Hunter Army Airfield Highlights - Jacksonville Zoo

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While stationed at HAAF, we became frequent visitors at the Jacksonville Zoo. It’s under a two-hour drive straight down interstate 95. You could make a day trip or weekend trip out of your visit depending on how long you want to stretch it out.

Image courtesy of: www.jacksonvillezoo.org

Tickets have to be purchased in advance prior to arrival (still as of 2022). Tickets are also non-refundable so make sure you plan ahead.

Our first visit was a rainy, chilly weekend, but it was less crowded, and the animals were very active, so it worked out in our favor.

The entire zoo is very stroller friendly, to include the train. We didn’t even have to collapse the stroller to get on, there was enough space that we were able to just park it in front of our seats.

We took the train to and from most areas within the park, and once or twice just around for fun.

*Also not pictured, but was tons of fun for our son, was the carousel. Totally worth it to buy the total experience tickets to be able to ride it and the train as many times as their little heart’s desire.

Where to stay

Most of our visits to the zoo were day trips, but our first visit we made a beach weekend out of it and stayed at the Omni Amelia Island Resort. I want to preference this recommendation by saying it is not a cost effective one. We don’t vacation often or have many weekend trips so when we do we splurge. HOWEVER, they do offer a military discount you just need to make the request for it at CHECK IN to have it applied appropriately to your bill.

First photo courtesy of: www.omnihotels.com

Where to eat

The hotel has two restaurants inside, but they are not what I would call kid friendly. After doing breakfast one day at the hotel, the next we ventured out. Less than a mile up the road from the hotel, and part of the resort still, is a strip of restaurants and shops that are much more kid friendly and easier on the wallet. The resort has a complimentary shuttle from the hotel to this strip also, you just call when you need a pickup to and from.

Marche Burette became our personal favorite

Don’t miss out on all the fun at the zoo while stationed at HAAF!

Zoo necessities from Amazon

Summer Infant Stroller

Native Toddler Shoes

Disposable Ponchos