Exotic Fun at Jungle Island in Miami, Florida
By Meg Brunson
One of the many reasons our family loves South Florida is it’s tropical landscape. We’ve enjoyed exploring it through State and National Parks and have been lucky enough to see many of the native wildlife in their natural habitats. Our family really loves animals – and that’s why we were delighted to discover Jungle Island! Located in the heart of Miami, the theme park combines the tropical feel of Miami with a variety of extraordinary animals and birds from all around the world!
It’s not just another zoo
Jungle Island offers a couple different shows throughout the day. We loved the Winged Wonders show which highlighted some of the most amazing birds we’ve ever seen! The show started with macaws performing adorable stunts, and we saw some unique birds walk the stage, and others soar above our heads. There were tons of “oohs” and “ahhs” throughout the performance and dad even got pulled from the audience to participate in the show alongside the flamingos and an emu! When we first arrived at the park we even had a chance to take a family photo with some of the birds - it was so cool to have them sitting on our shoulders for the pics!
Of course, there are animal exhibits throughout the park for visitors to enjoy – and you can also participate in interactive experiences like the kangaroo walkabout, manu experience, and petting barn – all included with general admission! Plus, if you want something extra special, there are a variety of add-ons available that will allow you to get up-close and personal with animals like lemurs, sloths, flamingos, and more! I love that the animals we encountered at Jungle Island fit the tropical theme of the park, but represented all areas of the globe, and that there were so many interactive ways to learn about them!
And, when the kids need to let go of some energy? Adventure Bay is where they can play! Rock climbing, zip lining, and more – way cooler than the average playground! Adventure Bay is included with General Admission – or you could take your experience to the next level by adding on an Escape Room experience, or Super Flight (a wind tunnel allowing you to “fly” like a bird)! There are so many activities throughout the park to entertain the whole family between animal experiences!
Take Advantage of Special Events
When we visited in December, the park was full of beautiful Chinese lanterns for Luminosa, a Chinese lantern festival! It was a unique after-dark experience. The park was adorned with over a million LED lights illuminating hundreds (maybe even thousands!?) of larger than life lanterns designed to bring the Miami vibe to life! Lumoinosa is happening through January 8, 2020… and Jungle Island offers special events throughout the year – so definitely take a look at what’s happening before you plan your trip!
Tips for your Trip
- Parking – there is a parking garage on site for a cost.
- Meals & Snacks – no outside food/drink can be brought into the park, but there are dining optins onsite!
- Footwear – leave the sandals at home! Some activities require close-toed shoes, so be prepared and comfortable!
Learn more and start planning your trip at https://www.jungleisland.com/ - then, read about some of the other adventures we're having on our Year-Long Road Trip!
© 2019 Meg Brunson
Thanks to Jungle Island for sponsoring this review. All opinions expressed are my own. See more on Instagram!
Meg is a mommy blogger, Facebook marketer, and much more. She is a mom to four kids who live full-time in an RV exploring the US! As a former Facebook employee, Meg remains a Facebook addict and handles KidsOutAndAbout.com's Social Media Marketing in addition to providing freelance services for other small businesses on how to best leverage Facebook as a part of their marketing strategy. Meg also hosts the FamilyPreneur Podcast, a podcast for parent entrepreneurs raising entrepreneurial children. Learn more about Meg at MegBrunson.com!