Wonder Gardens

Wonder Gardens Fun, immersive, and interactive for all ages...come and experience Wonder! Zoological park & gardens Our current Hours are 9AM-2PM.
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We are open daily (except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter Sunday). Admission is $12.00 for adults 13-64, $10.00 for seniors 65 and older, and $7.00 for children 3-12. Please consider the purchase of a membership and get unlimited free admission, reciprocal programs, and a 20% discount in the Wonder Shoppe. THE PAST
In 1936, the Piper family established The Reptile Gardens as a roadside attr

action along the newly built Tamiami Trail from Tampa to Miami. As the animal and botanical exhibits grew, the attraction’s name was changed to the Everglades Wonder Gardens to appeal to visitors. The Wonder Gardens captured the nostalgia, history, and wonder of old Florida, augmented with tropical flora and fauna from around the world. For nearly eighty-five years the Everglades Wonder Gardens has inspired, educated, and engaged our community and visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience. In April of 2013, the Pipers closed the Wonder Gardens, and local photographer and conservationist John Brady took over the property as a tenant and reopened the park. With the help of Ellie Krier, they started the formation of the non-profit 501(c)(3), Bonita Wonder Gardens. In July of 2015, the City of Bonita Springs recognized the economic, cultural, and historic value of this zoological and botanical attraction, and made a loan, enabling the nonprofit to purchase the 3-acre property and assets from the Piper family, saving it from potential commercial development. The property was later purchased by the City of Bonita Springs, while our charitable organization continues to manage all operations. Thus, began a new chapter of our public-private partnership to save this beloved attraction. THE PRESENT – YOUR WONDER GARDENS! Today, under the leadership of our Executive Director, Neil Anderson, and our board of directors, the Wonder Gardens is home to rescued and non-releasable birds and reptiles nestled among the sprawling banyan trees and plantings. While preserving the very best of The Wonder Gardens, the charitable organization cares for more than 300 resident animals, is upgrading wildlife enclosures, growing the botanical beauty of the property, adding education programs and events, and further engaging the community to enjoy this jewel in historic Downtown Bonita Springs. A historic icon, the Wonder Gardens stands as one of the few remaining cornerstones of Old Florida. Here, we tell a story of The Wonder Gardens’ past, present, and future, while educating our region about our environment and wildlife. Throughout its history, the Wonder Gardens has been supported by the community. Our partnerships with educational partners and businesses have allowed us to be contributing members of redeveloped and growing Bonita Springs. Visitors and Annual Memberships help us provide professional and high-quality care to our resident animals. Generous donor support allows us to improve and expand our exhibits. If SWFL area residents have not visited in some time, we hope they will enjoy the gardens along with our record 105,000 visitors!

We are excited to host our second annual Earth Day Celebration🌎 Join us on Saturday, April 12th from 10AM until 1PM for ...
03/27/2025

We are excited to host our second annual Earth Day Celebration🌎

Join us on Saturday, April 12th from 10AM until 1PM for an array of local vendors & small businesses available in a farmers market fashion along with various family fun activities, & special animal meet & greets!

This event is FREE with paid admission. Special activities may be subject to an additional charge.

We can't wait to see you there🥳

We have some gator-rific news🐊Meet Jessie & James, our juvenile American alligators! They're currently settling into the...
03/26/2025

We have some gator-rific news🐊

Meet Jessie & James, our juvenile American alligators! They're currently settling into their new habitat inside our otter grotto area. We want to ensure they have plenty of time to adjust to their new habitat before letting everyone see them, but we'll be sure to post updates until their ready for their big debut!

Things sure are progressing swimmingly for the new otter grotto🦦Don't forget that you can help welcome Ivy & Mae by gett...
03/25/2025

Things sure are progressing swimmingly for the new otter grotto🦦

Don't forget that you can help welcome Ivy & Mae by getting them some items from their wish list!

If you're interested, Ivy & Mae's wish list can be found HERE:https://www.ottoenvironmental.com/gift.../welcome-mae-ivy

📣Park Hours Update📣We will be CLOSED ALL DAY this Saturday, March 29th for a private event. We will reopen for normal bu...
03/24/2025

📣Park Hours Update📣

We will be CLOSED ALL DAY this Saturday, March 29th for a private event. We will reopen for normal business again on Sunday, March 30th at 9:00AM.

Thank you for your understanding!

Dwayne "The Hawk" Johnson hopes you have a hawk-tastic week🦅
03/23/2025

Dwayne "The Hawk" Johnson hopes you have a hawk-tastic week🦅

Louise wants to know if you've visited the Wonder Gardens recently...if not, what's stopping you😎
03/22/2025

Louise wants to know if you've visited the Wonder Gardens recently...if not, what's stopping you😎

Slithering into the weekend like...🐍
03/21/2025

Slithering into the weekend like...🐍

Our second annual Spring Fling is this weekend🌸Join us for a fun springtime celebration at the Wonder Gardens on Saturda...
03/20/2025

Our second annual Spring Fling is this weekend🌸

Join us for a fun springtime celebration at the Wonder Gardens on Saturday, March 22 from 10AM – 1PM where you will be able to participate in the following festivities:
Close up animal interactions
Arts & Crafts
Habitat Chats
Community Partners
& More!

Admission to the gardens is required for Spring Fling participation. Special activities are subject to an additional charge.

Tofu the African Spurred Tortoise came with us to Gulf Coast News this morning to create some art and show why painting ...
03/19/2025

Tofu the African Spurred Tortoise came with us to Gulf Coast News this morning to create some art and show why painting is a fun and important enrichment activity for our animal residents🎨

We also talked all about our Spring Fling event happening this Saturday! Be sure to stop by Saturday to check out all of the fun activities, vendors, and special animal interactions happening for Spring Fling🥳

The Wonder Gardens joined Gulf Coast News to explain how you can take part in painting with reptiles.

🌼🌷Happy First Day of Spring🌷🌼
03/19/2025

🌼🌷Happy First Day of Spring🌷🌼

Pop Quiz📝Wonder Gardens is home to two different cockatoo species, the Umbrella Cockatoo and the Moluccan Cockatoo, also...
03/18/2025

Pop Quiz📝

Wonder Gardens is home to two different cockatoo species, the Umbrella Cockatoo and the Moluccan Cockatoo, also known as the Salmon-crested Cockatoo. Can you tell the difference between our three cockatoos? Let us know who you think is who in the comments!

Cockatoo #1
Cockatoo #2
Cockatoo #3

🍀Happy St. Patrick's Day🍀Don't forget your green today!
03/17/2025

🍀Happy St. Patrick's Day🍀

Don't forget your green today!

Our boys look like they're posing for an album cover...wonder what they would call it🤔
03/16/2025

Our boys look like they're posing for an album cover...wonder what they would call it🤔

Did you know that toucans have have zygodactyl feet? This means they have two toes pointing forward and two toes pointin...
03/15/2025

Did you know that toucans have have zygodactyl feet? This means they have two toes pointing forward and two toes pointing backward, which helps them grip branches. This comes in really handy for Keel-billed Toucans since they do more hopping around than flying!

Thank you to everyone who came out for our Brews & Blues for the Birds event🍻A special shout out to all of the local bus...
03/14/2025

Thank you to everyone who came out for our Brews & Blues for the Birds event🍻

A special shout out to all of the local businesses that came out to support us during the event. We couldn't have done it without you🤝

Be sure to follow along for our upcoming events that you won't want to miss!

📸: Randall Perry & Priority Marketing

The otter grotto isn't the only thing we've been working on🐊Guests will be able to get an up-close look at our juvenile ...
03/13/2025

The otter grotto isn't the only thing we've been working on🐊

Guests will be able to get an up-close look at our juvenile American Alligators soon! Our new alligator nursery will be located between the otter grotto and filter marsh.

Keep checking back to stay updated on the progress of this habitat as well!

Help us in saying "see you soon" to our Senior Zookeeper Katie🦚Katie has been with the Wonder Gardens for nearly seven y...
03/12/2025

Help us in saying "see you soon" to our Senior Zookeeper Katie🦚

Katie has been with the Wonder Gardens for nearly seven years and has been a true inspiration with her dedication to the care of our animal collection. Her drive and determination helped push the Wonder Gardens to continue to uphold the highest animal welfare standards and it will not be forgotten how passionate she is about the animals in her care. While we will miss her tremendously, we wish her nothing but the best on her new adventure!

See you later, alligator🐊

Our second annual Spring Fling will be here before you know it!Come out to to enjoy different festivities such as:Close ...
03/11/2025

Our second annual Spring Fling will be here before you know it!

Come out to to enjoy different festivities such as:
Close up animal interactions
Arts & Crafts
Habitat Chats
Community Partners
& More!

Admission to the gardens is required for Spring Fling participation. Special activities are subject to an additional charge.

Address

27180 Old 41 Road
Bonita Springs, FL
34135

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

(239) 992-2591

Website

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Support the Wonder Gardens and Rooftop at Riverside with our first-ever ongoing fundraiser! 🌿✨ Visit Rooftop and add a donation to your tab to make a difference. Plus, don’t miss out—on select nights, Wonder Gardens will be there with ambassador animals! 🐢 Enjoy the view, meet some amazing creatures, and contribute to a great cause. #WonderGardens #RooftopAtRiverside #OngoingFundraiser #GiveBack #supportlocal

Just another day in the life of a slippery slider! 🐢💦 Watch this aquatic turtle show off its moves around its habitat! #TurtleLife #AquaticAdventures #ShellSliding

Have you heard any funny noises when walking by our alligator pond? Well it’s mating season for the American Alligator and these males will bloat with air then let it out in a rumble that causes the water over its back to look like it is vibrating. It’s important to always give alligators their space when you encounter them in their natural environment, especially if you hear this loud bellowing!”

Happy Earth Day! Make sure to get out and enjoy nature! The world is full of Wonder!

Kiwi cooling off on a hot SWFL day! Happy St.Patty’s day from the Wonder Gardens!

*DISCLAIMER!! Snake feeding shown below* Check out our Burmese Python, Pan, demonstrating the perfect strike during his feeding! All of the carnivores at the Wonder Gardens receive frozen thawed protein sources as this prevents any potential injuries to them during feedings. Right now Pan measures over 8 feet long and weighs around 50 pounds! While this may seem large, he still has quite a ways to go as adult Burmese pythons can get up to 20 feet long when fully grown! #snakefeeding #animaleducation #feedingdemonstration #burmesepython #invasivespecies #environmentaleducation

Our Wild Wonders Animal Encounters are a great way to experience the Wonder we have to offer right in the heart of Bonita Springs! Thanks to our wonderful volunteer, Joe for creating this beautiful video!

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Our Story

Admission is $12.00 for adults 13-64, $10.00 for seniors 65 and older, and $7.00 for children 3-12. Open Monday-Sunday from 10 am - 4 pm, except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. This cultural icon has been a focal point of Bonita Springs first started as a facility to rehabilitate injured animals. The gardens remained with the original owners for over 78 years and has been non profit since 2015. It has become a place for visitors to enjoy the botanical gardens and see wildlife in an intimate way, something that modern parks cannot provide. The modern Everglades Wonder Gardens focuses on interactive and immersive experiences, some of our wildlife includes beautiful birds, large alligators, reptiles (including a 16 ft python), a flamboyance of flamingos. A mature botanical garden, which has some of the most exotic specimens from around the planet. The Gardens appeal to the many visitors who frequent Southwest Florida from all over the world, as well as the local community and its residents. Follow us on Twitter as @WonderGardensFL, on LInkedIn and on our YouTube Channel, http://www.youtube.com/user/WonderGardensFlorida. Sign up to be on our email list at http://bit.ly/1xx4W0f.