Wonder Gardens
Bonita Springs, FL
- Admission
- $19
- Accreditation
- None listed
not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Everything below is directory information drawn from public sources and the zoo's own site.
Animals at Wonder Gardens
1 confirmed
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Wonder Gardens say
A Feather is something this zoo does well; a Fang is something it gets wrong. Left by people who've been, and read by us before they appear.
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About Wonder Gardens
Wonder Gardens, also styled Bonita Wonder Gardens, is at 27180 Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs, Florida. Its website describes it as a botanical garden and refuge for rescued and non-releasable birds and reptiles, with a vibrant botanical collection. The site presents it as one of the few remaining cornerstones of Old Florida and says it aims to educate the region about the local environment and wildlife.
Wonder Gardens is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
History
A July 2024 Spectrum Bay News 9 segment in its Florida on a Tankful series covered the site as a roadside attraction that opened in 1936 and described it as a zoological and botanical attraction.
Wonder Gardens won the Nature and Wildlife Viewing category for Lee County in the Gulfshore Life Best of Gulfshore awards, according to its website, and was a Lee County finalist in the Family Fun Activity and Overall Attraction categories.
Exhibits and habitats
According to the website, Wonder Gardens is home to a diverse family of native and exotic animals alongside its botanical collection. Bay News 9 named exotic birds, flamingos, alligators, tortoises, and other reptiles, and described animal encounters in which visitors can meet and feed sulcata tortoises and rainbow lorikeets. The website says a new vision for the gardens is being developed, including new exhibits.
The site also hosts a live webcam of the gardens and of nearby Riverside Park.
Conservation and programs
The website lists admission visits and guided tours, tortoise encounters, field trips for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and a separate program for sixth grade and up, private event hosting, and a membership program with reciprocal benefits at hundreds of museums and gardens nationally. Seasonal events named on the site include Boo-tanical Evening, Pictures with Santa, and Wine and Wonder. A monthly newsletter, The Wonder Wire, is also listed.
The site runs a First Sundays program, called Everyone's a Kid day, for Bonita Springs residents who show a photo ID with a Bonita Springs address.
Planning your visit
As listed on the admission page of the website, Wonder Gardens is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last admission at 3 p.m. The page lists age-based ticket categories for children aged 3 to 12, adults aged 13 to 64, and seniors 65 and over, with children under 3 free, and discounts for military, first responders, and teachers with proof. Tickets can be bought online, and reservations are not required. Current prices are on the website.
The page says the main pathways are paved and accessible, and that wheelchairs are available at no charge in limited numbers. Guests may bring personal food and non-alcoholic beverages, but alcohol and glassware are prohibited. Service animals are permitted under the ADA, and emotional support animals and pets are not. The site states that guests must shelter indoors if lightning is detected within 5 miles. All visitors enter through the Welcome Center. The phone number listed is 239-992-2591.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Founders and ownership history
- Parking details
- Current species list
- Hurricane or closure history
- Current ticket prices
Wonder Gardens compared with nearby zoos
How Wonder Gardens lines up against the closest zoos we have details for — useful if you're deciding between them for the same day out.
| Zoo | Distance | Admission | Hours | Size | AZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wonder GardensThis zooBonita Springs, FL | — | $19 | Business hours 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; last admission 3:00 PM. | — | No |
| Naples ZooNaples, FL | 12 mi | — | Daily 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM; last entry 3:30 PM. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, ZOOBILEE and annual Zoo Gala day (November); closes 3:00 PM Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve. | 43 acres | Yes |
| Center for Great ApesWauchula, FL | 82 mi | — | Not open to the general public. Private guided tours (~2 hrs) for members at the Great Ape Hero level ($350+ gift), up to 4 family members, offered September–May on designated days; reserve via Donor Relations 863-767-8903. | 100 acres | No |
| Sarasota Jungle GardensSarasota, FL | 85 mi | $24.99 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | 10 acres | No |
Distances are straight-line. A dash means we haven't confirmed that detail yet, not that the zoo lacks it.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Wonder Gardens: common questions
When did Wonder Gardens open?
A July 2024 Bay News 9 report says it opened in 1936.
What does Wonder Gardens describe itself as?
A botanical garden and refuge for rescued and non-releasable birds and reptiles.
What are the hours?
The admission page lists 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last admission at 3 p.m.
Can guests bring food?
Personal food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed, but alcohol and glassware are not.
Is there a program for Bonita Springs residents?
The website describes First Sundays, Everyone's a Kid day, for Bonita Springs residents with a photo ID showing a Bonita Springs address.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.