SARASOTA, Fla. — Before theme parks were established, “roadside attractions” were common in Florida in the 1900s. While many have closed down over the years, some are still going strong.

Florida on a Tankful takes you to Sarasota, where an iconic roadside attraction is still drawing in crowds from near and far.

The vibrant birds of the Sarasota Jungle Gardens are the first thing to great guests as they walk down the shaded pathways that have stood the test of time since this spot first opened in 1936. 

Britney Webb has been the education and animal coordinator at the gardens for the past two years, forming a connection with the animals she cares for.

Webb began working with animals at 16, helping to care for big cats and birds of prey. After going to college, she began her career at the Sarasota Jungle Gardens, where she now oversees all the animal care teams.

“I knew pretty early on that I wouldn’t be happy in life unless I was working with animals,” she said.

The roadside attraction’s claim to fame is their free roaming flamingos, who have been around since the park opened. It is one of the few spots in the country you can feed and interact with free roaming flamingos.

The park has kept much of its historical charm from when it first opened, transforming from what city records once classified as an uninhabitable swamp into the 10-acre botanical gardens it is today.

The Sarasota Jungle Gardens are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on the attraction visit their website.