Get Wild in West Palm Beach with These Animal Attractions

There are more things to do in West Palm Beach than just partaking in its beautiful beaches, upscale shopping, and year-round tropical weather. It’s also home to a number of fun and educational encounters that are perfect for an adventurous date, a family outing, or even a solo experience. Visitors to these attractions can hang out with lions, interact with playful otters, visit venomous snakes, and watch a Great Blue Heron take flight. 

Keep reading for some of our favorite ways to get wild in West Palm Beach, FL!

Lion Country Safari

Location:  Loxahatchee

Hours:  Daily 9:30 - 5:30

Located about 20 miles west of West Palm Beach, Lion Country Safari is a one-of-a-kind wildlife experience. Open since 1967, it was the first drive-through safari in the United States. Guests remain safely in their vehicles while hundreds of animals roam freely in large, naturalistic habitats. 

The park’s four-mile drive offers an up-close look at animals from across the globe, including lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, ostriches, and more. Visitors typically spend 4–6 hours exploring both the drive-through and walk-through portions of the park. 

In addition to the safari loop, general admission includes access to Safari World, a walk-through adventure area with exhibits, interactive experiences, and animal encounters. Safari World also contains shops, restaurants, miniature golf, a pool with cabana rentals, and much more.

Palm Beach Zoo 

Location:  West Palm Beach

Hours:  Daily 9:00 - 5:00

The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is a popular tropical zoo and wildlife conservation destination in West Palm Beach. It’s a great outing for families, animal lovers, and visitors of all ages. Its mission is centered on conservation, with programs aimed at protecting wildlife and inspiring visitors to care about animal habitats around the globe.

With over 700 animals from around the world, the zoo offers the perfect place for education and interactive experiences. It also cares for a variety of endangered species such as Malayan tigers, jaguars, panthers, otters, koalas, and more. Each animal is housed in lush, naturalistic habitats that reflect their native ecosystem.

In addition to traditional exhibits, the zoo features fun amenities like a play fountain for kids, a wildlife carousel, and picnic areas. It is also home to the Nature Play Pavilion as well as a variety of shops and restaurants.

McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary 

Location:  West Palm Beach

Hours:  By appointment only Thur - Sat

McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique and highly rated wildlife rescue and education facility.  Through guided tours, it offers visitors the chance to see a fascinating array of animals up close. These include big cats, birds of prey, reptiles, lemurs, and more. The tours through the lush, wooded grounds allow guests to learn more about these animals, their stories, and conservation needs.

The sanctuary cares for hundreds of both native and exotic animals, many of which were injured, orphaned, or surrendered. For those animals that cannot be released back into the wild, the sanctuary provides a lifelong home. The 2-hour experience is both educational and memorable, offering a rare opportunity to connect with wildlife in a hands-on environment. Visitors can also learn how they can support the sanctuary’s mission of rescue, care, and public awareness.

Tours are offered by reservation only and do not allow children under the age of five.

Grassy Waters Preserve

Location:  West Palm Beach

Hours:  Mon - Sat 8:00 - 4:30 and Sun 8:30 - 5:00

Grassy Waters Preserve is a large, protected wetland area and one of the last remnants of the original Everglades ecosystem. Spanning roughly 23 square miles, this unique preserve serves as the city’s freshwater supply. It also provides habitats for a variety of wildlife, including alligators, otters, bobcats, wood storks, and snail kites. 

Visitors can explore miles of hiking and biking trails with options ranging from easy boardwalks near the nature center to longer, more immersive routes like the Owahee and Apoxee trails. There’s also a boardwalk trail that’s accessible to most visitors and ideal for spotting wildlife up close. 

In addition to the trails and viewing areas, Grassy Waters Preserve also features a Nature Center with displays, exhibits, and staff to answer questions. The preserve also hosts public programs such as canoe expeditions, craft projects, and adventure hikes.

Stay at the Palm Rose Motor Lodge 

Conveniently located right in West Palm Beach, our motel is the perfect place to begin your wildlife adventures! With comfortable full, queen, or king beds, complimentary Wi-Fi, and free on-site parking, we have all the amenities to keep you comfortable. Our proximity to the area’s best attractions and dining also makes the Palm Rose Motor Lodge the best place to stay in West Palm Beach, FL. 

Book your reservation with us today!