Wonder Gardens

Wonder Gardens We are open daily (except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day). Our current Hours are 9AM-4PM with last admission at 3PM.
(1038)

Wonder Gardens inspires conservation and resiliency by providing transformative experiences of wonder in the natural world, via meaningful educational programs for people of all ages and by meeting the highest standards of care for our resident animals. Admission is $17.00 for adults, $15.00 for anyone 65 and older, and $12.00 for children ages 3-12. Please consider the purchase of a membership an

d 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 attraction 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 President & CEO, 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 200 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!

It's okay to hit snooze this Monday, we won't tell anyone😴
09/22/2025

It's okay to hit snooze this Monday, we won't tell anyone😴

Do you ever get the feeling that someone is watching you...👀
09/21/2025

Do you ever get the feeling that someone is watching you...👀

Saturdays are for sunshine and Stosch🌞Stop by this weekend to visit him and our other resident animals and plants!
09/20/2025

Saturdays are for sunshine and Stosch🌞

Stop by this weekend to visit him and our other resident animals and plants!

Did you know that a river otter bite force is estimated at 615 pounds per square inch (PSI), which is significantly stro...
09/19/2025

Did you know that a river otter bite force is estimated at 615 pounds per square inch (PSI), which is significantly stronger than the average human bite force of around 162 PSI. They may be a smaller carnivore, but their bite sure does pack a punch!

Be sure to check out Chubby Mermaid Brewing Co. for their fan favorite beer named after Wonder Gardens!🍻
09/17/2025

Be sure to check out Chubby Mermaid Brewing Co. for their fan favorite beer named after Wonder Gardens!🍻

🍂 WUNDER GARTEN IS BACK—ON TAP & IN CANS! 🍂
You asked, we listened… and the wait is finally over. That early sneak peek stirred up some serious Oktoberfest cravings, and now our beloved Märzen—named after Bonita Springs’ iconic Wonder Gardens—is back for real. Smooth malt, a touch of toastiness, and a crisp, clean finish make this the beer to toast fall with Florida flair.

Don’t sit on it—make your weekend plans, bring your crew, and be the first to raise a stein before Oktoberfest season explodes everywhere else. Wunder Garten is here to kick off the party, and nothing pairs better with friends, pretzels, and a little early fall celebration.

⸻

Calypso was a big fan of his bubble enrichment🫧Enrichment is an important part of our animal resident's everyday lives a...
09/17/2025

Calypso was a big fan of his bubble enrichment🫧

Enrichment is an important part of our animal resident's everyday lives and bubbles are just one of the many things we do to help provide it to them!

Tongue Out Tuesday👅Mae & Ivy enjoyed some homemade fish popsicles from our zookeepers to help keep cool🦦
09/16/2025

Tongue Out Tuesday👅

Mae & Ivy enjoyed some homemade fish popsicles from our zookeepers to help keep cool🦦

Our Gopher Tortoises and Red-foot Tortoises are in a meeting trying to figure out how to convince you to visit Wonder Ga...
09/15/2025

Our Gopher Tortoises and Red-foot Tortoises are in a meeting trying to figure out how to convince you to visit Wonder Gardens🤔

We're open 9:00AM with last admission at 3:00PM if you wanted to help them out🐢

Happy Sunday🌞We hope we'll see you later🐊
09/14/2025

Happy Sunday🌞

We hope we'll see you later🐊

Happy Saturday to all of our WONDERful supporters✨
09/13/2025

Happy Saturday to all of our WONDERful supporters✨

Two peas in a pod🫛
09/12/2025

Two peas in a pod🫛

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Wonder Gardens posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Wonder Gardens:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

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.