You don’t have to be a kid (or have a kid) to have the best time ever at Jungle Island. Yep, the recently revamped park offers way more than just animal encounters—although if you’ve ever wanted to pet a lemur, that can be arranged.
5 Reasons We’re Going to Jungle Island (and You Should Too)
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Published Mar 25, 2019
Courtesy of Jungle Island
Jungle @ Night
The park’s new recurring event Jungle @ Night lets you explore the grounds after sunset. Programs and activities rotate, but you can expect things like beer and live music. Make sure to check the schedule in advance.
Courtesy of Jungle Island
Animal Meet-and-greets
None of this stay-behind-the-barrier business: We’re getting up close and personal with some of our favorite animals. Play with kangaroos, book interactions with lemurs and sloths, sit at arm’s length with Mama Cass (aka the only trained cassowary on the planet) and snap a ’Gram with the resident giant tortoises. Did we mention you can feed a sloth? Sold.
Courtesy of Jungle Island
The Everglades Minus The Long Drive
Florida’s unique ecosystem makes its way downtown with the addition of Everglades Adventure Trails through the park. Imagine a 100-year-old banyan tree, flocks of pink flamingos and white ibises, and winding trails under a canopy of majestic-looking trees. Yep, this place just keeps getting cooler and cooler.
Courtesy of Jungle Island
Go Skydiving (sort Of)
Ever dream of going skydiving? Check out SuperFlight, a wind tunnel free-flight experience that’ll send you soaring with 120-mile-per-hour winds that can lift you up to 15 feet in the air. Think of it as skydiving without, you know, the actual act of jumping out of a moving plane.
Courtesy of Concrete Beach Brewery
Not Your Average Theme Park Fare
No need to pack an emergency protein bar. Pink Flamingo Kitchen, Jungle Island’s pop-up restaurant, turns out freshly made dishes like the Flamingo Bowl (citrus-infused chicken with quinoa, Caribbean-style black beans, pickled cabbage and chimichurri cream sauce) and the El Dorado (a lemon-lime fish sandwich topped with caramelized onions). If you insist on digging into something theme park–inspired, there’s an all-beef hot dog served on a pretzel bun with bacon and a side of fries. To drink, there’s beer from Wynwood’s Concrete Beach Brewery, including the Sola IPA, Rosé Ale and Havana Lager.
