The Woodland Park Zoo Review

Great zoo and easy parking or public transit access!

Such an awesome place. It is huge and it's hard to see everything in one day with younger children. The food is really good, way better than point defiance zoo. It can get expensive with pay for parking, food, souvenirs, etc. It's fun to bring your own lunch for a picnic there, lots of picnic tables around.

The ticket price is around $23. I spent around 4 hours here making rounds to try to see all the animals. I saw most of them but I will definitely come back to see the rest! What impressed me the most was the detail that was put into the construction of each biome, especially the rainforest/jungle section. Signs are posted at intervals to direct guests to restrooms, food stands, and entrance gates. You also get a free map with showtimes and the lists of attractions. you also get a "vote" token with every ticket. You use the token to donate to the animal charity of your choice at stations located near the entrances.

I've been here 5 or 6 times and it's still a fun experience every time I return. Highly recommend you visit, get here before 10amish to get parking spot. This place has so many events, and the things to do.

Had a fun time on my son's bday. All he wanted to see was the tiger and he did

Always overcrowded(not my first visit). And still charging full price for tickets even though a lot of exhibits are closed. Tried to purchase tickets online and was informed we could only get 4pm admission, but when we showed up at 2:30 they were still selling tickets at the door for immediate entry. My family and I were very disappointed that we were only able to spend a couple hours feeling very rushed to try and see all the exhibits. Which was not possible due to the large crowds that refused to socially distance.

This is a really great zoo. I love the fact that they designed it to minimize the amount of cages you see. The staff was very knowledgeable and really care about the animals. They really try to make the zoo accessable to everyone in the comm as well.

Although a lot of the animals were not out yet, it was still a lot of fun for the family

My daughter loves it here. During the winter it's great, not crowded at all and it feels like you have the zoo to yourself. It's well kept and a joy to explore.

Went for wild lights and had a great time, highly recommend going. Best to go during the week, there's less people and you get to experience everything

I love zoo's but it's kinda pricey. Overall it's so much fun to see all the critters.

Remarkable what they've done on this small piece of land. Creating winding paths, this so feels much bigger. The African Savannah is a clever idea where multiple angles mingle and the appearance of having predators out there without actually being out there is well done. I miss the rotor house since the fire but a kids playground is a great idea. The for is above average for many City facilities. Highlights are the komodo dragon and the grizzly exhibit. The orangutan habitat is well done with lots of viewing windows.

How can you not love this place?! One of the best places to take your kids (or a date). The animals are obviously loved and well cared for. You have to look hard for the lions sometimes, try the right side. Also, park close to the road and walk across the parking lot if you're looking to save time.

This is a good zoo for visiting with family and friends. The grizzly bears are the best attractions in this zoo. However, you won't be able to see all the animals on a single trip. Some of them will be hiding or sleeping inside.

Great zoo! Good variety of exhibits and plenty of employees handy if you have questions. The exhibits are set up such that it can be hard to see the animals sometimes, though, so anticipate being unable to see a solid quarter of the animals if the weather isn't great.

Good social distanct measures set up, but there are a few two way paths that would be MUCH improved by a simple rope or even a line on the ground to make a left and right lane. Signs said "Keep to the right please!" But few listened.

I saw many employees stationed around who were ready to direct people and answer questions, masks handed out at the front gate. I would REALLY like one way entrances and exits. We had to stand aside pressed up against a wall for about 5 minutes because there was a traffic jam of people entering and exiting brushing shoulders with no distancing.

All in all they're doing what they can and I felt safe here.

Great visit, saw many, many animals inspite of it being winter! We miss the elephants!

An Excellent Zoo
I have ever seen

This was my first visit and I was impressed! Starting with the parking lot which is way more than adequate, however, I didn't feel there were enough spaces for the handicapped. But once inside, there are plenty of places for the weary to More

Man o man. This is the place to visit in the city. The zoo is quite serene.

Nice light show at Xmas! Alot of work put into this.

I brought my 5 year old here and he really like it. They have lot of animal and birds. There was some construction so couldn't see Bears.
It has cheap parking available near entrances. Overall good experience

Went first of August and they are operating pretty well with Covid. 100% face coverings on everyone and one way paths with everything outdoor. So it seems pretty safe for family. Some areas closed off so not getting full experience. I do like the limited attendance and selling only so many tickets for any given hour. They did sell out for the Saturday we went but got tix ahead. Overall they have decent animals but lots of other zoos bigger or better. Its ok for what it is.

Really wish they had posted about the zoo being halfway shut down or atleast lower the prices if they dont have everything open. Will be back but was very disappointed when the world is struggling.

Overall this is a great Zoo.
PROS:
1. Great place for kids
2. Lot's of exciting and diverse animal exhibits
3. More than you could probably absorb in one day
4. Not hard to get to
5. Animals seem well cared for and exhibits are large and are interesting themselves
6. They have strollers, bathrooms, ice cream, restaurants and most amenities covered.
7. Season pass easily pays for itself after only a few visits

CONS:
1. It can get quite pricey if you have a large family (recommend season pass)
2. It can get VERY busy during peak season
3. Finding a quite place to sit down and relax and eat lunch can be difficult at times.
4. The food/drinks inside are expensive
5. Parking can sometimes be very crowded. (There is a park nearby with overflow parking and good walking path)

OVERALL:
What's not to love? It's busy and expensive yes, but it's a ZOO in Seattle... what did you expect. Bring your family, pack you lunch and have a great time

Great place to spend time with family and friends. The zoo is doing a great job with COVID protocols. It is a one way only loop, which takes minimum 2 hrs to get through. If you plan on spending lunch expect anywhere from 3-4 hrs pending on the foot traffic in the zoo grounds. Lots of places to sit and eat a packed lunch as well.

We always love it when we visit. Many trips during my pregnancy kept my daughter entertained, and me in good physical shape. My husband and I bought annual passes(great deal!) this summer and we look forward to many more trips!

We got a gift membership for Xmas, but we already had 6 months left on our current membership with them. We called them up & they tacked on the membership so we now have a membership for the next year & a half. Very happy!

Amazing zoo! I am always blown away with the care they take the blend in the landscaping

I have never been to a zoo so adorable and unique. They feature natural exhibits with rescued animals and honestly I could spend all day here.

We went on a rainy Thursday afternoon in March and it was amazing! No crowds, no lines, felt like we had the whole place all to ourselves. The animals were more active than we've ever seen them. Saw/heard the grey wolves howl, orangutans and gorillas playing. Best zoo trip ever. Love the open exhibits here and how well the animals are cared for.

Lots of things closed, free EV charging today. Not many kids on a weekday.

Really cool place to hang out with family and check out animals and different types of species such as from wild animals to different types of birds and there is also a bug world zone.

Half of the animals were not in the habitat. We spent $127 to come for our daughter s birthday. And it was mediocre at best. The animals that we did see, looked healthy and happy. So we will say they are cared for very well. There were no park staff to talk about the animals. Only two at the butterfly garden.

Very nice place. Zoo staff was awesome. Just a lot of walking for little ones.

Fantastic experience. We have a better appreciation for conservation after going here.

One of the best places in Seattle, and one should not miss this one if you have come as tourist. The Zoo is pretty big, and is animals/birds are housed in different sections divided by geography. Example, there is an Australian section, which houses Kangaroo, Emu, etc, An Asian section that houses Rhino, Hippo, and so on.
At several times, there are few shows, like near tiger section, at 11AM, tiger will be called to viewing area for a closer look. However, the Day I visited, the Tiger there was not in any mood to come
The Birds section was also good, where you will be let inside a big cage, and colorful birds will be flying around you
Overall, it was a really pleasant experience, and if a kid is accompanying you, then this is a must place to visit

I loved this place! So cute, very personal. The workers were really sweet and helpful. Very cheap pricing for such a fUn up close experience. If I had kids I'd definitely take them.

We came for the Wildlights on a Sunday night. I bought our tickets online to avoid the lines. They had a great display with plenty of warming stations and activities. Last year we went to the Zoo Lights at Pount Defiance Zoo and I found the experience at Woodland Park Zoo to be superior. (I suggest getting a Turtle Mocha, it was awesome!)

Great place to bring the kids. Lots of walking and looking at animals. Kids will definitely sleep well afterwards!

$9 Rainier tall boys, so make sure to pregame!

Pricier than I remembered but every bit is fun lots of play areas for the young kids have a great collection of animals

Great compact inner city zoo. It doesn t have the overwhelming experience of some municipal zoos, but it makes up for it with close proximity and walk ability of all of the exhibits.

It was a very nice experience I will definitely go back again and explore!

I absolutely LOVE this zoo. It's in the city but truly feels like you are in the middle of nature.

I freaking love this zoo! There are a ton of animals and little random stops along the way, lots of information on the animals, good views of most of them and the otters swim right against the glass! I have had wonderful experiences each time I've visited!

So awesome ! Giraffes, a lion, zebras, hippos, monkeys and do much more . My 2 yr old was amazed and mom and dad had fun too!

The zoo was filled with amazing animals! The food was great and not that expensive, and it was really diverse within its culture of animals. The zoo would be 5 stars, yet the family farm left me wanting more.

The zoo was ok. I would go back again.. Many of the animals were hiding / sleeping which made the zoo not quite as good.. it would be nice to have more keeper interaction with the animals so that guests can see them better.. or have more engaging enrichment so the animals want to be out...

The Tapir alone is worth the visit. The rest is gravy

ill be back again and again and again and again and again

GO TAPIR GO!

TAPIRS ROCK!

This might be one of my favorite spots in the city - to be able to escape to a different parts of the world from the comfort of your backyard is just amazing.

From having Lions, Tigers and Bears (oh my!) to the incredible Giraffes and Rhinos, my wife and I love visiting almost every weekend as part of our long walks.

Nice to see the animals out and about, even in the rain. Good signage, nice sized zoo.

I expected to be there 2 or 3 hours but actually ended up being there for 6 hours, there was so much to be discovered.
My kids had a blast! It was about 2 years since the last time we went.

You have to see the grizzly bears. They loved putting on a show

This is a great zoo! I had a great time seeing all of the animals and the cafeteria had some really good food options. It was kind of expensive, but I guess that is fairly normal for a zoo in a big city. It was actually cheaper than the aquarium, and I felt that there was a lot more to see and do at the zoo.

This zoo was so clean and easy to navigate! Park staff were friendly and we got there early that we saw most the the animals being fed! It was great!

Great zoo! Never too busy to mosey around. If you go twice a year, the membership is definitely worth it!

An amazing zoo! For the price I had to pay to get it, I was honestly expecting it to be another situation in which I was overcharged for a mediocre experience, but I was pleasantly surprised. As a whole, the zoo is organized almost like you re hiking, and the flora, plants, and open landscape for the animals are just gorgeous! Definitely a lovely 4 hour experience.

Small but thriving urban zoo- easy activity for kids of all aged.

The best zoo that I have been to. A good place to spend 3- 3.5 hours. The two bears there were very active at the time we visited. The other attractions are penguin, oranguttan, white wolf, giraffe, kangaroo, birds feeding area and the tropical rain forest.

Most of the animals were not present or were being cared for but for the most part, it wasn't crowded and I enjoyed it.

Great place to take children to. Lots of activities if you go at the right time so plan before you go.

Wife and I went for the WildLights show the other night with our two year old and we all loved it! It was cold outside but we bundled up and got hot cocoa along the way to the carousel. We spent maybe an hour throughout our walk and activities and that felt perfect

This zoo is freaking amazing. They have everything there... Bird room, lions, and everything your little heart can desire even primates.

So awesome! Prices are affordable, and you get a $2 discount if you get there on the bus and show your transfer/orca card. The zoo is both visitor and animal friendly, great for families and adults alike.

Positives - few people there so it felt more exclusive, and the animals seemed to perk up when you came to their enclosures. Food pricing at the cafe was competitive for what you got. The exotic waterfowl enclosure was the most likely spot for sure. Negatives - some animals looked cold, sad, or lonely; the ones that were outside anyways. It was only 40 degrees so it is understandable. Overall still a good experience for a nice quiet date at the zoo.

Absolutely fantastic!
A very nice zoo and a wonderful day. It was father's day weekend and very busy, but it didn't feel crowded at all. Concessions are reasonably priced too!

A good little zoo and the Penguins were cool however it's felt pretty small and you're able to walk through it in about 2 hours and see everything

Woodland park zoo is a great place to take the family to see animals you can't see in the wild

Nice place.a lot ofdiverse animals and animals are placed almost in their natural habitat.

I love the zoo! Always able to find free street parking.

Zoo is amazing, but dont Go during covid time. There are too many closed exhibitions, attractions and areas.

Great zoo. There are some hills so bring comfy shoes. Great zoo with ample sun and shade. The highlight for us was feeding the penguins. But from what we heard, that event sells out so get your penguin food early. Perfect sized zoo, not too big that the kids get warn out from walking but large enough to make a whole day out of it. The food, like at most zoos is overpriced for what you get but you can have small snacks and sandwiches in your purse.

Big zoo. Very well set up. Allow for at least 3 to 4 hours

I love zoos. I think Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo is one of the better ones I've been to. Most of the animals are in spaces that resemble their native homes. There are many amenities here, including the Rain Forest Cafe, a restored 100 year old carousel in an enclosed building that runs rain or shine (important in Seattle.)

You can get here from downtown by bus. It's super easy and convenient to get to. I went there for a company picnic. The zoo was really nice. Most of the walkways have plenty of shade. Food prices are a little high as well as the gift shop. I would definitely bring a reusable water bottle as they have fill up stations all over the park (and it's free to fill). Will definitely go again.

Going without children: delightful to be kids on our own for the day, horrified at the number of oversized strollers we had to dodge.

My kids loved it.. it wonderful place to take your kids.

Great exhibits. Wear comfortable shoes. Friendly staff. Butterfly exhibit is awesome. Right next to the food court. Gift shop is great for all ages.

We went here for the Wildlights show 2 times and it was a lot of fun. The lights were very pretty and we could see that they folks put a lot of effort into maintaining the park and also the show. The admission price is a little high (~$12/adult) for what you get but I believe some of the profits does go to some sort of charity so I m fine with paying. If you go in the winter, don t forget to check out the clam chowder at the food stand. It will warm you up nicely!

Very nice animals. Not the half dead ones you see in other zoos. Plenty of shade.

I am a member and visit the zoo a few times a month. I love being a member because if the zoo is super crowded, I can just leave and come back another time without wasting money. I wish there was a kid free day every once in awhile. No offense to the kiddos, but it would be nice to enjoy the animals without all the screaming.

So beautiful! A great place to spend the day enjoying nature.