Its marine-life exhibits are spectacular and are sure to impress the whole. nightly (last admission at 8:30 p.m.), Dec. The Gulf Breeze Zoo is located on Okaloosa Island, which is a unique barrier island. Mike Suchcicki is a freelance writer for the News Journal. Families will be able to take photos with Santa and some very special animal friends. Then, of course, there are the Santa Nights, from 5 to 8 p.m. This fundraiser will offer cups of homemade chili for $5. The Navarre Rotary Chili Cook Off will be from 5 to 8 p.m. 18, 20, 22, 25, 26 and 28, balloon artists will be on hand to make glowing balloon creations for visitors. 16, the Florida State University a cappella group All-Night Yahtzee will take to the Zoo’s stage, singing both holiday songs and modern hits.įrom 5 to 9 p.m. "The sculptor uses chainsaws, Dremels and other tools to turn a large ordinary block of ice into an animal-themed Christmas sculpture, and he keeps the audience guessing the whole time.” The sculptures then are available for photo ops.Īt 6 p.m. There’s a petting area that allows young visitors to come face-to-face. Adults and children alike will get a thrill out of hand-feeding the giraffes. The Gulf Breeze Zoo offers plenty of opportunities for guests to get up close and personal with its residents. "If you haven't had the luxury of watching a live ice carving, it is truly incredible,” Lampert said. The Gulf Breeze Zoo sits on over 50 acres and includes an amazing 800 animals. Ice sculpting demonstrations are from 6 to 8 p.m. The train plays festive Christmas music and guests will be able to see many of the animals as the train conductor spotlights them throughout the tour in addition to lighted displays.”īut Lampert suggested that the event nights might just be the best nights to experience ZooLights: While the ZooLights display already is impressive on a regular walking tour of the park, Lampert said, "Another fun thing to do is grab a couple cups of hot cocoa and take a fun train ride through the preserve. But the petting area animals, our beloved goats, sheep and pigs, are awake and avidly greeting guests through the evening.” Lions, tigers and bears need their beauty sleep and we encourage a daytime trip to see those species. “This is for their health and well being. “Many of the animals are not viewable during ZooLights,” Lampert said. Unfortunately, as it turns out, those animal ambassadors probably won’t include the aforementioned lions, tigers and bears. We also have animal ambassadors that visit with guests as well.” There are many photo opportunities and beautiful sights to see throughout the Zoo. “It's at your own pace, so it’s perfect for all ages, for families with young children, for grandparents, and couples alike. "ZooLights is a wonderful and affordable family outing,” said Meg Lampert of the Zoo’s Marketing & Special Events department. It’s time once again for ZooLights, the annual holiday spectacular at the Gulf Breeze Zoo during which the outdoor park welcomes guests with dazzling displays, exotic exhibits and special entertainment treats, from chainsaw ice sculptors to balloon artists to a cappella singers to Santa Claus himself. A 20-minute narrated train ride aboard the newly renovated CP Huntington takes rail riders through the 30-acre veldt and into the heart of the hippo habitat, with departures running throughout the day ($3 extra).Ordinarily one would not consider nighttime to be the best time in which to venture into the wilderness to see lions, tigers and bears.īut when the wilderness is the Gulf Breeze Zoo and said zoo is festooned with thousands of holiday lights and displays, it turns out that nighttime is the best time. An elevated boardwalk prevents herds of roaming deer, wildebeest, and ostriches from stepping on your safari clogs. Intrepid zoo maniacs can feed long-necked giraffes at their filling station ($3 for a feeding cup). Study prowling works of feline art as you meander past large cats along the zoo’s walking path, or scratch a thankful beast behind its ears in the expansive, hands-on petting area. The Gulf Breeze Zoo houses more than 900 exotic animal species in a lush, tropical environment. For $4, you get one child admission (an $8 value).For $6, you get one adult admission (a $12 value).Admire zoo-keeping excellence with today’s Groupon for admission to the Gulf Breeze Zoo near Pensacola. And don’t miss the 50-acre Gulf Breeze Zoo. Gulf Breeze also offers terrific seafood and inviting beaches. If it weren’t for their helpful keepers, bats would sleep right-side up and black bears would have no idea how to fill out their income taxes. Gulf Breeze Gulf Breeze Located across the bay from Pensacola, Gulf Breeze is great for snorkeling, hiking or birding at Gulf Islands National Seashore, a nationally protected park.
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