Mesker Park Zoo and Botanical Gardens Reviews

Overall it's the best zoo around ;) but it leaves a bit to be desired. If attendance would rise, they could likely do better.

Great family place, but needs some updating still. Amazonia is amazing

Me & hubby went. We used the mobile chairs. We had a great time. The workers were great. We had few issues approaching hills and getting through some doors. Overall we were all smiles.

Most the animals had no water. Exhibits were not clean.

Awesome experience!! Haven't been to the zoo since I was really young so I was blown away by the exhibits, the staff, and just the overall quality of the zoo. 10/10 in my book.

Mesker zoo has a lot to offer for it's size. It is hilly and beautiful and has been around a long time. There are a lot of good exhibits. The newest attraction they have is Amazonia. It is a rain forest that you get to be a part of. It is multi level and warm year round. They do very good on their flower displays and have many types of orchids. They have a tram and paddle boats and a brand new carosel. You can help feed the girraffes every day. They also have a petting zoo. We are members there. It is a great value. We make it a routine to go many times all year instead of packing it all in one day.

I love this zoo! Getting bigger and more interactive all the time!

Just returned to the zoo after it completed an expansion. Incredible job and great new exhibits. More on the way.

Great little zoo! There is a good variety of animals here. A few of the portions of the park are in need of some updating but everything is kept very clean. We went on a weekend in August and the park was not crowded at all and were able to get a great view of the animals.

Best zoo we could ask for an I hope it keeps growing.

This zoo has a lot of potential. I think we may have caught them at a bad time though because several exhibits were closed when we stopped by. This also would not be a good place for someone handicapped. Several of the hills are too extreme... We had a hard time keeping our stroller from rolling away, I can only imagine the difficulties one might have with a wheelchair.

If I could give it zero stars I would. Very underwhelming. Very sad place.

Instead of adding whatever new exhibit they are, they really need to tend to what they have. It needs it. Saddest part for me that literally almost made me cry was the tiger. It has the smallest exhibit than most. It has NO space to roam, none whatsoever. He continuously paced back and forth on the littlest pathway that was provided to him. I know he has to be bored or even depressed for that matter. That isn t there nature. He deserves more and you have PLENTY of space to do so. Then the little bear connected to him... poor thing could even barely walk due to his nails curling underneath his paws. If you can t provide the animals and/or tend to what they need, you need to find someone who can. St. Louis, Louisville, or even Nashville zoos would more than likely take what you cannot take care of properly. I will not be back or suggest this place to anyone, it s truly sad.

Took the family here while I was in the area for work and was not disappointed in the slightest. Tickets came to about $36 for the four of us. We also spent $20.00 in zoo tokens, which are used for feeding the giraffes, and riding the tram and carousel. Each costs 2 tokens per person, but the tram is all day use. The food on site is pricey, but honestly that is expected. However, quality of food was much better than expected. The exhibits himself were well maintained and there was a wide variety of animals to see. Was definitely well worth the money for a day out with the family and an experience for our kids.

Over all it had different animals. Not really what I expected when going there. Kind of expensive as well. Most of the animals were either hiding or exhibits were closed down. Would have to say that it's not little kid walking friendly either. There's many inclines and hills there exhausted from walking the first 15 minutes. Gift shop is small but there is something there for all ages. The botanical garden is pretty neat as well. Definitely a change of weather when you get,in there so be prepared.

It may be a small zoo but it offers a lot of sights... The zoo staff is super friendly and knowledgeable about all their animals... Will be returning!

Mesker Park zoo is perfect to spend a few hours walking and enjoying one on one time with your children or someone you want to spend time with.

Not overly crowded. Had a decent amount of animals to view.

Bought a membership for me and my family and probably visited there 3 times a week...my lil girl is 2yrs old and she loves the playground and the lil misters they have scattered around the zoo. Not to mention its great exercise.

Just a fun zoo there s a lot of hills and unlevel places but it can not ruin the fun. Went there for the first time last week and it was the best time I ve ever had

We got a family membership and was a much better deal. After we go two times it will pay for itself. It was going to cost us $40+ for one time or $65 for a family membership. The zoo is very well kept and always growing. My favorite part was Amazonia. Even though it's very warm and humid there are several very neat animals. We will go again.

A lot of the enclosures were simply empty. The larger animals had very small habitats compared to birds who had very large ones. There were several instances where the watering holes in some inclosures were completely dry. It broke my heart to see how some of the animals were living. I wish they would shut this zoo down and donate the animals to one that could better accommodate them.

Very nice place. Lots of walking but a lot of different exhibits to view. Many different themed areas and buildings. We went in cooler weather so the bumper and paddle boats weren t out but that wasn t missed. There s also a tram you can use tokens for to ride to the different exhibits if you don t want to walk all of it.

Great family fun. Cheaper to get a membership and make it our go-to place for sunday family time.

It's a contradiction to advocate for the environment (or so they claim), but not provide water refill stations (yet vending machines with plastic bottles).

Other than that, we had a pleasant time.

Kids enjoyed the animals. Giraffe get really close

Not a bad zoo but needs some upkeep on lots of stuff

Our family had a wonderful day together. Great place to go.

Very disappointing. Can't believe Evansville can't do better than this. The tram should be free after paid admission. The only friendly staff person I saw was in the air conditioned gift shop.

would most definitely bring a stroller but great zoo

It's ok, but this gs banned to change and dont need a restaurant need a snack shack or burger barn while out only thing you can get is at the front so if your in the back you gotta go all the way to the front to get food or drinks sad very sad, Louisville, Ohio, etc is much better zoo

It is nice .. You have to pay for everything tho except parking .. To feed the animals ..pay ... Boats pay ... Rides ..pay .. At least make it free for members ???

Love this zoo. They have a painting rhino. Small, up close personal zoo. Only downside is lots of large hills. Very good for small kids.

Great small zoo, it was perfect for small children as a started zoo. Feeding the giraffes was the highlight.

The zoo was dirty, over half the exhibits were empty it seemed. Paddle board were shut down due to lack of staff. Animals looked not very well taken care of. Don't waste your money drive to a more beautiful zoo, this one will disappoint you.

Always a great relaxing place to spend time with family

Need better habitats for the animals and maybe have everything open instead of unoccupied

It's a great zoo and is rarely crowded! Good for all ages, but it has many hills so small kids may get tired.

We haven't been members for years. Our youngest is 16. We are excited to be taking our baby granddaughter now. I see a new membership in our future!

This place has went down hill better off making the drive to at Louis zoo

Nice little zoo! We were there in late winter/early spring so the crowds were extremely light. We did miss out on a few things due to our timing - no bumper boats and no paddle boats - but everything else seemed to be running. You get extremely close to the animals - between the leopard, giraffes, the petting zoo, and the chubby unicorns (rhinos)- see pics, closer than any other zoo I've been to. The Amazon Rainforest building is awesome - make it your finale! Loved it!

I've been here twice. Just recently visited with a toddler. It was a cool quiet morning and some exhibits were closed or being repaired, but otherwise, the park was in good shape and still had quite a selection of animals. The botanical garden is a cool area.

We had a great half day trip to the zoo. We were in town visiting family and had half a day to kill. We are zoo members where we live and that got us 50% off to come here.

My kids loved the zoo. Really cool animals we don't see at home. Rhino is my favorite, you get really close too! Plenty of shade to keep the sun off you was super nice. Some big hills though, but it's good exercise.

It is a half day to see it all, but we loved what we saw in that time.

Love the zoo. It was a rainy day and no crowd. Loved it

The best zoo I've been to so far!! Beautiful in the fall and you are able to get up close and personal with the animals! Definitely will be coming back!

For a smaller city zoo, this place is great. There are some activities in the zoo that require tokens to be purchased. The Amazonia green house is fun year round.

My kiddos are always excited for the trip to the zoo! The Carousel is really nice!

My son and I had a great time visiting the animals together. A good choice for Mother & Son day out in our new city! Looking forward to many return visits.

Great zoo for the tri-state! I am a Zoo member for the past 3 years and I think they are doing a great job.

Really nice except if you need a drink all their around park concession are closed. My friend is pregnant how is she suppose to get a drink she nearly passed out so when you come bring water

Enjoyed going to this little but very nice place. Nice location. Not all the exhibits had the animals that were supposed to be in them.

It was a very nice and clean zoo. It had really neat and clever habitats. It's a really fun place!

Could be a pretty cool place , gate fee was cheap for a zoo, didn't have a lot of animals I'd say due to lack of help, but we still had fun there

Actual food and drink places around would be better than vending machines.

Very nice size zoo and would go back to just experience it again

It was a fun time seeing the different animals me my 5 and 18 year old sons had fun! Got to go on the paddle boat for the first time my son paddled. A very nice lady and little girl gave us tokens that was so nice and appreciative :) my son liked the rhinos.
There was a peacock my son thought had got out lol and followed us for a bit so funny. Very beautiful. Loved it all will go again

Rather small zoo and bot a lot of variety of animals but nice outing with a young child

I'm not a zoo person so take this rating with a grain of salt. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful and deserve 6 stars. Mom's scooter broke down and a staff member have her a ride back to the entrance on a golf cart and made sure she was ok and had her items. They even offered to have someone come down and bring the scooter to the entrance as well. The carousel was cool too. We learned a bit about the giraffes at the feeding. We picked the hottest day to go and the flies and mosquitos were rampant.

It was somewhat nice. Couples with kids were smoking and the giraffes were eating the rocks and the tiger kept pacing because of the small space.

I like this zoo, you can get super close to the animals, the layout is weird, but the zoo in nice!!

Great fun time to take the kids! Not very expensive!

I've loved this place sense I was just a boy and it's always a great time to vist

Great experience and lots of smiles for my daughters. Family membership is well worth the annual fee. Looking forward to the new additions!

Horrible zoo experience. Little to see, few animals. only 2 paddle boats working in the lake. Really really surprised by the lack of animals here anymore. Don't plan on going back.

Mesker Park Zoo is loads of fun for the family my boys really enjoy seeing the animals always get a Zoo membership

Great zoo for it's size! The Amazon exhibit is as good of quality as anywhere. Admission is half priced if you're a member of any zoo and there's also a discount for local residents. This zoo and botanical gardens is truly a gem for this region. I'd highly recommend checking it out if you're near Evansville.

I have been frequenting this zoo my entire life. I didn't grow up here, but my grandma lived right down the road, so we always visited when we were in town.

Now that I'm an adult and live here, I have an annual membership and use it as much as I can. living about an hour away. It's a smaller zoo, but the animals are always well looked after and the staff very friendly. Also, the zoo is always making changes and improvements, so I look forward to what is coming in the future.

I'm currently going through chemo, and just walking around (when I have the strength- those hills!) and watching the animals always makes me feel so much better.

Sad, sad, sad...2 adults & 1 child
$27.50...extra for paddle boats, but only took us 50 minutes to see everything. Mesker used to be a wonderful zoo, but no more. Save your money.

It's a lot of fun. Absolutely loved the Amazonia part! The Komodo Dragon was amazing. Loved seeing all of the monkeys. The Rhino is gorgeous. The waterfalls were beautiful. The plants, flowers and trees were pretty. The goats were entertaining. The employees were polite. The place was clean. Looking forward to the penguin exhibit opening in 2021.

Love this zoo! Perfect size for a family outing, and you can get so close to some of the animals.