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Valley Zoo
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9:30 am - 4 pm
Sat-Sun 9:30 am - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
13 reviews for Valley Zoo
13 reviews in English
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Review from Amanda F.
12/1/2011
I just cannot for the life of me bring myself to give this place anything less than 5 stars - but it is definitely not a 5 star zoo! Last time I was there it was clear that improvements were in the works so I can't wait to see the final result of all this.
The exhibits are on the smaller side and the zoo as a whole is not huge - I can walk through it all in about 3 hours. The animals seem to be well cared for in clean enclosures and the staff seem to be knowledgeable and caring. I enjoy the primate house - I could sit and watch those little guys scurrying around all day (especially the lemurs)! Very child oriented as well which I think is great - I think there is a lot of value in getting children to appreciate/respect animals at a young age!
If even a fraction of the admission prices (which I find are reasonable) goes towards animal welfare I am ALL IN!! The experience itself is worth the price to me - who wouldn't want to help out a good cause if you can have a blast doing it?! In comparison to some of the larger, more popular zoos, this one may seem like a disappointment but, regardless, it is an awesome way to spend a few hours on a weekend in Edmonton!!
Would be really happy to see another elephant or two brought in to keep our beloved Lucy company once they have the resources in place to do so!Listed in: All About Animals
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Review from Adam D.
11/21/2011
Well what can I say...why would I go to a zoo and see a prairie dog exhibit? I can go to any field in edmonton to do this. The zoo was under construction so it seemed kind of mess but when its done I imagine it would be good. I heard there will be an polar bar exhibit, that would be stellar. The animals at the zoo do not seem to exotic, cant really blame it with our weather but when I visit the calgary zoo Im impressed. When I visit the Edmonton Valley Zoo its meh. The AGA got a lift, the Museuem is seeing one too lets make the Zoo the next priority. Make it an ctual attraction to Edmonton. When the zoo is in full swing its worth the visit, great to take little ones. Also check out the Lemar display ...they are hilarious.
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Review from Kelley R.
8/7/2011 3 photos
Visited the zoo today to get out of the hotel room and see some of the things Edmonton has to offer. I really love zoo's and just seeing the animals. I always have a great time walking around.
I did enjoy getting to this zoo early, around 10am, to beat the kid crowd. I was expecting something more based on zoo's I have been to over the years. The prairie dogs where out running around, so cute! The wolfs were howling, probably because they were waiting for breakfast. I loved that the owls were down near the fence for me to seem them. They were so big! Of course also enjoyed Lucy the elephant!
The enclosures are not anything spectacular and some of them see far away so the animals look small. One example being the zebra exhibit. I did feel bad for the sea lions because they are in a small enclosed exhibit but I understand they are building a new area for these guys. The red panda's where not out and that was a disappointment and there were a lot of empty exhibits. I understand animals moving to new areas, but just seemed odd how many were empty.
I didn't get a map walking in and was hoping it was easy to get around, which it was. They have good signage to let you know where everything is. The park is kind of like a big circle so you really can't get lost. I would definitely go again because I enjoy seeing the animals but I wouldn't go on and on about how great this is. -
Review from Alan D.
7/21/2011
There are some really nice things about the valley zoo; the lemurs have a huge area, the red-tailed pandas seem happy, some of the outdoor enclosures are really quite big, and most of the animals have somewhere that they can go to 'hide' from the public. The prairie dogs are adorable, and watching them communicate and go about their little lives is fascinating. In general I really like seeing some of the less 'exotic' Canadian wildlife that we never get near usually. The zoo also does quite a good job with its signage, giving some context to all of the animals, a few details and some notes on their endangered level etc.
On the other hand it does seem to still be a work in progress; the seals and sea-lions have tiny pools (a new building for them is currently under construction), and the elephant house is quite small and sad. I am not completely sure whether or not I am a fan of zoos, and I don't judge zoos on their size or how 'unusual' the animals are. I feel that the Valley Zoo seems to be trying really hard to do a good job with the budget that they have, and they succeed in making a visit an interesting experience.
From a selfish point of view, why is there such a 'kids-only' atmosphere at the petting zoo? Everyone likes to pat a goat or sheep now and them. -
Review from Violet P.
9/14/2011
It was a sunny July day when we went to the zoo for a visit. I like to visit zoos and usually go to the Valley Zoo every few years. It doesn't compare to other large zoos that I've been to but they do have a range of animals. My favourite are the red pandas who are located close to the children's merry go round. It's a zoo that hasn't had any major renovations in years so expect crowded indoor exhibits and outdated exhibits and buildings. For the kids there is a kids' area, green grass, and animals for them to enjoy. The admission price is just over $10 for adults and I'm sure there is a family price. It's a decent way to spend a couple of hours outside.
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Review from alison t.
Mission, BC
11/3/2011
I didn't think I could find a zoo that was sadder than the one we have here in BC but I was totally wrong. It was very stark and unpleasant. Some of the animal habitats appeared very unsuitable and small. Very disappointing.
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Review from Crystal E.
Edmonton, AB
5/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh I love the zoo! The lions the tigers the bears oh my!
Oh wait! That's the wizard of oz!
The Edmonton zoo is not that. It's bare it's empty and rather sad. The concrete cages with chain fence, minimal foliage and poor land scape it breaks my heart. It used to be an awesome zoo well kept and well ran.
Within the last 10yrs its gone down hill drastically. I still gobat least once a year if I can to support it an hopefully one day it'll be a lot better. -
Review from Jacqueline S.
Edmonton, AB
5/28/2011
Oh Valley Zoo. Growing up in northern Alberta, getting to come to Edmonton and go to the zoo was pretty frickin exciting. Unfortunately, now that I've seen other zoos (and entered adulthood), the Valley Zoo looks much less exciting.
I'd probably still recommend stopping by if you've got kids... it's still a zoo, after all. But going back as an adult... the zoo kind of lost it's magic.
Also, after writing "zoo" many times, it seems like such a silly word... -
Review from Paula K.
10/2/2008
I have been visiting the Valley Zoo since I was a small child, back in the days when it was still called the Storyland Valley Zoo. I still make an annual trip there, and lots of memories come flooding back into my mind.
However, things have changed quite a bit over the years. The emphasis is less on Mother Goose, and more on improving the animal displays. There are a lot of different kinds of monkeys, which I really enjoy because I am a monkey fanatic. The new lemur house is a wonderful addition. And there are still my old favourites, the prairie dogs, alapacas, and petting zoo.
One major criticism I have of the Valley Zoo is that the Saito Centre puts too many different kinds of animals together under one roof. People who are sensitive to snakes and lizards will have difficulty avoiding them as a result -- if they still want to see the primates, birds, and other animals housed there. I believe that lizards, snakes, and reptiles should be housed separately.
The Zoo has also received a lot of criticism over the years concerning the elephant quarters. I am not an elephant expert, bu ti is sad that Lucy is all by herself now that Samantha has left to be involved in a breeding program.
Opened year-round, I am curious to visit the Zoo in the winter to see what it is like.Listed in: Culture Vultures
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Review from Lauren N.
10/1/2008 19 photos
For anyone who has been to a big zoo, like the one in Calgary or Vancouver, you might not think too much of the Edmonton Valley Zoo. But it's still a cute little zoo, and offers its own kind of fun.
Summer, of course, is the best time to go, but I recently went on a warm fall day, and I enjoyed walking through with barely any crowds. There is a train ride and merry-go-round for the kids, pony rides, and different shows and demonstrations on throughout the day. (I was sad that I exceeded the height limit for the pony rides.) Be sure to go in the morning or early afternoon, as that's when all the shows take place.
Their Birds of Prey flight demonstration is really cool, if you can catch it. I've never seen a real owl so close up before, and it's absolutely amazing how silently they glide through the air. Also catch the elephant show if you can, where they introduce Lucy the Elephant to you. She's quite famous in Edmonton, because she's a painting elephant (she can paint with her trunk)! They also have lectures on frogs, and teach you how the frog species is becoming endangered.
There are paddle boats, but those are closed now due to colder weather. The petting zoo was also closed too when I recently went. The last time I went in the summer however, they were open and I saw a guinea pig giving birth to her babies in the petting zoo barn.
My favorite things about the zoo though, are the red pandas and the prairie dogs. They are all so unbelievably adorable! You haven't seen a prairie dog until you've seen it yawn and stretch like a house-cat. I'm telling you, I cracked up so hard I think I scared the poor things into their little holes.
So it may not be a big zoo, but it's still a fun place to spend a free afternoon. You can visit the animals, and learn something new!Listed in: (Cheap) Date Night
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Review from Nicole B.
Edmonton, AB
2/22/2010
As far as zoos go, this isn't the best zoo out there. If you're looking for a great zoo and a really good experience, go to Calgary and make a day trip out of it.
But I do think the Valley Zoo is a great place to spend an Edmonton afternoon. Not because of the caliber of zoo, but because it's a nice change of scenery.
In fact, my friend just attended a speed dating session there! He said the "couples" got to walk around the zoo for their time together and they actually got to go in and pet the animals! I thought that was a really cool idea because it's a great way to utilize the zoo when it's not very busy (in the winter) and create a fun environment for people.
All the controversy over Lucy (the beloved elephant at the Valley Zoo) has cast a somewhat dark shadow over the Valley Zoo. I hope the Valley Zoo can come back from that because it is a fun place to go for a walk and get a change of scenery on a warm Edmonton afternoon.
The Valley Zoo is A-OK in my books! -
Review from Francesca K.
Edmonton, AB
2/18/2010
This zoo seemed like a lot more fun before I went to Toronto and saw their zoo.
This is a smaller zoo for sure, and I think it could easily amaze little children but adults will get bored quickly. It is a nice place to go and walk around and look at the animals, but it isn't really anything special.
Every Edmontonian show go at least once, and I will probably go again, but I didn't really feel that my money was worth it. -
Review from Jennifer P.
Edmonton, AB
11/9/2008 1 photo
The Edmonton Valley Zoo will do, if you haven't been to a zoo, it is better than not going at all. Who doesn't find it fascinating to look at exotic animals one doesn't see every day?! But I've been spoiled by visiting other great zoos in Toronto and San Diego. It's hard to compare. Edomonton's zoo is smaller, but they still have over 350 animals from exotic places. I love the sea lions, the tigers and, or course, Lucy the elephant, who is adored by the staff. This is an extremely committed staff. I once did a story for the Edmonton Sun on a Day in the Life of a Zookeeper, and saw all that goes into maintaining, feeding and caring for the individual animals. I loved all of the monkeys. They have quite a selection of different breeds, and you can sometimes enter cages with a zookeeper and have them climb onto your shoulders! The grounds are a bit worn looking. I don't think the city has thrown much money into the zoo for any extra bells and whistles, but then again I have no idea how much it costs to house a couple of baby panda or a Siberian tiger. If you've got the time to drive to Calgary, their zoo is world class!
