Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia, PA 19123 (215) 243-1100
- Good for Kids: Yes
26 Reviews for Philadelphia Zoo
Great zoo. I grew up in Central Jersey, between NYC and Philly, so this zoo and the Bronx Zoo were the zoos of choice and boy am I spoiled! I had been to the Philly Zoo on many field trips and I went recently for the first time since I was a kid and it was as great as I remembered. The kangaroos were my fav...so cute. Great zebras, too!!! And there are okapis!!!! Worth many trips back.
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several winters ago, kelly w. and i came here for an afternoon of gloomy sky and lovely crowdless zoo-going. it could not have been a more perfect day, really.
that day we saw the largest male tiger cozy his butt up to the bars of the old carnivora house and take aim at a particularly annoying, abusive family. too bad he missed, 'cos that stream of pee was impressive.
i mean, like 12-13 feet range impressive. i was in awe of that tiger.....
since that absolutely perfect zooday, i've tried to see it in that same cool way. i just haven't been able to, unfortunately. all i see, even with their remodels, is the massive decay the zoo has. i even worked there, in the mailroom for a week or so. you know what? that made it even worse....
as much as i love seeing the animals, i don't think i can go back. that third star is for you, peeing tiger. you deserve it, and so much more.
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I would have given the country's first zoo five stars, if not for the hoard of baby strollers present on this stunning spring day. The zoo should have a maximum stroller count for entrance into the zoo, to keep the traffic down to just a feverish din. Of course, my wife and I brought our daughter, so we were certainly part of the problem. But, I guess, a crowded zoo is a vibrant, happy zoo....so why carp? 'Cuz I'm a curmudgeon, that's why.
Apart from the Evenflow and Graco frenzy, the zoo was as impressive as ever. Most of the animals were enjoying the great weather (save for the Giant Rats, which don't come out until dark....damn them!) and the variety our zoo has is terrific. Baby lemurs hanging to their father's backs are worth the price of admission right there. But there's so much more. We even went on the swan paddle boats, which was great exercise until my wife got noivous and wanted out. Truth be told, I was rocking the boat back and forth like some dope from junior high. Can't take me anywhere.
If you haven't been to the zoo lately, make a date. Weekday afternoons are probably the least crowded, with school buses driving away and the downtrodden still at their day jobs. Lemurs, elephant shrews, flamingos and cool new exhibits like Big Cat Falls and Squirrel Alley are just a few of the hundreds of reasons to see our animal friends. Better yet, get a yearly membership and enjoy the rides and parking for free. Worth it!
ps---Squirrel Alley is not a real exhibit.
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I guess there are places that even I forget to review. I mean even though it's America's first zoo it can be easily overlooked when your going about usual life in Philly. But I always have a fun time visiting the animals and I'm long overdue for a visit.
My favorite spot is definitely the Nocturnal animal center (and not just because I kind of feel a nightly connection with them). It really does bring you pretty close to their element (at least as close as you would want to be in most situations). I also love visiting the big cats, although I have yet to check out the new space that they were recently housed in.
When I was going through some old black and white photos that I took recently I came across a couple photos of Puzzles the giraffe and it made me kind of sad. R.I.P.
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I've lived literally 5 minutes from the zoo for 4 years and yesterday was the first time I've visited... what an asshole I am. It was so much fun, though. My boyfriend and I went when we both had a rare day off. It was a slight bit chilly [since it's early April], but most of the animals were out prowling around. They have a great assortment of animals here, and I especially enjoyed the endangered animals house -- it's really nice to see how the zoo is actually helping a lot of species stay alive. There were also several animals that had just had babies, and it was so cute to see them riding around on their daddys' backs.
Really, the only reason it loses a star was that they apparently changed the penguin feature -- they now live outside instead of inside a little aquarium/winter scape where they could swim/slide around, and my boyfriend was really sad because that's his favorite part. :( I still thought they were cute outside, though.
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Can we get a children free day at the zoo? Maybe like 2-6 times a year? Is that too much to ask for? How about a baby free day?
Dude, I think children are great, but I'd love nothing more than to see the zebras and shit with out the cries of babies in the background. I like turtles.
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I visited the zoo this summer when my sister and her two kids came to visit, and it was the first time I'd been there since I was a kid myself. I think I had more fun than my niece and nephew. Two words: baby tigers.
Also, we went on an absolutely perfect day, which was bittersweet. Awesome weather but the crowds were insane. You know how when you're at an art museum and people will stare at a painting for what seems like hours, and it's like, "Come on buddy, other people paid to look at the art too." Well, it was kind of like that, but with little kids pounding on the glass. More parents need to invest in those kid-on-a-leash devices.
I left satisfied, however, as we actually got to see lots of animals in action, not sleeping. And I've decided that one day, I'd like to own a marmoset.
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I was beyond thrilled when our family got a gift of a Zoo membership for Christmas this year! The free parking that is included makes it worth the trip!
If you are lucky enough to go on a Monday in January an hour and a half before closing- you will find next to no one there. If you must go on a weekend, expect to be annoyed by screaming children amped up on sugar, and loud obnoxious locals who find it necessary to read every fucking description of every animal in their nasally droning Philly accents.
I was impressed by the new Cats area- it was much nicer to see them in their "natural" habitat outside compared to the horrible piss stained tile indoor homes that they had before.
The Polar Bears are always the best, but the Pygmy Marmoset Monkeys run a close second.
Overall, a great place for kids and grownups alike.
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i love the zoo. it is clean, interesting, and, with the exception of the african wild dogs (have you seen those things? they are so scary!) filled with really cool animals. (can i please recommend the river otters? thanks)
i would also like to say that all of my extra-curricular teacher-type encounters with zoo staff have been great. i went to a saturday workshop on environmental education a few years back which was excellent, and when my kids were on the outward bound urban expedition, the zoo gave us a night tour and let us sleep in the treehouse. awesome!
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My only beef with the Zoo is how ridiculously crowded it is on weekends. There are kids EVERYWHERE, banging on the glass, throwing trash, screaming and crying, etc. It definitely gets overwhelming/headache inducing. The last time I was there, this dad was actually encouraging his son to knock on the glass where the gorillas are kept so he could take a picture of it. I recommend going on a weekday, or when it gets colder and not many kids are there.
Other than that, I think the Zoo is beautiful. There are tons of trees, and the zookeepers put on hourly shows with the animals, which are really interesting.
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I had the pleasure of going to the Philly Zoo while in Philly for the first time last weekend. It was great! The only reason it's four stars instead of five is because I've been to the Bronx Zoo and I think that's still a step above this one, but if I hadn't have seen the Bronx Zoo this probably would have been a five star zoo for me.
The animals have ample room for the most part, and the habitats are clean and tidy. There is a lot of room to view the animals and there aren't too many chicken-wire style fences that can make visibility complicated and ruin photo opportunities. They have a really cool hot air balloon that people can go in (no thanks for me, eek! I'd be woozy up there), and the food, though expensive, was pretty tasty.
It's really nice that all of the animals are there for you to see and you don't really have to go paying extra for certain exhibits (at least not that I noticed anyway). From Elephants to zebras, lemurs and lizards, there's something for everyone at the Philly Zoo!
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we went to philly zoo off season in january..most of the tropical animals were bundled up somewhere warm...we were the only ones along with some who were at the zoo in the shivering cold....the polar bear seemed at home...it was hardly crowded both in terms of people and animals..like i said it was in dead of winter...so it definitely warrants a visit in summer to take in the full sights.....
This zoo is bad...the primates look like they are on downers. I heard that the Cape May Zoo is really nice.
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I used to work here and am forever scarred for working outside in Philadelphia's hot and humid summers. Combine the heat with the smell and bad management and you get pretty bad memories.
Also, the zoo always seems a whole lot bigger when you are a kid. Returning as an adult, I was surprised at how small it actually was. I still have to give the zoo 4 stars just because it's the zoo. Who doesn't love the zoo?
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The zoo is fun and the animals were actually active, plus i got to see totally farking ugly baby tigers that would make even the Grinch's heart grow.
The only warning is to avoid it on beautiful weekends that seem destined for a great day at the zoo. Everyone is thinking the same thing. We went when it was clear and breezy, 75/80 tops, Saturday and the first weekend after the baby tiger cubs were allowed on display. It was the perfect storm.
Still, seeing a leopard pacing in front of the glass when you know all he is thinking about is eating the shit out of you and everyone there is a ton of fun.
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i hadn't been to the Philly zoo since i was a kid. i don't remember much about it... i'm also not a huge fan of zoos in general. basically i don't like seeing wild animals in cages or limited spaces, especially if it is not a warm climate year round. but, alas, here i am in PA visiting my family, and my mom asked me to go with her to take my nearly 3 year old niece for her first trip to the zoo.
i was pleasantly surprised. it is evident that the animals in the Philly zoo are well looked after. this zoo has been here a while, in fact it is the oldest zoo in the country. the place is lush and clean. the animals have a good amount of space to roam. there is tons info to educate people about the animals, including which are endangered and which are currently under vet care (i wish i had more time to read and watch videos). the children's petting zoo made it fun for my niece. after feeding and petting the animals there, there is a big room of sinks to wash hands which i thought was a good touch.
my complaint too is that some of the kids there were obnoxious, especially those in large groups. tons of them everywhere, screaming and banging on glass and cages. this is the responsibility of the parents and teachers. if you teach your kids respect for the animals before stepping foot in the place and treat it more like a museum, everyone will be happier....especially the animals who live there!
ps...please remind your kids (and yourself) that everyone poops, even the elephants :)
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ok this place is just sad. they sedate and lock up all these poor animals. all the animals in this place look sad and miserable.
i avoid this place at all costs.
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Last spring, being the screwball that I am, I decided to give the neighborhood kids a run for the money, and set up water-selling shop with a friend in front of the Philadelphia Zoo.
For three illustrious weeks spent on Girard Ave, we got great stories, sunburn (well, I did; he didn't), and dirtied up sneakers... what I wasn't making was justifyable cash for our time. During this troubled period (think Picasso), I was able to explore the zoo before they opened each morning. It's a nice zoo, nestled in a historic part of town, and has a nice selection of caged wildlife. They're expensive, but all zoos are. I'm disappointed with the alligator/crocodile selection, but hey.
On the third week, the usual water-selling suspects ganged up on my comrade and I, and threatened violence. Seeing as we both had "real" jobs, (and knew better places to sell h2o), we obliged, after a few choice retorts, and haven't gone back since.
If any of you water-slanging bullies are closet yelpers, I want you to know... my mans and them got somethin' for ya. ;)
Hoodie hoo.
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The Philly Zoo is small. The animals need more space. I don't like it. Donate some money for their animals but if you want to see a cool zoo, go to the Bronx Zoo in NY.
It's not too complicated to get there, take a train to NY and then a subway, bus, or taxi.
Perhaps it is because I worked at this zoo during college that I was able to judge how small this place is, the reason I don't like the Philadelphia Zoo. I had a nice time working there but I think the poor animals are just cramped in there.
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The Philly zoo is the oldest zoo in this country, and its apparent if you've ever been to any other. It's small, and the yes, the animals need more room to strive in this captive nature. They know this. Hell, they just agreed to let go of the Elephants that have lived there for so long. It's sad.
What they have rebuilt is nice. The new cat house is awesome. Thank the Lord for that. But some of the houses need to be touched up, and all the African natives need larger roaming spreds.
Another bitch I have. . . why don't they have anything for vegetarians to eat other then preztels? Not even nachos? Animal lovers go to the zoo right?
So yeah, it needs work, donations, and veggie meals, but all that aside the zoo is a slice of our Nations history and their is a great deal of fun awaiting inside the iron gates.
The Philadelphia Zoo rox! Not only was it featured in "12 Monkeys" but they also have a Zooballoon which you can see if you're driving on 76 towards the city!
Two years ago, my friends and I decided to go here and looked online and they had a special where for one fixed price you get admission, a ride on the Zooballoon, a ride on the swan boats, and a ride on an animals back (I think they had camels).
We saw in no particular order: a monkey waking up and jerking off, a gorilla with his back to the glass contemplating life, and a tortoise orgy (except this one tortoise tried to mount another, but couldn't quite stick it).
We never got to ride the Zooballoon because it was too windy that day and we didn't ride the camel because when we saw them, there was this large woman getting on its back and the poor animal just slumped down.
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This zoo is the oldest in the nation.
I'm glad I got to see the elephants before they leave in the Spring.
We love the Philly Zoo. Although you definitely should go "off peak" if you have a choice b/c it gets a bit overwhelming. Usually going later in the afternoon is much less crowded. Their "special events" like Zoobilee are fantatic! What could be better than strolling around the uncrowded zoo with your family, friends, free drinks and food! Their newly built monkey house is top notch and doesn't even smell (and this is coming for a pregnant woman!!!). It's laid out very well and is easy to tackle the entire experience in 2 hours or less.
I have very many fond childhood memories here. As the other reviewer noted, a zoo is not the place to be when it's hot. My favorite times to visit are in spring or fall.
Of course, it's great for kids. The used to have neat crawl-through exhibits, but not sure if they're there anymore. Also, parents can purchase a key to the zoo which lets kids plug in at exhibits and listen to more info on the animals.
The new Big Cat Falls is now open, and I hear it's really cool. Hoping to get down there this fall and check it out.
This is the first zoo in the country, and it was a zoo like any other. We went on such a hot and humid August day that it was unbearable to be outside. This is obviosuly not the zoo's fault, but this is not somewhere you want to be if it's hot. A few of the inside exhibits are air conditioned, which was nice relief, however the vast majority was outside. We went on this hot air balloon type thing called the Zooballoon, and it costs 10 extra dollars on top of your ticket. Well worth it. It takes you 400 feet up in the air and the view is amazing. A disappointing fact was that the big cats (lions and tigers) were not there due to their habitat being renovated. They won't be back until next year. Kind of expensive, as far as zoos go (16.95 plus 10 for zooballoon).
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