Alligator Farm

Question

I plan to visit the Alligator Farm on my last day of my trip before heading to the airport. I was wondering how much time to allow to tour it without really rushing. Would I have time to do that and the lighthouse in about a 6 hour window? Thanks.

Answer

The Alligator Farm in St. Augustine is a great attraction, and it typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to fully explore the park at a leisurely pace. This includes walking around the various exhibits, enjoying the shows or demonstrations, and spending time with the alligators and other wildlife. There are a lot of exhibits to see, including crocodiles, snakes, and birds, and there are also a few interactive experiences, such as the chance to feed some of the animals, which might take a little extra time. If you're planning on doing everything without rushing, I'd recommend budgeting around 2 hours for the Alligator Farm visit.

The St. Augustine Lighthouse is about a 5-minute drive from the Alligator Farm, and touring the lighthouse typically takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on whether you decide to climb the 219 steps to the top for the panoramic views. If you're just touring the base and taking in the exhibits, you could potentially spend about 30 minutes there, but if you're interested in the full experience, plan for up to an hour.

Given the relatively close proximity of both attractions, you should be able to comfortably visit both within a 6-hour window, as long as you allocate about 3 hours for the Alligator Farm and 1 to 1.5 hours for the Lighthouse. This will give you some extra time for traveling between the two locations, parking, and maybe grabbing a quick snack or souvenir.

Alligator Farm: Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours for a leisurely tour.
St. Augustine Lighthouse: Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour if you plan to climb to the top or visit the exhibits.
Travel time: Both attractions are very close to each other, so you'll have plenty of time to visit both without feeling rushed.

Overall, it should be a relaxing and enjoyable last day, with plenty of time to take in both attractions before heading to the airport!