How to Plan a Wild Day Date at Brevard Zoo

There's a gem of a zoo about an hour's drive from Orlando, and it's not just for kids. Brevard Zoo, located on the Space Coast, opened in the `90s and is home to more than 900 animals in open-air habitats. The small but mighty zoo offers daily zookeeper presentations, adventure courses, kayaking, and animal encounters, and is a pretty wild spot to visit for a daytime date with your partner.

With lots to see and do, it's easy to spend several hours exploring Brevard Zoo, interacting with and learning about animals like giraffes, kangaroos, and sloths. What's more, there are spots to grab a meal, snack, or drink together, making the destination a one-stop shop for a perfect and adventurous date day.

Want to plan your own adult day at Brevard Zoo? Here's what you need to know.

What to know before visiting Brevard Zoo

• Brevard Zoo is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (members can enter the zoo at 9 a.m.) and the last entry for the day is 3:30 p.m.
• Adult tickets cost $33 in advance online, or can be purchased on-site for $35. Entrance is included in the cost of a zoo membership, which starts at $160 per couple.
• In addition to regular admission, Brevard Zoo offers lots of fun adventures for an additional fee, from kayaking in the waterways around the property (with views of the animals) to feeding lettuce to giraffes.
• There are lots of options for food and drinks at the zoo, from burger and sandwich spot Nourish 321 to Slice, a walk-up pizza window.
• Outside food and drinks may not be brought into Brevard Zoo, but there are picnic tables outside the zoo entrance.
• There are five main areas at Brevard Zoo: Expedition Africa, Lands of Change, Wild Florida, Rainforest Revealed, and Paws On.

What kinds of exhibits will we see on our Brevard Zoo date?

Think of the layout of Brevard Zoo as a wheel with different spokes that each contain a different exhibit area. Each area has different animals and a completely different feel, so it's important to walk through each one to get the full Brevard Zoo experience.

• Expedition Africa: Here, you'll find a winding wooden boardwalk that takes you past meerkats, rhinos, giraffes, and more. In this area, you can also feed giraffes, a fun add-on that costs $5 for two treats or $10 for five treats. Feeding the giraffes makes for some adorable photos, so have your phones ready.
• Lands of Change: Representing “Australia and beyond,” this area of Brevard Zoo features komodo dragons, a walk-through kangaroo habitat, aviaries, and a 100-seat theater where nature presentations take place throughout the day. In the aviaries, you can feed lorikeets, cockatiels, and kookaburras for between $3 and $5, depending on how many food sticks or nectar cups you purchase.
• Wild Florida: Brevard Zoo's Wild Florida area spotlights the animals who call the Sunshine State home, from black bears to alligators. The walk-through loop is a great place to learn more about nature found within the state and become more aware of the creatures you may encounter in your own backyard.
• Rainforest Revealed: At the zoo's rainforest exhibit, you'll see black-handed spider monkeys high in the treetops and view animals like otters and jaguars. There's also a herpetarium, a floor-to-ceiling glass enclosure filled with creatures like poison dart frogs and venomous snakes.
• Paws On: An area geared for little ones, Paws On features an aquarium, splash area, barnyard petting zoo, and more. It's a great place for kids to play and worth walking through on your date, just to encounter animals like goats, alpacas, stingrays, and sheepshead fish.

Tips for a successful visit to Brevard Zoo

• Kayaking, animal feedings, or adventure courses are not included in the price of admission and will need to be paid for separately.
• Rain checks or refunds for inclement weather are not available, so check the weather before making the trip or purchasing your ticket.
• It takes about three hours to fully experience all Brevard Zoo has to offer, making the zoo a fun and doable option for an outdoor date.
• It's free to park at Brevard Zoo, but does require a bit of a walk to the front entrance once the front spots are taken.
• A hand stamp is required for re-entry.
• Keep an eye on the zoo's special events page for unique opportunities to experience Brevard Zoo in a whole new way. The zoo often hosts after-hours events, specialized tours, day camps, and other opportunities to see the facility in a totally different way.

Contact Info

Website: Brevard Zoo

Address: 8225 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940

Phone: (321)254-9453