Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society

There's a difference between a zoo and a conservation society that happens to have a zoo. The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society at 1301 Summit Blvd is the latter — and that distinction matters for how you experience it.

The mission here is wildlife conservation. The zoo participates in Species Survival Plans for critically endangered animals, runs active research and education programs, and measures its success not just in visitor counts but in conservation outcomes. That institutional philosophy shows up in everything from the way the exhibits are designed to the quality of the programming — and it's why residents who visit once tend to become members.

Photo: Unsplash

The physical experience is intimate in the best way. Twenty-three acres, over 500 animals, and tropical habitats that feel genuinely immersive — the Australian Outback, the Tropics of the Americas, and the Florida Waters exhibits are the signature sections. The Australian exhibit is home to koalas, which puts Palm Beach Zoo in a very short list of places in the United States where you can actually see one. The scale means you can cover the whole zoo in a few hours and still feel like you saw everything, which is a different experience than an exhausting day at a massive institution.

For families with kids, it's one of the most practical lifestyle assets in Palm Beach County — close, manageable, and the kind of place children want to come back to. For adults, the zoo's evening events including Conservation Cocktails are worth knowing about — a different way to experience the property after hours.

It's at 1301 Summit Blvd, about 15 minutes from most downtown WPB condo addresses. Membership pays for itself quickly if you go more than twice — and most people do.

This guide is provided by DO Homes Group, West Palm Beach's luxury condo specialists. For personalized recommendations, contact our team.