alligator

St. Augustine Alligator Farm: What’s in a Name?

St. Augustine Alligator Farm: What’s in a Name?

St. Augustine Alligator Farm, located in beautiful and historic tourism destination, St. Augustine, Florida, holds the honor of being the only zoo in the world to care for every species of crocodilian known to man. In addition to the alligators, crocodiles, gharials, and caimans, the zoo is also a showcase for native Floridian birds, especially during nesting season in spring and early summer. The nine-acre zoo itself is beautiful. It’s all old-growth live oaks, dripping in Spanish moss, but one of the greatest attributes of the Farm is its preponderance of demonstrations, shows, and keeper chats. Does the Zoo’s name hinder its success due to its reliance on often first-time visitors?

ZooWorld: Embracing the Kitsch

ZooWorld: Embracing the Kitsch

If you’ve ever spent time at a popular beachside destination in the U.S., you are probably well-acquainted with the kitschy, uniquely American, tourist trap vibe that often accompanies these places. Panama City Beach is no exception. Brightly colored signs dot the roads inviting guests into themed or ramshackle seafood joints. Mini-golf courses with tall waterfalls and pirate ships are squeezed between ice cream shops and places to rent scooters and slingshot cars. It is in this context that we delighted in the tourist destination of ZooWorld. To be sure, the five-acre ZooWorld is not without its problems, but overall, the experience is happy and fun with a dose of humor, and the park is clean and comfortable, if not outdated in places.