Part oddity, part amusement, this classic Florida attraction allows you to get up close with alligators and crocodiles — or view them from above on a high-flying aerial adventure. Small children will enjoy the playground and Gator Gully Splash Park. For the brave-hearted, a “Trainer for a Day” program and an evening flashlight tour are available for an additional fee. Teens can wrestle a real alligator and parents can sample unique foods at the onsite Pearl’s Restaurant — think alligator in the form of fried nuggets. A petting zoo and breeding marsh with an observation tower are also onsite for family fun.

Gatorland is open daily, year-round, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Day passes are $27 for adults and teens ages 13 and older, and $19 for children between 3 and 12 years; kids ages 2 and under are free. Strollers and wheelchairs are available for rent, starting at $10 each.