Rosamond Gifford Zoo Reviews

I've been going to the zoo since I was a kid (I remember when it was the Burnett Park zoo). A fun place for all ages that always has something a little different every time I visit

Great Zoo can be done in 2 hours. A few stinky areas but overall a very nice zoo

Good place to see elephants. Not many zoos have them

I went there when I was 5 years ilod and a few weeks ago I love it then and now

Great zoo... just big enough with nice habitats for their decent variety of animals...we went while they were having their Dino experience and it was awesome!!

I was there for the first time today, you have to walk around outside for most of it but luckily it was a nice day and saw elephants, tigers, monkeys, penguin's and many more animals. Very nice

I only give this zoo 3 stars because it has so much more potential for the space not being used. Some of the enclosures are very out dated such as the bear, snow leopard. This zoo can have so much more like a reptile house/ eco rainforest building featuring gorillas, ant eaters, tapirs, animals alike. I think it would have many more visitors. My overall experience wasn t bad at all I just feel like it need more.

Cheap to get in, exhibits are ok, would be nice if they had more of certain animals. Didn't take as long as I thought it would. 2 hours we were done. Not too bad in my book. Baby had great time.

Lots of new animals from the last visit.. My grandkids enjoy it.

Top notch aquariums + hikeable outdoor trail exhibits = what's not to like?

Large zoo, lots of animals, petting zoo, aquarium, indoor and outdoor, has a cafe and vending machines along the outdoors path

It's a really fun well laid out zoo. I'm not a fan of the cafe and not because of the overpriced lower quality food but because of the customer service and people that work it.

That being said its a good sized zoo with some great animals. Don't expect to see a lot of animal movement between 1pm and 4pm because it's the hottest part of the day. If you stick around from 4-4:30 you'll usually catch them feeding the animals though. Highly recommend.

This zoo is dated and is in disrepair. Exhibits are small and inadequate compared with other zoos I have been to. There is little to no educational material or interpretive signage, so you don't always even know what you are looking at. It has not been updated since I was a child. I would not go back.

I love it here! Hoping they get a giraffe exibit soon!

We have been here a few times now but every time I go it seems to be a little worse we love seeing the animals but some enclosures a re a little small and a few of animals were stressed I don't know if it's because maybe they were new but you would think they would have an area for animals to get used to the place before putting them out for the public to see how stressed they are but it was a fun day

Great Zoo! We did one of their twilight adult only events. This on was called feline frenzy. Went behind the scenes to the tigers night building with their keepers. Learned about the tigers and leopards.

For the middle of winter there was still a lot to see. Of course a few animals were inside but it was still interesting to see them. The elephants were playing with a ball to get peanuts out of it. The flamingos were just being pretty. The penguins and the wolves were more interesting in the snow. A few different mountain goats were hidding but we eventually got to see them.
The birds were very active and there was a loud one that kept to his song.
The primates were inside but mostly calm.
For winter they have a discounted price that makes it all worth it.

Best Zoo I've ever been....Best birthday ever ...Will be back!

Love this zoo! Great for all ages. Gift shop and cafe prices are fair and both are good quality. Can't wait to take my daughter again this weekend.

One of our favorite places to visit. Lots of activities and events to pick from

Good experience overall. However, couldn t see the tiger. I guess there are certain days where you can see it.

My kids loves it. Good clean family fun and not expensive.

We went to the Zoo for Mother's Day Brunch. It was absolutely wonderful! The food was excellent. The animals were so beautiful. It was an amazing day!

The animals seem to be treated kindly, and the cleanliness is of an acceptable level. The food is also great, but be prepared with a full wallet if you want souvenirs.

Love the elephant walkway. This zoo is always so clean, and you can't beat the price!

Great zoo we drove over an hour to come even though there is a zoo much closer but it is not as nice

Beautiful zoo, well kept. We all had a great time. There is plenty to do and see here, a fun day trip.

Inexpensive to get in very well maintained.. my only complaint $3 for bottled water

The zoo was wonderful however lunch cost $75.00 for 3 children ages 3-10 and two seniors..that's Crazy!

I was disappointed that during this COVID19 pandemic that the majority of the zoo was closed. We paid regular admission to find the entire inside was shut down. No monkey exhibits, no walk through the the bird enclosure, no lions, nothing. Then we walk outside. The barn was shut down, half of the animals were in a far distance barley visible and the other half had empty enclosures. I was disgraced by the amount of hand sanitizers that were empty. Additionally, I felt horrible for the owls and larger birds were strapped down to a small rope so they couldn't fly away in an open area as opposed to putting them in an enclosed area where they could roam free. The baby elephant was literally the only thing that made me smile. You would also think that with this pandemic going on they would have more than enough time to maintain their grounds, but no. The construction and debris made it seem like we were paying for a nature walk at Beaver Lake than actually visiting a zoo. We were in and out in less than 45 min. I knew I should have gone to the Wild. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience for our family.

I love this zoo. I have been here many times since I've moved to Syracuse and it's always a good time, year round. They're always improving their facility and take really good care of their animals. The staff are also friendly and you can tell they really care and enjoy what they do here. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is a must see if you're going to visit Syracuse!

Spent a better part of the day at zoo with two 7 year olds and 2 year old. Something for everyone! The staff was friendly and it was nice to see that St. Joe's was holding a stuffed animal clinic which was a great surprise and one the kids really loved! I'm somewhat of a zoo person, have been to the likes of San Diego Zoo, Phx and others and thought from a size perspective this was a great zoo. Parent plus: best zoo food options available. Would recommend, will return in summer to check out warmer weather showing!

It was a really hot day. But they have misting stations.

I feel this is the worst zoo I have been to. We didn't see many animals. A few of the exhibits didn't even have water in the tubs for the animals to go into. And it was so hot outside. The owl and the hawks were chained up. Not only chained but they were chained so close to the ground that they couldn't even move around..So sad. I rather see them in a cage free then to see them free but chained with no place to move. That's not being free at all. All the class windows were dirty to see the animals. No hand sanitizer In the hand sanitizer station . Looked like maybe they might be doing construction but didn't see anyone working and we just went on Friday july 31, 2020. This zoo was a total disappointment. We will never go back and I will never suggest anyone to go. I feel bad for the animals

Very amazing animals. They also have a dinosaur exhibit.

I love the zoo! I have lived in Syracuse my entire life, so I've bewn coming to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo my whole life. They take good care of all the animals. There's always a lot to do for kids. They even have a carousel now. Which im not fond of. I feel it scares the animals. Not a fan at all. But it is a wonderful place to go. You will see so many beautiful and majestic animals!

Nice zoo. Outdoor exhibits are new and really nice habitats. Inside exhibits could use updating but it looks like many new animals are on the way which is exciting. Cant wait to visit again in the spring. Friendly staff.

I an happy that they have a selection of animals that the Rochester zoo doesn't have

Great zoo. We have a membership here and it is worth it.

Well organized and managed. The animals are very healthy and well taken care of

Very nice little zoo. They have a very good infra structure for being a smaller zoo, the only thing I find weird, is that they close way too early so it s hard to visit if you have kids in school.

It's always sad to see animals in cages, but this place seemed clean and had a wide variety of animals with information about each species. A free-roaming bird room was really cool. Inside and outside exhibits in the winter months, as well! If you being a camera through the end of January, you get in for free :)

Even though this zoo is not very big it's still a wonderful zoo to visit. Great layout and decent pricing. My kids absolutely enjoyed it and it was small enough that they could walk around and not get overly exhausted. Will definitely be visiting again.

The variety of species in habitats similar to there own particular biome. I felt bad for the fennec foxes as there area needed a good cleaning. But the zoo keepers were so knowledgeable.

kind of small, but a beautiful zoo. animals seem well taken care of and staff is super friendly.

Always enjoy seeing the animals. The penguins are our favorite

Was very good but needs more people to get out and get away the animals need to be seen show appreciation to animals

Love the zoo but hours should be extended. Carosal a bit pricey for a 2 min ride.

Don't waste your money half of the exhibits are closed the wild is way better

I love taking my family to the zoo. We buy memberships each year.

Great place to take children. Lots of shade and benches to sit on.

Lot of empty cages, they removed quite a few enclosures in the rear of the zoo. But their elephant enclosure is by far the best I've ever seen!

Was not very satisfied with our visit for my sons birthday today. I understand it was a hot day and the animals can not be forced to be out in the heat for viewers, but with how many places were blocked off from even a chance to try and see the animals. My son is disabled and has to ride in a stroller which made it that much more difficult for him to see the animals. Also do not understand why the aquarium exhibits where completely closed off. Aside from animals even any entertaining area was completely closed off. I feel it is highly unfair to charge full price with the amount of things you are actually unable to do or see.

Needs work since I was a kid, but it is always is nice time there

Love the animals always a good time going to Rosamond Gifford zoo.

My daughter loves the new carousel. Seems like a lot of exhibit are close every time we go through. I like the new elephant area and hope they get the area open soon so you can walk around in a circle instead of having to turn around.

The zoo is clean, well maintained and the staff is friendly. Food and drink is a bit expensive though they do allow you to bring your own in so there is that option. Some of the habitats are a little dated and lacking but they do seem to be updating every year.

Lots of updating going on and the snake exhibit was missing.

We just went here. Great place for the whole family. The animals are usually out and active. It's a bit busy and crowded most of the time, but as long as everyone is patient and friendly, everyone gets to see all of the exhibits. They have a dinosaur expo coming this summer that we'll probably go see a few times. We bought the membership because it's completely worth it. Free admission for the year, discount at the gift shop, and we can bring a guest. The gift shop is really nice, too. Plush toys, stationary, cups, toys, shirts, etc.

The zoo is fantastic. They just got a new octopus and retired the old one.

Tough time of year. Lots of construction projects and empty exhibits but for the price it was great. Lots of potential. I have a feeling in the next few months it's going to be way better.

Many of the animals were either hiding from view or sleeping when we were there this past October