leading to the expansive beach offers an intoxicating blend of natural beauty and modern convenience.
The crown jewels of this picturesque location are the enormous live oaks that shade the park's well-maintained boardwalk that transforms the park into a cool retreat even in the peak summer heat. They're not just functional – these age-old guardians of the island possess a rustic beauty that adds a unique charm to the landscape.
The park's splash pads are a real delight, particularly for children. A fine mist keeps visitors cool under the South Carolinian sun, adding an element of fun to the soothing serenity of the beach. The area is kept clean and is perfectly safe, making it an ideal spot for families to create lasting memories.
Adding to the park's tranquility are the numerous swings scattered throughout the park. There's nothing quite as relaxing as swinging gently under the protective canopy of the oaks, enjoying the soft sea breeze and the hypnotic rhythm of the nearby ocean waves.
Coligny Beach Park is a harmonious blend of leisure and nature.
Lisa Medford — Google review
Best beach to spend an afternoon with friends. Very clean beach. Found sand dollars and starfish. Life guards and helicopter kept eyes on water for any potential threat of sharks. Warnings were given and everyone had to get out of the water. It was about 30 minutes. Then the all clear was given. Clean bathrooms. Definitely my favorite beach!
Spedrock W — Google review
Beautiful beach, easy access and lovely rest area with water spigots to wash off your feet as well as showers to rinse off completely. Could use more parking but there isn't anywhere to add it - plus, it's walkable from many of the condos nearby. The sand was perfect and waterntemp was cold but bearable for an October sunrise.
Patricia Batchelor — Google review
Love the fact if you are in a wheelchair you can go and see the beach with no problem. Also if you have a hard time walking in the sand they have a cover over the sand in which makes it easier to get there. The cover doesn't get hot either.
MeLinda R — Google review
Out of all my visits to this magnificent island, I never once had been to this beach access in Coligny Plaza, as I always have beach access inside Sea Pines, so I decided to try something new. What sort of local guide would I be if I didn't?
As far as the actual beachline goes, it's a beach, so everything there was what I expected it to be, but as far as the entrance, it was well-maintained and there were enough restrooms around! The beach itself also extends quite largely, so there's plenty of room for everyone!
beastlycharizard13 — Google review
Looks like a well maintained area, clean with restrooms, showers, swings, and short easy walk to the beach. parking upfront was easy to find as we went during winter. Parking was free. We didn't stay for very long but enjoyed the area quite a lot..there is shopping nearly and restaurants too. We saw lot of people with dogs too.
Sanjeeta Pai — Google review
Great beach with a lot of space to set up chairs, blankets or whatever. A lot of walkable or bikeable stores and restaurants close by. Stations to wash off feet, showers and bathrooms. There is a wheelchair accessible mat at the entrance that brings you to the beach as well as beach wheelchairs you can borrow for free.
Hannah Montroy — Google review
Coligny Beach is a high quality spot with nice facilities, including restrooms and changing cabanas. It’s a great walking beach, especially at sunrise. You can rent chairs and umbrellas ‘in season’. There is plenty of parking nearby.
Keith Moore — Google review
The first time I had been there and it was very clean. It had a lot of added family touches. Share toys and clean up area for the beach. The changing rooms and the restrooms were very clean. I loved the porch swings as well.
Dustie Brown — Google review
4.7
(9533)
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4.5
(3680)
1 Coligny Circle, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, USA
The Savannah Historic District is an area of the city of Savannah that was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. It is one of the largest urban historic districts in the United States, and it contains a wide variety of architecture from the 18th century through to the early 20th century.
We had some time to check out this historic district in Savannah while staying near bye for a conference. The homes here are historic and the architecture is very nice. My favourite part of this historic district was Forsyth Park and the fountain there as well as the Spanish moss trees all over. The park is a nice place to walk around as well as the area as we walked everywhere.
After seeing the homes and Forsyth Park we enjoyed River Street where there’s lots of restaurants and bars to enjoy something to eat and walk along the river where there were vendors selling things. I would definitely come back if ever in the Savannah, Hilton head area again
Donald hood — Google review
I visited the Savannah Historic District last summer and had a wonderful time! It is such a beautiful area with a plethora of options for food, shopping, and entertainment. Many of the roads or paths I encountered were brick or cobblestone, which are beautiful but can pose issue to those who use wheelchairs or a blind person using a cane. Overall though, the brick walkways were very well kept and didn't seem to pose much of a risk at the time of my visit and there was not a lot of cobblestone. The main roads are paved. There is an area by the riverfront that utilizes a fair amount of stairs spread out, so if someone is in a wheelchair there will need to be a bit of a re-route to get to that specific area of the riverfront. It is a very lively and fun area with a lot of music and lights which is very fun, but if you are someone who struggles with sound sensitivity I would suggest bringing earplugs or your choice of aid to help damped that. Overall, a beautiful, must see area in my opinion, and has few inaccessible areas from my point of view in my visit.
Cada Schmidt — Google review
My favorite place to escape on a long weekend. River Street is vibrant and full of arts, music, tons of little shops and bars/restaurants. The Squares in downtown Savannah are beautiful, historic and so green. If you've never been, I recommend a trolley tour to see the highlights. Then go on foot and find the little treasures of shops, art, food and entertainment.
Misty Lane — Google review
Did trolley tours with two different tour companies; two different days (Thursday and Monday) and experienced many different guides and saw wonderful landmarks. If your a tourist visiting Savanah historic district I highly recommend using a trolley tour. There is so much to see and hear about.
Jherie LaCorte — Google review
What a beautiful city steeped with so much history. We took a 90 minute tour with Old Savannah tours (our tour guide was Hampton- he was fantastic). This is a place we definitely need to come back and spend some time in but if you've got 90 minutes to spare, you should make the detour!
Tanya Hutton — Google review
I'm a huge history buff. The wealth of information and history here was worth the visit alone. Everyone must go to Savannah at least once in a lifetime.
Stephanie Wesson — Google review
Good experience to ride the trolley down town and take the tour around the historic area. We also stopped for food at Spankys on the river. It was a great experience and the gift shops were reasonably priced
Danyetta Butler — Google review
We had a great time visiting the historic district. Many beautiful ancient buildings (build in 19th century) with great architecture, good parks, famous restaurants, beautiful tree tunnel, good river walk, museums, greenery and finally Church with beautiful architecture are the specialities of historic district. If you are visiting for one day, we recommend using old Town trolley tours of Savannah. Based on our experience this trolley service runs at good frequency and have hope off and on facility at major tourist attractions. For an extensive tour, a 2 day visit is needed for covering all the places. If you are coming by car, one major problem will be parking availability.
Siju Kurian John — Google review
Great place to spend a beautiful day walking and taking photos.
With dozens of shops and restaurants to keep anyone entertained. Lot
To do lot to see.
Frank Iverson — Google review
Savannah has a great town with lots of interesting history. We enjoy walking around for a couple hours seeing all the amazing homes and parks/plazas.
Tim Salmonson — Google review
First time visitor. Two days is not enough to experience all the district has to offer. Lots of. Museums and Art Galleries. The history and architecture is amazing. Take the trolley to get an idea of where you want to spend more time. The trolley operators can be fun and entertaining.
Alex Buchanan — Google review
Savannah's spirit is delightful. In each square and around every corner there is a unique experience. Take a quick glance at the city plan then just walk and explore N-S along Bull street and E-W on River Street, Broughton, Oglethorpe, .... all the way to Forsyth Park. The city is dotted with attractions ranging from historic jems to contemporary art galleries and inspiring architectural renovations. Savannah offers a first class experiences in all seasons, no need to wait for popular events or festivities. Just stop by for a day or a few and enjoy hospitality in this energetic southern bell.
E Afifi — Google review
Walk the River than take the Old Town Trolly tour ride around once than hop off & on at any stop our tour guide Sam was great! We Ubered to waterfront cheaper than trying to park. If planning and you want to stay waterfront book in advance.
Karen Meehan — Google review
Absolutely gorgeous. Great walking city. Just watch where you walk cobblestones will trip ya!
Brittney Pickering — Google review
Went for a girl's trip & stayed at the Marshall House! It is Gorgeous! We also went on a tour where we learned about the history of this beautiful area & how everything came about! The driver & his crew were very nice & knowledgeable! They made the tour exciting!! In conclusion, I recommend seeing this Beautiful part of GA. Too amazingly gorgeous to miss.
Mandy “Barts Wife” Burroughs — Google review
Such a fun place to explore! Cute squares of greenery and churches and historic houses. We spent a day here and thoroughly enjoyed.
Limia Mohamed Hamza — Google review
Visited savannah for the first time. Two days are not enough to explore the place. It has got a lot of options and it’s really well developed ❤️
Savannah is known for its real life greenery and ghosts but I didn’t found any so far 😂
Love the place
Small sweet and live
Heema Patel — Google review
This was my first visit to historic Savannah. I only stayed two days, but I had a good time. I used a company called Kelly Tours to get an overview of Savannah. They take everyone through a 90-minute tour first. We had an excellent guide. Then you pick where you want to next. For example, you could call and say I'm at stop 9, I would like to go to stop 5. I called them three times. Each time, it took less than 5 minutes for them to get to me. Some stops were about a 10 minute walk, the weather was nice so I walked some. I feel like I saved so much time, and I saw everything that I wanted to see. I didn't get a lot of good pictures because there are lots of trees and greenspace.
Beverly (Beverly) — Google review
Most site seeing places are entry free, on the river Bank side there was a fireworks 🎆 display for good 20-25 minutes ard 10pm it gets included under Destination fees with ur hotel booking.
Navzy Pal — Google review
4.8
(5818)
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5.0
(14398)
301 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401, USA
The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is a neo-gothic Catholic church with elaborate stained glass windows, and music recitals are often held there. It was almost entirely destroyed by a fire in 1898, but was rebuilt the next year and restored to its former glory.
In the heart of Savannah's historic neighborhood, a really well historic church. Some of the stained glass windows are quite lovely. Beautifully constructed church. The church is well-maintained and has a large seating capacity. In Savannah, there is a spot you should go. This church is both cold and peaceful, making it ideal for prayer. It's free to walk in with a suggested donation of $3. The photographs do not do it justice, and the rush of emotion I felt as I went in was unrivaled.
nitish deshpande — Google review
Stunning architecture in the middle of Historic Savannah. Well-kept grounds and interior pristine. One of the beautiful places to visit that should be added to your list.
M — Google review
The guard at the entrance made me feel right at home; he's such a friendly person. Stepping inside feels like entering another dimension, with so much to explore and observe. It's history at its finest, and the architecture is truly breathtaking.
Janet Negron — Google review
It was hard to capture how beautiful this church is. We just don't have historical places like this on the West Coast, so I was in awe. I grew up Catholic, so it brought back comforting memories. I lit a candle and sat in the wood pew to take in the sights, smells, and the beautiful colors of the stained glass with the sun shining through them. I love how they allow the public to come into the church to look around during times when they aren't having mass.
Tammy Schur — Google review
Historical cathedral with a beautiful stained glass windows and expansive alter. It’s a suggested $3 donation to go in. They offered a free tour where the presenter explained the cathedral’s history and pointed out some interesting features. It took about 20 minutes overall and was very informative. It is an active church so do be mindful about people praying. I would recommend coming here for a first-timer to Savannah and spending half an hour!
Shanelle S — Google review
If you've never experienced such an amazing and heavenly place, then you should come here. It is amazing, and the artwork was breathtaking! Even if you are not Catholic, it is wonderful, and it is totally free they only ask for donations. Also, they still have services there as well! I loved this place, and so did my grandkids they were amazed at the grandeur of the church. Now, you might not want to bring kids who are a bit loud, for it needs to be quiet. It's still a church, after all. But really and truly amazing.
Tenita Wilkins — Google review
This Cathedral is Massive and absolutely STUNNING!! 100% worth the stop! They have visiting hours so that you can actually go inside and tour the area and take photos of all of the beautiful stained glass. Beware though: there is no public restroom.
Honor Warren — Google review
There are no words good enough to describe this experience... a must see to know!! The outside is spectacular, but the inside is miraculous! Your mere presence is altered by the surroundings as you sit in reverence!!!
Michael Venning — Google review
Came here on St Patrick's Day. It is one of the biggest churches is Savannah. The church architecture is so beautiful.
The vibe is peaceful and calming. You'll keep admiring the beautiful glass windows and sculptures here.
Please be respectful while taking photos though.
Bhushan — Google review
This Cathedral is stunning. I was here for Mass on Mother's Day, and I was in awe of everything, the liturgy, the music, the atmosphere. The church was decorated with I don't even know how many dozens of roses, giant roses. The choir sounded celestial. The bishop celebrated the Mass - and delivered a wonderful homily. The windows are stunning, especially the Ascension and Immaculate Conception windows. I am a little perplexed by the lack of wounds visible on Christ's hands, but a gorgeous image. As usual, so many details. I especially liked the "Communion of Saints" images around the ceiling.
Nicholas Petrillo — Google review
Beautiful place. Hard to imagine the hours of work in all of the intricate details throughout. Soaring ceilings, beautiful stained glass and extremely detailed carvings throughout. If there is a red sign out front that says worship in process - not the time to go. Usually between 12:30 - 4:30 on weekdays is ideal to visit.
James Burnham Coldwell Banker Prime Properties — Google review
The cathedral was beautiful! We were there about 20 to 30 min before a service and there was a lady in the back of the church yelling at anyone that wanted to take pictures. I absolutely get it and was respectful and didn't make a peep. Apparently, the cut off walking around the church and taking pictures 30 min before services.... so plan accordingly! I was able to snap a few when she was yelling at others.🙂 It's absolutely worth the trip to see!
Lynne L — Google review
OH MY GOODNESS! This is GORGEOUS! No matter your beliefs, you should check out this BEAUTIFUL cathedral! The architecture is breathtaking and well, just go see for yourself. 💕
I remember thinking it's donation only.
Jessi — Google review
Absolutely Breathtaking.
Eye candy for the soul.
No matter what religion you are, the beauty inside is undeniable, the energy is peaceful and employees are knowledgeable and willing to share.
Definitely take the opportunity to venture inside if they have the doors open.
I've been there 3 times to view and appreciate the outside, but this time was the first time I was able to enter.
It was worth every moment spent there.
It is free, but there is a sign asking for donations.
Laura Lockhart — Google review
The church was beautiful. They asked for a donation but it was not required. To light a candle for a prayer that you had a donation request. I give it a 4 only because in my opinion there is historical importance to the building and some information would have been helpful. Not sure any takes note but the would on Jesus switches sides from one window to the next. Guessing those windows are expensive! It’s all. About the details! Lol
Brian Lee — Google review
Absolutely gorgeous and free although they do take donations. Friendly staff. We went at Christmas and there was a gigantic very detailed nativity scene which was very impressive. I bought a Christmas ornament there with many choices of the stained glass pieces in the church. The organ was specifically made for this church and is a sight to see. Check times before you go because they do shut it down during services.
Kate Martin — Google review
A must see if you’re in this town, a true piece of history. This Cathedral is absolutely massive in size and so beautiful. The stained glass is gorgeous and so detailed. The wood work is stunning with an insane organ. A very unique place to visit.
Aaron Bonewitz — Google review
We always visit this breathtaking cathedral when visiting Savannah. Make it a must-see when you are there! The history and beauty are worth the visit.
Lana Williams — Google review
Always beautiful but extra special at Christmas. The Nativity is impressive! The stained glass, steeples and wood carvings are hypnotizing. Just gorgeous! A must see when visiting Savannah.
Jessica — Google review
Beautiful, beautiful church! I felt like I stepped into a church in Europe! One of the prettiest sights in Savannah!
Atasha Jordan — Google review
Beautiful cathedral that has endured for such a long time. Went to their Christmas service that was very packed . As huge as it was, people still had to stand in the back. I come to this place almost every year to just enjoy the decorations and ceremony. A must see for anyone .
Forsyth Park is a 30-acre urban public park in Savannah's historic district and is internationally known for its Forsyth Fountain. The park also includes an outdoor theater, cafe, children's playgrounds, tennis courts, soccer fields, and a Confederate memorial.
This park is the home to the most photographed fountain in Savannah.
This is a large park with a sense of peace and deep history.
The sidewalk circles the outer edge of the park and then cuts through towards the fountain.
Lots of people from all.walks of life visits here and simply hang out just to enjoy the energy it emits.
Definitely worth the visit.
Laura Lockhart — Google review
The park was beautiful and a lovely stroll down the center under the canopy of trees.
Playgrounds were available, tennis courts, plenty of grass to place a blanket and relax.
On our Sunday afternoon there were many homeless and at one end of the park they were having an event offering food and water for the homeless. It got a bit rowdy by a few attendees. A bit of yelling, pushing, throwing of water bottles. But the rest of our visit was pleasant.
We walked down the center as well as on the outside parameters to enjoy the architect of the older homes.
Be smart and be aware of your surrounding while visiting.
Rita Clark — Google review
Loved this park! Easy to walk through and had so many cool things to look at! People were friendly and the architecture was just amazing! If you think you don't have time, you do! It really does not take long to walk through, we walked it before we were able to check in to our hotel, maybe 30 min tops! And we saw a lot in that time frame!
Jenika Turnquist — Google review
Such a beautiful park. Complete with its historic fountain and huge open green fields we didn't want to leave. It's a must stop for anyone who takes a trip to the shining jewel of the south, Savannah GA.
John White — Google review
An absolutely beautiful park to visit, relax, exercise, or whatever you decide to do at that time. Trees are spectacular in their beauty, with lovely old homes surrounding the perimeter. There’s even a restaurant (Collins Quarter) available for eating or an outside coffee/drink window to order beverages. Definitely a “must visit” place while in Savannah.
Sherri R. — Google review
Took my son to play on the playground on a Thursday. There are two playgrounds I found out. Some of the equipment is metal so be careful with the sun heating it up during the day. The equipment was in good shape. There are benches to sit at at the playgrounds. We enjoyed walking to the fountain. It was cool to see some local artists selling their artwork or jewelry along the paths. The restrooms are by the restaurant and it was clean when I used it. There is a fun little hidey garden near the smaller playground with roses and benches. The flowers were in bloom and so beautiful. We did get a parking spot by the tennis courts which is free.
Melody Owen — Google review
It is a beautiful historic park in the city's historic district. I love how the town maintains its beauty, especially its well-kept boardwalks and the water fountain in the park's center, which exudes classic elegance. This is an excellent place for locals and tourists to walk, jog, or relax.
Patrick Min — Google review
Great park in Savannah. We got there in the morning and it was fairly crowded. Has historical statues. Has a lovely fountain. Has public restrooms and a restaurant and Leopold's ice cream parlor. The one at Broughton st usually has a long queue, so this might be a better option for you if you don't want to wait that long. People were enjoying themselves in the park and it was well maintained. I had a good time!!!
Deepak KC — Google review
Great park in Savannah. I frequent visit this park due to it’s attraction. This time I visited in the late morning time and found very less people so feel comfortable to have family photograph.
Don’t forget to buy painting or handmade ornaments (as a memory of park visit) sold by street vendors. You are supporting locals by buying some products .
Park is clean and have public restroom. If you are with kids, they can enjoy in kids zone too
Lila Baniya — Google review
Park was absolutely beautiful! An early morning stroll was magical on this beautiful morning. The park was very clean and I loved looking at the fountain and reading all the statue plaques. I love history and this park is full of it. Statues prompted me to immediately go to google and find out more about the people they were erected for. Early morning is great because not a lot of tourists. Most were runners and walkers which lest the fountain wide open for pictures.
Kelly Dale — Google review
This is the one place I wanted to visit on my trip to Savannah and it did not disappoint. Beautiful park! Amazing fountain! It is set up perfectly from the minute you set foot in the park to see the fountain. Trees offer shade everywhere (good thing because we went in July and it was 98), benches for resting were too. It even has a snack bar/restaurant with outdoor seating. I’m not sure if there was indoor since we did not go inside and I have to say the cleanest public park restrooms I have ever seen in my life anywhere….seriously. A park is never complete without playground for kids which it has. It made me wish my Granddaughters were with us, they would of LOVED it! Great place to see, do not skip it and do not forget to take your picture in front of the fountain.
Ina “Michelle” Shaffer — Google review
Had a wonderful morning stroll at Forsyth Park in Savannah, GA. Despite the recent storm, the park remained Lovely! Appreciated the dedicated crew diligently cleaning the sidewalks, enhancing the overall experience. A refreshing and enjoyable outing in January!
Rhonda Fox — Google review
This park is located near downtown Savannah and has very open dog-friendly spaces and fields. Some old monuments are scattered around, which makes for a great Sunday stroll.
We highly recommend checking out the nearby restaurant CQ for a lovely brunch and coffee. (They also have a to-go window that you can walk up to!)
Christopher Estep — Google review
Beautiful Park. I Felt safe there. I didn't see 1 police officer there unfortunately. The take out window staff at the park cafe where not so helpful or friendly. That didn't affect the park overall but next time I will take my money some place else.
Donald Adams — Google review
Park with an area of 10 Acres. Beautiful and well maintained. This park has a beautiful fountain. We enjoyed our time here. There are many vendors selling paintings, souvenirs etc. This park has children's play area. This park has many seats to sit and relax. The park was crowded during our visit as it was saint Patrick's weekend.A must place to visit in Savannah for a cool atmosphere.
Siju Kurian John — Google review
Stunning park that is safe and always well kept. The Farmers Market on Saturdays is great, has tons of food and fresh produce. There are always fun events in the park and Collins Quarter has done a great job with the concessions area. Great to just walk around, it's huge and you'll always find something new. Great to sunbathe and relax as well. The botanical garden is a hidden gem. 2 playgrounds for the kids and at least 2 football fields worth of open grass for sports or exercise. Beautiful full trees provide shade and ombiance.
Nicole Graziani — Google review
This is an amazing park!. It has so much history and the water fountain is phenomenal to watch and enjoy the view. Nice place to come and sit and read a book or have a picnic with your love one's.
Jefe YO Soy — Google review
Very well-maintained beautiful park. Good place for a get-together. Play area and Splash pad are available for kids. I think it's difficult to get a car parking on weekends. The restroom is very clean, but there was a big queue in the ladies rest room.
Vasantharajan Thangaraj — Google review
This has to be one of the most beautiful, peaceful and idyllic places in all of Savannah. The park has lush grass and beautiful walkways lined with ancient trees that are dripping in Spanish moss. Different artists were stationed on one path selling sundries and at the end of the path was a gorgeous fountain. There is a small botanical garden in the park and surrounding the area were rows of gorgeous homes with tall ceilings and wrought iron, long shutters and inviting porches that remind you of the South.
Tiffani Patterson — Google review
Beautiful, serene park. Enjoyed our visit. It is dog friendly. Must see if visiting for the first time. I recommend walking through the park at dusk or early evening. We enjoyed viewing the holiday decorations and historic homes.
J Joyner — Google review
Beautiful park and trees. Public bathrooms. Two playgrounds. Lots of grassy area for sitting and playing. There is a restaurant on site that we did not use. The fountain is gorgeous.
Cindy Minor — Google review
Beautiful! This is a great park with lots of history. It’s a nice place to take your dog for a walk or go on a picnic. It was spread out so it didn’t feel crowded. We parked nearby for free and walked to eat down by the River Front!
Rhonda Gosser — Google review
A must see- nice area, rented scooters and scooted to the fountain from our hotel. The trip there took us through all the squares, and the fountain was really pretty.
Molly Zembko — Google review
This is a great park to stroll if you are visiting Savannah, big trees, fountain, large lawn to play, relax, walk, exercise, it has kids play area, stage etc. There is a restaurant, well maintained park and trails. When we visited, there were people selling their art inside this park on a trail. Restrooms were clean and were pretty busy on weekend. Paid parking around is available, sometimes on a walking distance.
Chanchal — Google review
Love going to Forsyth. Did the 5k walk which was very well organized. The park is great for people watching, enjoying a nice day, walking, events.
Deborah L — Google review
Top notch Park from end to end. Historic monuments pretty much every block for a 12 square block radius. The water fountain is amazing along with the rose garden building you walk in and the aroma of roses just smacks you in the face! I would recommend coming here if you are in the area because it's a nice place to get away from the big city while you're still in the big city.
david floyd — Google review
Went to this place twice. Yesterday it was raining super heavily and found no one
Today morning it was crowded. Nice place to every fortnight/monthly markets here.
They got good stuffs like painting, posters, accessories, eatables, clutches, juices and much more.
Heema Patel — Google review
Lots of open areas to sit. Bring a blanket to layout, no picnic tables to sit at.
The fountain was green. Pretty cool for Saint Patty’s day.
Tybee Island is a small city and barrier island situated near Savannah in Georgia. It is famous for its extensive sandy beaches, including South Beach with its pier and pavilion. The northern part of the island houses Fort Screven, which boasts 19th-century concrete gun batteries and the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum. The light station has been rebuilt several times over the years, while the museum located in Battery Garland focuses on local history.
The Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier is an iconic landmark on Florida's Space Coast. Originally built in 1962, it has been restored to its former glory and now stretches 800 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. This historic pier is a popular tourist destination, offering a variety of amenities such as restaurants, bars, boutiques, and live musical entertainment. It is also known for its excellent surfing conditions and fishing opportunities.
Beautiful spot for a date night! This pier has two restaurants/bars, the staff is very friendly and give fast and excellent service. It’s also kept very clean along with their bathrooms too. My husband and I had a great time!
Caroline Parker — Google review
Perfect for families and friends to hang out catch the views and see some surfing as well. Food is decent but sure it could be better off the pier and cheaper. However you can miss the views especially sunrise
Elisabeth Concepcion — Google review
Westgate Pier is a wonderful experience.
The pier has various restaurants, bars, and gift shops.
Eat and drink overlooking the beach ⛱️ and ocean. Excellent food and drinks at reasonable prices. Nice beach vibes! Play on the sand and ocean and enjoy good food.
I highly recommend Westgate Pier as a vacation destination.
🤗😊😃👍
CHRIS MOSQUERA — Google review
Best day ever! Weather was great! Sat at the bar &grill quickly, waiter got our drinks fast (although we asked for light ice.. still great) , food came quick and tasted awesome! A bit on the pricy side, but for a date with the hubby, it was worth it! We had the crab and shrimp dip. The bowl of clams, and the coconut shrimp. It totaled about 54 before taxes so like I said, not too bad for where we were. I totally recommend!
Michelle Fatnassi — Google review
I prefer to go early morning around sunrise time with my camera. Stopped in the day after hurricane Ian, and the surfers were out full force. Here are some of the pics and they didn't disappoint for a large crowd.
find me on Instagram for more @zech.browning.75
Zech.Browning.75 — Google review
It’s a nice pier to go to. We went during Memorial Day weekend. Fairly busy. Lots of food options on the pier. Restrooms on the pier as well. You can also watch the surfers by the pier. Good views of Kennedy Space Center from the pier Coaches..
mmzombie • — Google review
Those who try to enter the pier after 7pm will be held to wait for an hour before allowed entry. There was a long line. I have no idea why. We had been there earlier in the day with easy entry.
Mary Ann “Mrs. Small” Small — Google review
Very nice pier. Free parking. A few gift shops. A couple of restaurants. First one is in an open area of the pier but covered. A great view of the beach, looking south.
Binder Vegas — Google review
A few dining options and a small gift shop. Parking lot is pay to enter. Food and drinks are reasonable at the restaurant but are often crowded on the weekend and have slower service.
This summer the seaweed on the Florida coast is out of control. The fun of playing in the ocean and on the beach is greatly diminished by the quantity it rough seaweed.
High Alpha RC — Google review
The pier is home to many memories for a lot of locals and visitors alike. Once it was just a pier, unruly and full of fishermen and kids. It has in recent years been "gentrified" into what I might call a "family-fun-food experience."
The food is much improved in 2023, and the Hawaiian ice shop has expanded and is a big draw. There are...hold on, let me count...3 or 4 bars, all under the same management and dependant on weather. The tiki hut at the end, the outside in the wall with tables around, and the one that's been there since the old days, under a roof but open to the elements after the ramp
It's changed a lot over the years, but the changes make it an easy place to relax. Very rarely are there "drunks" making a scene. There are no televisions (mercifully, please never change that) so loud game days happen elsewhere. And a large percentage of the customers are just passing through on their way to a cruise or other Florida fun.
The staff is all well trained and unlike many (many) other local places, they all seem happy to be there. At least they are professional and don't air kitchen/bar complaints and gossip. They know the locals, very many by name. Myself included.
As a person living locally I walk there about three times a week to absorb other people's vacation positivity. I have met many interesting people and had many conversations with people I will never see again, but that's the transient nature of a destination beach town. It's the charm of the Pier.
P.S. I've lost a couple of pairs of glasses to the strong winds out there, so batten down the hatches!
DJ Kinney — Google review
My Husband and I visited Cocoa Beach Pier with our boys during Spring Break 2023 to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary. We had such a good time and the most perfect weather from sunrise to the evening when we finally left. Parking fee was reasonable for the day. It seemed like a magical place because everyone we met there also were happy and enjoying themselves. We will definitely come back. Although we didn’t go to the Tiki bar, because we brought a picnic, we did venture up and around the store to get a higher view. I miss this place already!
Julianne Roybal — Google review
Nice pier with a few places to eat and shop. Kept clean and has nice benches if your not eating or drinking. Plenty of security which is good. 4 stars because it’s more crowded then most places.
Grouper 305 — Google review
Access to the pier is free but you will pay for parking. There are a few restaurants located at the entrance to the pier and along the pier itself. The tables along the pier are first-come first-serve dedicated to the restaurants and there were only a couple of benches where the general public could sit. There is a super cute tiki bar at the very end of the pier.
Tricia Palomino — Google review
I like all the improvements they have made over the years. Fun place for families. Surfing 🏄♂️ 🌊 🏄♀️ the waves.
Excellent restaurants with delicious meals and drinks at reasonable prices.
A must-see on your travel list.
🤗😊
CHRIS MOSQUERA — Google review
This was a beautiful pier. Our issue was that the security guard was extremely rude! To not only us, but we observed him being rude to others too. No Bueno.
Also was frustrated that they closed the bar super early because "nobody was there", in their words. Disappointing. All of the shops were closed too. Would've loved to have spent more time here, but... oh well.
Meagan B — Google review
Cocoa Beach is short drive and a nice getaway from the typical Orlando family vacation. The pier is a nice spot to watch surfers, volleyball or rockets launching from Cape Canaveral. Has some gift shops a couple bars and places to grab some food.
Glenn DiResto — Google review
Pier has a lot to offer, restaurants, gift shops, benches to sit and watch the waves, surf lessons and just great place to take a walk. Enjoy.
Александр М — Google review
We had a fun time at the pier. There’s a few shops and restaurants along with a nice view of the beach.
Cocoa Beach, a city in Florida located south of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, serves as an entryway to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. This complex is home to rockets and famous artifacts. The region is renowned for its sandy beach and surfing spots. At the Florida Surf Museum housed within a surf shop, one can learn about the local history of this sport. For those interested in dining and shopping options, Cocoa Beach Pier has various eateries and shops.
SeaWorld Orlando is a theme park where visitors can see marine life including dolphins, penguins, and killer whales. There are also exhibits with smaller animals like turtles and sea lions. There are educational aspects to the park too which is great for children. The resort-style pool complex at the Renaissance Orlando Resort features an interactive water playground that's one of the most entertaining in Orlando.
This was the best park of all 3 we visited those time. plenty to do. All included meals. I was worried how people talk about how poorly the animals are treated. But I seen wonderfully healthy animals thriving. Our 5 kids 6 to 19 loved it. Great deal and we are definitely going to go back next visit. Christmas decorations and rides for big kids made it a perfect day.
Heather Mc — Google review
The shows here are very good. Dolphins, Killer Whales, & Sea Lion shows were very informative & action packed shows. Definitely recommend getting to the shows at least 30 minutes before start time to get a decent seat.
Lines for everything is crazy. 1-2 hour lines for food, popular roller coasters, & of course entering the parking lot. As others suggested, definitely eat a big breakfast to power through the first few hours at this park as outside food is strictly prohibited besides bottled water. Otherwise, if you get here early try to order food upon entering before the lines get crazy in the early afternoon.
One of my favorite exhibits was the penguin experience. Tip, try going towards the park closing as the regular line was only 15 minutes to get in, not bad.
Good luck, and enjoy.
Alex L. — Google review
One of the best and affordable theme parks in Orlando. New rides added. Killer whales show is still the best overall now with a total educational program that your kids will love it. Totally worth the visit. 4 stars because food is below average for the price and you cant bring anything with you. Not healthy or decent choices. Everything else, from staff to service is great. Enjoy your visit. Take it from a local guy that lives two blocks away from it.
Nelson Roman — Google review
Great experience! Definitely get a dining plan but share it because it is a ton of food! We also got a souvenir drink cup that we shared and refilled for free that helped with cost. The Quick Queue passes are a game changer and my kids were able to ride all the rides in one day. The animal shows are educational, entertaining, and funny. The animal viewings are fantastic. I really enjoyed seeing their Rescue animals and knowing they make a difference in the welfare of so many animals in the wild.
Corri Stanley — Google review
Great place for the whole family. Buy the all day food voucher as expensive to eat inside park if not. We went mid week and Ques were very short. Good wheel chair or mobility scooter access to all areas of the park. Staff were excellent and very friendly. Your ticket also allows this park to keep working on Marine conservation!
paul masterman — Google review
Fun place to visit. Kids enjoyed the rides and shows with dolphins and whale's.
Lot to see and do,one day is not enough for sure to see it all. We came at great time, before Christmas when everything is decorated and there is snow with Xmas trees,just beautiful. Recommend! 🥰
Nataša Malinda — Google review
Park was busy which was to be expected. To ensure you get the most out of your day (shows, entertainment, roller coasters etc) I would highly recommend purchasing the fast pass to ensure you don’t waste your time and energy waiting in 2 hour lines. I was hesitant because of the amount but I never had to wait in lines, I was able to experience all the shows, ride for an unlimited time, eat and still have fun without wasting time. You go for the experience and the fast pass will ensure you have a fun time.
Sarah Victoria — Google review
We visited Sea World on a beautiful 70 degree Florida day in February! We went during the week, and it was not crowded at all. The parking experience was fine and very quick. There was a minimal wait to get into the park. We did purchase a year pass for the same price as a one day admission! We loved the seal/ sea lion show ( You will get wet if you sit up close). My favorite was the shark exhibit and the Shark Experience Restaurant, where you can dine while watching sharks swim around you! I thought the park employees were helpful in directing us around. Yes it's pricey here, but I think this is the best theme park in Florida!
Robert — Google review
An experience for the whole family. We came with a baby girl and even she enjoyed it.
I recommend arriving early to get everything done and not miss the shows.
There is a huge variety of animals and shows with huge aquariums and interesting animals
Don't miss the the seals (and tom the mime), orcas and dolphins.
*We came in the middle of the week and didn't buy the express ticket and there was really no point, there weren't such big queues
Nadav Meir — Google review
Penguin exhibit was the coolest part for us. It was about an hour wait to get into the exhibit. Lines for food is just atrocious as well as the popular coasters. Eat big before you head into the park and give yourself some time before hanger sets in. Cool shows and great animal exhibits. Sea lions were cool and you can go and buy food to feed them. Good times, just wish the lines weren't so bad
Fung Szeto — Google review
This place was amazing! Could very well be my favorite amusement park. The variety of things to do makes it a perfect spot for the roller coaster riding thrill seeker, as well as the laid back admirers of sea animals. This place is essentially a zoo for sea faring animals and it does a great job at letting you interact with these beautiful creatures. Feeding the seals and sea lions was one of my favorite activities. There are enough eateries to satisfy the pickiest eater, and if you're really making a full day of it, the all day eating pass is a nice option. With so many photogenic attractions, this is a great place to create some lifelong memories with the family!
Jonathan Chambliss — Google review
I loved the shows and the food. I recommend buying the food inclusive package. My first experience ever at Sea World and loved the animals. Each show, I oohheed and awed at all the work behind the scenes that went into each performance. The love the trainers have for the animals is expressly seen and awesome. The time they had to put in for a show, wow. The energy was contagious.
Marcie Hennings — Google review
4 of us went ( all adults ) . We bought the food package, which we very much recommend. We weren't worried about going on the rides, but did she all the shows. It's not like it used to be a few decades ago , The shows were short, and all ended with a speech to appeal to the animal activists. Overall had a great time. Highly recommended specially for kids. Make sure you see the penguin house !
Rick Nedescu — Google review
Been here plenty of times. Came this time for the Craft Beer & Food Festival. All the stations were open, even after a storm that lasted about an hour. Park was crowded even after the rain & 100 degrees weather. All the food from the stands were good. Roller coaster rides were all about a 50 minute wait. Penguin encounter is closed & fenced off. Overall a good Aquarium park.
Christopher — Google review
My dad took me here in the late 80s and again a few days ago. Great experience to see everything & how amazing the park has grown. Definitely bring your family and friends here. We also got tickets to see the Halloween Theme After Hours and It Was Fun.
BENNY — Google review
Pleasantly surprised. Shows were fun. Roller Coasters are way better than Disney World. Tickets are affordable, park merchandise not so much, all day meal plan are worth it. 4 stars because the kraken was not available. Just had a fun time overall.
Michael Silva — Google review
Sea world was a lot of fun! I highly recommend getting the fast pass. We rode everything and the longest wait was like 15 minutes. The dolphin experience was pretty cool too. Food isn’t great, but what do you expect lol. A fun day indeed!
Jacob Kersting — Google review
Although we didn't go on any rides and only wanted to see the animals. I would recommend buying tickets in advance. The rides had about a 60+minute wait on everything. It was hard to maneuver with kids running wildly with no care and no one watching them. If you are old enough try one of their cocktails, they were good and they have a lot of liquor in them so it was worth the price.
Justin Saiz — Google review
My family and I had a great time. If you have a little one the best spot is sesame street. My daughter had a blast on the kiddie rides and couldn't stay still in line to take photos with Elmo and friends. My wife had her fun on the roller coasters while I enjoyed the animal shows and all the animal exhibits. Definitely a great way to spend the day.
Rogelio Alvarez — Google review
Great family park! We went for a family trip ranging in ages 3 to 72.
The animals are fascinating for all ages. In addition to viewing, there are several shows that give you a chance to learn more about them while being entertained.
For the younger children, you can spend time in Sesame Street Land. With tamer rides, a splash pad and playground, as well as a parade, it's the perfect place for the little ones.
The roller coasters are crazy, probably some of the best in the area!
For a very affordable theme park experience, go to their website and check out the hotel packages. You can't beat the prices!
AJ McGwire — Google review
We brought our son here on Thursday, and he had a blast! He got to see all kinds of animals from flamingos, dolphins, sharks, alligators, walrus, seals, sea lions, otters, sea turtles, beluga whales, etc. I honestly was not expecting the park to be as big as it is, nor did I know it was also a theme park. I honestly thought it was like an aquarium. I did not expect there to be rides. The rides were themed around some sea animals, which I thought was creative! There are 4 different parking areas, if I remember correctly: RV, general, preferred, and VIP parking areas. I recommend families to bring their kids here for an amazing experience!
Montana Danner — Google review
That place had no summer heat tolerance. They don’t have drinking water fountains , no tents or covers, no tents, limited AC places, lines over 90 minutes.
No sprays or refreshing areas.
Totally disaster to go there in summer.
Not enough staff. Ride that could pass 40 people in one hour took ages to make.
Also nothing to do there for small kids.
Only shows.
This park has to make major changes to respect guests and make more refreshing areas.
And now you can’t buy separate fast pass for each ride- must buy 130$ per person on top of tickets quick queue even if you came for few hours.
I’m gonna skip this place for a while and not renew my membership as my daughter and i almost got overheated with THERMO hit.
We had headaches both.
Could do only 2 shows and one ride.
Dolphins show and killer whale was the only refreshing fun.
Ilona Nesterova (ILONA_TRAVELONA) — Google review
Great family experience. Sea World started out its operating day with the national anthem. They offer an amazing military/ veteran discount. The park was clean. The lines were not long. Rides were great, and the whole family learned a lot. Highly recommend for families.
PJ Wallace — Google review
The underwater exhibits are the best, and you should definitely check out all of the live animal shows if you can. While the animal exhibits are great, the park feels poorly configured and oftentimes you're walking a good while before you can see the next most interesting thing. Because of that, the park can sometimes feel very sparse in certain sections of the park. If it's raining, try to go to one of the underwater exhibits, we got stuck outside when it poured with nowhere to go. The staff seems to disappear when it rains as well.
Joe W — Google review
First time to SeaWorld! I had a great time. I love how much water there is, and the new pipeline coaster is super fun. We watched a dolphin and killer whale show, and they were both as amusing as they were educational. You're able to ride every coaster that was open, except for one. But we will certainly be back!
Eric Ray — Google review
If you are considering going to Sea World, just go! It’s wonderful. We had such a nice day even though it did sprinkle. The shows are wonderful. We went to all of them. We were able to buy discounted tickets ahead of time and also got the all day dining on sale. Much cheaper than going to a Disney theme park. The Christmas show was fantastic. The mime was funny at the sea lion show. It was a day well spent and the park was decorated for Christmas. We were there the day before Thanksgiving.
Mary Beason — Google review
Rides: I enjoyed the rides, especially the manta. the lines were moving pretty quickly
Shows: still enjoyable, especially the dolphins show, Otter and seal encounter. We were hoping to catch the Blue Horizon show, but we're told that they do not have that anymore.
Other animals encounters like shark, sting rays ... etc. It's not as great compared to the last time we were there (9 years ago). The touch tanks were pretty bad. There was no attendant there to interact with the kids. All the tanks are very dull and murky, not great condition for photos.
Overall, I would give it a 3 because it didn't give us the excitement that it used to. The atmosphere was kind of stale. The staff whom we encountered with were very monochromatic, with no personality, lack of passion.
Teresa — Google review
We purchased season tickets to all 4 parks as a local Florida resident with a large family we found it to be the best deal.
Our first visit to SeaWorld was great and the family had a great time. I recommend knocking out your rides you want to do right away in the morning and doing the shows and exhibits after as the ride wait times got significantly longer as the day went on.
We went during the Seven Seas food festival and it was fun to try different foods the kids really enjoyed it and the food was better than I expected.
Over all the experience was great and we will be back again. The reason for the 4 stars and not 5 is that we found we had several issues with staff helpfulness throughout the day.
It started with parking there was a hold up in our line for over 15 minutes and then when we got to the booth they for got to give us our preferred parking pass so that caused more issues when we went to park.
Later in the park when trying to use some of our membership rewards and redeem the free animal feeding we had the same issue. We were told we had to have a paper ticket not a digital ticket but had to ask the staff several times where to get it from but he brushed us off the first few times.
Lastly we once again tried to redeem some season pass perks with free food tastings but the app was not working properly and our options was to take a 30 minutes walk to guest service or figure it out on our own. We ended up have to redeem it directly from the website on our phones native browser as the app on multiple phones would not let us complete the checkout but it still took 20 minutes or so to figure out.
Jess Probasco — Google review
The staff were all very friendly and approachable when we had questions or help needed for anything. The shows were good, entertaining, and educational. All the rides were fun and safe, and since we had quick passes, our wait time was minimal to get on. I also enjoyed how almost every ride had easy purchase access for pictures taken, and they were quickly available, so you weren't waiting and wasting valuable time for them. Another positive is how they were able to crop the photos to get only your group of people in it, you also have an option for digital and a print out of the picture to frame in one they sell or no frame at all. Years ago, they didn't offer that. The food and drinks were on point. SeaWorld is the place to go with your family for fun without a doubt for sure. From feeding the wildlife, watching the shows to riding the roller coasters, there's fun for everyone of all ages!
Nichole Fulton — Google review
Here's the real deal... SeaWorld is great. The food quality is decent and expected for a theme park. However, the price is a bit out there for what is offered.
General parking today is $37!
There are no half-day (after 4pm) tickets.
The best values are adding the Quick Queue, animal feedings, and the all-day meals.
Alex Gaskins — Google review
Came for vacation and it was out first time. We bought our tickets online which sped up the process to enter the park. The orca show was absolutely wonderful. Very interesting to learn about the orcas and crazy how they have been trained. The kids world was perfect. Lines were long! But that is expected. I'd definitely get the fast passes next time although they are not for the kiddie rides. Lots to do and see. Loved all the exhibits. My kids enjoyed themselves. Fun park!
Courtney — Google review
Always a favorite spot to visit. It's great for the whole family & our kids love it! Shows are lots of fun! Plan to spend all day to get all of the experience in because there's a ton to see. We do suggest getting the Dining Pass... It turns out to be worth it for the meals & in between drinks & snacks.
Brad Westberry — Google review
Loved it! But wasn't prepared for the water ride that drenched you, needed fast drying clothes & shoes! Did not want to pay $6 for a dryer:( Animals appeared happy in their environments and great shows!
Kandy Heiman — Google review
This was our first visit back here in about 20 years and wow! I am very impressed with the growth of this park. So many improvements and additions…
We enjoyed the Dolphin show, the Sea Lion show and all the beautiful aquariums. The Shark area was fantastic!! Manatees and turtles… alligators and flamingos all things Florida and so many coasters!
Gift shops with nice merchandise and plenty of food options.
Easy parking. No wait to get in on a Saturday at 9:15 am
This was enjoyable for all of us- from 9 months to 56 years old. We all loved it.
I highly recommend a visit here!
Lynn Ringis — Google review
Very fun, educational and interesting. Lots of animals and shows, fun roller coaster rides, a kids area and food. It is only card for all payments but they do have machines that give you instant prepaid cards on site. Easy to navigate as it’s really a big circle. Im sad that the Antarctica exhibit was closed but I’m excited that they’re building a new roller coaster and area.
JC Olson — Google review
We had a fantastic time. Kids were fairly young, but there were tons of things they could do. They even got to ride a few coasters, which they were excited about. With adult rides, they have a good parent swap, so you can both get a chance to ride while the other watches the kids. Naturally, there are lots of shows you should definitely watch. There are lots of exhibits to see all the cool fish, turtles, and sharks. It's not the cheapest place, but none of these parks are, but the experience is worth it.
The Magic Kingdom is a renowned theme park within WDW, consisting of six themed lands that include rides, parades and costumed characters. It's known for its iconic Cinderella Castle, as well as popular attractions like Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. The park offers nightly fireworks displays that illuminate the castle and Main Street USA. Geared toward young children and their families, the Magic Kingdom provides an immersive Disney experience with a focus on storytelling and mythology.
An absolute must visit for adults and kids big enough to walk on their own.
We started on Epcot and moved to Magic Kingdom (two grown adults) we spent over 10 hours in a single day between the two and didn’t even get to see half of magic kingdom (we did no rides just sight seeing and food stops)
If you have kids start at magic Kingdom and plan no less then one full day, several if you have the time. As two adults in Epcot eating/drinks as we got hungry or thirsty and without any concern for cost we spent about $300 above the cost of parking and entry tickets. (Adult beverages and two “meals”).
A final note, if you go absolutely plan to stay for the firework show. Video and photo do no justice to the visual or audio quality of the display. LED lights in the trees are synced to the projector lights and are synced to the street lights, synced to the projectors on the castle, synced to the choreographed fireworks. All of that on top of an absolutely mind blowing audio set up that resonates from what I imagine is hundreds or thousands of speakers throughout the park. To top it all off you may even see Tinker Belly fly from the castle off into the distance. (Best use of a zip line and LED outfit I have ever seen)
Plan ahead so budget isn’t a concern and just plan to enjoy yourself. Bring sunscreen and stay hydrated. (A hat or umbrella to block to sun would go a long way to increase your sunshine stamina).
Daniel Roeder — Google review
We had a great time here with the kids. This was our first visit to a Disney park since we were kids ourselves so there was a lot that we didn’t know.
First off, the parades and shows throughout the day are incredibly well orchestrated and the kids loved it. There’s always something to see which is nice.
We didn’t go for the photo pass which turned out to be a good choice because all the photos they took of us sucked. We did however buy the genie+ pass that allowed us to book rides ahead of time. If you’re going for only a single day definitely get this to optimize your time.
The rides are a little more dated feeling than at Animal Kingdom but the kids didn’t notice.
This is the most important thing to know heading in…EVERYTHING COSTS A FORTUNE.
Here’s what you should consider bringing with you or buying elsewhere and the Disney prices for each.
Portable fans ($30ea)
Poncho ($10ea)
Water ($3.50ea)
Minnie ears ($30ea)
Lunch ($15-30ea)
Lots and lots of snacks.
Have fun :)
Mike G — Google review
They say this is the happiest place on earth... and I fully agree with them!! I have never been happier in my life! All the cast members were super friendly and helpful when I needed them! The characters were all great, sweet and so amazing! All the food here is divine and not to badly priced for a theme park. The rides and attractions are fun and you don't always wait to long, but if it is a long line then they have covered walkways and fans! You can ask almost any guest service or food place for free water if you can't find one of their water fountains. The stores are beautiful and well stocked with a lot of merchandise! I am already planning my next trip! It is well worth it!!
Kyojuro Rengoku — Google review
Great park in particular for families. You can ride almost everything with kids older than 5. Only Tron might be something for older kids. But it is also a hell of a ride, highly recommended. Stay of possible until the end, the fireworks are really impressive.
Michael Wiedemann — Google review
Out of all the parks, this is the one where the cast members and rides feel the most magical. I really enjoy how the parks are back to their old vibe and the cast members truly add to the experience, unlike when they were staffing the park with only college program due to the pandemic. I also noticed that this park is the only one that balances the ratio between lightning lane and Standby Lane when feeding a queue to an attraction. This makes the wait time to be more accurate, if not faster than what's displayed. We attended the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and it was worth every penny. Had tons of fun.
Carlos Alberto — Google review
One of the classic parks! Disney parks always deliver.
Tron was an amazing ride. Highly recommend it. Really cool structure and recreation of the Tron aesthetic, the weird position you’re in makes for a different and interesting roller coaster experience, and the parts where you go outside was cool.
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was good too. Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain are always fun. The Space Mountain here is one person per row unlike the one in Tokyo Disneyland which is 2 ppl per row.
We also went for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party where you could be at the park until midnight, get free cookies and hot chocolates at a bunch of places, see a bunch of shows and parades, and interact with cast wandering around. The projection mapping on Cinderella’s Castle was fun and spectacular. Christmas vibes were super cute. Space Mountain had Christmas lighting on l and it was cool to see the inside for the first time.
Yuri Yamaguchi — Google review
i had so much fun! this is my third time here, and every time it never ceases to amaze me. spacious, and lots of fun rides for everyone. lines got sort of long (especially weird for a weekday), so we got the genie + passes, which let us ride many rides and even the bigger ones we rode multiple times. you have to join a line queue for the tron ride- it’s so cool!
Ryelie Cauble — Google review
Incredible place to take the kids. There is a lot to see in this park from rides to attractions. Many options to meet the characters which was a lot of fun. The Magic Kingdom's Starbucks took 45 minutes to get our order; that was a bummer. Magic Kingdom had the most amazing fireworks I have ever seen; they were amazing. Great place to visit with the family just remember to have patience while walking the park.
Sarah Cat — Google review
Magic isn't only for your children. Adults can live the fairytale too!
I proposed to my wife here! We took the back stage tour, we have been on every ride, but we keep finding new things to do and ways to experience the magic!
The food isn't healthy, but it is feel good food.
A fun way to spend time with friends or family. A great way to make some core memories!
Also, the call them fireworks for a reason... 🔥
Sam Marks — Google review
We loved it! It definitely brought out the kitten all of us!
It's been roughly 20 years since I've been, but it was wonderful to go and show the experience, experienced it as a child and then again as an adult. It was good to see you that some of the stable rides were still standing. It was hard to get on trying no matter what we did. Mountain was awesome! Magic Mountain never disappoints. I would definitely have to take the baby on the teacups and small worlds for good measure. The lines were ridiculous so the genie plus service definitely helped them in some situations but not on all the rides.
It's a dry park though, so be forewarned, it's not like the other parks in that regard.
King was pretty easy. Just remember where you parked. You can save that in app or on your phone and remember how to get to your tram section.
Moochie M — Google review
Great experience to have with family and friends. Best place to take if you have kids but I went with adults and we had a lot of fun. Prepare for long lines and a lot of walking but the parades were amazing, and the castle was magnificent. 9pm showcased the fireworks and that was pretty cool. Definitely recommend!
Andy Mejia — Google review
Visited as 3 adults for the opening Mickey's not no scary Halloween party. Having travelled from the UK and not doing the Disney parks this year it wasn't to be missed for a first time experience. Last visit was 7 years ago and it didn't disappoint.
Arrived at 4pm, you don't have to make a reservation for special events and rode Haunted mansion, Splash mountain, Big thunder mountain and pirate's of the Caribbean with little to no queue. The event start at 7pm and managed to ride space mountain in the dark and the tea cups with a spooky theme.
The check up points for candy were everywhere and you collected tokens to exchange for allergies.
Enjoyed the magic of walking down Main Street and soaking the atmosphere all in. Whilst most of the shops were shut to prepare for the event still managed to get some goodies.
As for a day in the it's perfect for little ones, adults or those with any additional needs. Plenty to do for all.
The event queue for merchandise was hectic so I recommend waiting until later on in the evening if you wish to purchase anything.
Don't forget to collect your free print on the way out and if it rains the parade or show may be delayed (which is what we experienced) but wait for it! It's worth it 😊 characters are about in costumes but be prepared to wait for over an hour for some. Elvis stitch, Winnie the Pooh and friends were especially popular. Jack and Sally are in the main theatre and they tend to be the busiest due to the event.
Cara H — Google review
Despite a downpour that push the fireworks until 22:00 the “Happily Ever After” show was amazing. The day was enjoyable with the family despite the 95 deg F temperatures. The highlight would have to be TRON. The night ride in the front seat was outstanding! It was a unique coaster experience on the light cycle.
Jason Brandt — Google review
"Most magical place on earth," still remains true. The entire day was hot & the lines were long at times, but we had a blast at this theme park! We were a bit lucky with the weather because it rained; however, it was still humid it's Florida. Still, there are plenty of air conditioned places for a cool off, water, & other needed supplies. In our opinion, you will not need a lightening lane pass. Those lines were long too & even though some rides said 45/75 minutes on the myDisney app, we never waited longer than 45 minutes. The entire kingdom is clean, staff are always in character, variety of options to shop & eat, & an overall great family experience. Stay for the fireworks show. Place yourselves close to the monorail to see them - thank me later :)
Dr. Lisa — Google review
Magic Kingdom is a realm of pure magic and wonder, where dreams come to life and the heart is forever young. Stepping into this enchanting kingdom is like entering a storybook brought to life.
The iconic Cinderella Castle stands tall, radiating a sense of awe and anticipation that sets the stage for an unforgettable experience. The attention to detail in every corner of the park is nothing short of extraordinary, creating a world that feels both familiar and utterly fantastical.
The attractions are a symphony of thrills and imagination, catering to guests of all ages. From the nostalgic charm of classics like "it's a small world" to the heart-pounding excitement of Space Mountain, every ride promises an adventure that lingers in your memory.
The parades and fireworks displays are a spectacle of artistry and emotion, leaving guests with a sense of wonder and awe. The dedication and talent of the performers are evident in every dance step and soaring note.
The staff at Magic Kingdom are the true heart and soul of the park. Their boundless energy, friendliness, and genuine passion for creating magical moments elevate the experience to a level beyond compare. They're the real-life fairy godmothers and wizards, ensuring that every guest feels like royalty.
Magic Kingdom is not just a theme park; it's a place where joy knows no bounds, and every corner is infused with the spirit of dreams. Whether you're reliving cherished memories or creating new ones, a day at Magic Kingdom is a day well spent. I can't recommend it highly enough, and I'm already counting down the days until my next visit to this land of enchantment!
Joe Twal — Google review
It is a huge, very beautiful park with a giant castle as its main attraction. There are some roller coasters and many ways to be entertained. The food is very good and the fireworks show at night is the best thing in the world and a unique experience. You You need to visit it someday, period, because just as the name says, it brings a unique experience for you and all the visitors there. You can also take a photo with several characters that you love.
Vini Celular — Google review
Magic Kingdom was amazing for where my kiddos are at the rides, and attractions were great. I've heard it is a bit less enjoyable for the older kids as the majority of the park is geared for a younger audience other than Tomorrow Land. Which I can see, however, it is still such a great place to visit and see the location. We loved every minute.
David Berggren — Google review
It's always a magical place. A most see with the family. The experience is amazing. The
Price is starting to become a factor. 200 a day per person to wait on long lines and hopefully enjoy 3 rides during your day is definitely something that needs to be addressed. Also, charging for geni and only being able to choose one t8me slot at a time instead of being free and choosing 3 at a time definitely does not help.
Frankie Camacho — Google review
The absolute best park in all of Disney! So many iconic rides and things to see. Recently came here for the Christmas party for the first time and it was amazing! The park really lights up and you get the real Christmas feel. Love when it snows it’s unlike anything you’ve seen and a must see!
Christopher Ciminelli — Google review
This was our first time taking out toddlers to Disney. I love the fact that we were able to bring in our own snacks and drinks in our travel cooler. It wasn't that crowded and the Disney Genie Plus Lightning Lanes help cut down our wait for some ridesnot the popular ones though. I would definitely suggest getting familiar with the app prior to your trip. Make sure to also bring an extra charging pack for your cell phone because you will be using it all day for the app. We only had to order lunch once since we came prepared with our own snacks. The rides we were able to get on with our toddlers were pretty good and they enjoyed them. We loved the shows and parades throughout the day. I am glad we did not get the photo pass and would not suggest getting one. Almost every picture they took of us was awful. You will be better off taking your own photos. Our best photos were taken when we offered other families to take photos of them and then they take one of us. My toddlers had a great time and all in all we enjoyed our time here and will definitely be coming back.
Chelle D — Google review
Simply W O W
I was here with my wife and our little daughter, having been here once before as a couple a few years ago.
An absolute experience for which a single day is hardly enough. There is so much to see here. Starting with rides to different parades, countless restaurants, shows, etc.
Simply breathtaking.
However, the truth is that the park is not only incredibly large but also incredibly expensive! The Preferred Parking alone costs $50. So we have spent for the one day including tickets & food a total of more than $ 500 - our little daughter had to pay no entrance fee.
However, the glow in the children's eyes was absolutely worth it!
To see as much as possible, I can only recommend to activate the Genie+ service in advance. It makes planning your day a lot easier.
The absolute highlight of the day was definitely the Meet&Greet with Mickey&Mini.
Johannes — Google review
This is the classic Disney park. From the moment you enter and walk down Main Street there is a different feel than any other park. There are endless great snack and food options all over the park and cast members that are present to make your day magical. The mix of old classic rides with newer technology rides like tron is great. The shows are outstanding and the evening show happily ever after is one of the best there is.
Jj Prete — Google review
Magic Kingdom truly is the most magical place on earth. From the attention to detail throughout the park, right down to the cast members - it’s a wonderful experience.
There are lots of food/drink options throughout the park. Some restaurants will take reservations - save yourself a wait and make one in advance if there’s a particular time/place you’d like to dine.
Crowds are generally large, however manageable. If you’re not big on waiting in line, I would recommend the Lightning Lane pass (Genie+) and you’ll be able to pack in more and not waste your day in queue.
Disney is expensive and that’s a fact. You can bring snacks and empty bottles in and refill with water inside the park to help cut costs. Merchandise prices can vary. Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking.
Overall, wonderful experience for the first time or the fifth time.
Christina Marsh — Google review
Taking the kids to Magic Kingdom for their first time was definitely a wonderful experience. He all had a great time, enjoyed most of the shows, and literally spent the whole day at the park. At night, it was beautiful to see the castle light up. Everybody was waiting for it to light up, and when it finally happened, the crowd went crazy specially the kids, like they couldn't believe what they were seeing. I would definitely go again soon and also visit the other parks as well. But overall, Animal Kingdom is my favorite Disney park!!!
Naty Rivera — Google review
The magic kingdom park is really magical. The whole park transforms into a virtual reality where you are in Sindbad at one point and in princess world at other. There is something for everyone ; The various thrill level rides, fireworks, parade, meet and greet, the ferry/train ride to enter the park, food, decor!
The wait times during holidays are high and may be there is a way to better manage the lines. The app offers interactive games to engage while waiting your turn, but some other interactive acts in the waiting room would be ideal. The park was open until mid-night during the Christmas break so in all we managed to avail much more than we anticipated.
Much better than the Animal kingdom. If contemplating where to go first then this is it.
The genie plus pass for fast lanes is definitely worth it and pretty reasonable at $30 per person.
The park requires physical ID unless the tickets are added to the wallet. Plan accordingly. Ample restaurants and souvenir shops for each attraction.
Recommend Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion amongst others.
P.S. They do not have the laser show like Disneyland at LA.
Ruchita Agarwal — Google review
My daughter and I went for a weekend getaway. We had a blast. All the cast members were very helpful. The weather was beautiful. We are exhausted from having too much fun. We rode every single ride. We had a truly magical time. See ya again real soon, Disney.
Gessica Estensen — Google review
Magical indeed! The park did not disappoint. Although, I do wish we could have enjoyed more rides. But the lines got so long it was impossible for us to wait for hours with two little ones who have very little patience. We spent literally all day there and enjoyed as much as we could.
Eve Newsom — Google review
Going to Disney “magic kingdom” it healed my inner child- however the crowds were horrible, staff were very rude, and food was nasty and overpriced. But for a person like me - I did love the experience- watching the parades and seeing the show at 8:30 was great 😊- everything else pretty mediocre- I still however plan to go to other Disney parks- no need to visit this one for a second time.
lashondp — Google review
Truly the most Magical place on Earth. My four year old was in shock from the moment she saw the castle. We loved every single second of our trip. Will definitely be back. Buy tickets in advance
Tai Sanders — Google review
Not my favorite park but it's still a fun place that I like visiting just because of the rides, food and the castle!
Pro tip: Stay hydrated and cool during the very hot days. The FL heat sucks. Make sure to take some mini fans to keep yourself cool since there will be times that you have to wait in line for a very long time. Also, try not to bring a lot of things to carry (if possible). Just bring the essentials if you can. This park can get packed and it should be a good idea to feel comfortable during these times.
Maritoni Osgood — Google review
Incredible... love to come to disney every single time. Don't expect thrill rides, expect quality and a fabulous family experience. The food, the fireworks and iconic views of the castle... its all amazing. The cast members are amazingly kind and helpful. Build memories and come to the parks. It's not cheap is the downfall.... bring your own water bottle for drinks to fill, bring your own poncho for the Florida rain. Recommend to stay on property, many locations and budgets to select from.
Anita Eulenburg — Google review
A truly magical place for the young and old. This is our second visit after many years and it's still fun. More rides, parades and character meets than shows at this park. It can get hot when waiting in the queue, so keep water handy. Use the App to see the current waiting times, ordering food and paying for goods. The Lightning Pass was costly, so I did not our purchase it. The fireworks are worth staying around for.
William Lin — Google review
Like other Disneyland park, it is filled with fun and joy for kids and adults. They have strollers and wheelchair rental for those who need it.
Majority of cast members are amazing. Of course there will be some who could do better.
They have special nights and such, so ensure to check on the app for special hours. Genie + is a must in my opinion. It is a bit pricier, but hey… it really helped in saving time!
Food options are most American and quality is meh, but oh well. It’s a grab and go type of thing. Some of their sit down restaurants are great - Cinderella Royal’s Table, Be our Guest etc.
Ming — Google review
Perfect weather and ride times were well managed by the teenagers who used the app to find optimal choices based on wait times.
The Tron virtual queue needs to be tightened up. Once it was our turn, we still waited 70 minutes to board. Great ride, though
Epcot is a Disney theme park that was created with Walt Disney's vision of an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow in mind. The park has two distinct sections, Future World and World Showcase, which showcase interactive exhibits sponsored by corporations and the cultures of 11 different countries respectively. Compared to other parks, Epcot has a more laid-back atmosphere and is known for its excellent food and shopping options.
Had an amazing time at Epcot, the weather was hot but there was lots of shade and air conditioned shops. The queue for the rides were average . We had a great time as a family looking for the eggs around the world. There were lots of things to do and see from all cultures around the world. We also tried to find as many of the golden statues as we could and enjoyed the spectacular show at the end of the day! Great time all round
Sean Mchugh — Google review
One of our favorite parks: however, not in July when it is 95+ with 60+% humidity. Rise of the Guardians is the newest ride - important note use the app to join the virtual cue early in the morning!! We didn't do our research and had to wait until 1 pm to join the cue, finally able to physically join the cue at 715 and on the ride by 815. All I can say is WOW!! Fantastic, fast paced indoor coaster that will take your breath away!! I was thankful the rides are indoors so escape the heat. Once you get to the back of the park to visit the countries, there are a few rides but not many. We ate in England - fish and chips, dessert in Belgium and water in every location we could. They are doing the Food and Wine Festival until Oct 2022 and while there was a good variety available, the cost of eating at multiple places added up quickly. I wish they would have had a pay 1 price and eat as much as you wanted. We missed the show on the Lake - Harmonious because we were in line for Test Track which ultimately went down just before it was our turn. We will be back, but in the heat of July....
Cynthia Weaver — Google review
While visiting Epcot Orlando, I found that it may not be the best place to be if you're not particularly interested in learning about other countries' traditions and cities. The park's main focus on cultural exploration may not appeal to everyone. Additionally, I noticed that there were only a few rides that kids might truly enjoy, which limited the entertainment options for families.
I have to say, I was quite disappointed with the Lightning Pass system. It seemed like a bit of a rip-off, as they only allowed you to use it for a maximum of two or three rides, and then you couldn't use it again. It didn't provide the flexibility and convenience that I was hoping for.
Furthermore, the snacks and items available for purchase in the shops were pretty expensive. It would have been nice to see more affordable options for visitors on a budget.
One aspect that stood out to me was the lack of provision for hot and bad weather. Unlike other parks like Universal, Epcot Orlando didn't offer opportunities to cool down with periodic water sprays or misters. This made enduring the hot weather quite challenging and uncomfortable.
Considering these factors, I personally wouldn't consider Epcot Orlando the best choice for a memorable vacation. I would recommend exploring other attractions and destinations that align more with your preferences and interests."
A A — Google review
October 2023
A trip to EPCOT felt like a trip around the world. I found unique, authentic, and eccentric food and merchandise items. It was fun to re-explore this park where always found something new, and with the current construction going on I may have to return. There were some new attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (Virtual Queue or Lightning Lane purchase only) and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (Genie+ preferred).
Sadly I did not see as many street performers versus the last time but seems a bit more food options. I did enjoy sampling different Coca-Cola products from around the world and too bad cold not buy the one that tasted like cucumber & Sprite. The food was really good and fun to experiment. The cast members are also from all over the world and very nice and friendly, and wasn’t sure they even spoke English but nodded and smiled.
Some of the hidden places either I forgot or never explored was The Land where I rode the Living with the Land. There was a huge atrium with a restaurant called Garden Grill Restaurant, and saw some Disney characters greeting guests.
The front section of EPCOT had been renovated and still is where the gift shop was huge. Spaceship Earth looked amazing at night with the LED light display. There was a lot to see and experience where in the past we stayed at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn where recommend it where you can walk to EPCOT.
The park is kept very clean and not as congested like theater parks for very easy to walk around.
Paul Delacruz — Google review
Fantastic experience for the family. Disney does everything great! The lines for some of the more popular rides are long but that's to be expected. They do a great job of entertaining people in the lines. They think of everything and more. If you can make reservations ahead of time it's recommended. We found a bunch of gluten and dairy free dining options. Hope to come back again someday.
Marcus Tryggestad — Google review
Epcot is a very beautiful, modern park with great attractions and a unique feature: several "stations" representing countries from around the world, with souvenirs and typical food. The rides are very cool, and some offer lighter options for those who don't want too much adrenaline. Additionally, its closing show is extremely beautiful. It's a very large park, and you'll do a lot of walking (like in the others), so always have a water bottle on hand. It's very hot in the middle of the year.
Leonardo Noronha — Google review
My favorite Disney World park! So beautiful with gorgeous landscaping. Very relaxing to walk around, even when it's busy. I think it has the best overall layout too, and some of the best food options of all the parks. Some very thoughtful and unique attractions too.
Ersin Sulukioglu — Google review
Disney is no doubt one of the most magical places on earth! We loved "traveling" through and sight seeing all the different countries portrayed in Epcot. They do such a wonderful job bringing the unique experience as you travel the park. We loved going into the shops and trying the different foods and drinks. We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back
Katie Hosaflook — Google review
A lot of kiosks were closed. One joffee coffee kiosk had employees that would rather talk than serve customers. They had a bee in the muffins/ cookie container and did not seem to care.
The rest of my visit was great.
We went to nine dragon restaurant and the service and food were excellent. Wish i knew our server name, she was the best. Food hot and delicious. They even made sure what we ordered did not contain or cross contaminate due to allergies.
The characters had personalities as usual and even though i am an adult i love them. The person in them make them come alive. I will visit again. So much to do, but put on your walking shoes and stay hydrated.
Velvet Cooper — Google review
It's simply amazing. Love how you can walk around the world and eat and drink foods from all over the world. if attending the food and wine festival, you're in for a real treat!
Rides are great, shows are great, and the fireworks are superb!
Chinn3rs TV — Google review
I went to Disney World with my sister in late August, and Epcot was amazing! It seemed like going around the world, going to countries in which Disney movies reside! From the imaginative rides to meeting different characters, it was amazing! (I missed a few characters to meet, but I'll come back in a few years with my mom and get the ones I missed.)
Jacob Van Antwerp — Google review
Had a great time! Loved the International theme, people, and food! Rides are some of the best in the USA. Had a lot of marathoners in the morning running through the park which was a hassle but Disney made up for it with free parking. Thanks Walt! 😊
Jeff Patrick — Google review
This is the best theme park that I’ve ever been to! Guardians is the best coaster that I’ve ever ridden! Test track is awesome too. I recommend using the Disney vacation club thing to get in late. I was able to use it and get into Epcot from 7pm to 1am and got free snacks, drinks, and experiences. Best time of my life. And also I got on guardians twice. Once at 8pm and another at 1am. Thanks for it mom and dad. Disney is awesome
Landon Johnson — Google review
Amazing park! It’s like a science centre + aquarium + mini world travel type of park. They have lots of food options with great quality. The varieties of food is much better than the other 3 parks.
There’s less rides in this park per Se, but most rides are very informative.
I enjoy the butterflies garden!
Ming — Google review
First time back to Epcot in over 30 years. Still my favorite park. There are so many delicious things to try at each of the countries represented. Epcot has some nice rides and attractions too. Christmas must be the best time to go there because there's so much more to do. There are also a lot more adult beverages to try for the holidays. Definitely the best park for the grown ups.
Heather Dwyer-Adams — Google review
Epcot has always been a wonderful park to visit. My favorite time of year is the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. My teenagers love Test Track and I love Soarin’ but don’t forget the rides and shows in the countries around the world. There are also characters to meet along the way. Phenomenal dining choices. Plus there’s a Food and Wine Festival! Regardless of your age, there’s something for everyone!
Melissa Floyd — Google review
First time visit in 30 years. Enjoyed the experience with two amazing people. Take your best people and a lot of room on your credit card😉😀. We spent the weekend at the Dolphin Resort making access to and from the park attractions easy via walking or boat. The fireworks show at the end was easily seen from the boardwalk. Try the food and drinks around the world. You will not be disappointed.
Troy Davis — Google review
Drinking around the world was so awesome! This was my first time at Disney and I will add its better to have someone with you and knows where they are going rather than trying to navigate yourself. It was a great self love trip/experience! Oh, also, the Ratatouille ride is super cute! You MUST try! The Souring ride is also super awesome. I felt like I went everywhere I needed to go without a passport! Lol And the fireworks at the end are super cool. Music, screens and water works. Well worth it!
Debbie Zepeda — Google review
Epcot was super nice! Great park to chill and walk around with your family and friends. If you are a foodie, this is the park for you. They host their annual food and wine festival which unfortunately I didn't get the chance to experience because it started after the day I left. But there's always next time! The rides are pretty good too, especially their new, thrilling Guardians of the Galaxy ride.
Jenny Nguyen — Google review
Probably one of the best parks overall. Not as many rides as Magic Kingdom but the Guardians of the Galaxy ride was amazing and the food everywhere was great plus the AC on the buildings helped a lot especially on day 3
Z — Google review
Epcot is nothing short of a breathtaking journey through cultures, innovation, and imagination. From the moment you step foot in this incredible park, you're transported to a world of wonder and excitement.
The World Showcase is a true marvel, offering a vibrant tapestry of cultures from around the globe. Each pavilion is meticulously crafted, providing an authentic experience that celebrates the diversity of our world. Whether you're strolling through the cobbled streets of France or admiring the architecture of Morocco, every corner of the World Showcase is a testament to the attention to detail and dedication of Disney Imagineers.
The Future World section of Epcot is a celebration of human ingenuity and innovation. From thrilling rides to interactive exhibits, there's something to captivate visitors of all ages. The Spaceship Earth attraction is a particular standout, offering a captivating journey through the history of communication and human progress.
The staff at Epcot are a shining example of Disney's commitment to exceptional guest service. They're friendly, knowledgeable, and go above and beyond to ensure every guest has a magical experience.
Whether you're a fan of thrilling rides, a lover of culture and exploration, or simply looking for a place to create unforgettable memories with loved ones, Epcot is the perfect destination. It's a place where dreams come to life, and every visit promises a new adventure. I can't recommend Epcot highly enough, and I'm already counting down the days until my next visit to this enchanting world!
Joe Twal — Google review
Epcot has many cool aspects to it and one good ride Mission to mars, but overall it's overpriced and kid oriented. Disney doesn't need my money and I probably won't be back (universal is better for adults)
William Jackson — Google review
Epcot is going to be on the top of my list to return and go through the different countries for an entire day. I definitely didn't have enough time in the day to enjoy everything this place has to offer!
Chase Andersen — Google review
As an annual pass holder, this is my favorite park at Disney World. There are different themed festivals going on here yearly and the best things about them are the food and drinks. The festivals are what I believe make this park the best. You can't get bored at this place since there's always something fun and exciting happening 😄 This is a beautiful park and I will always choose this park first to visit before the other parks.
Maritoni Osgood — Google review
A very fan way to spend a couple of days. One day for the front of the park with all the thrill rides and one for the world showcase where you can eat and drink stuff from many different countries. I recommend the fish and chips in Great Britain.
Chris McD — Google review
Must see if you are coming to DisneyWorld. Visited during spring and enjoyed the International Flower and Garden festival. It's super busy here but not impossible to move and get on rides. Food and craft offerings from around the world. Alcohol is served at this park.
Art Bezzeg — Google review
Magical experience with my 5 year old. It’s a full day of nonstop fun and memories to be savored, not rushed. Food is astronomically expensive in my opinion but otherwise it’s great value. Waited almost an hour and a half to get into Guardians of the Galaxy ride even though I joined the virtual queue at exactly 7 am. Thrilling ride and worth the wait but it’s a commitment. Having dinner at Space 220 and skipping fireworks, toddler is exhausted!
Jeff Deming — Google review
Everything you hear about it is true. Amazing rides and shows (firework and light show finale is truly stunning). Park is kept spotless, and beautifully maintained. Hundreds of staff are always available to help if needs be. Negatives is it's not cheap, make sure you book things in advance if you can, even so expect to do a lot of queuing. Also expect to do a lot of walking!
Ian Yates — Google review
We went for the flower festival and it was quite fun. However, as a person with a disability I would have expected more from this park. I routinely encountered issues getting on rides because the staff was not clear on boarding procedures. They also simply assume that everyone in a wheelchair is someone that can walk, but simply chooses not to out of convenience. Rides like test track were an absolute nightmare to get in and out of, and I ended up taking a chunk out of my leg doing so. Not a massive one, but enough to bleed for over an hour and require a bandage. Disney really needs to step up their accessibility, because the Universal Parks completely obliterate them in this aspect. Not to mention that it took over 40 hours of waiting on the online chat to get pre-screened for accessibility. I thought that was absolutely pathetic. I'm being very relaxed with my review here, and trying to set aside those negative experiences. It's a nice place and a decent venue when on vacation. But it doesn't quite deserve the massive praise that it gets. There are many, many flaws with this park if you have any kind of disability.
James Roberts (Jimmy Roberts) — Google review
On a gray, blustery Spring Break Friday the park was as quiet as I've seen it in YEARS! It was great - no lines, great food and a good time! The flowers were amazing too- absolutely lovely wherever you looked!
Laura Barnett — Google review
Taste of the world 🌎 and very authentic!! Great scenery and tons of shopping.
The rides were a mix of high tech and nostalgia.
Guardians of the Galaxy was worth the lighting lane purchase. MUST Experience!!!
Fun for everyone.
Chris Thor — Google review
Very cool! Wish I would have gotten there earlier in the day so I could explore everything. There's so much to see/do/eat/drink! Can't wait to go again!
Heidi McBride — Google review
Disney EPCOT is a must go place in your life. Lots of fun there and kids love it. I enjoyed very much. The mini world is fun. Very busy place and basically the whole world is there. Fireworks and light show is wonderful. It would be one of the best memories in your life.
Stanley C — Google review
The amount of information about ecosystems and sustainability was incredible! Very educational, touching and a lot of fun! Didn't manage to see even half of the park in 1 day, so will definitely come again. The guardians of the galaxy are extremely popular, so join the virtual queue early on.
Lucia Pohl — Google review
I loved this park. I believe this is one of the coolest Disney parks and is on the same level as Hollywood studios. I like Hollywood studios more because I think I had more opportunities to see characters in the entire parks. And the themes are so realistic that I felt like I was living inside that world. But the roller coasters and rides at this park are definitely great.
Walt Disney World® Resort is a renowned destination that includes expansive resorts, dining options, shops, and four theme parks featuring various rides and shows. The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World stands out as Central Florida's sole AAA five-diamond resort, offering top-notch amenities from one of the world's leading luxury hotel brands.
Disney is always a beautiful destination but I have some recommendations. My first recommendation is, if you don’t like waiting in long lines buy the lightning pass. Also if you’re a thrill seeker there may be a couple rides for you but they’re mostly shows. Wear comfortable shoes and loose clothing because it will be hot and it’s a big park so there will be a lot of walking involved. Stay hydrated, bring a backpack so you don’t have to carry anything by hand. Lastly but most importantly have fun. All in all it is an experience so enjoy it.
zelekah niles — Google review
I have visited several times Disney World before the pandemic and really enjoyed it. Very Beautiful and lot of activities for Kids and Adults as well. Our recent visit was a little disappointment . We went there last spring break and the park was very busy. It took a long time to get into any rides or activities unless you pay more for the fast lane. Also 2 week’s before the spring break all the parks except EPCOT were fully booked. We’re lucky we’re still able to Book EPCOT because on the start of spring break all the parks were fully booked. Also you need to get a park reservation in advance in addition to your pass tickets to enter the park. And it cost $25 to park your car inside the park. I advise that you install the My Disney application to help you navigate the park. The application gives you update in real time how Long the wait for each rides in the park as well as schedule times of each activities in the park. You can also use the application to buy tickets and park reservation .The fireworks at EPCOT was amazing. Overall still a good place to visit probably better if you go there on off season..
Manny Alonzo — Google review
It is a lot of walking and not for the weak. Take your water bottles to refill to save on spending.
Overall we had a GREAT time. There are Lightning Lanes available to get on rides faster that cost $20 (like a fast pass). First day was Hollywood Studios then last half of the day Animal Kingdom. Day 2 we went to Magic Kingdom and it's so spread out we did not make it to Epcot. I recommend the Magic Bands because you can basically use it like a pay app on your wrist. We lived it up and used the Magic Bands and charged everything to the room. We liked the Monorail system and took the Ferry Boat back to parking.
Pardeep Kumar — Google review
Oh my gosh this place is nuts. So many fun things to do. The rides, the food, the merchandise. Everything here is so fun and just a great experience. The first recommendation i have is the Magic Kingdom Park, this place is literally magical just like the name says. The next stop is Disneys Animal Kingdom Theme park. And also check out the Epcot Presentation because that is some really cool stuff they’re gonna be doing with the Epcot center
Jordan James — Google review
Disney does a great job at keeping the guest happy. It is the happiest place on earth. The rides are fun, and the shows are great. If you can make it, I'd recommend going at least once. It's my favorite amusement park that I ride the majority of the rides. Bring good shoes and rain gear. It rains a lot in Florida.
Donna Miller — Google review
I hadn't been in 11 years, and it was just as fun as back then. Great experience. Staff is amazing! I actually went around the world twice! It was the Flower & Garden Festival while I was there, and if you haven't seen it, it's an absolute must!
Renee VanGalder — Google review
We got to visit WDW, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for a recent family Vacation. While our single-day Disney Park visit itself was pricey, incredibly packed, and loosely planned, the park itself was fun. Was fortunate to ride Space Mountain but sadly the fast passes did not quality for most rides we wanted to go on, plus having been sold out for a week beyond even our date of visit.
Food was very expensive, but tasty. The Magic Kingdom Parade was really awesome to see as well as the evening castle stage show. Other family members also enjoyed the rides they went on.
If you really want to see and do everything at even just the Magic Kingdom, be sure to spend extra for Fast Passes far in advance; otherwise be prepared to wait a bit in line as expected. Even then, with how busy it was, multiple days might be considered to ride everything.
The Genie App, while useful, does also have a hamburger menu to show the full list of shops, restaurants, etc., while using it. Also, keep in mind nearly every boutique focuses on take-out ordering so you'll want to make sure you get orders in at least 45 minutes in advance if not more if you're planning meal times - there are to-order lines of course, but you might wait awhile as both on-premises and to-go orders are being processed. It worked well enough - just not the most ideal method for handling crowds in the tens of thousands or more.
Overall, still a fun time. Still magical. Not quite the same as being there when young but still had a good time.
Doug Fullerton — Google review
The most magical place in the world. Have the best time here, staff were very friendly. The rides were really fun but you do have to wait quite a bit for them which is understandable. Meeting the Disney characters was a wonderful experience. The whole atmosphere is very nice but be prepared to walk a lot. Overall it’s a great place, 10/10 would recommend
Gabrielle Panayotova — Google review
We stayed at the Coronado Springs Resort. Father’s Day and our 9 year anniversary and we celebrated in style. It is a lot of walking and not for the weak. Take your water bottles to refill to save on spending. Overall we had a GREAT time. There are Lightning Lanes available to get on rides faster that cost $20 (like a fast pass). First day was Hollywood Studios then last half of the day Animal Kingdom. Day 2 we went to Magic Kingdom and it’s so spread out we did not make it to Epcot. I recommend the Magic Bands because you can basically use it like a pay app on your wrist. We lived it up and used the Magic Bands and charged everything to the room. We liked the Monorail system and took the Ferry Boat back to parking.
Rachael Gaylord Cargill — Google review
Beautiful resorts. We stayed at the Dolphin for a few days and then transferred to Animal Kingdom Lodge for the rest of our stay. Loved them both. We also spent time visiting the other resorts. Each were unique and offered something different. There are several free modes of transportation as well. Boat, monorail, skyliner, and buses that can take you to each of them.
christine alvarado — Google review
Absolutely thrilled to share my enchanting experience at Disney’s Magic Kingdom! From the moment I stepped into the magical realm, I was whisked away into a world of pure delight. The attention to detail in every corner of the park is truly astounding; it's as if fairy tales came to life! The heartwarming character encounters left me feeling like a kid again, and the exhilarating rides were a true adrenaline rush. But what truly set this trip apart was the impeccable service – from cheerful cast members to the meticulously clean and organized attractions. Every moment was like stepping into a dream. Disney managed to capture the essence of joy and wonder and transformed it into an unforgettable reality. This trip was nothing short of a spellbinding journey, and I'm already counting down the days until I can experience the magic all over again!
Lynn M — Google review
THE HALCYON IS THE GREATEST DISNEY EXPERIENCE OF ALL. I was a guest on the Halcyon. Hands down the single greatest Disney experience we have ever had. Worlds above any other. We wanted to book another Halcyon cruise immediately but found out they were closing. A huge loss. So many of our friends had not heard of the Halcyon and would have liked to go after hearing of our experience and seeing our photos. The cast was excellent. Every member of the crew was cheerful, attentive and helpful. The rooms were spectacular. The food wonderful.
kaijugal kaijugal — Google review
We absolutely loved it here for our first time the staff and characters were all nice and friendly my son got to meet Cinderella and the actress was so patient with him and extremely kind knowing he had autism….I’m still gonna 5 stars my only complaints was every including food and drinks are crazy expensive my hubby bought to regular size soft drinks and
It cost him near $10 for just 2 sodas….. my other complaint would be the guest services didn’t give me the correct information
Ashley Stoddard — Google review
Amazing! The pictures do not do justice to how much detail and effort goes into these parks! Always clean, staff is easy to find for questions and transportation between parks is super easy! Had a blast at 4 of the Disney parks!
Tommy B — Google review
Disney World is a favorite vacation spot, it is such an incredible experience! You absolutely get what you put into it. There are crowds so remember to pack your patience and to dress comfortably, and definitely consider buying the Lightning Lane passes, it can help streamline the day a bit.
Mary Wharton — Google review
Absolutely enjoyed every second spent here. Who said Disney’s not for adults, I could tell you, it sure is. Awesome spots for food with various choices and a lot of places to choose from to shop. From was one of my favorite rides.
Omer Sherjang — Google review
I recommend going prepared to walk and remember to drink plenty of water. Everything is very magical and beautiful. The food is not tasty and total fast food!!so don't think you're going to eat well.The parade at night is worth staying to see the end of the fireworks but I advise you to leave 10 minutes before it ends because the queues to get out of the island get huge.
Nara Medeiros — Google review
Walt Disney World Resort is comprised of multiple theme parks, each with separate entry costs. I truly believe that everyone - from all around the world - should visit each park at least once to experience the magic that has been created there. Multi-day and multi-park tickets offer incredible savings for multiple visits, so definitely plan your trip.
Joshua Pulliam (Mercion) — Google review
It is one of the best places in the world! Am so in love with the multiple parks and the ease of hotel access between the parks with shuttles. Great packages and heaps of fun. Have always loved being a pass holder, and the water parks are an added bonus.
Brielle J — Google review
The rides and atmosphere is fabulous. Food at quick service is too repetitive. Very few gluten free choices in quick serve. Chefs are great trying to help. Dislike seeing Starbucks and other chains within the park. Please consider Colonial period correct clothing. Dresses were wrinkled and ill fitted. Disney should represent the USA in a more dignified manner. Landscaping is very nice, too.
Ames — Google review
Our family has loved Disney World through the years. As the kids have grown up we have found new ways to enjoy the parks. On our last trip we stayed at the newly renovated Grand Floridian. Excellent vibe. Nice to have options to getting into the parks: boat, monorail, bus, and walking. Well worth the extra expense of staying at a nearby Disney property.
Sunset Seeker — Google review
Went in 2021.
It's definitely worth it for kids.
Make sure to go when the ☁️ is nice. It started to rain halfway during the day, and kind of slowed everything down. But, the views of all of the structures are fantastic.
Purchase tickets ahead of time.
Rides are mostly for kids.
Make sure to take the ferry ⛴️ to arrive at the theme park.
It's free and a better experience.
Juned Ahmed — Google review
Disney, magical encounters with beloved Disney characters and special seasonal events. (Please note that character encounters and seasonal events are subject to change or cancellation.) And starting in April 2023, this will be where Walt Disney World's latest attraction takes place.Knowing the behind-the-scenes and close-up experience of the other part of the reality of this place, we can be aware of things that go beyond our natural perceptions and understanding. It's really magical! Disney's reception is AMAZING.I can experience one of the most incredible and memorable experiences in my life.
Knowing behind the scenes and experiencing up close to the other part of the reality of this place, we can be aware of things that go beyond our natural perception and understanding. It's really magical! Disney's reception is AMAZING.
Еаликино Абинореал — Google review
It is pricey, but after experiencing it we have zero regrets! Disney World is simply exceptional, and there’s honestly nothing else like it. There is literally endless fun to be had! The food, the rides, the shows, the decor, the cast members, everything is amazing :) Even their lost and found program. I filled out their online form, and they found my stuff within 30min. This place is Magical
Christian Prescott — Google review
In one word, Expensive! That said it was lovely, our room was nice. Grounds were nice. Park was great. Nice transportation from area to area. Amazing staff. Food was good in upper tier restaurants, not so much in lower tiers.
marianne neel — Google review
First time here and a time was had. I was solo and not to do what I wanted (well maybe not all cuz of the wait times 😅) but I had fun. Will definitely be back and plan better. Also need better shoes for all the walking
Kelly Ndifon — Google review
We have the annual pass for Disney parks and it is truly a beautiful experience every time we go with our kids.
On weekends, we take advantage of the waterparks, especially on the warmer days. You have to stay and see the fireworks in the evening. It’s definitely something magical 😊
Diana “Your Favorite Realtor” Mahadeo — Google review
It's getting back to what it should be before they got greedy. Love going to all the parks. We we skipped AK this time due to weather but with annual passes we can go a different time. EPCOT'S festivals are amazing & you go near the end of one you can catch both with the flowers.
Disney's Animal Kingdom is a vast wildlife sanctuary, divided into six sections where visitors can experience animal encounters, thrill rides, safaris and shows. It aims to combine the elements of a theme park with those of a zoo and African safari. The attraction also incorporates Disney characters and storytelling for an immersive experience. Among the highlights not to be missed are Finding Nemo The Musical, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest.
This is one of our favorite Disney parks, especially when the weather starts to get cooler. We concentrated on the Asia and Africa portions of the park today. These are very well themed and make you feel like you are in another exotic part of the world. There are many interesting things to see and do there. Their crowning glory is the Tree Of Life that greets you when you first enter the main part of the park. It has many intricate wood carvings that make it up and it houses the It's Tough to be a Bug attraction. There is one of the best restaurants in Florida located here too. The Yak and Yeti restaurant. The best thing I like is all the different vegetation, waterfalls and wildlife that you can see here. There are several nature trails you can walk, a safari and even a train ride. These also are live shows, rides and plenty of places to buy souvenirs, food and drink. You will certainly be kept entertained and well fed if you go here.
John Haddock — Google review
Pandora was mind blowing, a floating mountain over your head! Wow. Really impressive, well done Disney. Tree of life is always amazing, wish the food was better. Also pretty crowded and we went on a weekday in May. Didn’t have a chance to get on any rides, and we were at the park at 8 o’clock. We’re not willing to wait an hour for a ride, but apparently lots of people are. We had perfect weather, so didn’t feel the need for AC. Several of the animal habitats were being cleaned, so we didn’t see tigers or antelope. Overall a really nice day
Mary Lou Keller — Google review
Great place to experience all types of animals, ants, culture, and great rides! The Yeti is one of my favorite roller coasters, the view before the drop is amazing! Pandora is a BEAUTIFUL area, the rides are very fun and definitely raises all senses. The area in within itself is exquisite, especially at night. The safari is the most interesting aspect, to have the ability to see such animals up close is so cool and we all are so fortunate to have the opportunity to experience this. Animal Kingdom is overall a great place to bring kids and photo ops!
Jackie F — Google review
Absolutely great experience. If you can wait a bit, Avatar ride is by far the best experience I've ever had. The expedition to Himalaya is fun too as well as the Safari. The park is smaller than Magic Kingdom but definitely recommended.
Michael Wiedemann — Google review
If you are planning a big Disney vacation this is a good kingdom to start with as a warm up. I highly recommend the fast pass and lighting lanes if you don't want to wait in long lines. This park isn't as crowded so it was a good way to learn how to schedule rides and plan out your day. Pandora was really beautiful and my son made himself into an action figure! Lion King show was really amazing. I get motion sickness really easy and I could handle all the rides fairly easy. It did rain almost every day so bring a pair of flip flops and a poncho. We put our sneakers away when it would rain so they wouldn't get wet. If you like nature and animals this is a great park to visit. Lots of food choices. We brought water bottles and protein bars to cut on some food costs.
Maria Velasquez — Google review
Went on a Sunday in September.
Easily, my most favourite park! Got there for 8am solo with genie plus activated. Got my shaking Jamaican and walked on and off every ride. It was great. The music, the atmosphere, the food, the authenticity of the countries. The jungle juice is super underrated! The safari ride was amazing, as we got to see a elephant taking a bath (apparently, rare). If the park was open later and had the light show, I could have stayed the whole time just staring at the architecture. The cast members are very nice and helpful to get where you need to go.
I wasn't a huge fan of the corn on the cobb. I've had better.
Jan M — Google review
I recently revisited Disney's Animal Kingdom Park after a few years, and it was just as magical as I remembered, if not more. The park has made some new additions that are absolutely fantastic. The Avatar ride, in particular, is a standout – it's so impressive! The rides throughout the park are great fun and there's something for everyone, no matter your age. One of the best parts of the park is the variety and quality of food available at the restaurants; they really add to the experience. And of course, seeing the animals roam freely is a joy. This park truly offers a bit of everything for everyone, making it a perfect destination for families or anyone looking for a fun day out.
Arelys Q — Google review
Our first visit here and it was amazing! The tree of Life is a gorgeous sight to see and the wild birds flying around the area brought the place to life among all the people. Wish the park was open later as we could have stayed much later than the 5pm close time as there is lots to see especially if you or the kids enjoy nature/animal watching.
The scenery in each section of the park is a spectacle and the Avatar themed Pandora land was what I couldn’t wait to explore. It’s unreal being there and Flight of Passage had to be my personal favorite ride of all 4 parks.
This park stands apart from the rest connected you feel to the plants and animals throughout and although there are less rides overall, it’s well worth the trip because of what they offer.
Bonus: huge Starbucks with quick service to give you a cool boost to battle the summer heat!
Disney world is definitely a magical place and this park carries on that theme just as strong as the others!!
Randy Douglas — Google review
It was lush and gorgeous everywhere we went! Even the places where we waited in lines were interesting and well-kept. We loved the bug show inside the big tree, the jungle safari, and the Pandora river ride.
Leah Tobey — Google review
We had an amazing time! We love this park. My only complaint is the crowd levels. It's always packed, so be prepared. I'm very excited to see the updates coming to this park. The rides are all amazing. I really enjoy the safari too. Just all around was another fantastic day. Also, I love seeing the pin boards back out and all around.
Mel W — Google review
Great time! Highly recommend if you have little one’s. There is plenty to see and do that everyone has fun. A few playground areas are scattered around the park too so you can sit and watch your kids play or join them in the fun! We did a few rides, but mainly enjoyed the ambiance and the animals. Again it was perfect with our little guy!
Caleb Wright — Google review
Perfect weather! We went to all the islands, the Pandora ride left me completely speechless, really was a lot of fun. Got drenched in Asia, the ride was nice but it seemed like I took a shower! Safari was great, got to see many of the animals (pics included). Did not sit down for one minute.
Is n exciting place
Astric Cruz — Google review
An amazing weekday experience at the Animal Kingdom. The lush landscape and beautiful wildlife makes it all worth it. Entertaining shows and highlights like rides and attractions are the cream on top. It was my first experience and surely one to remember. I think you need a few days to get the full experience but it was certainly something incredibly memorable for the kids and adults.
Tasha Ceres — Google review
Animal kingdom to me is the best park by far. I love the animals and all the different things you can see and try their. Perfect for taking photos too in various places! I highly recommend the festival of the lion king show! Took scout with me my lion character.
Braze Wolf — Google review
Really awesome place to visit for the family. Must see area in the park is the avatar area! Lots of good places to shop and eat. Rainforest cafe was great. Definitely go on the Safari to check out all the different animals in the park. Park ride lines were not to bad unless you are waiting for avatar. Overall great experience and would recommend checking this park out.
J — Google review
Each Disney park has a unique look and experience but animal kingdom is one of the most unique looking and feeling places out of the 4 parks. Plus they have the Avatar attraction! Kids loved the park! It’s especially nice during the time they have Christmas decorations up as well.
Justin B — Google review
Amazing! This is the best park of the four if you like more chill stuff. There are rides for all ages and it is extremely fun! I recommend the feathered friends in flight show!
Parker — Google review
Had a great family visit. We especially enjoyed the safari. Everything is expensive, but if you know that coming in its saves some frustration. A lot of walking covering a lot more area than anticipated. Nice playground for small kids provides a good break.
Bob Mueller — Google review
Had a great time there. The lines were insane long next time we will get genie+ and get lightning lane passes. I feel it's worth the money. We spent more than 2 hours in line for avatar flight of passage.
The ride was amazing tho. Me and my gf loved it. It's a technical marvel. Was awesome
Secret for this ride is to get in the middle. Know you really don't have a choice but if you can figure it out... sit in the middle. There's a little bit of visual distortion on the outside seats.
We go lucky seated in the middle
Random Someone — Google review
Amazing experience however roller coaster was down.
But park was clean, was easy to wander, nice rides and experiences. The safari was amazing to see. Variety of food choices.
Some Longish waits for rides but I think that’s normal.
jen.juhlke — Google review
Animal Kingdom is hands down the best of all the Disney Parks. It's stunningly beautiful. The lines move fast and are amazing! The food is so good. So many awesome animals and photo opportunities! Also a ton of places to sit in the shade! We had a wonderful day, and since we gate dropped we did a ton of stuff and even managed a lightning lane for Flight of Passage!
Brandy Nelson — Google review
So not the best park for rides if you don't like avatar or animals but if you do this is awesome. We love Avatar and this park has been a long time bucket list. Flight of passage, and river journey are both great rides and have lived up to expectations. Recommend getting genie+, there are not a lot of rides here but it's worth getting just to do those 2. Ride times for them never got below 1 hour the whole day we were there. Pay to ride Passage and book lightning lane for journey. Also Recommend going to Nomad Lounge at 11 when they open to put your name in for a table later in the day. We got in line at 11:20 and got a table at 2. When we came back at 2 they were booked for the whole day. There drinks and small plates are so outside of normal park eats and they are a real treat. The best ice cream sandwich was in Dino land USA, at Dino bites. It's a great dessert and really helps cool you off.
Nerdy Family — Google review
Some of our best Disney magic photos or in this park. It was our first time visiting the park and it was worth it. I would say that if you're planning a Disney trip, you can do this one in particular and under a day. It was not my favorite park, but they've done a wonderful job putting it together. If you're into the hole Safari thing and avatar, this is the place for you.
Shan Lee — Google review
The experience with in the park was awesome and educational in areas. There are boats that go around the river in this park with characters and bands. The rides were fun and I highly recommend the Pandora area for the flight ride.
April Milton — Google review
It was my first time going here since I was very young and don't remember, so it felt like my first time going here. I had high expectations considering it was Disney, and I think it still exceeded expectations.
Some of the views are amazing between Pandora and Mount Everest, and the Yeti ride is up there as one of the best rides at Disney.
Tony Puglisi — Google review
Beautiful place but I think it has very few attractions inside, one day will be more than enough to do everything and get time to rest.
We went with our little girls and they got in love with animals and shows ❤️
Service as usual was good and helpful.
We enjoyed it a lot
Josias Madrid — Google review
Very clean park with a great safari and very nice shows but not my favorite Disney park. We were there at rope drop first thing in the morning and the Aviator ride Flight of Passage was already at a 50 minute wait time by the time we ran to it (I was unable to grab the lightning lane tickets). Not as many rides but their animal exhibits were nice. The Lion King show and both bird shows were awesome. I will say because it's a smaller park it only takes a half day so it's easier to park hop.
Sarah Cat — Google review
Love Animal kingdom! Been there multiple times and every time we had so much fun. At safari ride, you see different animals.
I love going to Gorilla Fall. Baby gorillas have grown up quite a bit since last year, and teenage boys were moved to different locations.
Best part of the park is Avatar ride! Regardless of long line, it’s worth waiting.
Lion King show is a MUST!
This is the first time we saw the show and were blown away! The costumes, quality of show was comparable to the Broadway show in smaller scale.
My daughter went to the river raft ride and got soaked but had so much fun. When you get tired, you can sit on by the water in Asia, have ice coffee and pastries from Joffrey.
Whether you want to see animals and stroll around the park or want to get on fun rides, Animal Kingdom has everything you can imagine and much more.
Amy Kang — Google review
We went to animal kingdom on springs break with my son 5 years old and my teen age daughter. Both had a lot of fun. I recommend to go early morning and start with the avatar theme park. Don’t miss the safari ride. Do it ether on the early morning or the end of the day for the waiting time. Download the app it will help you a lot with the waiting time and with guid your trip.
Daliah B — Google review
The park boasts breathtaking beauty and offers an extensive array of attractions and amenities. Its aesthetic charm is truly remarkable, evoking the enchanting ambiance of movies seen on both TV and the big screen. The attractions are meticulously designed to provide boundless entertainment, catering to individuals of all ages (it's virtually impossible for anyone not to relish this park experience!). Furthermore, the park's infrastructure is tailored to ensure visitors enjoy optimal convenience: the restrooms are impeccably maintained and conveniently located, a diverse selection of food and beverages is readily available throughout the premises, and lockers are provided for storing belongings securely before embarking on any rides. Additionally, the park staff are exceedingly attentive and helpful, further enhancing the overall guest experience. Whether you're seeking thrills, relaxation, or simply a day of family fun, this park undoubtedly exceeds expectations, leaving a lasting impression on all who visit.
Leonardo Noronha — Google review
It’s my second favorite park other than magic kingdom. It felt absolutely amazing inside it. All the nature sound and atmosphere, the animals and the attractions. Disney totally killed it for this one. Looking forward to come back again next year!
X z — Google review
Phenomenal experience. Escape from Everest, Kilimanjaro Safari, Na'vi River Cruise, Flight of Avatar are all top notch attractions. The Pandora section is breathtaking, especially after dark. One year we'll spend more than just a day here to experience everything this place has to offer. So many themed shops and eateries and they're all so well done. And in typical Disney style, everything is just perfect, from the attractions, stores, eateries, to the garbage cans and the bathrooms.
Deen Blash — Google review
IMHO...Best family fun through out Disney. All the wildlife and plants give it a warm, comfortable feel.
The bug show is only 10 minutes, but recommend doing this when when you want comedy and excitement.
The Lion King is also a must as it blends acrobats with a good story, and fun, familiar music.
Recommend purchasing a separate lightning pass for Avatar...to say it is a 4D simulator does not do it justice. The separate pass does not interfere with the regular lightning pass.
Tom Erb — Google review
My personal favorite park. As an animal and nature lover it doesn't disappoint! My personal favorite is an event they do called birds of flight they do in the center view of the big tree. A whole bunch of parrots fill the sky and come down around everyone and they're gorgeous birds. It's also home to my favorite coaster in all the Disney parks, Everest. Avatars area is incredibly detailed. Plus, it's practically like visiting the zoo!
joshua salter — Google review
This park was so much fun! We took my stepson, baby girl, and my parents. The safari ride was amazing! The kids loved seeing all the animals up close and personal. It was my first time as well, and it was a great experience. We went to the Avatar area, and my daughter loved it. She was only 9 months old and was allowed to ride in the Avatar River ride. The food was great, even though it was expensive, it was worth every penny. Lastly, we ate at Rainforest Cafe and it was thoroughly enjoyable!
Ashley Evans — Google review
Animal Kingdom was one of the three parks my family and I visited during our Disney Trip, and despite my very much looking forward to visiting, I was really disappointed.
If you don't get Genie+ ahead of time and don't get the park super early, go ahead and expect 45 minute plus waits for almost every major attraction. We did get to do the safari and a few other minor rides, which was fine, but it simply felt like there was nothing but an absolute mass of people any which way you turned, even on a weekday. We still very much enjoyed ourselves, and I always enjoyed the food and snacks in this park.
Just beware that all the shaded spots will constantly be unavailable just due to the sheer amount of people in the park. Next time we come, I might just skip Animal Kingdom this time around.
Robert Maxwell — Google review
This had some of the best visuals of the park. Disney has done a really great job here. Between Avatar, It's tough to be a Bug, Expedition Everest and River Journey you will have a busy and fun day.
Art Bezzeg — Google review
First time visitor to Disney Animal Kingdom. It was fantastic. The "Tree of Life" is spectacular. We went on the private tour (14 people) of Behind the Scenes Elephant area. Cora, the baby elephant was there. Elephants roamed freely in a very large, open area.
Our Guide was enthusiastic and well-informed. Learned a great deal about Elephants, the Disney live animal philosophy and the profile of a Disney Guide. Guides seem to love their job. They're tenured employees with years of experience.
This attraction features an airboat tour and alligator-handling show in a protected swamp. The park also has a tropical bird aviary and petting zoo.
My family had a wonderful time at Wild Florida. The boat tour was relaxing and very enjoyable. Bobby was an awesome tour guide. My kids had the best time feeding the gators, big and small, and we all enjoyed seeing the various animals up close. Better than the typical zoo experience by far. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly. I highly recommend this as a stop while in the Orlando area. I also recommend going earlier in the day if you're on a later boat tour because there is much more to do and see than I expected. The food was amazing as well!
We did the safari tour after our boat tour. The kids enjoyed every second of seeing the animals so closely. Our car was even attacked by an angry ostrich (or maybe emu). We found it funny but the poor bird wasn't so amused. The park is run very well and the kids even got a map to track what animals they saw. Cannot recommend this enough.
Megan Caywood — Google review
We absolutely LOVE this place! We did the boat tour on Saturday at 9:00 am so we arrived around 8:20, plenty of parking spaces (by 10:00-11:00 am was completely packed) and we checked in and waited until our boat arrived. Beautiful views, boat is pretty noisy, but tolerable, we saw a couple of baby alligators, which was awesome, and a lot of birds. The captain of the boat was knowledgeable and nice. I think his name was Bobby. After the boat tour we were allowed to go to the park and see the different exhibits and animals.
We fed alligators, we even hold a baby one (with permission and supervision obviously). We pet baby goats, and a tiny pig , they were adorable! . All the staff are super friendly and nice!! For sure we’ll be back soon . 100% recommended!
Frecklebean — Google review
This place is amazing! Came for our 5 year anniversary and the drive through was stunning, we seen so many beautiful animals that look very well cared for and happy. We seen some little deer jumping and running and some water Buffalo going for a dip in the water even got to see some zebras come right up next to our car and an ostrich that wanted a taste of our car lol plus so many other beautiful animals, we seen animal in the map that they give you at the gate.Wonderful experience and we will definitely be back.
Ash Place — Google review
What an awesome day we had at Wild Florida. Even being native Floridians we learned a few things. We were fortunate enough to have lunch with “Crusher” the resident 13 ft alligator. What an amazing experience. The staff and trainers are very knowledgeable and courteous which made our experience that much better. I highly recommend visiting the park to anyone. We will definitely be back.
K — Google review
Took my 12 year old daughter on a whim for something to do on spring break. I’m SO glad we did! She loved seeing all the animals so close, and feeding the giraffe, Walter! We even got to see a Watusi delivery a brand new baby calf, watched momma clean her baby, and the whole herd, including a bison and 2 camels come to see the new baby! It was such a joy to be a part of! The park was great to see and then seeing new life come to be and all the animals so excited to see the baby made it even better! Thank you for letting us in to be a part of that!
Amanda Taylor — Google review
Wild Florida is a great place. It was a lot of fun. It is not a full day unless you want to spend a lot of money. We did just an animal interaction & just walked around. If you want to do the air boat ride & drive through safari you can spend a full day. But even if you want to do even one of those things, I definitely recommend it. The staff is super friendly & zoo keepers speak very highly of the place. The food is well priced, good quality, & the corn bread is fantastic. We bought more on the way out. Definitely worth the trip & we will be making another this year.
Robert Carroll — Google review
We did the safari and some of the Gator Park only because it was 100°. Safari was beautiful! Feeding the giraffe was great! Gator Park is nice, looking forward to going back when it's not so bad of weather.
Ashley — Google review
Fantastic evening airboat ride. Saw a few alligators and Eagles plus lots more that we wasn't expecting. So peaceful and amazing to see when we stopped in various areas. The tour guide was great and pointed out loads to us with some amazing facts. The Gator Park was very good staff all friendly and helpful. Well worth a visit.
Karl Dudley — Google review
They lock the gates 10 minutes after closing make sure to get to car with enough time to get out. Also there is no lighting on the paths & once the sun is down it was hard to see to get out of the park. More don't touch a snake if you see one instead of an exit signs. Lots of gators. We had a nice time. The trails were mostly dirt. Like most animal parks you need to watch out for wet walkways.
Crystal Sullivan — Google review
We had such a good experience. We pet and fed the porcupines. Fed the alligators. Went on an airboat ride. And finally drove through the safari. There were so many baby animals! I was driving and didn't get the chance to take a lot of pictures. A recommend buying your tickets in advance for any of the animal encounters.
Dianna Dempster — Google review
Just finished this adventure and I must say it was well worth the money spent. A first class operation all the way.
Air boat captain (Kevin) did an outstanding job of showing us bald Eagles , alligators an other marsh wildlife.
The wildlife park drive through was an extremely pleasant surprise. A large variety of high plains wildlife and at a very close up look. One of the best we have been to.
Gary Weybright — Google review
We couldn't have been happier with the sloth encounter that my daughter went to. She is still smiling days later. The woman running the encounter was great. She was friendly knowledgeable and made the whole experience enjoyable for everyone involved. If love animals and want to get up close this is a great place to visit.
All of the animals encounters are booked separate from just an admission to the park. I highly recommend booking encounters in advance.
Unfortunately we did not have time to explore the rest of the park, since we had other plans we had to get to, but we did get to see some of the other animals on our way to and back from the sloths.
It's not the place to go for a whole day, but that doesn't mean it's not worth the trip. I would definitely return next time we are in the area, to check out their other attractions.
Greg Noonan — Google review
Great time. Went when it was summertime, but was still doable. Would recommend early in the day, or cooler time of year. Did the Safari, and really enjoyed it. Plan on 60-70 minutes for the Safari. This includes admission to the Gator Park. Overall, would plan on around 4 hours to see everything. Did not do the airboats.
Andrew Mackey — Google review
The safari drive was so fun. There are 2 options, going a long 2.5 mile route or a shorter option if you just want to get to the zoo. We saw many animals who were very close to the car. The zoo was much larger than I thought and we spent about 5 hours here. There’s a petting zoo with goats and pigs which was cool. We were lucky enough to catch some shows as well. I will definitely be back
Briana Harricharan — Google review
Wild florida is a great day out for all of the family.
We started our day with a trip on the air boats where we saw alligators and bold eagles in the wild.
We then walked around the zoo section and saw loads of incredible animals, saw a couple of shows, and got to hold an alligator.
We then went around the drive through safari and finished the day by feeding a giraffe.
A great day out, I would highly recommend it.
Danny Iwan — Google review
Great family experience. Loved the freedom of taking our time through the drive through safari, many animals came right up to the car for some cool pictures. The gator park was eventful as well, so many animals to check out. Few shows to check out as well, we missed it.
Lynette Johnson — Google review
This place is Florida's best kept secret. This was an amazing experience and was a great way to get away from the crowds at Orlando parks. We paid around $170 for five people abd we had an absolute blast. They offer so much for such a low price. The safari comes with a walk through Zoo and optional animal encounters for additional costs. This will be a Florida to do staple for my family and I moving forward.
Lucas Brobst — Google review
Wild Florida is a gator park and much much more. It is about 30 miles south east of our Blue Heron 1806 rental condo.Wild Florida also has a 'drive through Safari', Airboat tours and wildlife park featuring gators and an assortment of animals from around the world. The park has a great swamp walk, petting zoo and bird house in which you can feed the resident animals and birds. You can even arrange an alligator feeding experience and walk through a swamp. All their attractions are very reasonably priced and they even have Florida residents rates. We highly recommend Wild Florida. It is well worth the drive! Don't forget to get a picture holding Fluffy the gator!
Blue Heron Resort Rentals Orlando FL — Google review
We Absolutely loved it! A nice fun trip to see some animals we've never seen before. The pricing is great and very affordable. Every staff member we met was extremely helpful and nice and answered all our questions. Also they have snacks and drinks which BONUS they are not expensive and crazy prices like most places weve gone in florida. They have multiple shows going on we had the most fun at the gator feeding show. They have a petting zoo with goats and pigs. We did not get to do the air boat ride but I'm sure it is excellent. I highly recommend checking this place out for some family fun time!
Tony Goehring — Google review
Great experience on the water. The temperature was a little on the chilly side, so be sure to dress accordingly. Our boat captain was great and really knowledgeable about the lake and the different animals and birds we saw. The boat was comfortable, but definitely wear ear plugs if you sit near the back.
Chris Mitchell — Google review
I'd go just for the delicious ice cream! We had a great time during our visit. It was remarkable how close we were to alligators and other wildlife. The sloth encounter was a delight. Staff were welcoming, knowledgeable and friendly.
Jen McKean — Google review
This was a spur of the moment trip and it was an excellent day. The Safari and the gator park were just what we needed. The Safari took about 90 minutes. Spent another hour at the Gator Park. They have Florida resident discounts which is always nice.
At LEGOLAND Florida Resort, you can enjoy a day of fun without any stress. The park is filled with colorful LEGO bricks and features attractions geared towards children aged two to twelve years old. Rides and attractions include the attached water park which offers a refreshing break from the heat. LEGOLAND Florida Resort also includes an 150-acre theme park, 5-acre water park, on-site accommodations themed with LEGO bricks, and a world famous botanical garden.
Hadn’t been here in 10 years since our son was little. They have made some improvements but this place is still as amazing as it was back then. The food, drinks and rides were great. We were actually there a total of 5 hours and rode 14 rides!! We do Disney regularly and 3 rides is the norm there. We got annual passes so we will definitely be back. This place is so cool. Clean bathrooms and everyone was super friendly.
E Recker — Google review
Great park about 1 hour away from Disney ( out west). This is a great park for small children, not so much for teenagers. You can bring your refillable water bottles as they ah e refill stations for ice, water and soft drinks even if you don’t buy their cups. You should buy their cups to refill fountain drinks though. I went Labor Day weekend, the lines weren’t long at all. The most I’ve waited in line for a ride was approximately 15 minutes. Bring a change of clothes or towels for the rides that involve water. The food isn’t that great. Tickets are approx $100pp. I found a great deal online. Pay for 1 adult and kid goes In free plus paid for parking $22. I paid $268 for 4 tickets. Google search “ kid free with adult ticket” ( Honest Kids)
Winnie J — Google review
The service has been immaculate. They have a lot of staff members and all have been very kind and helpful. The free buffet breakfast has lots of options to every age and diet. Is it the best buffet? No, but it’s good for what it is. The themed rooms are a big hit with the kids. And every day they get a new small Lego kit they get to put together and keep. The castle hotel has a playground you can hop over to and utilize during the day. The Lego building play areas have been really fun for the kids. It’s been an all around great fun experience. The downside; all guests 48in and shorter, no matter the age are required to wear a life jacket in the pool area. Even if they know how to swim. I don’t think much older than that would have much fun.
Cat Wig — Google review
Excellent theme park for kids, specially for toddlers. Many attractions for all ages and with a best in class decoration. You really feel like you’re inside a Lego toy.
Food is not that special, but enough for spending the day.
George Homsi — Google review
The best theme park we have been to! The hotel rooms were well decorated. The buffet skillets for breakfast and dinner were amazing. Great place for all ages but in order to ride all the rides you have you be 48” tall. We loved all the Lego made characters throughout the park. Each area is decorated to its own theme. My kids rode their first roller coasters here and are hooked to ride more!!! Very clean, friendly staff, reasonably priced food and gifts. We can’t wait to come back and stay longer! No I’d also suggest the pontoon ride on the lake. The Captain is very knowledgeable and easy going and super kid friendly.
Meag McElvain — Google review
If your child is into Legos this is a MUST! Pay the extra $ and stay at the resort as well. You can't beat the convenience of having your hotel room steps away from the theme park.
The rides were great for my almost 5 year old. He loved all of them and especially loved the building stations they had throughout the park. I think his favorite thing to do was build the cars and race them with other kids at the Imagination building.
Every staff we encountered was so nice and helpful.
The park was clean and kid friendly.
We had dinner and free breakfast at the resort and it was surprisingly very good! Service was great. Room was great!
Rose Limb — Google review
As a “Lego Nerd”, wife’s words, I was excited to take my ten year old son. We had so much fun going to all the exhibits and rides. We went in the middle of the week and there was little to no wait for most rides. It is definitely geared more towards younger kids, or adult kids 😆, than teenagers. I do like the fact you can bring your own water bottle and fill it all over the park. We have been twice so far and plan on going back a lot more.
Michael Cornwell — Google review
Legoland Florida was SUPER FUN! We went on almost all the rides in one day, the wait times are pretty short. They also have a water park. Regular parking was $20 and preferred parking was $50. My favorite part was Mini land USA. Legoland is an awesome, extravagant, amazing place to go on the weekends or weekdays. I would recommend bringing tons of water too. And coming on a weekday.
Micah Dibiasio — Google review
Legoland was better than I expected. There were plenty of rides and activities for my young kids to do. We spent an entire day there and didn't get bored. There were refill stations for drinks at the park. I wish there were places for mist or outside fans as it got really hot, but we took breaks as needed.
My kids enjoyed every area of the park that we went to. We tried the pizza and pasta for lunch, and I do not recommend it. It is pricey for food that doesn't taste good. I really enjoyed the 4D movie. It was very interesting and short enough to keep my kids' attention also long enough to cool off.
I dreaded going to legoland, but I am glad I went. Highly recommend.
Cee — Google review
Great place for families with young kids. The park is small and easy to get around in a few hours. Food choices vary and are a little pricey for what they offer, but they do allow small coolers in. Young adults and teens will enjoy the park, but only a few rides are available to them
Paul Biramontes — Google review
This was our very first Legoland Trip and we drove about 13 hours for it with a 9 & 7 year old and it was well worth it. We stayed at the hotel and went to the parks. The hotel was incredible. It was so much fun, it had so much to do and was really cool to look at. The rooms were a little smaller than I thought however they were perfect. My husband and I had a blast along with our girls. They had a dance & pajama party every single night and a party elevator although the music wasn’t working on the elevator but my girls still sang and danced in it and enjoyed themselves. The park had plenty to do. We had 3 days at the park and we got to see and do pretty much everything. You could stay a entire week or more and not run out of things to do but for the Legoland part of our trip those 3 days were perfect and they got to do everything they wanted. My husband and I also love legos so it was really neat to see everything built in Lego. My camera roll is more full from our Legoland stay then our beach portion of our trip. I definitely recommend visiting Legoland instead of Disney. It was a really cool experience!
Victoria Newbern — Google review
We visited the place a week after new year. We only purchase 1 park ticket which is the Legoland itself. The weather was cold. There were less visitors. Most of the food carts were close. few rides. children will definitely enjoy the park. In terms of souvenir items there were not much to choose from. I was looking for architectural lego design but there was none.
Joy P.A. — Google review
So much fun there! We conquered the whole park in 3 hours - two adults with no kids. Some of the rides have about a 40 minute wait. Spots to go indoors and get out of the sun throughout the park. Very clean and organized. Only wish they had more "healthy" food options in the park. A ton of great photo op spots and most of the employees will take your photo with characters that appear.
Lorraine Toth (Pinupmakeover) — Google review
We got our annual pass back in December 2021, it is well worth it. Been here already 3 times and my little one loves it. We have $299 pass , we love it, no need to pay for parking ( we park in preferred parking) , we are allowed to bring 3 guess per pass in the year. We have use some already. I must confess it is a great park, lines for rides at the most 20 minutes and not all the time.
Nancy Castellon — Google review
Legoland is a great park for the kiddos ages 3-10. Especially if they love building with Legos. The coasters and rides are all appropriately themed and exciting for that age bracket. I have 3 boys and they LOVED IT! As an adult I enjoyed the large Lego builds. I would recommend this trip to anyone who comes to Florida with young kids. The wait time for all the ride were very reasonable, 5-25min per ride.
Brandon Woodard — Google review
We really enjoyed the craft at the Legoland theme park. I was just amazing. We really enjoyed miniland and we actually started there must of our visit. The best part for us was to see our hometown in the mini city. "Miami Beach". But, all the Lego craft is just amazing. It a must see to believe scenery. 👀😯👀😯👀😯👀
JARKESHA KINGDOM CHOSEN (KC) — Google review
This was my families favorite vacation! I wish we would have come here sooner. We stayed in the Legoland Hotel (pirate theme) and my kids loved it! The room was cleaned daily, housekeeping was great! The free breakfast at Bricks was awesome, we did it everyday. We also ate at Shipwreck in the Pirate Hotel, it was good but very expensive. Both restaurants are family style. We went to the pool and had it all to ourselves for an hour, best time to go is around 11. It was very clean.
The park was a blast, so much to do and so many places to cool off. The wait times were not insane like Disney. It was definitely less crowded during the weekday vs weekend. My kids road everything they wanted to multiple times. My only regret is not coming here sooner!
Kali Higgins — Google review
This park is specially designed for children under 12, but it's fun for all ages. The wait time was short at an average of 5 to 10 minutes per ride, with the exception of the cypress boat ride that had a 25 minute wait, I suggest going on that one right when the park opens before the line gets long. Buy the tickets online directly from Legoland for a secure purchase and to receive the best discounts. The kids love all the interactive attractions and rides, Legoland got the formula right, it really gets the kiddos involved like no other park!
Fred Hintenberger — Google review
WOW !!! What a great place to take your family. We made the trip on 10/29/23 and it was worth the 90 minute drive. Our daughter had a blast and their Team is absolutely Awesome. Halloween was in full swing and passing out candy from 2pm to 7pm, and not skimping on it. We had so much fun that we have decided to purchase season passes on their program. And the food was delicious and very reasonable!!!!
Shawn OConnell — Google review
Pros: when the park isn't busy, it's a pleasure to be there. We went on an "off season" day and it was perfect. No lines, kids were able to ride almost all of the rides other than the rides that were undergoing "annual maintenance". Overall a really great trip and the kids had a blast.
Ricki Mindick — Google review
I went with my kids today, and in my opinion, it is not worth the price for the amusement park. Regular fair rides are way better than this park, and it's over hyped. The only advantage is that 4 year old kids are allowed in all adventure rides along with an adult, which is not feasible at Universal and disney.
S Bansal — Google review
First visitors. Familiar with all Orlando parks and we live here, so went with family and a 2 year old. Rides are per typical of a county fair and over very quickly. Grounds dirty. Rides that were supposed to be open until 4pm (the pirate boat ride is the picture with my watch) were closed early.
But the ABSOLUTE WORST THING THERE WAS THE FOOD. The all you can eat pizza and pasta buffet was something straight from your nightmares. SUPER EXPENSIVE and all food bars empty all the time. They were adding ONE pizza at a time, while 15 people waited. When you did manage to launch yourself , Hunger-Games-style, to fresh food, it was absolutely awful. No cokes in any soda machine at all. And did I mention trash everywhere?
Finally, rides for a tot are SO minimal. Even super safe rides (like floating boats) they can't ride.
The only redeeming things about this place (still not worth the price point though) were the Cypress Gardens area, and the mini Lego land.
Been here, done it, and if you have an option - recommend that you pay a little extra and go elsewhere.
heather featherstone — Google review
So let me start by saying this place is nice for the kids and they loved it BUT the prices are just outrageous for what you are getting. Yes they get a little scavenger hunt in the fully themed rooms and they get a free small Lego pack and a juice but does that really justify the prices? I don’t think so. Otherwise it’s just a regular hotel. They do have the little play area in the lobby but the lobby is small. Perfect for the kids but the prices are ridiculous. Our kids did enjoy every minute and I’m not regretful but they should consider lower pricing so more families can enjoy the experience. That being said they do have a full bar downstairs where you can watch your kids play and have a drink and food. The breakfast was a family style all you can eat which was included in the price but still not super spectacular for what we paid. The breakfast was good though. The aesthetic and the decor is perfect and the kids thought the elevators were so much fun. Bathrooms are a little scrunched but the room overall was nice and it accommodated our 3 kids perfectly.
V Rose — Google review
This place is a ton of fun, especially for younger kids, but even the bigger ones can get in on the excitement. The Lego creations are simply incredible and truly captivating. The rides and attractions offer a good time, and there are indoor rooms for Lego building, complete with air conditioning and seating for a much-needed break from the sun and walking. While things inside can be a bit pricey, it's par for the course with most theme parks. Overall, we had an absolute blast!
Erika Sosa Romero — Google review
Excellent for 6-9 year olds! 48" can pretty much ride everything. 44" can ride with another kid who is 48"+.
Not a lot for toddlers under 34-36" but we went for the older kids. My 2 year old could do 3 rides. This was our 2nd trip and we just discovered the red schoolhouse building with the childcare center inside. It was great for an air conditioned break. Small indoor playground, kid's restroom, several lactation rooms, fridge & sink, many changing stations. Our toddler was able to nap in a lactation room with the lights off while my husband took the older kids through the park.
Cazbar Saelao — Google review
BLESSED to be a Polk County resident for annual family passes for our 11 year old son. He will soon "out-grow" much of the rides, since going at age 2½. The Water Park is the BEST for local FUN during Florida heat. The atmosphere and remaining Cypress Gardens, Ski Show, and Holiday Events are FUN for All, and returning visits. A 20 minute drive to Family FUN for Children is a Luxury; since, other families have to get on a plane, pay for a hotel, and book well in advance. And; Mom got a Discount, and Preferred Parking. NO Lines to get thru to Parking. I only went to get my PASS and purchase a "Gift Card" for The BIG Shop or LEGO Factory Store. They do not offer "Gift Cards". I did not go further into the Park for visit. Other Guests have more thorough REVIEWS and Beautiful Photos. ENJOY🤗
Donna J Pyne (FRANK's MOMmy2012) — Google review
I went with my wife and an adult friend (no kids) and was shocked at how fun Legoland actually is. There is a LOT to do, including some really fun rides and excellent theming. There's also a HUGE section of Lego cityscapes with realistic 5-6 ft tall buildings depicting the Vegas Strip, Florida cities, San Francisco, DC, and more. I spent about an hour just looking at all of that... Almost like a Lego museum. There are also fun Lego building options like the new Ferrari build-and-race where you build your own Lego car from scratch and literally race it like a soapbox derby.
For the coasters... The wild mouse (Great Lego Race) was maybe the best wild mouse model I've been on. Dragon is extremely well-themed with tons of Lego animatronics and a decent family coaster at the end. Coastersaurus is bad. Rough and forceless with TINY cars very difficult for adults to fit in.
Non-Coasters... Ninjago was disappointing. It was the first ride (I think) with the AR hand-motion shooting but the sensors were not calibrated well and there were no physical sets at all. Just screens, screens, and more screens without an interesting story. So if the only point is shooting for points it would be much more fun if it was properly upkept. The queue was very cool though. (In general I LOVE the idea of putting places to build Legos IN the queues so kids can handle longer wait times.)
Lost Kingdom Adventure was good in concept but again, not calibrated well. I like that when you shoot targets it activates effects. I feel like this one would be better without the guns at all. Just let us go through the "not-Indiana Jones" story with all of the effects happening for everyone.
The LEGO Movie Masters of Flight was a cute concept for a ride and is basically a better version of Disney 's Soarin' ride (but not close to as good as Avatar: Flight of Passage). I liked that the ride had a story as well as most and scent effects.
Pirate River Quest was disappointing. The wait times were outrageous for not that many people in line (a general problem at this park) especially because they were only running 3 boats on a 20-minute ride. And they only hold up to 8 guests each. So ~70 passengers per hour. And for most of the ride I wished I wasn't on it. It's mostly just a pirate telling you to count gems then giving you the answer before you even pass by all of the gems. And most of the figures are not made of Lego and are stagnant. Not nearly enough animatronics for a "pirate battle." The parrot talking got really old really quick too. I did like the last part sailing on the open water but I'd rather just walk through the Gardens next time. Because I chose to do the ride I didn't have time to walk through Cypress Gardens which is included with admission.
Mia's Riding Adventure was the only true thrill ride in the park, being a big disco-style spinner ride. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Coast Guard academy was basically go-karts but in boats. Super fun but the wait was ridiculously long because they weren't using over half of the boats.
NFPA Rescue academy was a super-fun competion to put the fire out the fastest. A slight workout!
Most of the rest of the rides are kiddy flat rides. I think you need a lot of kiddy rides in Legoland BUT too many of them are just the same flat track with different ride vehicles and scenery. Would be nice to have a really solid kids' dark ride along the lines of Ratatouille at EPCOT or Small World at Disneyland/MK.
The park was clean enough though the bathrooms weren't great. The rides and experiences were a lot of fun. The only negative is that the operations on the rides are TERRIBLE and it's mostly not the employees' fault. It's because the ride's capacities are akin to fair rides but the park is built to attract thousands per day, causing lines with literally 20 people to take 20+ minutes. Most theme parks have ride capacities around 600+ per hour per ride and this one is about 15% of that.
Also know that AAA Gives good discounts if you're a member.
corbin byers — Google review
Compared to Disney Theme Parks, Legoland is a bit far to the city. But it has its unique themes since visitors can see lego characters, animals, and famous landscapes everywhere. It is amazing to see the mini city around the US to the world. They are all beautiful. There are many rides at Legoland and waiting time is so much better than at Disney World. Kids seem so excited there as they can see, touch, and take pictures with their Lego characters. Kids and adults can join the rides and most of rides there are mild and experience for kids.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an African themed amusement park with thrilling rides, live entertainment and family-friendly activities. It is one of the top attractions in Tampa for guests all year round.
A really nice park to visit for a day. Some of the rides are a little rough, but all in all a lot of fun.
The Sesame Street kids area was wonderfully themed and had some great things for my son to do.
Security took a little while to get through but I think that is my biggest complaint. The food and beverages around the park were delicious.
Corey Alukonis — Google review
Our visit was on Groundhog Day, lucky us, six more weeks of cooler weather. Great day to stroll this amazing theme park. Animals appeared to be more active today than in the heat of summer.
Wonderful wildlife (caged or fenced in) viewing areas throughout the park. Many thrill rides and children areas. A very nice train ride where you can see many different animals. Train has wheelchair access on board. A variety of dining options; somewhat pricey. Lunch for two, Chicken Tenders / Fries / two drinks can set you back over $30. There is 10% off food, 20% off merchandise with annual pass. Check web site as prices and offers may change.
Many of the attraction and shows were closed due to maintenance or health concerns. Just the same, a very enjoyable day out with family.
Park is clean and staff are polite and pleasant.
Recommended checking website for prices, events, and times before showing up in the parking lot.
El Keith — Google review
Overall wasn’t the best experience, some rides are really fun, train ride was good as well, however most animals on the train ride can’t be seen. Lines are fast moving and organized. Layout is cute. Some misters around the park to cool off was much needed, more would have been perfect. Customer service is basically non existent in the restaurant and cafe we went in. Would we go again not sure 🤔
Rima Alkhalili — Google review
We arrived shortly before 9am and there were cars already waiting in line. The park opens at 10am, however, they opened the lines for parking at 930am. You can either walk to the gates or take the tram. If you have purchased tickets online, you can go directly to the self-ticketing kiosk, and scan your printout and you will receive your tickets. The park is nice, loved being able to see the animals. It was cold, so going on the roller coasters was interesting 🥶 the best ride for me was Cobra's Curse. Loved going backwards and spinning in the coater cart 💯 but it was a short ride! The longest waiting ride, is Cheetah Hunt. You will want to ride this one as soon as you get in! Definitely lots to see and do. I suggest more spots for purchasing coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Too cold for ice cold beer! LOL!
C Rod — Google review
Great rides staff is rude and acts like they hate their job . Don't get me started on the waste of money on the highest season passes we paid for . No preferred parking we are always told and there is always plenty of spots open , extremely rude parking people at the pay booths saying they have security and I'm not allowed to even look to see if they have any spots open when that was a lie . Aside from that the park is dirty and they choose to do yearly maintenance on rides when it gets warm outside and not in off season . Now keep in mind aside from that they have a lot of nice rides and it's beautiful and peaceful there at night time so don't not go cause of a few issues . If you like coasters then it's a great place
Chris Dezlo — Google review
Great roller-coasters and good food. No shows during the week, so plan on walking around seeing animals, which is nice until it gets hot they tend to hide in the shade. Definitely get the meal package, worth it! Waits are not bad during the week.
D. — Google review
We went to Busch Gardens for a day when it got a bit chilly for beach fun. It was Monday, December, 3rd, the last day of Christmas break and it wasn’t very crowded. Quick queue passes and all day dining made our day really easy and stress free. These triple the cost of your ticket but are well worth it, if don’t want to spend all the time in lines and have several teenagers in the family who eat a lot like we do. All day dining includes an entrée, a side or desert and a fountain drink in any of 5 main restaurants every hour. It doesn’t include any snacks or other food vendors. Mind: you still have to wait in lines to get food in restaurants, so we didn’t even go to a BBQ place that smelled so good, the line was probably more than an hour long there and we didn’t want to waste time. We also went on Serengeti safari tour and loved it: got to feed the giraffes and see all the animals up close. The rides are awesome, me and our youngest kid 9y.o. did some family friendly rides, which were too much for me anyways (I just can’t do any roller coasters). My husband with older kids had a blast on all the crazy rides. Everyone loved our day in Busch Gardens, we’ll definitely be back.
Eva Volf — Google review
Went on a Tuesday mid July. Park was fairly busy but literally everything was shut down. It rained for a bit but other than that it was just cloudy but they kept the rides and games closed anyways. I was there for 4 hours and got to ride 1 ride and play 1 game, the rest of the time was us walking around the park trying to find something to do. The animal exhibits were cool though, animals were very active. Don’t get the all day dining. It only works for certain restaurants and their food is sub par at best since it seems it’s not very organized in terms of making it and getting it out. I got chicken tenders and fries and it made me almost puke (I hate saying this because I know it’s an amusement park, but this was just bad). The one ride I rode was fun though, it was the new iron coaster and was a lot of fun. Line went by at a decent pace and the ride itself was fun. Staff were friendly and helpful whenever we needed it. Honestly, just save your money and go to universal or somewhere else. $300 to waste that I can’t get a refund on!
Bre Catanese — Google review
A great place for families with children. We spent three days there - that's all you need to see and do all the attractions. great option to travel by train around the complex - safari wonderful! Sesame Street and attractions around it - very well thought out, for children of all ages and more. We had a great time here! We'll be back someday :)
Emilia Rydzewska-Smaza — Google review
The fun card pass works best because we had rain for several days and you may not always qualify for a rain pass refund. We can also use this particular pass for the rest of the year, in case we decide to go back. The all day meal pass works best for large groups. Several restaurants provide a good portion size, so kids could probably share a meal together from one pass. The train ride is perfect for getting to different areas of the park, while getting photos of the wildlife. Make sure to check out the shows, they had an ice skating show that was a quality event, plus it is cool inside, if you need a break from the heat. The vehicle parking is across the street from the park. They have a tunnel that allows you to access the preferred parking area, which gets you really close to the entrance (it's a $15 premium over regular parking). If you download the app, the map feature will actually help guide you through the park. The location function must be active on the phone. The app will also store all your passes if you buy online, so you will not need to keep up with tickets. If it is raining, some of the walking paths can be slick. We saw one kid running and tried stopping quickly and ended up on their behind.
Richard Nance — Google review
I've been here a bunch of times over the years, ever since I was a kid, back with the original owners of the theme park. I most recently visited in Feb 2023. It was fun. It wasn't as fun compared to ten or twenty years ago. I feel like the park has lost some of its luster. Not run down per se, but just not as much upkeep as I remember compared to previous visits. But, the roller coasters were a lot of fun. And if that's why you're coming to Busch Gardens, and it probably is, then it's a decent place to visit.
David P — Google review
Fantastic, you get to experience the best of both worlds a zoo and a theme park. My son and I could not explore much because it was raining, and the park had to close for weather safety. We Will go back. The rides are cool and exciting. Many restaurants, and the ambiance is exciting. The scenery is different than other theme parks. That is what makes it unique.
Buffet Day — Google review
I recently visited Busch Gardens in Tampa, and it was an incredible experience! The park is a perfect blend of thrilling rides and amazing animal encounters. The roller coasters like SheiKra and Cheetah Hunt were a blast, and the animal exhibits were both educational and entertaining.
The staff were friendly and helpful, and the park was clean and well-maintained. The food options were diverse, and I particularly enjoyed the dining experience at Serengeti Overlook Restaurant. The landscaping and scenery throughout the park are stunning, making it a great place to enjoy a day outdoors.
Whether you're a thrill-seeker or looking for a fun family day out, Busch Gardens has something for everyone. I can't wait to return for more adventures and excitement. Highly recommended!
Jennifer Eastburn, Realtor — Google review
Amazing park in Tampa. Lot of
Rides and fun activities inside along with animals. Loved this place. Enjoyed till last moment. DON’T miss any rides. Has good amount of rides for toddlers as well.. Sure I am gonna visit this place again..
Sam K — Google review
This place is a hidden gem. Not too crowded. Get here early and the lines for rides are not bad at all. The later you stay, the longer the lines get for the rides.
The staff are helpful and friendly. The animals are worth the trip. So many to see. Gorgeous representation of their species. The park is clean. They do an outstanding job of keeping it presentable.
Cost of food here is like you would expect at an amusement park. Quality of food is subpar at the locations we did try.
Overall, my visit was amazing. It was well worth the visit. One FULL day is all that's needed to do everything you need to do here. Two FULL days will allow you to get your complete fill of the amusement park.
Jonathan Winchester — Google review
Great park with a mix of big coasters and smaller rides. A fair number of rides and restaurants were closed. We were definitely there on a slow day, barely a wait for anything except lunch. The Sesame area is really fun for the little kids. The tree house was a favorite.
Suzanne Armitstead Aguiar — Google review
Fantastic day out with the family.
Easily accessible parking (albeit a little expensive) with a short connecting land train to the park. We had purchased tickets via an agent and they were really easy to collect from the self service machines.
The food options were great. We took advantage of the all day dining option and despite reading some pretty damning reviews, I felt it offered excellent value for money - we each had five drinks throughout the day and two meals which were great portions and very tasty. The food at Zambia Smokehouse in particular was really nice.
The rides are brilliant and there are a great selection for all ages. We visited on a weekday and in general the lines for all rides were short and I think the longest wait was around 30 minutes.
The animal element of the park is great and our kids loved seeing Flamingos, Giraffes, a Rhino, Gators and Elephants as well as loads more. The staff all really seem to genuinely care about the animals too and it was lovely to see them caring for them throughout the day. The environments in which they are kept seem to be as close to natural as they can be and none of the animals at any point looked like they were sad to be 'on show'.
In summary, a great day. A completely different experience to the other theme parks in Florida and well with a visit if you haven't been before.
David Hunt — Google review
Just AMAZING.
I payed for the safari tour, Sloth tour and Penguin tour and it was amazing ❤️ such a wonderful experience! I honestly love the fact that they explain to you so many things about how to help the conservation, how to save the wildlife and how their bodies work and such. I learned so much and I was just amazed by the greatness of every single animal I saw. ❤️
The park is great, clean and had wonderful workers.
Luisa S.M. — Google review
This is my first time at this location. I was very surprised to find that not only does the park have rides and attractions but it also has a grief focus on wild animals. There is an Animal Care Center that you can enter and at times there will be a veterinarian taking care of an animal. There are exam rooms that have clear glass in front of them so that you can observe what the doctor does with the animals. The park seems to be well-designed for families. I would recommend this place if you want thrill rides animals and family fun!
Michael Siracusa — Google review
I love Busch gardens. I used to go to the one in Virginia. I felt it was much better in the terms of maintenance. May be the Tampa bay park isn’t that well maintained probably due to they just opening to public after Covid. I had gone to this park in the late summer of last year.
This location also has a small zoo. The roller coasters are pretty good, the park has something for everyone. They also have shows.
Would definitely come back here.
Sindu — Google review
Been a Florida resident my whole life and Busch Gardens never disappoints. It is a fantastic park! The animals, the rides, the attractions... they even have up close animal encounters which are amazing. I would definitely recommend everyone go spend the day. As the rides are exciting, the park itself is relaxing and caters to everyone... whether you are a ride enthusiast, park lover, admirer of animals... everyone will have a great day.
Ashley Hepsen — Google review
We always have a great time at Busch Gardens! Lots of exciting roller coasters, beautiful animals with amazing conservation efforts, and fun shows. We liked the new Summer shows. Open late for Summer Nights. Closed a few times for Summer thunder storms, but that's to be expected in the Florida Summer. They do a great job keeping everyone safe. Wonderful staff! Very accommodating for my child with autism. Oasis Pizza was yummy! Our favorite is always the pretzels at Twisted Tail though. That's a must try! The price of the drink refills have gone up again, but the cups are still a good deal, especially when you want to stay hydrated in this heat. You'll wish you got a refillable cup. Love having a pass and we will definitely be back!
Jennielle Potter — Google review
First time at Busch Gardens, and it was great overall. My wife and I went on Friday, and it was surprisingly quit empty for a Friday, so it meant super quick lines. We never had to wait much for any of the rides. The ride "Kumba" was closed along with one of the water rides, which was a bummer. Also, some of the animal attraction places were empty with no signs, so that was a waste of time. Parking was $30 for the day ($45 for preferred parking), but you can take the mini tram that drives you to the front entrance of the park. The rides were definitely fun. Food options are okay over there, and the markups on beverages/water are insane (we paid close to $6 for a water bottle there...). The park felt like it was missing more rides as we got done pretty quick with no lines, and it also felt like workers were just waiting around. All in all, I'd definitely recommend paying a visit if you are in town as the rides are fun and thrilling.
Mohammed Akhtar — Google review
This place is awesome!! It has a lot of roller coasters for adults and young people and there is a special area for kids that is pretty big! You can find food, beverages, souvenirs and more! You can also enjoy the different attractions and shows, you can spend the whole day here without being bored. I really recommend it. I had a really great time here.
Becca L'pz — Google review
We had a lot of fun here. I grew up going to Six Flags in Georgia and the rides and everything here were so much better. My favorite was the cheetah coaster. I love how everything in the park is themed and decorated and all the foliage everywhere helped keep it cooler along with all the fans. They had some Halloween decorations up as well, that was cool to see. We already want to come back again.
Jennifer Scott — Google review
Had an amazing time. Best theme park. Roller coasters are awesome. Safari experience is a one of a kind. Food is amazing and the atmosphere is full of fun! Glad I'm a newly season ticket holder!
Erik Nieman — Google review
Love this place and the events they throw throughout the year. Definitely the type of amusement park where you get the best of both worlds: thrilling rollercoasters and viewing animals!
Definitely being a local, it’s worth it to get an annual pass for the perks and discounts. My friends and I love coming for the special events each month and seeing new shows and performances that come in or eat during their food-festival events. We are big fans of the regular foods available all-year, too, where this park definitely is above other theme parks in the state for food quality and cost.
The animals look well cared for. The staff in the animal’s spaces can answer a lot of questions about them. You can also see that they have buildings dedicated to animal rehabilitation (like surgeries) and conservation efforts.
Of course this is Florida and the weather can be nasty at times, they will close down rides due to weather issues in the area. This is when my friends and I would catch a show or go walk by the animal areas if it’s lightly drizzling. All the rides are outdoors, so it’s likely when the weather reports say it’s raining that all of the rides are down for that time.
Parking is $30, if you are a silver or gold annual pass member, it’s free.
Ana — Google review
Busch Gardens Tampa is an amazing place! This place doesn't really have as many roller coasters as other major parks do. but I think that all of the other rides makeup for that. The coaster collection is very strong and has some of the best in the world. The flat rides in the park are also very good. The quality of the park is in very good shape after over 50 years of operation. The one complaint that I have is how there are too little kid rides and family oriented attractions. The food here in my opinion is like any other theme park food. Overall, this place is worth visiting for anyone.
Jonathan C — Google review
I love Bush Gardens! They have a wide variety of coasters plus lots of other rides for all ages and thrill seeking levels. The shows I have seen are fantastic, especially Turn it Up Remix (ice skating show). They have many animals there, including the Serengeti Savannah which you can do a safari or take the train through. There is so much to do and it is a beautiful park!
It can get crowded with long lines, so you might want to pay for the quick queue.
Will Gausman — Google review
Had a blast here. Went on a Thursday and lines were fairly short was able to ride most the rides multiple times and even getting front seats. I would suggest the food and drink day pass and share it. You can get food and a drink every 90 minutes. We really enjoyed the safari ride and feeding the Giraffes. It was an awesome experience. I also enjoyed the amount of animals to see mixed in to the amusement park and rides. The Iron Gwazi was awesome and would absolutely suggest the front seat for the 91 degree drop.
Bradford Lindberg — Google review
Great number of animals to see on the train tour. Roller coasters are awesome, but be careful if you are 6 foot or taller. You won't be able to fit on a few of them. Had a great time.
Edward Wright — Google review
This place offers the best of both worlds, a zoo and a theme park. We started off with a train ride which brought us on a safari like tour across the plains. Being a parent with two young kids, we were definitely pleased to see the large playground with rides suited kids below the age of six. We ended the day with the ice skating show at the theatre which showcases exceptional ice skating talent. Definitely a day well spent.
Henry Lau — Google review
My first time and it was fantastic.
Was in the park from about 11-9 and saw pretty much everything it has to offer and could even enjoy the Goo Goo Dolls doing a show while we walked around that side of the park. Wonderful views from the restaurant/bar overlooking their safari.
Ashley and Taylor were wonderful as our Safari guides and I can't think of a place you can get closer to the giraffes.
Multiple shuttles to & from the parking lot, easy access and a nice friendly layout.
Highly recommend it and can't wait to return.
Joshua Tam — Google review
The Food and Wine Festival had great options! We purchased the stamp card and it was perfect. They do have a few vegan and vegetarian options at a few of the stands. The rides had short lines today, but we also purchased the fast pass. We waited maybe 2 minutes for one of the rides. All the rollercoasters were awesome! We had a great experience today and will be back in the future. Also, they actually had a decent amount of stuff for kids to do.
Chris — Google review
We had so much fun. I visited 25 years ago as a kid, it was very nostalgic to ride the roller coasters I enjoyed then all these years later. The new additions were great, we will definitely be coming back.
Scott Coon — Google review
My first time going and we had a blast! Plenty to do, we were there for 8 hours. There are animals, kids park and shows, great restaurants. I recommend you buy the all you can eat bracelet for $50. You can eat and drink all day every 90 minutes. There's a BBQ smoke house that's amazing. I had an amazing time!! Can't wait to go again 😍
Ginger Carter — Google review
My family had annual passes so we go to Busch Gardens often. It is worth looking at the website and planning if it will be your first time. The park is very big and you will not have time to do everything in one single visit, but by planning you are able to make the most of your time there.
The train is one of the best rides there if you want to see the animals, and it is better to do it in the morning.
The sesame street area is very cute for children, my nephew enjoys it a lot and we get to do a lot of rides with him there.
The food and drinks are great, but there are some not great options. So research and consider what you like before buying anything. I would recommend Dragon Fire Grill where there is a lot of choices to maybe please the entire family.
The shows are amazing, especially the ice skating shows. Definitely worth the time and you do get to sit in the AC for a while which is great for the hot summer months.
This is one of our favorite parks in FL, and will definitely continue to visit!
Cristina Theis — Google review
This place is so fun. The cheetah ride is a blast and so fast! My daughter loved the river ride.
The food was really good and I loved that all the animals had nice enclosure and they were very clean and wide open. We will definitely go back. Perfect place for people of all ages. Lots of fun things to do for very small children as well. I appreciate all the shade they provide as Florida heat can be miserable at times.
Located in Tampa, ZooTampa features exhibits like the Asian Gardens, Safari Africa and the Primate World. Educational programs are also offered, including opportunities to feed a giraffe and learn about other animals. There is also a water play area for kids.
Such a fun place, my kids love it every-time we go. You buy a ticket once and it’s good for as many times back in the year that you want to come. It’s the perfect size park for kids to be able to do everything and see everything there without being too much. A nice fun day trip. There’s also two splash pads for when it gets hot, which is perfect ! Easy to navigate and the staff is always helpful when you need assistance. They have several rides. Some for little kids and some for bigger, as well as face painting & jungle gyms for the kids to play on as well. My family loves it.
Kira D — Google review
It was a hot summer day, so we took the kids to the zoo! Everything went well, but one observation was that some of the animals were not out, and the kids did not get to see them and experience them. The water activities kept the kids cool and refreshed as we walked around, and the rides were easily accessible (no major lines or wait times). We got the yearly pass for less than the day pass, so we will be going more often for sure!
Yara Gutierrez — Google review
Loved this zoo!! Well kept/ maintained/ organized! Such a large assortment of animals. Bought the one day ticket that is good for free entry for the rest of the year, so I will be back! Highly recommend. Skip the restaurant, though, high prices, not the best food, and they overcharged us for 3 drinks/ sodas when we only ordered 2. Didn't realize until we got home, and they were $6 each.
Great gift shop!
Janette Badia — Google review
It was a well maintained place. We came when most kids went back to school so it was pretty empty so we could see everything pretty fast. I highly recommend coming to visit. It has a nice water fountain for anyone to cool off so I recommend wearing a swimsuit or fast drying clothing. Overall my experience was awesome. One thing I kind of was sad was most of the animals couldn’t be seen. Maybe they were hiding from the heat or something else. The Zoo was nice, and clean. Would totally recommend!!
David The Apple Tech Guy — Google review
This place was a lot of fun. They have a lot of neat exhibits in there are very interesting animals there. I also really like the Safari ride. It's not as big as a Busch gardens, but it's still very nice suit to visit. It is also very family friendly for young kids.
Scott — Google review
Great zoo! Fun for the kiddos! They have a big Mary go round with authentic animals to ride, a solid playground and even a splash park 👍. We always enjoy taking a family day trip here. The yearly passes are super easy and absolutely worth it if you have kids and plan to go more than a few times per year. This last trip was Halloween nights. All the characters were on point, very fun and family friendly. We had a great time!
Elliott laplant — Google review
We love this zoo. My daughter started watching their show on Disney and became obsessed with the African "Panda" dog, aka African painted dog. We did a road trip just to visit the dogs. Now, we have been back multiple times. The park has a perfect combination of animals and extra fun kid activities. The Manatee exhibit is my personal favorite. There are so many cool ways to see them up close and realize how much personality those manatees have. Seeing a Florida Panther up close was also neat. The carousel, safari ride, face painting, and log flume ride all break up the day to add an extra layer of fun. My daughter got one of their junior zookeeper vests and wears it constantly. Overall, we had a really good experience at this zoo and have already come back and plan to go more. My only negative is that the lunch options are not very healthy. We ended up doing pizza the first visit, and it was very greasy. That is where I could see room for improvement.
Laura Garcia, Realtor — Google review
Was a fun day trip. We have been talking about going for awhile, and now we are talking about heading back. The Zoo is clean, enjoyable, well laid out and the amenities are perfect. Fans and misters for hot days, lots of beverage and food options, and of course fun gift shops.
The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and seemed to actually enjoy their time there. Great family trip or just two adults like us looking for something fun to do.
Chris Jagodzinski — Google review
We had a blast at this place. My boys were mesmerized by the the range of animals. Mommy, Daddy, and Auntie enjoyed the numerous beverages carts around the zoo. I give this place 5 stars but many of the animals were inside due to the chilly weather. Not the Zoo's fault but we didn't see the whole park. It's still deserves 5 stars based off what we saw.
Mike Paolini — Google review
Absolutely loved it here. Great experience and was well worth the money. You can spend many hours here. We spent about 3 hours here. Tons of different animals here and you can tell the zookeepers love their jobs and the animals. They have many backstage experiences as well for an additional cost. Tons of different shows to go see as well in the different regions of the world. Tons of food and beverage spots around the park so if you are in need of something they have it. Parking is free and overall we had a great time here!
Nick G — Google review
The entrance fee was quite pricey - right around $45. The grounds were nicely maintained, and the staff were extremely helpful and pleasant. Had wonderful service from Ryan at the gift shop where we picked up our electric carts for the day. They were also prepared to store our walkers for us in a secure area and were very quick to retrieve them when we arrived back. Food prices were more reasonable than I anticipated, I suggest purchasing their refillable beverage cups when you get there - you can skip the lines and refill the cup as often as you like with soda or icees.
Lisa Brown — Google review
We got a membership a few months ago and have been four times. It is small enough to see everything, but big enough to have some very cool animals. I love the talks they give about being good stewards of our incredible animals and their efforts towards conservation. When we lived here 25 years ago, my little ones loved going, and now taking them as adults is just as much fun.
Melinda Geskey — Google review
Visited a few times in different years, and it's always a great experience. The animals are well cared for, and their conservation is very extensive and impressionable. My son loves seeing the animals, the staff are always on hand for questions and the food on site is really good 👍 will be going here again for years to come no doubt.
Victoria D'Agostino — Google review
Super expensive, but all of the attractions are included with the price of admission (carousel, safari tour, ect). We went on a Tuesday in October so most kids were in school, and it was much more enjoyable since it wasn't packed! The zoo was much larger than expected! We were there for about 4 hours and still missed the Africa section. Also, the food and beer selection across the park was fantastic!
Stefanie White — Google review
The personnel were very nice and ready to assist if needed. They do offer strollers, wheelchairs and scooters for rent. The animals there appear healthy and it was clean. They have a lot of food, snack and drink booths throughout the park. There's a carousel, but adults aren't permitted to ride the animals on it. There's a small flume ride and a 30 minute "safari" in a comfortable vehicle. Unfortunately, a lot of animals were unavailable due to either construction or ??? No hyenas, no gorillas, no chimps, no camels, no tigers, no lions. The habitats appear small, but they're clean. Things are expensive. All animal encounters are only available for separate payments. I'm bummed that there wasn't more to do. I will say that for the price of two tickets, we now get to come and go until the end of 2024, yes 2024, for no extra cost, so that's nice and hopefully they'll improve. Also, word has it that they're talkin about destroying the clam shell that's been there forever to make way for more parking...I really hope they don't.
Monarch Serenity — Google review
Such a nice zoo with so many interesting animals! My boys just loved the zoo and all it had to offer. The whole family really enjoyed the Macaw exhibition as soon as we entered the main entrance. The fly overs were amazing to watch! The manatee viewing areas were amazing and were the highlight of our trip to the zoo!!! Tampa City Pass made for an easy entry into the park with no wait lines at all! Highly recommend for a fun family day out.
Sarah Buck — Google review
Very impressed. Great layout. All the animals were active. Love the new addition of Australia.
This zoo has it all. Animals, shows, and rides! Rides are geared mainly for the littles, but we had a blast watching them have so much fun. It's definitely a must do when visiting Tampa. There are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat and bars scattered across the zoo.
S G — Google review
We had a really nice day at the zoo today. They have a lot of nice exhibits, experiences and even rides! The tickets were approximately $49 per adult, which seemed reasonable. It took us a little over 4 hours to get through everything and that included waiting 30 minutes for the safari ride. I recommend getting there when they open because parking is limited.
Will Gausman — Google review
Absolutely gorgeous zoo. Most of the animal exhibits are very large and well created for the animals. Great layout. Lots of unique animals with great descriptions at the exhibit. I would highly recommend. The only issue we faced was finding parking. We arrived late on a Thursday morning and it took more than 20 minutes to find a parking space
Scott Johnson — Google review
This Zoo has some of the best natural habitats for their animals that we've seen. The staff is also great. The safari is worth the wait as well. We spent most of the day here and still didn't make all of the exhibits. The manatees are great to see up close. The water ride was such a blast for the kids that they went twice! We can't wait to come back again soon.
R S — Google review
Great zoo experience
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Create a 25-line review, talking about the excellent experience at the Tampa Zoo, variety of animals, attractions, quality, affordable price, environment, family program, great experience, parking, security and recommend it to everyone.
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Tampa Zoo Review: A Great Experience for the Whole Family
I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Tampa Zoo and was blown away by my experience. This zoo offers an incredible variety of animals and attractions that captivate people of all ages.
Upon entry, I was greeted by friendly and helpful staff who gave me information about the different areas of the zoo. The variety of animals present is impressive - from the majestic African elephants to the adorable meerkats, there is something for everyone.
One of the things that most impressed me was the quality of the facilities. The animal enclosures are spacious and well maintained, providing a natural environment for the animals to live. In addition, the zoo offers regular lectures and demonstrations, where you can learn more about the animals' habits and behaviors.
A positive point that I must highlight is the affordable price of the ticket. Compared to other zoos, the amount charged is very reasonable, especially considering the quality of the experience offered. The zoo also offers discount options for families and groups, which makes visiting even more affordable.
The zoo environment is very pleasant. There are shaded areas to rest and many food options, from quick snacks to full meals. The well-signposted trails and lush vegetation make the ride even more enjoyable, providing a sense of immersion in nature.
Another highlight is the program for families. The zoo offers interactive activities, such as feeding animals and encounters with caretakers, which make a visit even more memorable for children. There is also a children's play area with games and toys to keep the little ones entertained.
The parking issue was also resolved. There is ample space available, with many vacancies, which makes it very easy for visitors. In addition, security is taken seriously, with staff and surveillance cameras ensuring a safe environment for everyone.
In summary, my visit to the Tampa Zoo was an excellent experience. The variety of animals, the interactive attractions, the quality of the facilities, the affordable price, the pleasant environment, the program for families, parking and security were aspects that impressed me positively. I recommend this zoo to anyone looking for an educational and fun experience for the whole family.
Jairo Da JCD — Google review
I visited ZooTampa at Lowry Park back in 2021. The place is very big, so I suggest you give yourself some time to explore. I really enjoyed their selection of birds. The monkey exhibit is really cute. You can watch them swing around on ropes and climb towers. If you like hands on experiences- there is an area where the birds are very friendly and sometimes they come so close that they touch you, for myself it was a very pleasant experience. I definitely recommend this Zoo.
Katelyn Gelormino — Google review
This zoo is so good we originally went for the day but decided to get a yearly membership. Definitely worth joining, plus 50% of other zoos and aquariums that take part in it. Animals are in habitats that resemble their natural habitat. What an awesome experience to say the least. Go online and plan out your day by feeding the giraffes, or doing one of the other activities with an animal. A kid area with rides, and games for them to play for an additional cost. Also don't forget to ride the safari truck that explains about the different African animals in that area of the zoo. I highly recommend stopping by and checking out what it has to offer.
Jeffrey Pennell Sr. — Google review
Went for creatures of the night. Great experience for our 3 yr old great granddaughter. Not to scary. Actors were very considerate to the little ones and did not scare or chase them, but they did the older kids.
Sandra Hutchings — Google review
My son had such an amazing time here. He was able to see his favorite animals and more. We had a really good time. The pictures they take of the family are a really fun memory to have.
Xiomara Lopez — Google review
Beautiful, well-kept zoo with happy, healthy animals. You could easily come back every day in a week and see something different. When I visited in January their special exhibit was animatronic dinosaurs. I am a Dino freak so this made me very happy! That was just an added bonus, but a good one.
I'm also a birder so seeing all the lorikeets, flamingos, pelicans and more up close was a real treat.
Ellen Boucher — Google review
I quite liked this zoo. It was very busy but the crowds seemed to flow nicely. Parking was free but took a while to find a spot. More food options inside the park would be nice, even snack carts here and there could work out. Most of the animals seemed happy and well looked after. The tiger seemed quite stressed out, pacing back and forth in a habitat far too small for it so thay was kind of sad. The special limited dinosaur exhibit was neat, had a small wait to get in as to keep people sort of spaced out once inside.
etch250 — Google review
Really really fun and educational. It's been a long time since I've been to "the zoo" and I'm so happy I went to ZooTampa at Lowry Park recently. This place is a full-blown theme park with an incredible amount of animals, activities and education if you're looking for it. We saw some amazing things and I am very content with our day long trip. That said, I got us annual passes and can't wait to go back!
Josh Hummel — Google review
Me and my family had a blast here. Loved being able to see all the different types of animals. The prehistoric predators exhibit was amazing too. Great price for everything that’s included. Only thing that I didn’t like was the adults who were drunk and being loud and saying stuff that shouldn’t be said in front of children.
Dianna Welker — Google review
A very nice zoo with lots of species. Areas are well-marked and the exhibits are laid out so that you do no wandering and searching like I've done at other zoos. Only 4 stars because a number of enclosures are needing work. (No water in hippo, enclosure, water features in other enclosures no running.) Feb 20 and there were lots of elementary school children swarming from enclosure to enclosure but otherwise, it was surprisingly uncrowded. A few food spots were closed making me suspect this is the slow season. I thought the food was reasonably-priced. Entry fee was on par with other zoos.
Is it better than that other Tampa place that has roller coasters and animals? I depends on what you want. I am not big on thrill rides and love animals so I would choose Zoo Tampa. The other place is more of a walk along the back of the park safari path and is cool too. If I had to choose one I would choose Zoo Tampa. If my family had to choose one it would go with the thrill ride park.
Scott Linscott — Google review
You know it’s a great zoo when all the animals were thriving and active throughout our entire time at the zoo. It was quite empty when we went, but it was perfect, not too crowded great visibility on all the animals. Got to see a Macaw training session too!
Highly recommend! The ticket was also quite affordable, we bought it at the gate and they had a deal for returning to the zoo throughout 2024.
LeDan Pham — Google review
This is a lovely zoo!
We were able to leave our luggage at the front desk. The safari ride, for no extra cost, was a fun experience. Everyone who works here was super friendly and helpful. They had a good variety of animals. The zoo is quite shaded with misting stations, too. They also have dietary restriction friendly options. While the price is high, they're running a promotion so you can get in as many times as you'd like through 2024 for the price of one ticket.
dana h — Google review
We had a blast here. Being able to walk into a place where you can join the birds was an experience. Please do not pass up the chance to see the flying macaw birds. The animals were all out!
If you can make it before April, they have a great dinosaur exhibit.
Brace yourself, it is expensive. The food, however, was very good. The portions were generous.
The cost for a family of 4 was just shy of $200 for tickets, so for a bit more, we went ahead and grabbed season tickets.
The Manatee Viewing Center features a 50-foot observation tower, trails, a boardwalk and butterfly gardens. This nature preserve is perfect for viewing manatees in their natural environment. The center also offers educational opportunities about manatees and their ecology.
This was a really cool (free!) place to visit on a Saturday. The close parking lot was full so we parked in the overflow which ended being great because there is a little center over there with energy games and activities. Bathrooms as well. Then we took a leisurely stroll to the center. There were several manatees in the water and a stingray petting area. Lots of boardwalks and it's kind of cool to see the power plant up close. Lots of activities for young kids scattered about as well as informational signs. Staff were friendly and we had a great visit!
Justine Vild — Google review
Shout out to the lady who said there was another boardwalk, or I would have completely missed my chance to see the manatees. Great place, very friendly staff. Observator, stingray center, food, manatees, trails. What could you not like about this place.
ZRinaldi — Google review
Lovely place. Great for the kids. Nice nature trails, boardwalks, and observation tower. Come in the winter to see the manatees but there is plenty of other wildlife to see year round. Staff were very friendly and helpful.
Theodore Reese — Google review
This place is amazing, and free!! Parking filled up fast, but they have an overflow parking lot. There were at least thirty manatees in the area when we came, and it’s still pretty warm right now. The observation tower was worth the walk, lots of schools of fish to see and watch them jump. The learning area is geared towards smaller children but was still interesting. Cute gift shop. We didn’t eat onsite, but they did have a place for food and the prices seemed very reasonable.
Lisa Meminger — Google review
During my visit to the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, FL, I was truly impressed by the exceptional level of maintenance and care evident throughout the facility. The staff's extensive knowledge of marine life, particularly their expertise on manatees, greatly enriched my visit. Furthermore, I was delighted to see the commitment to sustainable energy, with a notable emphasis on solar and wind power. The fact that the majority of the facility operates on solar energy is a commendable feat, reflecting a dedication to environmental responsibility.
The day of my visit was particularly memorable as I had the opportunity to witness a remarkable number of manatees, as well as encountering some sharks and tarpon. This diverse marine life added an extra layer of fascination to the experience. Overall, the Manatee Viewing Center left a lasting impression on me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Florida's marine ecosystems.
Jace Knockout — Google review
This place is huge. Lots of walking. Unfortunately we came the day a.big storm was coming in and a few days before the viewing area closes for the summer.The water was very muddy. Still got to see a couple sharks and tarpons. We could tell where the manatees were. Still we enjoyed the area. The butterfly area was very nice. We will comeback this winter
Scott Remy — Google review
Yesterday was the second time that I got to experience and enjoy the Manatee Viewing center. The first time in February I got to see tons of manatees because they were kind of wintering there. Yesterday in April 2020 we took the time to walk the many nature trails there and go to the 50 foot high look-out observation tower! It was beautiful and worth the walk. I would suggest though taking a trail map if there is one because there are multiple trails and things to see. Well worth the trip! Highly recommend seeing this. Especially in the winter months, but really anytime. The educational center was really nice and great for children also the butterfly garden and other exhibits there as well!
Rebecca Jackson — Google review
We went on a very warm day so we saw 3 manatee and many fish. Touch tank open but educational center closed. Arrive early due to parking
Joann Godin — Google review
The Manatee viewing center is a great place to visit. Many things are outstanding here and the fact in the day and age is it's free, yes I said free. Colder days are better to visit as your chances of seeing manatees increases greatly. We did see 7 when we went on a 80 degree day though. Find a park representative and ask them about the park all of them are more than happy to educate anyone willing to lessen. They also have a tank with several stingrays in them that anybody can touch. I would visit this place again when we are in Florida and I would recommend others to do so.
Michael Marcum — Google review
Well kept center that brings you closer to nature. Great walking areas and tons of wildlife. The touch pool for the rays was amazing. Wish the center was opened all the time instead of seasonally.
Brenda Broussard — Google review
This place was amazing. I'm so glad that they give back to the community like they do as it is free. There is a gift shop, two peirs to walk out onto. They had a petting area for sting rays. They had several beautifully landscaped gardens. These are all just extra perks as far as I'm concerned. The manatees were so very cool!!!
Kayla B — Google review
What an awesome experience for people of all ages, and at no cost!!! Everything is set up perfectly. The gift shop was amazing and prices were great! Employees/volunteers were phenomenal. We definitely will be back. Visit on a cooler day to increase your chances of seeing more manatees. Also, consider adopting a manatee to help save these gentle giants!!
Sunshine Mumford — Google review
This is a really nice facility and fits nicely into the surrounding environment. There is no guarantee that you will see any manatees, although we did see several, and they were impressive. There is plenty of parking and includes many for handicapped as well. For those with electric vehicles, there are charging stations available. There is no cost for parking or to enter the facility, which is fantastic.
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pmw — Google review
A must visit in the area! Beautiful and one of a kind experience. Manatees and Sting Ray up close for photos and experiencing. Great bird watching and plant life viewing also. The staff were amazing and very knowledgeable about the animals and plants. The parking lot was crowded but easy to find. Handicap accessible throughout the center. We did not visit the gift shop due to the very long line to enter. Restrooms are available on site. Highly recommend for guests of all ages and interests!
ArtsyPhotos LLC Professional Photography — Google review
Love free adventures! Entry is free and plenty of parking is free. The manatee viewing is always a thrill. Touch tanks are fun as well. You can walk out to a tower or walk the decking along the water. Restrooms are clean. There is a small gift shop and a snack area. I would check their live cam to be sure the manatees are there before you head over. We've seen them in Jan, Feb and March. Excellent place for kids!
Dr. Carole Gadomski — Google review
We had an amazing experience at the Manatee Viewing Center! Be prepared to do a lot of walking as there are many beautiful walking trails. We pretty much walked the entire property (about 5 miles). There is a shuttle on site if needed. I recommend getting there at opening as the place tends to get crowded and the parking area closest to the entrance fills up fast (there is over flow parking in the back). Definitely put on your walking shoes as the roads are paved with seashells throughout the trails. Maybe even pack some snack if you have toddlers/infants and definitely stay hydrated! Sunscreen is a good idea too.
This is a well maintained property with lots to offer. The viewing pier gets a bit crowded but luckily manatees gather on all sides so everyone has a chance to see them. There is also a fishing pier as you get further into the property. We also visited the Aquarium where they have rescued turtles. There is also an education building that offers lots of FREE brochures/booklets on wildlife and sea life as well as interactive things for the kiddos while in there!
Staff at the gift shop was very helpful and friendly. Restrooms are kept clean and stocked. You have the option to donate and support via CHECK only. I wish this was something I knew ahead of time but I will definitely be ready on the next visit. And get this, the Manatee Viewing Center is FREE to the public!! Overall, I think this is a great place to check out and we will definitely be visiting again at the end of the year.
grlenamored — Google review
Went here on December 26, 2022. This is a Nature Preserve where manatees in Tampa Bay are attracted to the warm waters of industrial canals. There was a wait time for cars to park at the Manatee Viewing Center, but we got patient and decided to wait. It was a busy day, but was still enjoyable. This experience is free!
All the boardwalks and gravel paths are clean and maintained, but bathroom cleanliness can be improved. All the staff were volunteers and were very friendly. During our experience, we saw hundreds of manatees! It was a delight to see these manatees huddle together in a man made habitat. There are various signs educating people about the behavior of manatees and clean energy on the walking trails to the Observation Tower and Overflow Parking. Overall, is definitely worth the wait. Is great to see an organization that sincerely cares about our local wildlife and not looking for our money!
Landon Bellamy — Google review
The Manatee Viewing Center was wonderful! I definitely didn't expect to see so many manatees but boy was I wrong. We saw black-tipped sharks, Atlantic Tarpon, Redfin Needlefish, and stingrays! What a wonderful and free experience available to the public! The gift shop has so many cute and affordable keepsakes or gifts to choose from. There is a stingray pool where you can watch and touch the rays as they swim by. So much fun! We can't wait to return!
Monica Mullins — Google review
Super nice place. They have a few trails to walk, a viewing tower, manatee viewing, a stingray pool, and a gift shop. The trails went to places that talked about solar energy and other sustainable energy sources. They had some interactive activities at the stops. They had a little pool with stingrays you could touch where the volunteers were really kind. The manatee viewing spot was perfect. There were so many! Overall great experience considering all the activities were free!
Samantha Brown — Google review
Great facility! It's free and free parking. There is a gift shop, you can also get food and drinks there. They have a touch tank with stingrays. We got to see so many manatees and sharks. If you park in the overflow lot the walk to the area is not bad it's pretty. They do have a golf cart shuttle. I will go here again.
Melissa Witt — Google review
Love this place. A nice bit of walking, since we had to park in the overflow parking lot. Thankfully they have a trolley service which we took after getting our steps in🤣. Plenty of manatee huddle up trying to keep warm. The souvenir shop is small, but we managed to get the perfect pin we were looking for. The turtle hospital was worth the trolley ride. Totally recommend going, it's very educational. It's totally free to get in.
Javier Ortega — Google review
So fun, clean, and it's FREE!!! This place is great! Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. First time touching a sting ray! The walkways are large, everything was clean (even the bathrooms). While the manatee weren't close, you can definitely see them there. It's amazing the entire facility is free. It needs to be on your bucket list!
Cindy sh63 — Google review
I absolutely love visiting here, its my 3rd time and I never tire of seeing these beautiful creatures. Parking was easy... and if there is not space in the main parking lot, there is remote parking with a shuttle, free. I always enjoy walking on the boardwalks and there is plenty of railing space to get a good view in. The signs are helpful to identify the birds and fish. The gift shop is very reasonable priced.
Sarah Taylor — Google review
I have to rate this place 5 stars not least because it’s totally free! It’s a fabulous way to see these gorgeous creatures and enjoy watching all their cute habits. Plus there are so many other exhibits and fun things for adults and kids to watch and take part in. The little cafe has good food and drink options at really reasonable prices. It was well worth the trip and we will most likely go again when we have friends and family in town. We went over the weekend and did not have to wait even though it was popular. We did not have to buy tickets in advance.
Mari-Ann Kucharek — Google review
A fun, unique, and free experience! It was cool to see the manatees, but also the variety of fish and birds, as well as the occasional shark! There was a neat educational area in the basement with stingrays. We visited in the middle of March so there weren't as many manatees visible, but it was still a great experience.
Anne Gibbs — Google review
Best time to go is during colder weather months as Manatees hang out here due to the warm water. Mostly gone by March. But they do have an interactive ray tank and you can take a free tram to the turtle conservation center any time and both are wonderful.
If you're looking for a botanical oasis in the heart of Sarasota, look no further than Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. This downtown campus features 15 acres of lush tropical plants, making it the only such garden on the planet devoted to epiphytic plants. Highlights include an orchid garden and a rainforest for children.
This place is a gem. Low key, like the rest of Sarasota, but there is a lot of heart in their staging. The variety of plants is wonderful, but the arrangement of scenes and sitting benches is inspired. Many great places to sit and reflect or read. Restaurant has lots of yummy choices, and today there was a food truck, too. Docents are very helpful and engaging. Mapplethorpe show was well done, and helped rehabilitate him for me.
Barry Demchak — Google review
Beautiful & peaceful. Easily accessible. Has a great kids area! We were there at the end of April when had a Tiffany collection display; lamps & vases were so neat to see.
There were large artist creations, like Tiffany, through out the garden. We spent 5 hrs enjoying this great place! The water view was incredible.
Volunteers were friendly & helpful!
Tracey Alverson — Google review
Very nice botanical garden, definitely worth a visit. They have some epiphytes I have not seen in other botanical gardens. You can spend about 3 hours there and see everything in depth. They have free parking and it is 26 bucks a person. There are good ocean views and good walking trails. The mansion houses a mask exhibit and when I went they were auctioning the masks. The workers are very ready to answer questions and look like they are enjoying themselves.
Dan Saxman — Google review
Selby Gardens is a fantastic botanical jewel. En extremely interesting venue that has options for every nature lover. Winding paths with banyon and other trees overhead, colorful flowering plants, exhibits, a tropical greenhouse, fantastic vistas and so much more. There's a children's play area (more like a huge tree house city) that is elevated and has interactive exhibits that frankly, adults can enjoy as well. Selby Gardens also has several restaurants to dine in. The Orchid is very good, but know that it's expensive and may not be your best option for your dollar. If you're Sarasota and looking for a location to spend a relaxing and enjoyable afternoon at, check this place out.
Ken Hutson — Google review
Beautiful gardens of all different types with beautiful trails right on the Sarasota Bay. Had multiple bathrooms with easy access and all different places to explore. Cute little gift shop full of nice souvenirs Only trouble was parking as they are doing construction and the parking lot was fenced off and rock. My first time going and it was great! Beautiful!
Alexa — Google review
What a delightful place to visit, brought my mom with me and when I asked if teachers got a discount,the person working the counter was eager and happy to tell us that teachers are free. They had free valet parking due to construction in their typical parking area, I had a little snack and a drink at the café. Although it was 93° out the breeze from off the water and the shaded areas provide much comfort from the heat. I was a little disappointed to find the greenhouse was closed, even though I had looked on the website I did not know this in advance. But I enjoyed it so much I’ll definitely make the two hour trip to visit again.
Mary Schu — Google review
Fun day at the gardens with the family. Lots of really fun things to see if you like plants! Kids might have a bit of a tough time here but they still had a good time and enjoyed the koi fish pond. The butterfly gardens were also neat to see. Definitely recommend an afternoon here.
Dmitry Choukline — Google review
Absolutely beautiful. There are so many plants to explore. Tiffany exhibit was educational and beautiful. Property is huge so wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle. On the water, so the breeze is appreciated. Different places to sit and take a moment to soak it all it. You can purchase food and drinks on the property in the adorable house cafe. Seating inside if you need to cool off and plenty outside. A very peaceful relaxing time ❣️
Christine — Google review
The garden is nice but quite a bit of mosquitoes and bugs. My arms and legs got bitten even with spread on.
Most of the volunteers were very nice and friendly.
The Garden's cafe Michael's was a surprise with excellent sandwiches and choices.
Michael Lee — Google review
Attending Matt and Maggie Dorn's wedding at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota was an unforgettable experience. The venue, a picturesque garden overlooking tranquil waters, was breathtaking, especially as the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The atmosphere was magical, almost surreal, and Annemarie and I were spellbound by the beauty of it all.
The ceremony itself was intimate and heartfelt, with every detail meticulously planned. Matt and Maggie, surrounded by the love of their family and friends, exchanged vows against the backdrop of the setting sun, making the moment even more special. The air was filled with emotions, joy, and laughter, creating an ambiance of pure happiness.
As the evening progressed, the celebration moved into a beautifully decorated area, where tables were adorned with elegant centerpieces and soft, ambient lighting. The dinner was a culinary delight, each dish more exquisite than the last, complementing the upscale yet intimate theme of the wedding.
The music was a perfect blend of classic and contemporary, setting the tone for a night of dancing and merriment. Annemarie and I shared dances under the starlit sky, the melodies creating a romantic and enchanting atmosphere. We chatted with old friends and made new ones, reveling in the joyous occasion.
The entire night was unlike anything we had ever experienced. The combination of the stunning setting, the delicious food, the wonderful music, and the great company made it a truly epic celebration. It was a night to remember, not just for Matt and Maggie, but for every guest who had the privilege of being a part of their special day.
Zack Schneider — Google review
I was thrilled to return to Marie Shelby Botanical Gardens long absence of 10 years. This place held a special significance for me and my husband as it was where he proposed to me. We were filled with excitement as we embarked on this journey down memory lane.
To our delight, we discovered that the garden had undergone significant transformations and welcomed several remarkable additions to its property. The abundance of beautiful plants and trees was a sight to behold. The meticulous care and attention to detail were evident in every corner of the garden.
One particular highlight was the introduction of stunning boardwalks that enhanced the overall experience. These pathways offered a sense of tranquility and serenity, providing visitors with the perfect opportunity to immerse themselves in the peaceful surroundings. It was a truly rejuvenating experience to wander along these paths, basking in the natural beauty that surrounded us.
The exceptional staff at Marie Shelby Botanical Gardens further enhanced our experience. Their friendliness and warmth made us feel truly welcome, and their dedication to maintaining the garden was evident. We appreciated their efforts in ensuring that every visitor had a memorable and enjoyable time.
I highly recommend a visit to Marie Shelby Botanical Gardens. Whether you are seeking a romantic afternoon or simply desire a moment of quiet contemplation amidst nature, this garden will exceed your expectations. Its remarkable transformations and stunning additions make it a sanctuary worth exploring.
Veronica Gordon — Google review
Such a beautiful place to enjoy the beautiful plants and flowers of FL! You can walk out and get a wonderful view of Sarasota Bay as well. Don’t miss it if your visiting.
Tracy Anderson — Google review
Wonderful, lush garden that’s surrounded with exotic plants, the ocean, and kind people. The Shelby Gardens is a great place to visit if you’re from out of town, want to spend a day with the kids and family, or just enjoy plants itself. The facility is clean and well managed. When you come into the gardens, you’ll have your car valeted and returned at the end. We just happened to come the day after their newest exhibit opened which included these colorful Costa Rican masks. Plenty of areas to sit and enjoy the landscape. Definitely check it out!
maryroselol — Google review
Very nice. We were there during Tiffany Exhibit which was great. Not sure if special large stained glass decor throughout park was there because of Tiffany or they are standard displays, but loved them. Great that it sits along the bay. Orchid section was wonderful. I highly recommend it mostly for adults, not small children though there is a small kids section.
Kim H — Google review
Beautiful gardens. There is an awesome area for kids to play. They have concerts for members and an amazing greenhouse. I love how they always have a revolving collection of artwork that they incorporate into the gardens.
Emily Boulger — Google review
Nice quiet stroll through beautiful gardens. Make sure you take your camera or have your phone ready - lots to capture.
Kids area has lots to climb on and nooks for them to explore.
Cafe has cold drinks and food.
Brst way to spend the day.
Celeste Acevedo — Google review
Wonderful garden. The Orchids were fabulous. We took our time and strolled through everything and it took about 2.5 hours. Worth every penny.
Alex Buchanan — Google review
This place is a must see! If you like orchids you especially need to come see their orchid exhibit. They have an outdoor botanical garden that is beautifully maintained and raised wooden paths that give you a sense of adventure. The view of the ocean is particularly stunning and I’m sure must be wonderful at sunset (although we were there at midday). They have left the natural mangroves along most of the sea’s edge so it’s a great place to see that type of habitat as well. I was particularly fascinated be some of the really old mangrove trees with their roots so big that I didn’t think that still existed except maybe in the Everglades or abandoned islands. There is a cafeteria, and a visitor center which is all being replaced with a huge building across the street which is also part of the compound (probably the new visitor complex). I can’t wait to come back as my wife bought us a membership.
Waldo Carbo Jr — Google review
First time going to night in Bloom at the gardens. We did buy advanced tickets and included the parking which was super helpful. Really enjoyed the experience in the atmosphere. The lights, the music, and the garden itself was all beautiful. Lots of different areas to walk through and enjoy, they had games to play for the young ones. It was nice that they had the ability to buy cocktails in food while you walk through the garden. Highly recommend as a family Christmas activity.
LOParadise — Google review
An Amazing place to spend the whole day. Beautiful. Like a whole different world. Educational. Amazing orchids. Plants from many contents. I have 250 I wish I could share. They also have a flower shop. Should be on your bucket list good.
Cam T. — Google review
Absolutely spectacular! Right in the heart of downtown Sarasota, the Selby gardens is a lovely asset to the city. Beautiful gardens and unmatched views of the bay. I can visit again and again and it’s different every time. We went for the holiday light event this year and i was blown away! It will absolutely be a yearly visit to see the lights from now on! I do recommend buying tickets ahead of time as they sell out, especially right around Christmas. Great for families, people of all ages and interests!
Lauren Victor — Google review
A beautiful afternoon at the botanical gardens. Be prepared to walk thru all the gardens and special exhibits overlooking the beautiful beaches and surrounding areas of beautiful plants and trees and landscapes. It was an awesome afternoon of casually strolling the magnificent grounds and witnessing mother nature in her finest. Kudos to the expansion project, which seems to be complete. Such a beautiful peaceful date with mother nature.
Maria S Nasca — Google review
We haven’t been in almost 10 years and was pleasantly surprised. We enjoyed walking around the gardens and the interactive exhibits. Impressed with the number of volunteers and many are so friendly and willing to share their knowledge.
Nice, parking garage (free)
Laura Duplain — Google review
The new and extended Gardens are just wonderful! The added space really has made such a difference, and the new restaurant is marvellous. Light, airy, welcoming and friendly, the food is sublime. Can't wait to go again!
Alison Love — Google review
Spent a lovely afternoon roaming around the gardens. Extensive tropical garden indoors with water trickling over the stone walls.
Waterfront along the estuary with views of Sarasota have extensive mangroves.
They close at 430. Allow a couple of hours.
There's a restaurant in one of the buildings. The mansion has a small tour inside.
It's 26 dollars for adults, admission.
It's definitely a great way to spend a day
N Fornaro — Google review
What an oasis! To think all of this beauty, diversity, art and natural tranquility is minutes from downtown Sarasota is staggering. The parking is incredibly convenient. The volunteers were beyond helpful. And our visit was free because we’re members of another Florida garden — Bok Tower in Lake Wales. Such a gem.
Jeff Houck — Google review
Parking was a little confusing. It wasn't evident to me that the ramp was for the garden. It is. They don't allow outside food which was a shame because we packed a picnic lunch that we had to enjoy on a bench right outside the park instead of in the magnificent gardens. Even if you buy tickets online you still have to stop at the main entrance to get your sticker.
John Ridley — Google review
Really enjoyed this garden. It was beautiful! Wonderful display of orchids and all sorts of beautiful flora. Very well put together, the kids section is super interactive and my niece and nephew loved it! We got to explore nearly every part except for the education center/museum which I'll have to check out next time. They also had a great little bonsai display and I enjoyed the cactus garden too. They had a beautiful Christmas display up and whole array of lights that must look amazing at night. Really enjoyed it!
Basic group campground with fire rings, water & benches in a riverside 58-sq.-mi. state park.
it is an incredible park many things to do and visit and enjoy the wildlife
Alejandro Brito — Google review
Amazing way to spend Mother's Day...any day really! Enjoyed the narrated boat tour...galloping gators, feral hogs, and fauna galore...something for everyone!
Kimberlei Goodnow Taylor — Google review
beautiful place for enjoy the nature and the real Florida landscape and animals!
luca di michele — Google review
Wonderful campground with plenty of space.
Tim Russon — Google review
Excellent camp ground for youth scout camping and to the looks of it great for family camping. Gas stations within 15 min drive for ice and other things along with a Walmart about 20 minutes away. Great roads for bike rides and also plenty of good views with alot of alligator sitings. Make the 1 hr trip to peace river if you can and dig for some fossils when the water is low!
Raymond Trombley — Google review
Great for kids! Airboat tour with gators, birds, wild pigs in sight. Tram ride with excellent description of flora, fauna, and history. Great restaurant and gift shop. Camping facilities look nice and we'll kept. Many opportunities for walks and bicycle rides.
H Frederick — Google review
The campsite was huge and well cleared with plenty of flat spots for tents; the water out of the spigot was delicious and clean and didn't have that standard Florida sulfur taste; the state park staff was extremely accommodating and helpful; and the site was secluded from other campers. Overall, a fantastic experience!
Chris Grover — Google review
Its better just putting anything modern away and imagine it being 90 years ago. Get the real feel for the real Florida
Beachcombing for shells & sharks’ teeth is a popular activity on this rugged stretch of coastline.
My most favorite place to go. I love finding the sharks teeth and the water is breathtaking.
Amanda Warren — Google review
Beautiful beach for fishing and looking for sharks teeth. Beach is very rocky. Nice restrooms and outdoor shower.
Angi Whittington — Google review
Shark teeth central
Jackie — Google review
Great beach however erosion and hurricanes have really done a number on this beach. The dunes are now at ground level. Palm trees, sea grasses and debris litter the sand.
Sandra Locascio — Google review
A great beach, family friendly with plenty of handicap parking as well as accessibility ramps to the beach and bathrooms. Rocks in some areas, good for shark tooth searching.
Jason Hawke — Google review
A pristine beach located off the beaten path with plenty of spots to claim a peaceful day. A long walk if your planning to come without a boat, There is a ferry that takes people back and fourth from the South Venice yacht club. Found lots of shark teeth and the sand was blazing hot. Make sure you have some adequate sun protection.
Patrick Steck III — Google review
One of the lesser known beaches of the area, but if you know of shark teeth then you definitely know of Caspersen! This beach is so fun because it’s so unique- there are lots of rocks right along the shore like and a huge walkway across the sand, making for some great views! There are lots of shells to be found, not even just shark teeth but a large array of other conchs, scallops and really good ones! If you want to find teeth, though, I suggest you bring either a rake or some kind of straining/ scooping element because otherwise they are super difficult to find. You also need to find the right spot, so if you’re not finding any, keep on moving and don’t give up! Caspersen also has some bathrooms and rinse stations, but beware of parking because it can get tough- so great there EARLY or get there late- the in between may have you driving around quite a bit!
Raegan Linster — Google review
As a beach lover I would put this beach in the top 10 Beaches of my favorite beaches I have seen in the United States.
Not that I am a avid beach traveler although my favorite beaches are in the Caribbean.
Yesterday 03/13/2023 was one of the most perfect days with the weather, slight breeze and water I have ever had in all my visits to the beach.
It was a perfect 80 degrees with no humidity and a small breeze blowing off from the ocean .
As I sat in the water edge ~ looking for “ Shark Teeth” I was amazed at the “ turquoise water” that glistened with the sun rays, beaming down off of the water and bouncing up on my face.
This would bring serenity to anyone’s soul ….
The pictures I took are not edited and are taking with the simple feature of a iPhone 11~
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Angie Lee — Google review
This is a great place to go shark tooth hunting, as well as to lay out in the sun due to the black sands intensifying the heat. You would need to get here super early though, because the shark tooth hunters are often territorial, and parking can be a little hit or miss if you arrive after 8:00
Jesse Rivera — Google review
I went on Sunday morning and there were over 2 dozen people sifting through the beach looking for sharks teeth. They were spread out the whole length of the beach (over 2 miles ). The sand is fine and is not rocky except for shells in various amounts throughout. It isn't too busy and has plenty of space so you don't have to be on top of other people. Great place to take the kids or to relax without a lot of hassle around you. Free parking is great.
Charles Tiedemann — Google review
Nice beach. Originally very rocky then a little south and very sandy. LOTS of shells. Easy access. You have to go worth the trip. I bicycled there from legacy trail.
If you're looking for a quaint waterfront shopping complex with specialty shops and casual restaurants, Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda is the place to go. There's also a marina and lodging onsite.
So many great shops to go to! if you’re looking for tourist clothes, hats, jewelry and more, you’re definitely going to find it here. only downside is that the restaurants typically have a long wait time and are often a bit expensive. Would recommend checking it out for sure. right on the water, lots of great boats and views.
Abbie Farmer — Google review
We went for Thanksgiving dinner. Had reservations for 530 but didn't get seated for an hour.
Crazy busy. Service was great but food was really good. Mixed green salad, crab salad(yummy), green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey and prime rib! And for dessert there was cheesecake, chocolate cake, pumpkin pie and pecan pie. Everything was so delicious and it was all you can eat for $36 each person plus your beverage. You do have reservations. I have never been here and the view was to die for, overlooking the Harbor. I will definitely be back!
Vicki Kirby — Google review
9pm on a Friday night almost everything closed. No live music... Hanging Shark still not back up... Disappointing we get out kids pic taken next to it every year for the last 10 years... Everything is very clean but has lost it charm... The new Dry Beach is nice... Not much going on.
Johnny Chambers — Google review
Nice views and great photo ops. Tasty eateries- interesting shops, and all around good experience. We went to Harpoon Harry’s- (review separate from this one) and Brew House (same) as well as brought home sweets from the candy shop. Definitely a place to see if you are staying in this area- looking for souvenirs, etc!
Clean restrooms
Family oriented
Fun for date day (closes fairly early- but early dinner and a walk around the harbor or town is fun!).
Keli Young — Google review
Beautiful sunsets to enjoy at some of the really good restaurants there. Some shops are more pricey and high-end, and some are more reasonable with expected tourist apparel and souvenirs. Great place to take the kids for lunch or some ice cream, then walk around a little. They have cute little photo op places, too.
Brooke Hamilton — Google review
We always like coming here. Plenty of places to shop, several eateries to go to (there are a few more open now) and great views of the river/bay area. It gets busy in the fall and winter, of course so be prepared to have some wait times at the restaurants. They have really improved on the area since the original opening back in the day. Christmas lights are a great touch so kudos to the staff that put these up. The whole area is clean and well organized.
J Martin — Google review
LOVE Fisherman's Village. Love to browse through the shops, never know what treasure you will find. Love the restaurant at the end of all the shops. I had the scallops basket and my honey had the grouper. As usual, the food was absolutely delicious. We got a table by the water. So fun to watch the boats come and go. Atmosphere so relaxed and staff was super nice and efficient at the restaurant. Would definitely recommend Fisherman's Village
Terrie Hoefle — Google review
As soon as we got there, we were offered a free tour of the place, and the driver was super friendly. The shops were all clean, the workers super friendly, and the scenery is beautiful! We also had coffee and breakfast sandwiches from the Cafe, and everything was great! They also have rooms above the shops, where you can stay, and while I didn't see them in person, the pictures of them look awesome. I definitely recommend visiting!!
John Sauer — Google review
Awesome place to walk around with cool shops and good restaurants. They even have assistants on golf carts willing to take you from one end to the other (remember, they accept tips!). If you want something it is probably there. The shops have all sorts of things like sandals, shoes, clothes, jewelry, bags, candy, ice cream, hats, souvenirs, you name it.
Tony Rogers — Google review
Visited The Pier at Fishermen's Village with friends. They have waterfront seating as well as a spacious indoor dining area and generous bar. Good food and service for reasonable prices.
In season, they have live music but you need to arrive early if you want a seat.
Marsha Malone-Thompson — Google review
Little touristy, the pier at the end of the walk has good sushi. Some really great shops here as well. The oil and vinegar shop is top-notch, and the tea shop is a real winner. Parking can be an issue depending on time or day.
Spencer Pearson — Google review
We love Fisherman's Village! We go as often as we can. Great shops with all kinds of different items that are hard to find anywhere else. Great restaurants with amazing views of Charlotte Harbor. And absolutely stunning decorations at Christmas time. An amazing place to take any family and friend visitors that you may have! Highly recommended!
Kelly Kroll — Google review
We stopped here prior to our flight from Punta Gorda. There were some nice local small shops and a few restaurants. Very nice area. The premises were very clean. We ate at Harpoon Harry's and watched a beautiful sunset from our table in the restaurant.
John Zarate — Google review
We were there for the Christmas lighting. It was an awesome sight. The wharf could use more restaurants. Some places had an hour wait time, others had you were on your own to find seating. The food was fried, I am not a fan of fried, but the view and activities made up for that.
Lawrence Kalmbacher — Google review
This is a fun place to go. There are plenty places to eat with great restaurants and plenty of places to shop also. Bring your walk and shoes because it's plenty big. You can either be inside or outside your choice but there are plenty of places to go. If you time it right you leave and be able to enjoy a nice sunset.
Larry Holcombe — Google review
We went to see the Christmas Lights, and we were far from disappointed! Absolutely gorgeous! Absolutely Amazing! If you haven't been, I Highly suggest! Even just for every day fun. Adorable little shops, watch some candy making, and enjoy a couple of good restaurants. 💗 There is even live entertainment on occasions! This place is definitely worth checking out! 🥰
Catherine Harlin — Google review
Such a fun day! Great shopping..walking along the dock ..the sunset! Dinner at the Captains table- the food is great and the view even better! Sunset cruises run from 5:30-7! No charge for parking. Love this place.
Sonnie — Google review
The sports bar Restaurant half way down has fabulous burgers. They have gluten free buns if you go that way. They are actually tasty. Nice view of harbor. Every time I have been there they had a band or singer. Nice atmosphere with bartenders that are generally senior friendly. I say that because the younger people on our left and right arrived well after us but got served first and we had to go and flag someone down. Maybe because I had my USMC hat on. This has happened last two times on a Saturday. I go there to watch Penn State Football and the bartenders always want to change the channel on me. They must think because I am old they can just shove me aside. Oh well, nice place. Maybe next year.
John Forr — Google review
Upscale shopping and dining area on the water. Very nice to spend a few hours shopping the tourist type shops and then enjoy food and drinks. I marked it down to 4 stars only because the shopping and restaurants are typical in this resort type atmosphere. I did not mark it down a star because it was not nice. I marked it down because it had nothing out of the unusual that would surprise and delight you. If in the area I suggest you check it out.
John Kusmierz — Google review
A Captivating Experience at an Amazing Hotel - Unforgettable Sunrise and Sunset Views
During our recent stay, my partner and I had the privilege of experiencing the awe-inspiring beauty of both sunrise and sunset at the captivating The Suites. From start to finish, this hotel provided us with an absolutely amazing stay, leaving us forever enchanted by the mesmerizing views of the sun painting the sky with its vibrant hues.
One of the most memorable aspects of our stay was undoubtedly the breathtaking sunrise offered by the hotel's prime location. Nestled along the coast, The Suites boasts a privileged position, allowing guests to witness nature's spectacle from the comfort of their own room. The moment we drew back the curtains and welcomed the first rays of the morning sun, we were overwhelmed with a sense of tranquility and gratitude. The horizon, adorned with shades of pink, orange, and gold, together with the gentle sound of crashing waves, created a blissful ambiance that set the tone for the perfect day ahead.
Equally astonishing were the hotel's sunset views, which were nothing short of magical. As the day drew to a close, we found ourselves at the hotel's rooftop terrace, overlooking a panorama that seemed straight out of a fairytale. Basking in the warm glow of the setting sun, we witnessed the sky transforming into a canvas of purples, blues, and fiery reds. The surrounding mountains and the vast expanse of the sea blended harmoniously, creating an indescribable moment that left us in complete awe.
Apart from the magnificent views, The Suites impressed us further with its exceptional service and attention to detail. The staff were warm, welcoming, and always ready to assist in any way possible. The rooms were elegantly decorated, offering unmatched comfort and featuring large windows that maximized the view. The hotel's amenities were top-notch, with a well-appointed spa, exquisite dining venues, and a variety of activities geared towards relaxation and immersion in the natural surroundings.
We cannot fail to mention the hotel's commitment to sustainability. The Suites actively engages in eco-friendly practices, promoting the preservation of the surrounding environment. This dedication resonated with us and enhanced our overall experience, allowing us to truly appreciate the beauty of nature in its purest form.
Overall, our stay at The Suites was an enchanting experience that surpassed our expectations. The opportunities to witness both sunrise and sunset each day were a gift we'll forever cherish. If you are seeking a hotel that offers a truly magical blend of remarkable scenery, impeccable service, and a sense of connection with nature, look no further than The Suites. A stay here promises lasting memories and a heightened appreciation for the natural wonders that surround us.
Bobby ?Twin Eater MF? — Google review
Popular place so it is a little hard to find parking.
There are plenty of shops to find treasures, or just browse.
Restaurants were buzzing with people. There is a variety of food to please every taste bud.
There is a bar in the center of the beach (no swimming) with live music .
It was a very pleasant day.
Luisa Fletcher — Google review
It's worth a stop, but many stores are generic tourist stops. You probably won't be able to make an afternoon of it, but you could kill a couple of hours.
There is tons of parking, and the restaurants are fun with great views!
Connor Daitch — Google review
Great little place to walk around to visit some shops, restaurants or even hear some live music. They have a cute little beach area on the river with a few games for kids or adults. Also a great place to see some christmas lights and decorations
Jasmine Rhodes — Google review
We enjoy the variety of restaurants and retail this mall has to offer. We very much enjoy the Pier for their food and drinks. The only real problem with Fishman's wharf is parking. There is never enough and often I have had to find parking off site.
Robert Howe — Google review
A great place to spend an afternoon! Lots of shops mixed with restaurants and bars. Great atmosphere with some open areas giving the feeling your outside and all built along the waterfront. So pull up a chair at your favorite restaurant and sit seaside or hang out at one of the bars with your toes in the sand. Either way you will enjoy your time with friends or family!
Ron Smith — Google review
Everything was wonderful!! The atmosphere & the food was fantastic.
The margaritas were wonderful.
We sat at the bar and listened to music.
It was just a lovely lunch.
We will definitely be back!
Dr. Robin — Google review
My husband & I had breakfast here last week for the first time.
The place was clean, but freezing! The light fixture above our booth was moving from the blast of air conditioning blowing on us & on our food. It cooled my pancakes down right away. My food was a good price at $6.99! I got 2 med pancakes, 2 sausage links, & 2 eggs too. Hubby got an omlette that was good, toast & hashbrowns that were not at all crispy, mostly white. We will try this place again, but be sure to sit in a better place there. Don't be in a hurry as though not too busy, it took a long time for the food to be cooked.
Carol Hobson-Payne — Google review
Fisherman’s Village is a really nice place to spend an afternoon shopping, relaxing by the water with a cool drink or an ice cream most of the time there is a small band or singer playing! If you want to watch the sun set come an hour before Sunset to get a seat in the Campfire pit chairs and watch the beautiful Sunset! You also can go out for lunch or dinner, there are several Resturaunts on the water to eat! Captains table is one of the places we have dinner. The food is very good, prices are reasonable and the view is very nice!
Timothy, Renee Moore — Google review
Fishermen's Village is an absolute delight! This charming waterfront destination offers a unique blend of shopping, dining, and entertainment. The variety of shops is fantastic, ranging from boutique clothing to specialty gifts, providing something for everyone. Dining here is a treat with a range of options offering delicious seafood and more, complemented by stunning water views. The atmosphere is lively yet relaxed, perfect for a day out with friends or family. The marina adds to the scenic beauty, making it a picturesque spot to wander and relax. Highly recommend Fishermen's Village for a memorable experience by the water!
Christophe Bingemer — Google review
Beautiful day strolling through Fishermen's Village with all the lovely shops and food choices. Later in the week I helped to assist with a fun and interesting class trip on one of the touring boats. Great kid-friendly experience!
steven linner — Google review
Shops with island clothing and decor. Restaurant, bar & hotel. Nice walking area with places to sit & rest or people watch.
It's great to see pets are allowed, too 😄
Connie Alberts — Google review
It's very nice. Had a little bit of everything. Nice restaurants and tiki bars. Clothing shops. Cruises around the harbor. Very dog friendly.
Joella Clements — Google review
What a cool place to shop, browse, grab some food and have a drink of your choice. Multiple eateries and bars. Indoor or outdoor options. Great Tiki bar on the west side to catch a sunset. Fun place to spend a day or evening.
Bryant Eckman — Google review
4.6
(13083)
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4.5
(2370)
1200 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL 33950, USA