The Oregon Zoo Reviews

Just took my nephew there for his 3rd birthday today! It was our first time at this zoo and I was impressed. All of the animals looked happy and well cared for. I was disappointed in some of the primate enclosures, and impressed with others. That is exactly why I'm going to work in this field. Enclosures are expensive to build, I get that. But in the small cemented rooms they should at least paint them. Make it look a little like home until they get a better enclosure. Overall a very nice zoo. I will be going back.

Oregon Zoo Summer concerts are a ton of fun. Most recent show there for me was Melissa Ethridge just last week. Great venue, great sound, fairly priced. I love it.

Wonderful zoo exhibits. Animals always seem very active as well. The new renovations to the elephant exhibit look amazing (early 2016)! If you're around during the winter check out the zoo lights and during the summer the zoo concerts. Great place overall!

We just drove 3 hours, and prepaid for parking on our way up from the parking lot for 3 hours and paid $6. We have two children that were really looking forward to coming today and there was not any mention online of not being able to come and pay at the front gates. Apparently tickets are only available pre-purchase on their website so they turned us around and both of our kids are extremely upset it was really rude and ruined the day for us. They should at least have a sign posted at the front gates so that people don't prepay for parking, or I mention on their Google business page because that's where I went to get the address to navigate here

Could you ask for a more picturesque setting. Green grass, ampitheatre seating, adequate camping chairs, (need cup holders) food trucks, alcohol and elephants! Good sound, better artists. All in all, a wonderful venue. Highly recommended.

So much fun spent at the zoo an all the kids had a blast going on this field trip! Great choice an I will return for a day full of fun very soon!

Wow, what an beautiful zoo! This zoo feels like it is blended into the forest instead of trees being planted inside it. I was very impressed with how large many of the animal enclosures were. It just made everything feel happier. There is a surprisingly good little cafeteria by the elephant enclosure that made us happy we didn't have to leave for lunch. Overall, probably the best zoo I've ever been to.

It's big zoo, the new African animals part is amazing, perfect place to go with friends and family, of course the kids can enjoy a lot. I gave 4 stars because some parts are under construction, but this is going to be great when they finish it.

Great place to bring the family. Even during questionable weather! Less crowded!

Very nice zoo! Plenty of snacks and restrooms. Friendly staff and full of animal facts and special exhibits. A little pricey but totally worth the membership. Upgrades and renovations every year.

Over half of the exhibits were closed and I'm beginning to sour on keeping animals as captives.

Love the zoo! Been coming here since I was a small child and am amazed at the awesome enhancements for both animals and visitors over the years. Christmas time is wonderful with loads of lights and decorations. Friendly staff. Animals are well cared for and to me that's the most important aspect of a zoo. Large enough to entertain for a full day. I like the idea that information is given for each animal to help learn about their habitat and history. Bathrooms were as clean as they could be with the amount of people using them. I would recommend the zoo for those visiting Oregon and for those who live here, take a trip back to the zoo, especially if it's been a while. Love the train ride through the forested areas. I find it relaxing and a nice way to cool down on a hot day.

aside from the rude person running everyone over we had a great time! we love the dou le stroller and wheelchair!

I went for the Zoo Lights. It was a decent experience. the lights were pretty. There were some that were burnt out or not working. Only a few spots were actually awe-inspiring. Between the crowds and the price tag I'd say this is a one time visit just to cross it off the list. :)

Lights and train ride excellent; food and drink lines so long we did not eat and we had only one tasting. Way too many people!

Beautiful zoo! Can't say enough good things about this place. Wonderful experience.

If your visiting you will want most of a day to see every thing

The remodel had been going on for years. I dont think my children have experienced the oregon zoo in all its glory. They are ages 2-11. Would love to see ya pick up the pace. Pretty spendy adventure after paying $3.50 per drink and not yet seeing anything beyond a snake or penguin. Get it together Oregon Zoo.... ur reputation is going down the drain fast.

Been going here since I was a kid now I m taking my kids. Aside from their overpriced gift shop and food there is always something fun to see. Zoo lights in the winter is pretty fun even for a date night. One of the downsides is there is always some part of the zoo under construction. Still worth going!

Some of the exhibits were closed due to construction but still lots to see and do.

Despite it being in the dead of winter, there was a lot of greenery and a variety of animals to see. The children enjoyed it very much and so did the grown-ups. Will be opening up more sights in 2020.

Great job on keeping everyone safe and providing something fun outside!

Zoo lights were amazing!! Enjoyed the time watching grandson being fascinated and delighted by all the displays. Brought him a membership for 2019

I always enjoy taking our son here. If you can find a time where there's not many people, it's great. The staff is usually friendly and there are many different things to see. It's also a great place to get a bug of exercise if you're looking for a big space to walk around in.

We also discovered the Cascade Grill today. The food was actually decent and we'll definitely be there again. Elephant Ears can also be found throughout the zoo if you just want a sweet snack.

Overall, the Oregon Zoo is a great family fun spot.

This is my favorite Zoo, it's so beautiful. My girls and I go every time we go back home

This is a great zoo to go see animals in natural habitats

Great too and would recommend going if you haven't gone.

Excellent zoo. Good price and animals are well looked after

So much fun. Hope they get the construction done soon

Wish they would invest more to fix the train ride. Otherwise great experience.

HORRIBLE! How dare they encage amazing, beautiful animals just for the entertainment of humans. These are animals that need to be in the wild with their families, enjoying nature, and most importantly doing what they were meant to do! They weren't meant to be in tiny cages so that loud people could watch them. Those animal have feeling and can suffer depression, and many more illness, just being encage and deprived from their natural habitat. Please don't take children here! This isn't showing them how to be compassionate towards animals, it's showing them how to be cruel. For those looking to see animals and learn about them this isn't a humane or right way to do it. Go watch a documentary on them.

Fun day with lots to see. Not my favorite zoo I've been to but was pretty good. Very expensive for food inside. Forgot sunblock and it was about 30$ just to give you an idea of what to expect.

A little expensive but it was nice. I took the train there and would recommend it. Saved a ton on parking.

Zoolights was fun but for 70 dollars would have been cool 2 see animals

Always fun! Can never predict the animals behavior so the sightings are may or may not be seen. Good layout and I like there are water hydration systems set up all over. Very eco friendly and sustainability shows

Nice place. Don't go in the heat as you won't see many animals. Seems a bit overpriced.

Most of the exhibits are closed or under construction.

Good place to go with your kids. Right now there are lots of constructions over there to improve it. Parking is little tricky

Wish they were done with all the renovation but I will still be back

The money that goes into habitat creation and making the Oregon Zoo a family friendly and accessible place really shows. The zoo isn't just a place to visit here; it's something I feel proud to be a part of.

The way that they have the zoo set up for covid-19 works amazingly well, my girlfriend and I actually decided that it would actually work for normal times as well. I can't wait to see the new exhibits

Call me bias to my hometown but after living in Arizona and visiting the zoos there The Oregon Zoo is my and my son's favorite zoo. Not only do they work hard to create great exhibits they put on so many good special events and programs. I have been going to this zoo since I was a child, and it has always been a great family zoo. Always amazed at what I see and learn.

It was great but all the elephant ears truck where close

Took my family and everyone really enjoyed it. There were a few animals that were gone for some reason or another and the construction still going on. But over all fun time.

It's a zoo!! There were parts closed off for construction, but that's what makes the zoo so nice- they're always improving it.

Sad to go during the pandemic. There's about 40% that's actually open and lots of remodeling happening. They do have great safety measures in place though. Masks, 6 ft apart and making sure people follow that as well as sanitizing and washing stations everywhere.
Thank you Oregon Zoo!

A little expensive, but lots of cool animals. It also was divided in sections for easy acess!

Very fun and interesting. Food is okay. They have amazing elephant ears and ice cream and it is convenient that they have a lot of snack machines and stalls to get food.

Fun place to go, but expensive and several areas are under construction.

Would be 5, but a lot of construction happening right now

Fun but lots under construction, maybe give a discounted ticket price to make up for it?

Does not compare to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Park was clean and staggered was friendly.

Permanently under construction, but still enjoyable for kids and adults alike.

A lot of construction going on right now, but still very enjoyable.

Would have given 5 stars but it was under construction and most exhibits were not open yet.

Very nice zoo, many improvements planned. Crowded on a summer Friday. Very good value.

The Oregon Zoo is an excellent zoo beautifully situated in Portland's Washington Park. It's a great place for kids and adults alike. They have great exhibits and a popular-work-the-kids petting zoo. The exhibits are well curated and informational. There are a lot of good eating options, too, especially near the elephant habitat.

My family and I come to the zoo lights every year. It is one of our favorite local traditions. The animals at the zoo always seem in good spirits because the local staff is one of the best in the nation. The New Zoo bond is allowing them to improve the polar bear habitat a whole lot. The new elephant enclosure is amazing. Also, the time and effort that the staff put into the lights every year makes this my favorite Washington Park tradition.

Went to the zoo and I am delighted by the elephant lands. I hadn't been able to make it since they opened the area to the public, but I am so glad the zoo took the time and used their resources to give the elephants a much needed enclosure renovation. I am excited to see all new changes coming to the zoo including the education center which is under construction over by the tiger and train station. I am disappointed that the lorikeet landing was taken out and the little insect hut. But maybe the zoo can restore that another time. I would recommend going, but definitely consider buying a membership if you want to go more than once in a year and even if you just have multiple kids to take in on one trip. A membership might mean cheaper admission.

If you want to explore the whole zoo, better show up early and plan to stay late. So much to see, so much to do and had a great time!

Went for the Christmas zoo Lights and it was really beautiful! Big range of ages went and we all had a good time. Some exhibits close earlier than others though so watch out for that!

Way too crowded to stop and really enjoy. We think there were a few events happening that weren't posted online otherwise we would have postponed our visit.

Weather was awful (hot).
Zoo staff and volunteers were wonderful.
Concert (Melissa Etheridge) was great.

There was construction going, so no polar exhibit, primate exhibit, hippo exhibit and they removed the wolves. Other then that it was a great trip showing family from Wyoming the Portland area. We are from the Newport Coast

I love this place. I have been going since I was little. Its fun and huge. The gift shop and restaurant are very expensive though. But good paths and very accessible with pleanty of discount opportunities.