Open 365 days a year, the Miami Metrozoo is a first-rate journey into an animal kingdom that will captivate you. There are no cages in this zoo. The animals roam freely in environments carefully constructed and maintained to accurately reflect the animals’ natural homes. You’ll see black rhinos, Asian and African elephants, alligators, leopards, and even the Galapagos tortoise. You can either walk between habitats or take a tour in an air-conditioned safari vehicle. A number of rare or unusual animals are housed here, including gerenuks (African antelopes that stand on their hind legs to eat), Indian rhinos, and a meerkat.

At any given time there are also a couple of special temporary exhibits at the Miami Metrozoo. Currently, the two stars are the Wings of Asia exhibit and the Tropical American rainforest. The Wings of Asia exhibit explains the link between dinosaurs and birds in a dramatic fashion, in the tradition of Jurassic Park. The Tropical American rainforest gives you an inside look at the fish, birds, and plant life in a rainforest, in an indoor air-conditioned 7,200 square-foot habitat. The Miami Metrozoo is the only animal attraction in the area with American Zoo and Aquarium Association accreditation, the highest standard there is. If you didn’t rent a car while in Miami and don’t feel like paying for a taxi, you can catch the zoo bus, which is now called the Coral Reef Max. In just 40 minutes, you can be up close and personal with Cuban crocodiles and a white tiger.