Guides
How to Plan a Great Day at the Zoo: 15 Tips for Families
When to go, what to bring, how long to stay and how to save money. Practical tips for planning a family day at the zoo, from people who visit a lot of them.
By the Feather & Fang team4 min read
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Quick overview
- Arrive at opening time. Animals are often most active in the cool of the morning, and crowds are thinner.
- Check the zoo's hours, feeding times and keeper talks before you go, and buy tickets online if it's cheaper or required.
- Plan for 2 to 4 hours at a mid-sized zoo and a full day at a large one, and pick your must-see animals first.
- Bring water, sunscreen, snacks (if allowed) and layers. Wear comfortable shoes, since big zoos involve miles of walking.
- Save money with a membership if you'll go twice or more, and ask about reciprocal discounts at other zoos.
A day at the zoo is one of the classic family outings, and with a little planning it's far more fun: active animals, shorter lines, fewer meltdowns. These tips work at almost any zoo, big or small.
Before you go
1. Check the hours, including the season
Zoo hours change with the seasons, and many smaller zoos close for winter or open only on weekends. Some stop letting visitors in an hour or more before closing. Check the zoo's page before you leave. On Feather & Fang, every zoo page shows the hours we've checked and the date we checked them.
2. Look up feeding times and keeper talks
Feedings, keeper talks and animal demonstrations are often the highlight of a visit, and they run on a schedule. Find the times on the zoo's website or at the entrance, and plan your route around one or two.
3. Buy tickets online
Many zoos charge less online, and some now use timed entry that sells out on busy days. Buying ahead also means you skip the ticket line.
4. Pick your must-see animals
Large zoos are too big to see everything properly in one visit. Let everyone choose one or two animals they really want to see, find them on the map and plan around them. Anything else is a bonus.
5. Choose your day wisely
Weekdays outside school holidays are the quietest. Weekends, school breaks and the first warm days of spring are the busiest. A cool, overcast day can be ideal: animals tend to be more active, and you'll have more room.
On the day
6. Arrive at opening time
Many animals are most active in the morning, before the day heats up. Big cats, bears and many others often spend hot afternoons sleeping in the shade. Arriving early also means easier parking and smaller crowds.
7. Go against the flow
Most people walk the same loop in the same direction. Starting at the far end of the zoo, or going the "wrong" way around, often gives you quieter exhibits for the first hour.
8. Give each animal a few minutes
Animals don't perform on cue. If an exhibit looks empty, wait a minute or two and scan the high branches, the shady corners and the back of the habitat. Kids love being the first to spot a hidden animal.
9. Take breaks before you need them
Schedule a snack, a playground stop or a sit-down every hour or so with young children. Indoor exhibits like reptile houses and aquariums are good places to cool down or warm up.
10. Visit the indoor exhibits at midday
When outdoor animals are napping in the heat, reptile houses, aviaries, aquariums and nocturnal exhibits are at their best, and they're air-conditioned or heated.
What to bring
11. Pack for the weather and a lot of walking
A large zoo can mean several miles on foot. Bring:
- comfortable shoes and a refillable water bottle (most zoos have fountains);
- sunscreen, hats and sunglasses, since many paths have little shade;
- layers or rain jackets, because weather changes over a long day;
- snacks or a packed lunch, if the zoo allows outside food (check first; most allow it, some don't allow glass or coolers);
- a stroller or wagon for little ones. Many zoos rent them, but they can run out on busy days.
12. Leave these at home
Most zoos don't allow pets (service animals usually are, with restrictions in some areas), balloons, straws and lids that could blow into habitats, drones, or outside alcohol. Check the zoo's rules before you go. Our zoo etiquette guide explains the reasons behind the common ones.
Saving money
13. Consider a membership
If you'll visit two or three times a year, a family membership usually pays for itself. Memberships often add free parking, guest passes, early entry or event discounts.
14. Ask about reciprocal discounts
Many accredited zoos offer discounted or free admission to members of other zoos. If you're a member at your local zoo and you're traveling, check whether the zoo you're visiting takes part. Bring your membership card and an ID.
15. Look for free days and free zoos
Many zoos have free or reduced-price days, discounts for local residents, or programs for EBT cardholders, military families and teachers. And some zoos, often city-run parks, are free every day. Each zoo's page on Feather & Fang shows its admission prices and any discounts we've found.
Make it memorable
- Turn it into a game: a scavenger hunt for something striped, something that flies and something sleeping.
- Read the signs together. Each one is a quick story about where an animal lives and why it matters.
- Pick a favorite animal and look it up when you get home. Every animal on our Animals page has a profile and a list of the U.S. zoos where you can see it.
Ready to plan? Find a zoo near you.
Common questions
What is the best time of day to go to the zoo?
Right at opening. Many animals are most active in the morning, before the heat of the day, and you'll beat the biggest crowds. Late afternoon can also be good in hot weather, but check when the zoo stops letting people in.
How long does it take to go through a zoo?
Allow about 2 to 4 hours for a small or mid-sized zoo. A large zoo with a big collection, rides and shows can easily fill a whole day. With young children, plan for breaks and a slower pace.
What should I bring to the zoo?
Water, sunscreen, hats, comfortable shoes, layers for changing weather, and snacks if the zoo allows outside food. A stroller or wagon helps with small children, and many zoos rent them.
Is a zoo membership worth it?
Usually, if you'll visit more than once or twice a year. Memberships often pay for themselves in two or three visits, and many include free parking, guest passes or discounts at other zoos.
Are animals more active when it rains?
Often, yes. Many animals don't mind cool, cloudy or drizzly weather, and some are more active than on hot days. Rainy days also mean smaller crowds, as long as the zoo stays open.
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