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Detroit Zoo
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16 reviews for Detroit Zoo
We visited the Detroit Zoo the morning before we were set to fly home but I wish that we had had more time to spend there. Most of the animal exhibits are creative and seem to offer the animals plenty of room to move and enrichment activities. One big exception was the lion exhibit which was a narrow strip of grass backed by a faux rock wall. We heard from an employee that the zoo was trying to raise money to improve that exhibit.
The zoo is famous for it's polar bear/arctic exhibit. The exhibit is HUGE and winds you down paths past various animal enclosures and interactive displays. The bears have multiple areas to roam which mimic tundra, ice sheets and water. There are seals and Arctic foxes too. We got a big kick out of the giraffe encounter. For $5 you get to feed a giraffe. We took our 2 year old son and thought he might be afraid once he got up close but he loved it. The staff was kind and accommodating in allowing us to spend some time feeding the giraffe. Definitely a must try!
One negative was the lack of concessions. Maybe it was just the fall season but the only place we could find to get a drink or food was across from the polar bear exhibit which is in the very back of the zoo. Overall we had a great time and had to pass up things we would've liked to do if we'd had more time. They had a penguin and dinosaur exhibit as well as a huge playground that looked really cool. I'd say take your time and make a day out of it.
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Yes, there are animals here so technically it's a zoo. But, if you've been to any other zoos in the US you'll probably be disappointed. The Detroit Zoo is pretty poor, but it's not the fault of the poor animals. The Zebras are rad. The Rhinos are bad ass. The Giraffes are...well...tall. But you can only form these opinions if you can actually SEE the animals.
I blame a poor zoo experience on poor management and zoo operations. It almost seems like they don't know what they're doing. We walked around for 30 minutes outdoors until we saw a SINGLE animal. Seriously. Every place we stopped had a big empty area where we squinted and craned our necks in every possible position to see if we could see something...but we couldn't.
It seems like there's too many places for the animals to hide out of view and they put forth little effort to coax them out where you can see them. At more advanced views they do things like heat or cool particular rocks and place shade trees in prime viewing areas so the animals can lounge in comfort while in full view. The Detroit Zoo seems to do none of this. The best shade trees are in the back, behind rocks so the animals have no reason to venture further.
The other half the time it seems that they're 'training' or 'cleaning' or, I donno, "burping" the animals somewhere unseen. Sure, this stuff has to be done, but I haven't been to another zoo where it's done so often.
Now, when you see the animals, no one can take away their majesty. God's creation shines through and puts you in awe...The bears are magnificent and the monkeys are mind blowing. Luckily the animals are there to pick up the slack because the zookeepers seem to be on vacation.
Living in Detroit with kids, we'll visit once a year...but only because it's a large open place to walk around and let the kids experience the amazement of seeing these animals up close.
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As far as Zoo's go the Detroit Zoo is a joke. Depending on when you go, most of the animals will be asleep (seeing as how they only have 2-3 of most of the animals in the park). Many of the exhibits are almost vacant because of lack of funding.
HOWEVER... It is one of the only places in Metro-Detroit that you can go to and have a good time for longer than fifteen minutes without being hassled by Police. I personally never go out of my way to be at the Detroit Zoo but when the opportunity arises I usually don't have anything better to do. If you want to see some pigs, a few weird birds, and a hippopotamus (no nevermind they got rid of that) come on over to the Detroit Zoo!
I have a lot of love for the Detroit Zoo.
I've always been big on zoos and aquariums. I can't help it, I'm a kid when it comes to animals. Without having been to either the Atlanta Zoo or San Diego Zoo, I have to say this gem in Royal Oak is my favorite and to be honest, it probably always will be.
There are a lot of well-done exhibits here including the Reptile House, Amphibiville, the Arctic Ring of Life, the Australian Outback, and the African Grasslands, and a fun prairie dog experience for the kids. This zoo has a heck of a lot to look at and the admission cost is fair for the value.
It's unfortunate to have lost the elephants and it was a sad sight to have personally witnessed the zoo workers using a power washer to remove the "elephant tracks" that were all over the zoo when I grew up but c'est la vie. At the same time, it was quite a triumph to have also seen them blacking out the name of our esteemed thug mayor on the water tower as well.
A tip: it's enjoyable to be outside in warm weather, but a lot of the animals are more active when the chill comes to Michigan. The zoo remains a great destination year-round.
I've been to a lot of zoos and I personally find Detroit's presentation to be superior to the Chicago Zoo and Brevard Zoo in Florida and easily on par with the Toledo Zoo.
The zoo makes for a fantastic getaway, a charming date location, and a wholesome day out for anyone. Personally, I've also found the tunnel of the polar bear exhibit to be a fantastic place to "pop the question" (she said yes and Neil the polar bear is my witness to that.)
So be sure to stop by and enjoy the butterflies, free-roaming peacocks, and say hey to Neil for me.
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Lions, tigers, bears...and butterflies and train rides, oh my!! The Detroit Zoo, actually located in Royal Oak, is one of the nation's most popular zoos and with their magnificent exhibitions of animals, insects and reptiles it's easy to see why.
Open year round, minus a few holidays, the Detroit Zoo is a must for any Michigander or tourist of this metro city. This zoological haven offers goers a fantastic butterfly house where butterfly's spread their wings and fly free through the open rainforest-eque setting. The Detroit Zoo also offers a wonderful reptile house with crocodiles, snakes of a wide variety, lizards and other reptiles. And of course, there's the multi-million dollar polar bear exhibit that will have you in awe.
In addition, to animals from land and sea, the Detroit Zoo, offers snacks aplenty, a playscape for kids, and during the summer a concert series where local artist jam out in the zoo and beer and wine is served for the big kids. For Halloween, dress the kids up and take them to Zoo Boo, a trick or treating celebration at the zoo. For more information check out the Detroit Zoo's website.
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One of my first memories is of throwing my bottle into the old kangaroo pit because I thought the kangaroos looked hungry. Now, of course, I know that throwing things into the exhibits is bad and anyway, I haven't had a bottle in months...
I love the Polar Bear exhibit and the new Kangaroo Walk. I did miss the Elephants, but am glad they were sent to a more hospitable climate. Every time I visit the zoo seems to get smaller, but its still pretty darn cool.
The zoo offers wheelchairs and scooters, but get there early. As someone who has had to push a person in a wheelchair through the zoo, its is possible- but a real pain. There are quite a few hills and some are steeply angled, making the chair difficult to control.
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Sigh, anyone who rates this zoo higher than 3 stars may not have been to the Toledo Zoo (an hour away). The Detroit Zoo has NOTHING on that zoo... However, since this review is about the Detroit Zoo (which is not even in Detroit...how silly), I guess I will share some thoughts.
Of course I have been going here since I was a kid, and I used to be amazed at all the animals and such. Then I got older, and thought... this is kind of crap..where are all the cool animals! They have tried to improve it with the Artic Ring, Ape Island, Amphibianville and Australian Outback Adventure...all fairly new attractions.To me, I just think you do a lot of walking for nothing at the Detroit Zoo. But, that's just my opinion :-)
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We just bought our first membership to the Detroit Zoo and I am very happy that we did, because as adults we are very judgmental on pretty much everything... (hence this site) That's the joy of being a child, they are just happy to be at the zoo and to see the animals :) I know there are better zoo's out there, Naples Zoo down in Florida is AWESOME, but I don't think I can fly there whenever my kids want to see the animals even though I'd sure like to! I know the Toledo Zoo is very nice, but with gas prices I don't want to drive an hour with two children asking "when are we going to be there mom?" for the umpteenth time!! So the Detroit Zoo is what we have and in my opinion is VERY NICE! Clean, personnel working there are very helpful and they have these wonderful misters that you can turn on, on those blazing hot days and my kids loved it.
I can't really say anything bad about the Detroit Zoo, my kids love it, so in turn I love it too!!! Be prepared though, if you want something to eat or drink, bring some cash!!
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First of all, who doesn't love zoos?
I am bummed from the lack of elephants, but the Arctic Ring of Life makes up for it. I love that instead of just looking from the outside at the Polar Bears and Seals that you can walk through the tunnel underwater! The first time I went I did not know there was a clear wall between them and feared for the seals, but no worries kids- they are protected.
The Butterfly and Bird exhibit is also a must- along with the Kanga Walk.
And if your little muncher gets hungry- the food here isn't half bad..
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I love zoos. I grew up with Brookfield Zoo and Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. While this zoo is better than Lincoln Park in terms of quality of exhibits and perceived happiness of animals... it's still not amazing, wow, mindblowing. But still a good enjoyable experience.
Problems with this zoo:
1. NO ELEPHANTS, sadness. I love elephants.
2. No free range peacocks/hens. But they had peacocks and hens, just in enclosed areas.
Awesome parts:
1. Kangaroo exhibit that you can walk through with the 'roos. There wasn't a line when I went, and the 'roos just keep to themselves.
2. Butterfly room. Enjoyable.
You can complete all of the exhibits, including time for searching for snakes/reptiles in their homes in about 3 hours. They close at 5pm most days, and apparently they are open until 8pm on Wednesdays.
This zoo is one of the country's best. With a long history of animal preservation, the Detroit Zoo is a great experience. The best part is that there are many things to do. Here is a short list:
- Butterfly House/Bird House/Gallery
- The Arctic Ring of Life exhibit
- Australian Outback Adventure exhibit
- National Amphibian Conservation Center
There is just so much to see. Since the zoo has given up their elephant exhibits (because of Michigan's harsh winters), the zoo has shifted gears to finding a diverse mix of animals that actually like winter weather.
If you're going to the zoo, be prepared to walk! While there is a train offered for those that want to purchase tickets, a round trip on foot is at least a few miles. If you're bringing elderly people or children, pack the wheelchairs or strollers!
During the holidays they usually have special events that make the whole experience great too. If you're in the metro area, the Detroit Zoo is a must see.
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I took my son to the zoo for the first time last week. He was extremely excited about the animals. I was able to pack snacks and juice for the walk and we both enjoyed the train ride. I just wish the zoo had more funding available to add more animals. Overall, it was just as I remembered; a great way to spend a summer after. My only dislike is the parking structure and the stairs. The stairs were dark but that's not a hit against the zoo. Enjoy!
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After being in a few zoos, I can say that I like what Detroit Zoo has the best. And that's not based off me living here, either.
I'm absolutely in love with the butterfly house and the bird house. Both houses are organized into "walks" that are just awesome. In the butterfly house, a lady next to me must have been wearing something sweet, because the butterflies were leaving their sugar dishes and landing on her! But it's that sort of place... not just looking at an animal in a glass case. The same goes for the bird house; some of the birds just park themselves on the walkways, completely oblivious to foot traffic. (I also got a picture of one of the peacocks that just roam around the entire zoo...)
Last season they had the kangaroo walk. I'd suggest trying to get their either early or late in the season; midsummer there's about an hour long line to get in, and the kangaroos are so warm they just stay in the shade. But still, it's like the bird and butterfly houses: no glass cages, just you and the kangaroos!
Last time I was there, it was in October; the zoo was decorated for Halloween, and seemed to have quite a few activities for kids and families. I'd check the website for exactly what's going on, but this would be a great alternative to Cedar Points' Hallow-weekends (and just a tad more educational).
Even though it's the "Detroit" zoo, it is actually located in Royal Oak at Woodward and I-696 (10 mile Rd).
What kid doesn't enjoy going to the Zoo? It's always fun here. especially the Artic Ring of Life, where they have the polar bears and sea lions and whatnot.
we had a family pass here for two years and loved it completely.
Nothing to regret here. 5 stars.
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Bring the kids and head on down to the Zoo.
A very child-friendly place, and much bigger than one might expect. The Polar Bear exhibit is extremelly well-done (if the bear is swimming around, the view from the plexiglass underwater tunnel is amazing).
If you're in the area and plan on visiting more than once, it's probably worth the extra $ to shell out and get a membership. And if you have a stroller, if you can park on level 3 of the garage, there's a ramp that takes you directly to ground level of the zoo.
this zoo is awesome because they breed and hand-raise a variety of vulture species; lappet-faced, cinereous, griffon, and hooded, plus penguins, african spoonbills, african flamingos and more. oh, and they are focused on enrichment for all species. they also sent their elephants to a sanctuary in california because they realized it was cruel to keep them in such a small area where there was no room for them to walk the daily miles they need to stay healthy. it's still a zoo but it's doing the best it can for the animals in its care.
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