Tell me about Philadelphia Zoo...

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

Hello all,
Thinking of heading to the Philadelphia Zoo. I'd like to go and not spend a fortune. Any tips? What's worth the extra $ and what's not. Should I pack lunches...can I go back to car to get lunches without carrying them around? Or should we just buy lunch?
Any advise would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Oldironsides]

We went in 2006 and the whole family loved it. I liked it better than the Bronx Zoo. I am fairly certain that you you go back to the car to get lunches. If I am not mistaken the food prices were not too high. I know they serve Turkey Hill Ice cream. My biggest recommendation is to arrive at opening. We went on a weekday in July and by afternoon it was a little crowded and hot. They have some really nice exhibits and the primate section was really cool!

 

[megveg]

Hello all,
Thinking of heading to the Philadelphia Zoo. I'd like to go and not spend a fortune. Any tips? What's worth the extra $ and what's not. Should I pack lunches...can I go back to car to get lunches without carrying them around? Or should we just buy lunch?
Any advise would be appreciated! Thanks!

Main page; http://www2.philadelphiazoo.org/

Ticketing; http://www2.philadelphiazoo.org/zoo/Visit-The-Zoo/Hours---Ticketing.htm

and i read the page and it says "Indoor and outdoor food concessions offer a variety of eating options. The Zoo also maintains picnic areas at several picturesque outdoor locations. Guests are permitted to bring their own food and drink; however, alcohol is prohibited on Zoo grounds."


hope that helped!

 

[mom2cookies]

I live in Philadelphia so here are my suggestions :

1 definitely pack a lunch. You can go back out to the car and get it. There are plenty of picnic benches inside the zoo to sit at.
2 the 3yr old would probably like the train ride in the children's zoo. THey are a couple of dollars
3 the swan boats are alot of fun. Without a membership pass they ( i think) are $5.oo each.

Check your yellow pages and/or the visitor's center... you should find discount coupon.

There are other things to ride such as camels and, draft horses. Hot air balloon is fun. Again, not sure of the prices as we go with a membership pass that these things are included in.
The tree house is fun but it is very hot and it might have restricted access now. It is again about $5 PP. My kids enjoyed it though.

There are restaurants like Mc Donalds but the prices are alot higher then normal.

An annual pass is $185. It gives you free access to all the rides, discount on purchases, and free parking. Also you get invited to exclusive events like halloween party etc. It would pay for itself in 2 trips. Also it gives discounts at other city zoos and aquariums and some museums. And you can take other friends as guests.

gl you will have alot of fun!

 

[dismom301930]

We love the Philadelphia Zoo. We are members and go several times each year. If you think you might go more than once, I would suggest getting a deluxe membership. In addition to admission, you get free parking (which is now $12) and free rides each time you go. My kids love the animal rides (horse, pony, camel - $5 each), the zoo balloon ($10-15 per person), swan boats ($5 per person) and the Treehouse (free - members only). All of this adds up and makes a membership a very good deal for us. Plus I believe membership is tax deductible and you get free admission to lots of other zoos.

I would also recommend getting there at opening since it gets very crowded starting late morning.

As far as food goes, I always bring in drinks and lunch and never have a problem. Have fun!

 

[pweyl36]

The zoo is ok,but if you dont get there early for parking then you'll have to walk through the bad side of town to get to the zoo.With all of the shootings
I will not go.But the washington dc zoo is great and free. You can see the pandas.

 

[java]

We got the family plus package- free parking plus 2 guests every visit. For $114. For my family of 6 it was well worth it- paid for itself in one visit! lol. They have 2 lots- I go alone with my kids and I never feel unsafe- Last trip I brough my extremely critical Dad along and he raved about the employees- how kind they were and infomative-and he doesn't dole out the compliments often.

The food in the park is typical bugers, hot dogs, fries kind of stuff- and the prices are not outrageous by any means. But they offer plenty of really nice picnic seating if you bring lunch-The problem is getting back to your car to get it- the park is kind of long and narrow- so if you are all the way on one end and have to go back to the car for a cooler it might be more hassel than it's worth.

Much smaller than the Bronx zoo- but still a great zoo.imho. In the summer it gets crazy crowded though with camps ect. and then it is hard to find a picnic table.

 

[java]

T.With all of the shootings
I will not go.But the washington dc zoo is great and free. You can see the pandas.

Did you forget the shooting that occured inside the DC zoo?

 

[pweyl36]

Did you forget the shooting that occured inside the DC zoo?

Never heard of that shooting, but the naborhood is very slummy and every time I watch to local news somebody is ethier getting shot or jumped ,heck just 2wks ago people were getting jumped and 1 man died.

 

[MDTerrapin]

Did you forget the shooting that occured inside the DC zoo?

A very isolated incident.

Karen

 

[snowman1035]

We were there last year and just loved it! It is well kept. All the exhibits were great to look at and learn. As far as lunch, I packed a small cooler with food and drinks and carried it with us (put it in the bottom of the stroller). I thought the lunches there was kinda of expensive for what you got. They have tables where you can sit and enjoy your lunch under the trees. You could leave it in your car depending on how close you park. I know we were parked in 3rd lot which was a ways so we just brought it with us. Have a good time, it is worth it. We did pay extra to ride the different animals and that was fun. Enjoy yourself if you, it is just a great time.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Looks like most people here like the Philly Zoo. I wasn't that impressed. I didn't feel the animals had enclosures that were large enough. I understand that a city Zoo often doesn't allow for space. I just like to see animals in larger open spaces. The cats paced in their cages when we were there and that bothered me. Wild animals like these even those bred in captivity pace when they are stressed. It was an ok day, I probably wouldn't make a trip back though.

 

[robsmom]

Never heard of that shooting, but the naborhood is very slummy and every time I watch to local news somebody is ethier getting shot or jumped ,heck just 2wks ago people were getting jumped and 1 man died.

Its one long block down a major street along the train line, with a ton of traffic and there are parking lot attendants and police at the intersection. Not exactly walking though the middle of crack houses. There is a steady flow of men and womem pushing strollers, and a bunch of people selling balloons and stuff. I have never had the slightest concern.

Go early and get in the closer lot and you solve many problems including lunch being closer. We ususally put stuf in a cooler bag and carry it, we like to stop at the big picinic ground at the back near the kids zoo so going to the car would be out of the way. There are a whole set of tables when you first come in so no problems if you wanted to go to your car.

 

[java]

Never heard of that shooting, but the naborhood is very slummy and every time I watch to local news somebody is ethier getting shot or jumped ,heck just 2wks ago people were getting jumped and 1 man died.

Yes the neighborhood is crummy. I'll agree with you on that one. Wow I didn't hear about the jumping. That stinks. We also belong to the Camden Aquarium but I wouldn't go there except on a Sunday Morning. That neighborhood isn't great either. Plus you would think with the "children's activities" they would have a couple more police officers around.

 

[crossfamily]

I am a member to the Toledo zoo and i believe I get a half off discount to the Philly zoo. Does anyone know if my toledo zoo membership is good for the discounts for like the parking and rides or not? I know with other zoos some accepted it and some did not. Just wondering if anyone knew. I am gonna be in the Philly area this summer and its on my to do list.

 

[PIERCEDRN]

The Philly Zoo is great and always improving. The new Big Cats exhibit is a great addition. The main restaurant is a Nathan's hot dog place so you may be familiar with the good dogs and the awful fries. Unfortunately, the Zoo is in a remote part of town so there are no food options outside the Zoo. I would bring a nice picnic lunch instead. Bring quarters or singles for the petting zoo/ducks.
The slum factor is overstated because there is nothing else around but roads and a train, the zoo is like an island in itself. Just ask directions when you leave as the road to get back to I-76 (over an overpass) takes you through a bad part of town, which can be easily avoided.
I have the season pass and take my kids 10X a year at least!
BOB

 

[Wall E]

Hello all,
Thinking of heading to the Philadelphia Zoo. I'd like to go and not spend a fortune. Any tips? What's worth the extra $ and what's not. Should I pack lunches...can I go back to car to get lunches without carrying them around? Or should we just buy lunch?
Any advise would be appreciated! Thanks!

I would check out the Cape May zoo if you have a chance.

Its free and lots of fun. They just ask you to make a small donation on the way in.

They have a ton of animals and a huge playground for the kids. They also have picnic areas.

Its located right off the Garden State Parkway.

 

[java]

Oh one more thing! DO NOT USE A GPS. It will get you to the zoo- but you will be traveling through some very bad parts of town.

I stopped for gas and was shocked at how cheap it was in talking with the attendant he pointed out the drug deal going down and said that's why it's cheap here. I thanked him and hightailed it out of there.

 

[Rfam5NJ]

We have visited several times over the last 8 years and actually became members last year. Just got the renewal package in the mail a couple of weeks ago and will re-join. It's financially smart if you will visit more than once a year.

I would not worry at all about the walk from the parking lots to the zoo. We also visit the Cape May zoo often. These zoos are very different but we enjoy them both. We like the atmosphere of the Cape May zoo better, but Philly has more/different animals to see.

 

[lilsweetpea]

Looks like most people here like the Philly Zoo. I wasn't that impressed. I didn't feel the animals had enclosures that were large enough. I understand that a city Zoo often doesn't allow for space. I just like to see animals in larger open spaces. The cats paced in their cages when we were there and that bothered me. Wild animals like these even those bred in captivity pace when they are stressed. It was an ok day, I probably wouldn't make a trip back though.

It sounds like you haven't visited the Philadelphia Zoo in a while. I would recommend you venture back. The new Big Cat falls exhibit gives the cats plenty of natural habitat. They aren't in cages anymore. It's beautiful!!! Have you seen the PECO Primate Reserve? Also a great habitat!!! The zoo has so many amazing things to learn and see. I would definitely recommend visiting!

ETA, the reputation of the area is definitely being overstated. You will be visiting during the day and there is so much activity. You have nothing to worry about.