Southwick's Zoo Reviews

Well maintained and animals are always moving around to be seen. Have been coming for many years and love it every time!

Perfect place for the family very clean place and organize special with the covid

Wonderful Zoo for the whole family! We enjoyed our visit greatly. Our girls loved the pony ride!

Great zoo, quiet wasn't over run. They are doing a good job of assuring cleanliness and safety stirring covid. We've been going there annually for years. Confused why we couldn't go into the open air aviary, but okay to dine sans mask. Simply have staff at the door to keep the numbers of people inside down

Always a great experience we've gone for many years and will continue to do so. Even with the pandemic and great place to visit and keep socially distant.

This zoo was awful. Let me tell you my experience. I took my grandchildren here after hearing good things about the zoo. I expected a really nice place. I drove 1 1/2 hours to see nothing. There were hardly any animals and there was a monkey exhibit that traumatized my grandchildren. One group of monkeys were ripping apart one of the other little monkeys. The poor monkey was screaming and when we ran to find someone to help, they stood there and said well this happens to that monkey alot. Get in there and help that popr creature. I left the zoo with 2 crying kids and i myself was so disheartened. I will.never go there again.

Great zoo. Loved every minute of it. It was a great workout... This zoo does have many hills but it is worth the exyra exercise. The animals are so close. My favorite was the sloth, they have 2 at this zoo. It was lots of fum.

This is the best place
Ive heard people complaine it is expensive for a zoo, but it's the biggest and you can touch and walk side by side with free roaming deer, you cant do that at anyotheer zoo!!! We come multiple times a year. I'm excited they will be open during winter this year!!!!!!!!

Lion, Tiger, Monkey, Deer, Elk.......lots of fun activities and beautiful animal here! And, in the post-COVID era, the drive-through zoo is the best zoo experience for family with kids in all ages!

This place is a bit pricey but definitely well worth it. So nice how you can bring your own lunch.

Had a great experience at the zoo. Went during off season and it wasn't crowded which was nice. Very clean! So many animals! Lions, tigers, rhinos, so many monkeys, cheetahs...I could go on. The enchanted forest with the deer was our favorite part! Will definitely come back again once all of the rides and food spots are open-

Love this place sont forget to bring a ton of quarters for the deer exhibit

Had a great day at the zoo! My husband wanted to do the Rhino Encounter for Father's Day and said it was one of the top experiences of his life getting to pet and be up close with one of his favorite animals. All of the staff were amazingly friendly and helpful. There were so many opportunities to get up close to the animals. A really enjoyable day all around.

One the better zoo's around the area and it's always kept clean and great for family and kids. Love the deer Park and goat petting/feeding area.

Love this zoo. Nice fall day and missed the rain! No crowd, and got my annual zoo shirt on way out! Good way to do lots of walking!

Purchased tickets half price before the season opening with rides included and they were well worth it! We came on a Monday and the zoo was not full which is best. The zoo is a decent size and has a big selection of easy to see animals. They are a widely different mix of animals compared to Franklin Park Zoo. I like this zoo better because of viewing angles and close ups. They don't have gorillas but have plenty of apes and monkeys. We especially loved the zoofari high wire chairs that take you high up above the park and you can see all parts of the zoo. We also enjoyed the train ride. Highlights of this zoo in my opinion are the rides for the kids, wild deer feeding and petting area, pony and camel rides, and train ride. We highly recommend this zoo over Franklin Park due to the location far from the city and overall enjoyment of the exhibits and rides.

Not bad , wish they had water fountains ... No discounts on ebt card ....

They have many cool and exotic animals like white tigers.
Honestly didnt really want to go here cause I find zoos boring but I liked it

There is a lot of animals to see and rides for the kids.

Sure this zoo isn't a Bronx Zoo or even the San Diego zoo, both of which we have been to and are in an entirely different category. But, the Southwick Zoo also is not some mini zoo with just a couple sorry looking animals either. We've also been going here for years despite having other options closer to us too. Why?

The animals appear well kept with clean environments, and in more recent years, they've been improving parts of the park for both us and the animals. More food choices. Added a dual seat zip line for a little added fun. Plus, walking around is pretty comfortable with tree lined paths to help provide shade on those hot days.

Overall each time we go we enjoy ourselves.

Perhaps not the best sales pitch but we like it here.

Go and do the RHINO ENCOUNTER!! They treated my son like royalty on his birthday Rhino Encounter. I just know they would have on any other day too. They care for one and all.
Best zoo I've been to in many, many years.

Was very educational and fun for my 14 month old first trip to the zoo

Southwick zoo is a great day trip. Just the right size, variety of animals, and activities to keep your family busy for the day. All of the staff we met were friendly and happy to help. Lots of picnic tables available to eat lunch; which you could either buy there or bring your own picnic lunch in.

Best Zoo is not bragging... they really mean it. The best deal is the $33 ride and entry price. The sky fari and the train are both $6 So if your riding these multiple times or have kids, you want to spend a little more. Our family of 3, with lunch, goat and deer food and a stuffed parrot/ shot glass combined spent $250 for the day. Totally worth the bonding time.

A very nice place. Even though it's busy there's so much room it's not very crowded

We had a lot of fun walking thro the wood with the deer whase fun the sky ride whase a must real good time. We spent a bout 4 hour a good time

Great family experience. Rides, animals and concessions. Can have birthday parties there.
Petting zoo, shows, and tons of fun.

I've been to Southwick's Zoo many times and have always had a great time. Yesterday my husband and I took our grandaughter and while the weather was beautiful and the zoo so clean and there were many new things to see, my only disappointment was that only one concession stand was open. Southwick"s is quite big and I would've loved someplace close by to get a cold drink. Not sure why the only snack stand open was the very first one.

Southwick Zoo is a great day for the family. We go as much as we can and it's always fun.

We had a great time seeing all the animals today. The only issue we had was not knowing that a lot of the snack bars and the parakeet attractions and the maze was closed today. We asked a staff member why things were closed and he said it is only because it is a weekday and it isnt busy enough. Other than that we had a great time. The deer forest was the best part!

I went here with my sister, 4 of my nieces and nephews and my 10 yr old son.we all had so much fun,even with the covid-19 restrictions, one way walking,social distancing etc..there was so many types and different species of animal exhibits,and a couple interactive exhibits with the animals.they had a hybrid 2 person seater zip line, and a Ski lift that was about a 15 minute,slow steady and calm ride that went over almost the entire zoo,you could see,and went right over the animal exhibits,i wouldnt recommended if ur afraid of heights,my 10 yr old went on with me and we loved it.the only issue I have is you cannot bring any food or drinks in.all the food and beverages were expensive.i paid 2.50 for a small water and 3.50 for a Gatorade. Its completely smoke free which as a smoker I understand but they could at least have a designated spot for smokers, you are also not allowed to go out and then re-enter.you will have to buy another ticket.I was disappointed because not only was the food and drinks really expensive but, some of the interactive exhibits with the animals and most of the rides besides 2 were closed,so not much for smaller children to do besides look at animals.I also did not like the fact they had a gift shop at almost every turn,in your face like ,look right here oh and her kids,bug ur parents to buy some expensive but cheaply made toy that will last 1 day if that,and if it does last the kids forget about it within the next day or 2.They gave you a scavenger hunt at the entrance to find clues to a phrase and when u finish it,you get a small free gift which all the kids and myself enjoyed doing. Overall it was really fun and something to do that didn't take the whole day,(unless you wanted it to), and admission was an okay price,but right now you have to reserve or buy tickets online,you cannot just go there and buy at the gate..2 and under get in free.

Best ran cleanisest friendliest staffed zoo I have ever been to. Animals looked awesome healthy vibrant full of life.

Doing a Christmas & winter wonderland lighted drive thru. Tickets on line & reservation time, also walking tour.

Awesome adventure for my 2 year old who loves animals!!!

I love it there and so did my God son and niece ages 4 and 6

Because the animals they have I love the giraffe everything monkeys birds ALL

Southwick's has risen to the occasion. Covid & new rules only have given them a chance to show how classy an outfit they are, and how well they take care of those critters. And Galliford's Restaurant was excellent too. They easily earn 5 stars.

The drive thru Zoofari was a different experience and a safer option during this pandemic. We were able to see almost all the animals in the zoo during our ride. The entire drive took about an hour to complete. If your car is last in line, you have the luxury of taking extra time at each exhibit and see the animals. The staffs here were friendly too. Children had fun peeping through the sun roof :)

Winter wonderland night was a bit underwhelming. Far too busy and unorganized. Hour(s) long lines for train ride and Santa. Too many people bumping into one another in the maze. The circus type show in the tent was nice. Just too many people. 3 stars because the zoo itself is great during the normal season.

Absolutely love this place. They are always making improvements and the closeness to the animals makes this place top notch.

Definitely one of the better zoos I've been to in the New England area. Animal habitats are generously spaced and zookeepers seem genuinely invested in their work. Tickets are very pricey ($28). Not something I would do except once every few years.

Workers where great grandkids had so much fun thanks

What an amazing zoo.

If anyone is in the area I recommend Southwick Zoo, they really do care for these animals and have such amazing trained and caring staff, it was nice to see all the animals in themed and well maintained enclosures and while I m not a big fan of most Zoos as attractions, Southwick does their best to care for endangered and threatened species that need love and attention.

Has so many different animals and its a great place for the family its full of activities

Had a fabulous time at this zoo. There were many animals that I haven't seen at other zoo's. Very impressive, kids had a wonderful time. I don't recommend going on a hot day as we did, the larger animals were laying around and hard to see. It was 90 degrees. I also had a hard time withstanding the heat as there were many hills. Overall a great experience. Will definitely visit again!

Large variety of very active animals,well shaded walk ways. Good dining facility,kiddie rides,train ride, ride,pony and zip line,and aerial tram.

Very well run, knowledgeable staff, very clean with ample shade, a playground, and easily accessible restrooms. Parking is free and plentiful.

Encounters with some of the animals is way to high would of loved to encounter a giraffe and actually be able to pet one but the prices are just outrageous for that kids were very happy they got to feed the deer and play the baby goats though

Soooooo much fun! Such a great day! The goats are soo cute, and the deer are REALLY really cool. They have a really neat bird room, and all the workers are really good with questions. The gift shop is really good as well!

Great zoo, been there on normal day,Halloween and Christmas, kids love it

Super fun festive atmosphere! Beautiful light displays with a delicious restaurant. Highly recommended

Great place for the kids. The deer park was a favorite of my kids.

Great zoo worth the extra 20 min ride, from RWP Zoo. So much fun.

Nice zoo and enjoyed the presentations that were spread throughout the zoo during the day. I was surprised how long it took to walk through the entire park (about 3-4 hours).

The zoo is large. A lot of kids ride. I think they need more restrooms and snack shops.

Awesome Zoo!!! They have done so much to improve it over the years. Really is a top notch zoo.

This is the best Zoo in Massachusetts. Great time had by all. Not a 5 star due to, I am not a fan of caged/captive animals.

The Safari Drive was a great escape from from being stuck in the house.

We had the best day. This was our 2st time there. We had so much fun. It's so interactive and you don't feel rushed or crowded. We will absolutely be going again.

So fun!! Very clean!! Nice to see so many different animals and healthy, well taken care of!

Overall, the exhibits and layout of the zoo were fantastic. My children truly enjoyed themselves. The reason for such a low rating has to do with the price of pretty much everything. Admission was quite high. I spent $60 on food for 4 people and what I received was less than fast food quality. To top off the visit, We rode the Skyfari lift and toward the end of the ride, thick black grease began to drip all over me and my clothing from above. Ruining my clothing and covering my arms. I was told to visit the main office and I would receive a refund. All that was given to me was ONE free admission for an adult during my next visit. I never received a refund for the ride or my admission. The day was a total loss and I spent far more than I should have. Given my experience I cannot say that I will be visiting again and I certainly will not recommend to anyone else.

What a fun place to spend an afternoon! Lots of cool animals to see and a great location. It's nice not having to drive into Boston to have fun!

So much fun! Got there around 11 and all the animals were awake and moving around!!

I've only been here with group outings and they have always been great. Well organized park. Really clean and a lot of exhibits. One of the best in Massachusetts

Had a great time here with my grandkids, even during Covid, plenty of places to sanitize, not that i promote zoos, but these animals looked well cared for. First time back here in many years.