Sanford zoo offers free Father’s Day admission for dads, granddads

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is trimming the cost of a Father’s Day outing by giving dads and granddads free admission on June 21, 2026, as long as a general admission ticket is purchased for the visit. The savings can reach $28.95 for an adult on a peak day at the gate, before the zoo’s $3 online transaction fee is added to web orders.

The promotion runs only on Sunday, June 21, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it must be redeemed at the zoo’s admission gate that same day. The zoo is at 3755 West Seminole Boulevard in Sanford, and parking is free, which makes the deal easier for Seminole County families trying to keep the day trip affordable.

For families figuring the math, the zoo’s general admission pricing shows what the free entry is replacing. Adult admission is listed at $21.95 online and $26.95 on-site on non-peak days, and $23.95 online and $28.95 on-site on peak days. Children ages 3 to 12 are $16.95 online and $18.95 on-site on non-peak days. Online orders carry a $3 transaction fee per order.

The timing fits the zoo’s summer schedule, which runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. That gives visitors a full morning and early afternoon to work through the park’s attractions, including Barnyard Buddies Children’s Zoo, Seminole Aerial Adventures, giraffe feeding, rhinoceros encounters and the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground.

The zoo says it is home to more than 350 animals representing over 100 species. Among the animals highlighted for guests are rhinos, cheetahs, crocodiles and lemurs, along with several gardens spread across the Sanford grounds.

For local families, the appeal is simple: one paid admission unlocks a free day for Dad or Grandpa, with no parking charge and enough time to turn the visit into a full zoo stop before the 3 p.m. closing time. In a weekend where every ticket price matters, the Father’s Day deal gives Sanford parents and grandparents a clearer reason to head to the zoo.