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Philadelphia Zoo
Categories: Active Life Zoos Arts & Entertainment Museums Zoos, Museums [Edit]
3400 W Girard AvePhiladelphia, PA 19104
(215) 243-1100
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
83 reviews for Philadelphia Zoo
Review Highlights
"especially the animals who live there."
(in 51 reviews)
"The new big cat habitat is always my favorite."
(in 11 reviews)
"I am always extra delighted by the monkey house."
(in 5 reviews)
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83 reviews in English
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Review from Michael G.
Philadelphia, PA
Always nice for the family; don't come if you want peace and quiet. The exhibits are nice and staff helpful. Buy a membership and if you come at least twice and use the perks with it you'll save quite a bit! Not the biggest and newest with the most updated upkeep, but it is the first zoo after all.
I'm still waiting to get up in the tethered zoo balloon! Every time I go it has been closed. -
Review from John R.
Spring House, PA
1/2/2012
I love taking my little cousins here. Well, it's not just for them, I love coming here too. Sadly, the elephants are gone but the rest of the zoo is wonderful. They love the petting area and seeing the Polar Bears play (so do I).
Don't get me wrong, just like any other museum, it can get pricy. But why can you do? I still enjoy myself and so do my cousins. -
Review from Stephanie P.
11/10/2011
#288 As a teacher leading a band of first-graders to the zoo on a freezing March weekday, I had the privilege of getting in for free. =) Unfortunately, I then had to spend the next 4 hours trying my best to entertain the 5 students I had in my group, with a large number of animals having been moved inside until the onset of spring. IT WAS NOT EASY. We ended up spending an inordinate amount of time inside the monkey house, just sprawled on the floor, taking in the wonders of the orangutan and company. The smell was horrendous, but it was much better than 45 degree weather.
We also ventured into the one food establishment that was open but the place was packed beyond belief. So, I purchased a round of fries for the kiddos, they shoveled them down, and we left. To be honest, I am always depressed when visiting a zoo because the animals all seem so down and out. The cheetah seemed to have lost its predator instincts and just lay on its little hut, pawing at nothing. The gorillas, though, seemed to have embraced their captive lifestyle and had a fine time doing silly things meant to entertain their audience. I'll admit, it was a wonderful opportunity to conduct several science mini-lessons with my students. But, other than that, the day almost convinced me to never have kids.Listed in: Tourist Destinations, For the Kids
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Review from Brian B.
Hoboken, NJ
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Get a membership, it's worth it even for a single trip! You get free parking with the membership, and you help support North Americas first zoo. This place has been a staple in my life since I was young. All the exhibits are a knockout!
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Review from Niyant S.
10/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I will admit that I'm a fan of the Philly Zoo, it's definitely one of the better zoos in this region of the country. Philly zoo, however, is as close to heaven as you can possibly get if you are a kid between the ages of 4-12 (that's just a random estimate, but you get the picture).
Lot's of great exhibits here, and I was surprised by the size of this zoo as I was not expecting it to be so big. That being said, I was disappointed by the size/condition of the some of the animal's habitats, and also the lack of any kind of stimulating activities for them. A lot of the animals looked bored and uninterested in being there (I can't say I know much about the psyche of animals, but I'd like to think they do a lot better when provided some new and interesting stimuli). The one zookeeper we did get to meet seemed to be just as bored as the animals, never once interacted with them, and left after about 2 minutes of arriving...
All in all, a pretty nice facility, but they should think about raising the bar for their employees, I think the general public would enjoy seeing more keeper-animal interactions or at least see the animals in a "happy" mood. And what's with the lack of a grizzly bear exhibit!? -
Review from Anthony B.
San Francisco, CA
9/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
As a zoo professional, I usually visit the local zoo whenever I find myself in a city I've never been to. So I've been to dozens of zoos in my lifetime.
The Philadelphia Zoo is incredible! I was very impressed with most of the exhibits, in addition to how great the overall messaging was - this zoo has a very high level of confidence, and this can easily be seen throughout the park. -
Review from Andrea W.
Chambersburg, PA
11/2/2011
Let me start by saying, "I won't be going back." My fiance and I recently took his 4-year old nephew here for his first trip to the zoo. It was an expensive day, what with parking, entrance fees, and a wide array of child-enticing distractions like face-painting, ice-cream, swan boat rides, pony rides, train rides, and- of course- the obligatory gift shop conveniently blocking the exit. Pawns of a four-year old, we fell victim to each, one-by-one.
The nephew enjoyed the fake tractor, statues of animals, and bunnies in the Zoo's kiddie petting zoo more than any of the wild animals on display. And to be honest, the wild animals on display made me sad. I grew up on a farm. I eat mean, and I'm no animal rights activist. But the animals I saw at the Philly Zoo were in too small of enclosures, and cleanliness and natural habitat were lacking. Cages reeked of urine (the primates were especially bad), and some of the enclosures consisted of nothing more than bare ground. In the ostrich pen, the birds were so distressed they paced the perimeter, chewing at the fence. You could see they had pulled out their own feathers. Their wings were nothing more than bald, brutalized stubs. The meerkats were the saddest creatures of all, sitting on the few rocks in their tiny enclosure. There were children screaming and leaning over the wall into their pen flailing their arms in what mt have been an annoying if not menacing manner (don't get me started on the lack of parental control I saw exercised this day). The meerkats didn't have anywhere to go to avoid the unwanted attention, and I found the whole scene so disturbing that I had to leave the exhibit. I will never be back, nor would I recommend anyone visit this zoo. -
Review from Walter K.
8/4/2011
I recently went to the zoo to walk around on a beautiful day and take some photos. The layout and overall wildlife offerings of the zoo are embarrassing. The $18 ticket (plus parking) is shocking. Many of the exhibits are empty, sparsely populated, and don't offer much to see.
It might be a good place to take kids, as they could easily be impressed by some of the animals like rhinos, giraffes, and polar bears, and they'll likely tire before you see everything. But the zoo really doesn't offer much to see, read, or photograph (unless you have a serious telephoto lens.)
It may be the first zoo in America, but that doesn't make it worth visiting. And, no arctic penguins! -
Review from Mandi F.
Glenolden, PA
9/4/2011
I have to give this 4 stars since my son just loves the children's zoo, bird exhibit, and the energetic monkeys. Least I forget the prowling lynx that wanted my son for lunch. My son just laughed and laughed as it paced back and forth in front of him as the cat licked his lips.
Otherwise, it's nothing exceptional and I'd give it 3 stars for adults. Let's hope they bring back the elephants since they have a huge elephant statue in the front entranceway. -
Review from Linda M.
Haverhill, MA
8/22/2011
I give this zoo 5 stars because it is the best zoo I've been to so far.
This zoo had many animals. The park was nice and not crowded at all.
We went this August and no one was around. I was so suprised that on a nice summer day it was empty. Even the animal rides were all closed and some of the vendor areas due to the low volume of visitors.
The ape and monkey house was the best. So many varieties to see and learn about.
Loved the extinction area. We were able to see animals that you would never see anywhere else.
Kids loved it. I've been to a few zoos and none had this selection of animals.
I'd love to know the people who gave this zoo a single star go for zoos?? Maybe I need to go to those zoos but for us it was a great day.
$18 is cheap for us. We pay that for a movie, or even a t-shirt to take home, so that's not bad for a day at the zoo. -
Review from Karen T.
6/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a great zoo, America's first. If you haven't been recently, it's changed a lot since you've been as a kid. Lots of new exhibits (Big Cats, Primates, Otters and the restored Bird House). Elephants are gone, but they needed more room to roam. Lorikeets are a MUST experience. Hold nectar in a tiny cup and they land on your arm and lick it up.
Food offerings are primarily fast food (hot dogs, chicken strips, french fries) but they also had salad, apple wedges and milk for the kiddies.
Traffic can be horrible. Try going early in the day. Could easily take half a day to see it all. The animals are more active on cooler days. The photographers at the entrance are annoying but I think most places are doing that now. Try AAA online for a couple bucks off your ticket price. -
Review from Ralph R.
Bronx, NY
6/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Wow, I have to say , I love this zoo, it's better then the one in the Bronx !
Sorry Bx, I have to call it as I see it!
LoL.
It was so cool to see the lions, tigers and bears Oh my!
And the Apes where on point, standing up and walking across the field. How cool was that! The Boss loved it, even though it was raining on and off, but we had lots of fun, on our first day out there, next time it will be different.
also do you know this is one of the first zoo's, that was one good bit of info, to know. -
Review from Shelley P.
Kingston, PA
6/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Philly Zoo equals two thumbs up!
Had a very enjoyable visit. The walkways were extremely clean. We arrived at a good time because all the animals we out and were fabulous at posing for pictures.
The zoo wasnt too busy either. Then again, it was Father's Day. Maybe that made a difference. -
Review from Christie P.
Levittown, PA
7/5/2011 6 photos
Love this zoo. I could literally watch the organutans all day.
I come here once a month. -
Review from Liz D.
Somerville, MA
10/11/2011
I'm not always sure how I feel about zoos but I love this one! Zoos in large east coast cities are not always great (our zoo in Boston is really sad) but the people here have done a great job. It's pretty large, the animals seem well cared for, there are lots of activities for families, employees were all friendly and knowledgeable, the monkeys run around on an elevated trail, the signs and displays were all cheerful and modern. What a nice place.
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Review from Fujiko D.
3/22/2011
I lived near enough to the Zoo to visit more than once a year so my hubby and I became a member of the zoo. We paid for an individual membership for him and I tagged along as his guest. It was $16 per person the first time we went, we just became members that day and paid $35 for both of us to get in. We renewed the membership every year, so I'm not sure what the admission is now. You also get free zoo parking with a member as well.
This review is bias since I love the zoo pretty much no matter what kind of habitat or exhibit the animals are in. As long as they aren't miserable, I can find cuteness in just about any furry creature.
When we first went there (2006?), the bird house was in disarray. It was kind of fun since the birds pretty much walked on the people's pathway and run amok. There were no real safeguards to keep them in their designated rooms. Since then, they revamped the aviary so that there's order. Since then, it's much more popular.
There are many exhibits, inside, including a insect building, a reptile building, a small mammal building, a monkey building, and an aviary (and probably something I missed), and out, the usual fair of lions and tigers and bears, etc. There's a lorikeet cage where you can feed them nectar and a petting zoo. The elephants are no longer there if I remember correctly.
There was a Zoolink bus during the summer that ran from the Art Museum to the Zoo. It seems like every year they change where that bus picks people up at. I think one year it was 30th Street station? There's the Phlash that may or may not run to the zoo, too.
The worst thing at the zoo is the food situation. Take your own or you will end up paying a lot of money for food you wouldn't take for free on any other day.
The best (beside the animals) is people watching. With all those kids running around, you're bound to see and hear something hilarious. -
Review from Gabbie S.
Scotch Plains, NJ
4/30/2011
First thing first: I'm obsessed with primates. If you love primates too, you'll LOVE this zoo. Lorises, aye-aye, marmosets, gorillas, orangutans...all in a really neat exhibit!
I'm used to the Bronx zoo which is bigger but this zoo is clean and comfortable so no complaintS! -
Review from Emily K.
8/9/2011 1 photo
Hanging in the monkey house is the best way to spend a weekday afternoon. Screw the weekends. Hate kids.
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Review from Adam P.
8/16/2010
This zoo is a bad combination of expensive and lacking in animals. I've never paid $18 to enter a zoo before. I've also never been to a zoo before lacking elephants. To add insult to injury, it seems like they have decided to replace a bunch of the animals with Lego sculpture simulacra. While Legos are neat, I want animals! The place seems to have less animals than a circus, if you don't count the various buildings containing small rodents. The whole thing can be seen in about two hours.
If you want to see a real zoo, take your $18, hop on a bus to Washington DC, and see the National Zoo which is free and has a far superior collection. -
Review from j j.
Philadelphia, PA
9/22/2011
Who would think that in barely two hours at the zoo, we'd get close-up views of lions, tigers, pumas, a rhinoceros, flamingos, a bear, a polar bear, giraffes and penguins? Unlike some zoos I've been to, which have expansive spaces, which I'm sure is nice for the animals, the Philly Zoo has attractive surroundings, but they are set up in a way that make the animals very easy to see, even when the zoo is crowded.
We didn't pick up a map, but found it easy enough to stroll around and still see many highlights. The staff were very friendly.
We visited on a cloudy/rainy weekday morning, and didn't expect there to be a lot of visitors. However, it was packed with school groups. Some of the pathways, such as the lion/tiger loop, can get very backed up and hard to maneuver through. However, if you are patient and can handle being surrounded by so many kids, you can get good views of all the animals.
Besides the crowds, some aspects I didn't love were parking (expensive at $12 and hard to navigate) and the way the zoo is set up to encourage adults to spend a lot of extra money on things such as toys, food, rides and experiences.
Overall though, it's a very rewarding place to visit, and quite impressive in what its been able to set up in an urban area. We would visit again. -
Review from Christina L.
Rosemead, CA
3/26/2011 1 photo
I'm from LA but I came to Philly to visit a friend in grad school at Drexel in January 2008. We had to take the subway and a trolley to America's First Zoo.
First stop: Petting zoo where you can touch the goats & sheepys. Don't forget to wash your hands. Afterwards, we hid from the cold in the primate enclosure then stopped off for a hot dogs, fries, & chicken strip lunchy. To protect the animals, zoos will never give you straws.
Highlight of the day: Galapagos tortoises. Both having studied biology during undergrad, we have to learn all about Darwin & flora & fauna. My friend T hopes to one day trek to the Galapagos Islands so it was a real treat! -
Review from Mike C.
Howard, MD
4/21/2011
It's a fine zoo, with lots of themed areas. Highlights for my family were the gorilla/orangutan house, the polar bear enclosure, and the lions, but every family is sure to find a favorite. Even though we visited on a weekday, it was crowded. We were forced to park in the "Frog" lot ($12) whose zoo entrance is not always open, and thus had to hike 10 minutes to the entrance. There were no signs directing us.
It was good to see the zoo updating exhibits - some were under construction. To me, this shows that the zoo is dedicated to continuous improvement and is not just letting things fall apart. In one way, this zoo is like the others we go to: the animals are often hiding, sleeping, or sitting with their butts toward you so you can't take a picture. No problem - being in a zoo wasn't their choice.
Be sure to use City Pass or some other discount. If not, it will cost a family of four (as of April 2011) $67, plus $12 parking, plus lots of optional costs like the carousel ($3 a spin), a camel ride ($6 a person), swan boats ($6 a person), food, souvenirs. -
Review from Tiki B.
Jackson, NJ
6/22/2011
The cages seperate the animals from the wild life rather nicely. Always something to look at
on both sides of the fence. -
Review from James O.
Philadelphia, PA
7/11/2010
Had a very pleasant trip to the Philly zoo today. They have a decent variety of animals, and the facilities are very nice.
I ended up getting a membership, and with a student ID, it only came out to $40 ($60 full price). That got me and a friend admission, and covered the parking. I figure any more visits will make it well worth it.
I had no issues whatsoever with the parking. They have 4 or 5 lots, and the Frog lot we were in was about 100 yds from the entrance, not much of a walk at all.
All the staff I encountered were very friendly and informative. Exhibits were clean and well pathed out. -
Review from Rodney H.
West Bloomfield, MI
6/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Superb zoo, Americas oldest zoo is still well worth a visit, sadly too many exhbitis are closed & getting renovated but inspite of that the Polar bear, The Big cats & the Xtin shun exhbiits are well worth seeing, all food & drink is a rip off.
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Review from Mark A.
Glenside, PA
4/11/2008 ROTD 4/22/2008
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. -
Review from Dj M.
Feasterville-Trevose, PA
8/28/2008 4 photos
Once again, America's first zoo and that was delayed for opening, due to the Civil War. Dates back to 1874!
1,500 animals on 42 acres. The fire was an unnecessary travesty.
With the admission price being comparable to much larger zoo's that you can spend most of a day at and this one you can go through in an hour or so, it just ranks a two star in my book. -
Review from Allie A.
4/6/2010
It's not the biggest, the best, or cheapest zoo in the world.
It is America's First Zoo, and this badge of honor earns it a certain amount of charm that can't be taken away.
Caveat: I worked here for 11 years a long time ago, so above anything else, one thing people should know about this Zoo is how dedicated the staff is to the animals. You will not find a harder-working staff anywhere - they will literally do anything to help an animal, whether it's a freshly-hatched chick or one of "mega fauna" stars, like a gorilla.
I've loved the fact that so many kids have come here as part of a school trip or on a family vacation, and still remember it 25 years later as being a great experience...
Parking is a pain, yes, but come early and get a good spot. Another plus: in general, animals are most active early in the day. If it's 96 degrees outside, they're going to be in the shade sleeping and not being too active. -
Review from Martha M.
Ardmore, PA
8/28/2008
I am not a fan of caged animals. However, I had to go to the zoo for a charity event a few months ago. I hadn't been there in over 20 years or so and was dreading it.
My visit started with parking in a lot about a 1/4 mile away for $12. This was the closest parking, with the promise of a shuttle to the zoo entrance. No thanks, I'll walk from here.
I then stood in line for 15 minutes to pay $12 for the privilege of "parking" as well as the admission fee. Wow when did viewing caged animals become SO expensive?
After an hours of viewing animals in well kept nice exhibits, I found what appeared to be the largest restaurant in the park. There was easily ten minute, probably fifteen minute, lines and there were many families who found eating spots on the ground due to the lack of sufficient tables.
Overall, it was horribly under equipped to handle half the number of visitors. The lion exhibits that were supposed to be the highlight were closed during the short time that I was there.
I wouldn't have set foot in the zoo again if it wasn't for charity. -
Review from Ashley H.
Pottstown, PA
4/23/2009
I loooooove zoos and animals. (I don't want to get into a debate of the cruelty to animals in being locked up at zoos. I am just looking it at from my own selfish point of view.)
I can remember being a little girl, being oh-so-excited to go to the Philadelphia Zoo! Then I grew up a little, and all my friends were "too cool" to go to the zoo so I didn't go for years. That was the dark time in my life.
But now I have seen the light. I have been two times in the past three months.
The first recent time was in the middle of February. It was warm for February, but still sweatshirt/jeans weather, and some of the animals weren't out. But the polar bear sure was. He was playing with a big blue ball, pushing it down into the water and then watching it shoot up, doing that over and over. Heaven!
I went again this past weekend, the weather was perfect and felt like the first true weekend of spring. I thought it was supposed to be "Gay Day" at the zoo, but I only saw some lesbian mothers pushing their kids in strollers. In other words, it was a typical Saturday afternoon at the zoo.
The tortoises were out eating some vegetables in their pen. I can't get over how old they are!
This time the elephants stole the show. The elephants are right next to the rhinos. One of the elephants stuck his trunk over the divider and was caressing the back of the rhino. It was so touching, seeing two completely different species interacting so peacefully together.
I am always extra delighted by the monkey house. The orangutans remind of me of Al and Peg Bundy. The grumpy gorilla looks like a huge meathead asshole, but I love him anyway. Some of the little guys are bouncing off the walls like ADHD children, and I can totally relate after spending an hour in the office. Actually, I can totally relate anyway.
I think the San Diego Zoo is the best zoo I've ever been to. It's much bigger than the Philadelphia Zoo and has a panda exhibit and an unbeatable monkey exhibit. But still, Philadelphia Zoo always brings back great childhood memories and makes me feel like a kid again - and nothing beats that! -
Review from Dave H.
7/29/2008
Historically, the Philadelphia Zoo is the first zoo to have been established in the United States, and the first I've ever seen to in my life. I've taken many field trips here, ever since grade school. I remember seeing everything with a fresh sense of wonder, even before all the expansion that's present today!
Friends and I came here last September. It's a medium-sized venue (larger than I remembered), with lots of square footage, perfect for parties and company events. The Philadelphia Zoo is no San Diego Zoo, but it has it's share of exhibits; it's amazing to see lions, elephants, and gorillas up close. Want some perspective? Check out their huge signature hot air balloon. (Can't beat the Turkey Hill ice cream booths all over the place, either!)
The zoo is good spot to visit (with or without kids) at least once. -
Review from Emily A.
Glenside, PA
2/8/2008
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. -
Review from Bill M.
4/9/2008
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.Listed in: Culture Vultures, Parks
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Review from J P.
Philadelphia, PA
4/11/2008
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. -
Review from Melissa A.
Cambridge, MA
8/31/2006
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. -
Review from Jenna N.
West Linn, OR
2/19/2010
Disclaimer: I worked for the zoo for six months. I was part of the "guest relations" team, so my experience was neither awful nor life changing. I'm completely ambivalent.
I've been to a fair amount of zoos (Kansas City, Bronx, Hershey... um, a petting zoo in Strausstown, PA). Some would say this is an average amount of zoos, but the Philly Zoo is easily my favorite.
It's really improved over the past five or so years. I mean, a lot. The staff they hire has improved (myself being a prime example), the upkeep has improved and the exhibits have definitely improved.
Everyone has their favorites, but let's face it - the gorillas are the coolest. No argument. I had a "moment" with one of the gorillas that was straight out of a movie: I put my hand up to the glass and the gorilla put his hand up to mine from the other side. I morphed into Jane Goodall that day.
I'd recommend going in the winter or early spring. Yeah, you don't get to see the elephants sometimes, but they're boring anyway (and they're getting moved to another zoo). Plus you avoid the massive amount of screaming children and tourists that show up in the summer. There are enough indoor exhibits to keep you warm in the winter. The Philly Zoo is smaller compared to others; Americans love walking less, right? Well, it's at least a benefit when it's cold. (In Kansas City they had a mini bus that took people from one side of the zoo to the other. It was insane.) -
Review from Jen R.
Philadelphia, PA
10/7/2008
I love this place but only during nice days when it is not too cold or not too hot. Its very hard to walk the whole place during a hot summer day. The place is huge! And there is not much shade or seats.
I took one of my little cousins (age 4) here a couple of months ago. She loved every bit of it. I've been here on a number of occasions but hadn't walked over to the children's petting zoo in years since I don't have children of my own to go with. I took her as my excuse (he-he). She rode a pony and we fed goats together. We had a blast. It was her first time ever seeing live animals. She knew what they were from the movie Madagascar. So yes, the lion was named Alex and the hippos were all Gloria. The monkeys were her favorite. The new big cat habitat is always my favorite. Too bad they are always sleeping!
One thing I didn't like was the protesters out front. They were claiming that the zoo was bad for elephants because many elephants have died suddenly over the past few years. Thats not the way I wish to start my day at the zoo. Still, if you push that aside, you could have a day full of fun. -
Review from iza p.
9/6/2010 1 photo
Definitely not as big as the San Diego or the Bronx zoos (yes, it is an unfair comparison), but for what it's worth, another good venture out for the kids.
And though I don't have kids, the kid in me definitely appreciated the the Lego exhibits....as well as the animals. It was actually kind of fun bumping into these Lego sculptures. Something equally fun, was trying to find the lions and the other big cats.
Oh yeah, and they have a really nice fountain near the front entrance. Something that also looked cool was the big hot air balloon which looked like a "ride" of sorts. Due to the thunderstorm, this "ride" was functional that day, but if I ever find myself at the Philly Zoo on a nice clear day, I just might actually go up in the balloon....might. -
Review from Chrissy R.
Philadelphia, PA
4/9/2008
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. -
Review from Molly M.
Philadelphia, PA
2/17/2008
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.
