Primate lovers will be charmed by Monkey Jungle, a 30-acre wildlife park in Redlands, Florida, that really does look like a rainforest. Here, it's the 300 or so endangered monkeys who are free, and the humans who are restricted to certain walkways and areas, giving you the best possible way to observe the primates in a natural habitat.
Best and worst times to go to Monkey Jungle
The wildlife park is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but the ticket office closes at 4 p.m. Given Monkey Jungle's southern location, which requires transport from the main part of the city on several highways, it's best to avoid times when you'll have to drive during rush hour, especially returning from south to north. Keep in mind that the summertime can be very hot and humid as well, even though there's plenty of shade in this semi-natural tropical rainforest.
Must see and do at Monkey Jungle
At the Wild Monkey Swimming Pool, observe the Southeast Asian Java Macaques, comprising more than 90 individuals, who impress visitors with their diving and swimming skills. For experiences with orangutans and gorillas, check out the Hangin' with Orangs and Cameroon Gorilla Forest sections, which are always great fun. Other trails and sections include the Amazonian Rainforest, which houses three species of monkeys: squirrel, howler and black-capped capuchin. The zoological park, which stresses conservation, also houses the Golden Lion Tamarin, a Brazilian primate threatened with extinction, and the Wings of Love Foundation, a sanctuary of large, free-flight, geodesic domes for former, captive parrots who were given up by owners or who were displaced for other reasons.
Admission to Monkey Jungle
Adult tickets cost $30 each, while children (3-9) are nearly $25. Senior citizens (65+) get a slight break at $28. Children under 3 are free, as are Miami-Dade County police/fire-rescue active military personnel (family members receive a discount). Immersion tours, which include close-up feeding encounters and meet-and-greets with capuchin and/or squirrel monkeys, cost $90 per person and take place three times per day; reservations are suggested.
Parking at Monkey Jungle
Parking is onsite and free.
Public Transportation to Monkey Jungle
It's difficult to get directly to Monkey Jungle by public transportation. You can take the MetroRail from Government Station to Dadeland South Station, then transfer to MetroBus 38 – Busway Max Florida City and get off at SW 244 Street. But you still have 3.5 miles to drive or taxi to the site from there.
Food at Monkey Jungle
A small snack bar sells a variety of snack-bar type food, including treats for the monkeys (raisins and other dried fruit), which you're allowed to feed them. If you book a birthday party here, the fare – pizza or hot dogs plus soft drinks and chips -- will be included with the ticket price ($21.95 per child), and served at Safari Base Camp, which is a large tiki hut. Safari Base Camp is also available for school groups and other special events; call to inquire about bringing or catering food.
Insider tip for visitors at Monkey Jungle
Check the website for printable coupons before you go to save a little on admission; ticket prices are high because of park upkeep. A stop here takes about two hours; it's not a day-long excursion. It's best to combine with other nearby activities such as the Fruit and Spice Park, Knaus Berry Farm or Robert Is Here to break up a trip from Miami to the Keys or vice-versa.
Author's bio: Jen Karetnick has been living in and writing about Miami since 1992. Her latest books are Mango (University Press of Florida, 2014) and Brie Season (White Violet Press, 2014).
Wolves have gotten a bad rap. That's the opinion of many animal experts who have researched and studied wolves and continue to do so. Wolf Park, just 12 miles from West Lafayette, Indiana, exists for the purpose of educating the public about wolves, encouraging the study and research of wolves, preserving the wolf species, and raising awareness of wolves' contributions to our environment.
Parking and Public Transportation at Wolf Park
Public transportation in the Lafayette area does not serve the Wolf Park, so your best bet is to drive there, or rent a car if you fly in to one of the regional airports. The closest airport is Indianapolis International, which is about a 90-minute drive. Chicago's O'Hare airport is about two hours and thirty minutes away.
Admission to Wolf Park
Children ages 5 and under get into the Wolf Park free of charge. Everyone else pays an admission fee that ranges from $6 to $10.
Must See and Do at Wolf Park
Take the whole family, especially the kids, to one of the scheduled Howl Nights. They are held year-round, even after the park is closed for the season from December 1 through April 30. During these off-season months, Howl Nights are only on Saturday nights. During the park's regular season from May 1 through Nov. 30, Howl Nights are hosted both Friday and Saturday nights. Gates open at 7:15 p.m. and guests are allowed to howl at the moon with the wolves when directed to do so.
Take a guided tour of the Wolf Park, which are conducted about four times a day and last 45 minutes.
Ask about conducting research on wolves, filming them and photographing the Wolf Park's wolves.
Other Places to Visit near Wolf Park
- Visit the campus of nearby Purdue University
- Visit Prophetstown State Park and enjoy its waterpark, hiking and biking trails, camping, bird watching and more
- Take a boat ride on the Wabash and Erie Canal and see the museum there.
Insider Tip for Visitors to Wolf Park
The Wolf Park also has foxes, coyotes and bison so you can learn about those and wolves, too.
Author's bio: Susan Hoskins Miller is a writer who lives in metropolitan Indianapolis and works in a university library. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family and exploring places in the Midwest.
Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary is a recreational haven for residents of Natick and surrounding areas. It is composed of nine miles of trails and a green nature center with solar panels, solar heating and composting toilets. The trails wind through fields, wetlands and woodlands and the Indian Brook. They also include stroller and wheelchair accessible trails. It is the perfect place to stroll and watch wildlife year round. Broadmoor also allows snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.
