The Woodland Park Zoo Review

Lovely place to take your kids. Make sure you drop the family off closer to the entrance with strollers and then go searching for parking. Parking is ample but sometimes can be a longer walk to the ticketing gate.
You might want to get the annual pass if you want to visit more often. It saves you a lot of money.
Depending on the weather, sometimes the animals aren't visible. The zoo has a great map and you should plan 2-3 hours before lunch, and 2-3 hours after lunch to leisurely visit all exhibits.
For photographers, long lenses are your friend in the zoo. Most places are out in the open. Some well ventilated indoor places, the flexibility of a f2.8 mid-range zoom, like a 16-55 works well enough. Some poorly lit exhibits like the bugs world would need a fast f1.4 prime to keep the ISO down.
I think they do allow tripods but it may slow you down, and are of no use as most animals keep moving.
If you have the skills to focus fast, a macro lens will give you some good pictures of flowers and birds, especially in the aviaries.

The tiger wouldn't come out to be visible. Overall it was a pleasant experience.

If you love animals and doing something to protect them, Woodland Park Zoo is the place for you! I bring my grandkids here as often as I can. Helps them understand our place and the protection of these creatures everywhere.

There're some restrictions like no shows , and certain enclosures are closed but it was still nice to walk around and look at the animals and spend time with the family.

Was a great day spent with grandson. Alot of animals out, and active.

It is my neighborhood zoo. We have been members off and on for 30 years. It is a great place for a stroll. It is easy for us to avoid the crowds by going early or late. The animals are nicely displayed but it is not a large collection. This is not a destination Zoo, Seattle has become an anti-zoo town and some of that shows.

The zoo is always a great place to go! Loved the animals and I get exercise at the same time, win win

It's always nice to visit WP Zoo! Their current covid conciuous procedures and timed entry are a nice plus. It's great to have the option to attend in a way that's socially distanced and well monitored.

Great zoo. Came in December so understandably many exhibits were closed. Got to feed some penguins though so all in all worth the trip.

I love this place! It's a fairly large zoo with plenty to see and do. Bring the whole family and spend the day.

You know they got animals. Currently, they got one way paths as well which had has made a difference when trying to socially distance.

A lot of people say that this isn't the best zoo. I feel this is because the animals aren't always visible. People need to realize this is because the large mammals especially have large exhibits so they can live happily in captivity. Woodland Park Zoo does a really good job of making sure their animals can be as happy as possible, which is much more important than making them constantly visible to the public. The most recent time I explored the zoo, I got to see two zookeeper talks, both of which were wonderfully informative and engaging. This zoo is worth the money. They help the public engage with endangered animals as well as support their conservation.

What a great zoo..one of the cleanest and animals well cared for zoo we've ever visited!

I love the new rhino exhibit (where the elephants used to be) and the zoo for the most part is clean and tidy. You can even grab a beer in the food court. Some of the animals I swear love to hide and I have not seen in the 20 years I've lived here. The exhibits are beautiful and very natural. They don't just stick gorillas in a cage anymore. There's a boardwalk at the top of the orangutan exhibit and you look down into their habitat.

Great Zoo especially for families with a lot of activities and interactive areas.

This is a very family friendly zoo. The area here is very nice and there is a good variety of animals. Food selection is good and prices are not too bad. My only gripe is that since it is a smaller zoo, there are only son many animals. Some look a bit lonely since to do not get large groups of their same species together like other larger zoos get.

Good variety of animals and a good walkable layout.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! Went as a part of our city pass. I've NEVER seen anything so neat. Each section is almost different ecosystem to accommodate the animals, everything was very clean it was so worth it!!

Definitely worth the drive to get to there. Our kidlets had a blast.

Really not too exciting for $15 but I always love spending time with my kiddo.

One of the best zoos in the country. The animals are in large, realistic environments. There are lots of interactive things for kids, beautiful landscapes, lots of cover from the rain, and welcoming, helpful volunteers and staff. When I lived in Seattle, I used to take my kids here at least once a week.

Great zoo, took us about 3 hours to meet every animals

Nice expirence. Lights were enjoyable. Fire pits were nice on a cold wet night. Park employees were fun and engaging. Exits could be mark clearly to know what lot your going to. We had to walk quite a way to get back to our car.

Nice place. Very big and very diverse in the different climates and animals they offer.

Went during the week so it wasn't crowded with guests which was nice.

3 adults took 2 three year old boys. My feet hurt because they ran everywhere. The animals seem happy. Well cared for we adults were able to rest some when they sat for ice cream. We will certainly come back

Great zoo even with a lot of it closed due to the pandemic

we love the zoo and zoo lights is always an amazing experience! we became members earlier this year and have gone at least 6 times since (well getting our moneys worth).

That's a zoo alright.
Proper zoo.
It's got animals and everything.
Wicked.

I really like Woodland Park Zoo. The habitats for the animals are some of the most spacious I've seen, and they seem to focus on preservation of wildlife and raising awareness about endangered species and habitat destruction. There is a wide variety of animals and even a farm exhibit with goats you can pet. For me the layout is a little confusing. The parking is a little expensive, so I'd recommend street parking if you can get it (most recently I was there on a warm Saturday and there were plenty of spots about a block away). Be sure to check out the rose garden next to the southern entrance if you have time. If you're a local, a membership costs $50, there are often discount codes, and with membership you can get two adults in for half price each visit. Definitely worth the investment if you think you'll go even just twice in a year.

Loved it. Went early and got a really nice parking spot. Weather was gorgeous and the lines weren't long. Was hoping to grab a bite in the restaurant but enjoyed the coffee and my souvenirs:)

Had a fun and memorable time here! Their exhibits are clean & beautiful and they take such great care of the animals. The staff are kind, friendly, and informative. They make a huge effort to care for the environment, offering recycling/compost options at every trash receptacle, don't offer straws or lids at the food stations, & have electric car hookups (probably more but those are the prominent things I noticed during my visit). Such a variety of animals from so many places all over the world I would absolutely recommend anyone to go here. Huge fan!

LOVED
-Cleanliness
-Environmental concern
-Food/Alcohol/Coffee options
- Clear & Legible maps (they even have an app w location capability)- so helpful
- Restrooms EVERYWHERE
- Staff

NOTE: Arrive EARLY for parking (they're popular)

Rather small zoo and something always seems to be in construction here but it doesn't seem overbearing at all. Even with a 4 year old and a 4 month old we completed it with two stops to the shopping area and 1 to the food court for some dipping dots in under 3hrs and looked at everything.

Eat before unless you want to spend high! But food is good, the photos the zoo staff took were amazing and we had a blast!

Lots to see and do. Great for kids and adults. They also honor out of town zoo passes at 50% off admission. Can't beat that.

Love, love, love taking my grand-babies here! Can t wait to see the baby giraffe!

Zoo has been well maintained and enhanced since last here several years ago. Very nice!

Wow, perfect for Elementary kids!
Well organized, allow to bring food inside!

Great for kids. They have a kids only park type play area.

I was incredibly pressed with the public health measures when we visited the zoo. Not only do they require masks and good distancing, they have staffing to support and enforce the requirements. There is great signage and friendly staff. It is our first outing in six months, and I was able to relax just a little as my kids stretched their legs and we enjoyed visiting the animals. Really grateful for all the hard work that clearly went into this, and proud to be a member.

Beautiful area. Quite a few benches throughout to take a rest. Liked the fact could bring in lunch/water as food areas expensive. Bathrooms a bit hard to locate. Had a good day.

While I still miss the San Diego Zoo, it s pretty awesome that this is so close to home. The fact that it compares well to the world s #1 zoo says a lot.

Everything is so spread out, keeps from running into large groups. Great place for a family day. I recommend bringing water containers to fill up at water stations, food and drink are pricey here. I did not park but walked from the surrounding neighborhood. Try to come before 5pm, that's after meal time and the animals can get sleepy and hide. Might be a bummer if you're trying to spot a jaguar or the ocelot. Great zoo!

Great zoo
Staff friendly

Great place to visit,
even with COVID-19 restrictions.
And people wore masks,
and were socially distanced.

Pretty busy because it was the day before Easter and had to park offsite but it wasn't too bad lines at exhibits and food weren't terrible. Had a good time.

Even with the shortened path in the park due to covid it's still a great experience with some wonderful animals to enjoy.

This is a big zoo. Better bring your good walking shoes.

First time there. The park was clean, the animals that I saw were beautiful. It was unfortunate that some of the animals were unavailable. But that gives me a reason to go back and also a baby giraffe is due in May. Can't wait!

Staff was amazing the grounds upkeep could have been better. Animals all looked healthy and glad they are being well taken care of

I love the zoo though after going in circles trying to find the gorillas, I asked an employee who advised that they are not currently on view right now. Just a heads up to others.

We almost got scared off by some of the reviews. Glad we gave it a chance. Loved the zoo. The animals were out and about and the layout is great. Even the landscaping is different for each area and done well. Cafeteria was bad and overpriced. Seemed paid parking should have been included with admission. We had a busy day and didn't want to spend too much time there and still spent over 6 hours.

Absolutely loved our experience here!
Took 2 of my children and spent 7hrs. Cant wait to go back!

Wonderful to see animals in their own environment. Trails need better markings, map needs much improvement. Bring your own food, expensive.

Was the best zoo I've ever been to. So many animals to look at and great foo to eat too. Took all day to see all the animals it was well worth the trip.

Loved to see the animals. With that said I wasn't to pleased with how they are doing things. Couldn't go into any of the attractions which is half the zoo. Plus all extra little stands closed down. But their little food spots were open but think $3 per every 12oz can of soda was just plain dumb. With that pricing the 6 of us just waited to eat after we left. And with the way people are being let in you end up with whole groups of people going thru every half hr or so which made the crowding a little much at the few spots you could find animals. Long lines to see said animals. The zoo was clean and animals looked well cared for. Enclosures did seem small for some of animals.

Spent 6hrs here today... enjoyed every bit of it. Beautiful place, very informative. Sad that some of the animals are alone, very saddening... hopefully they get friends/ partners soon. Got here a bit before the zoo opened to catch the cool of the day and even through out the afternoon, it was not cuhrazy busy. The food prices are ridiculously expensive so next time I'll remember to bring my own.

Friendly staff, clean park, and a great way to spend the day... with or without kiddos!

Awesome park, really nice and clean! Will be going here again, my little had such a fun time!!

Great place to spend the day with the kiddo!!! Love the Carousel:)

Very big well-kept zoo was a joy to walk around easily accessible for strollers and kids

Woodland Park Zoo is the zoo I grew up with, and it remains one of the best I have ever been to. When friends tell me "I don't go to zoos, I don't like them," I just take them here. Every exhibit is specially crafted, and you can tell that the animals are being well cared for and their needs are being met. There are many free-roaming exhibits (where there aren't any cages, and birds are allowed to wander and fly freely) and every animal has quiet spaces where they can go to be free from interaction (so you know they aren't anxious or stressed when on display). Woodland Park Zoo also has a huge focus on conservation, both at the zoo and through the many programs, initiatives, and projects they sponsor.

This zoo has so many amazing "famous" animals like lions, tigers, rhinos, and wolves. But it also has many lesser known, endangered, or Northwestern animals to learn about. There is even a petting zoo with barnyard animals for the kiddos! This zoo truly has something for everyone.

I whole-heartedly recommend this zoo to any animal lover. Take an entire day there so you can absorb all of the encounters, information, and new experiences - you won't be disappointed.

loved the live roasting of the bears!!
so exciting and delicious!
would come again!!!!

One way in vivid 19 Smart no more running into people.

Was pretty sweet, not crowded when going at 9:30am time slot. Buy tickets early as they go fast. Park in otter lot on westside of zoo. Masks strictly enforced and they won't hesitate to tell people and have security. A lot of people however will not care about social distancing which is disappointing. Feel free to tell them to back off, especially when you and almost everyone else has young ones to protect! Love the zoo and their staff, very friendly as long as you mind the rules and one way traffic! Have fun!!!! We all need it!!!!

Woodland Zoo it is a good place for a quick trip but their installations are outdated and not well maintained.
At times I feel it overwhelming because the walkways are narrow it was difficult to go through with the stroller.
Is understandable that it is surrounded by a big city therefore the space is limited.

Well maintained zoo with a lot of different species!

I took the kids here for spring break and they lived it. The staff was very helpful and kind. We were s little disappointed that they didn't have any elephants but we were quite impressed with everything else.

I especially liked the gif shops because they were too expensive and they had a wide selection of merchandise to appease all sorts.

Definitely a great family experience.

Great zoo to spend the whole day with the animals and hidden treasures

I love the zoo and it's conservation program. Disappointed in the lighting display. Have visited Point Defiance and Parkland drive thru lights display. Personal tastes, work and budget consideration and effort are part of my equation. Just didn't feel lights were engaging, a few 3D effects, didn't feel lights unfolded into a story. However the lights with elephant savannah, the lovely lit tree for a backdrop was rather a visual story that was significant.

Nice care of the animals residents and the human guests! The Zoomazium is a great indoor play area for rainy days.

Great place for a date or time with family. You can spend an upwards of 5-6 hours without visiting all of the enclosures which makes revisits highly worthwhile. I highly recommend the bird house as they're able to swoop straight past you from tree to tree.

Pretty good. First sunny day off the year! Tiger in full force.

I really enjoyed this zoo. Took up my whole day which was great. I got to see plenty of animals I haven't before.

It's a really nice zoo. Conditions for the animals seem not just humane but comfortable. A great place to take a child to learn about animals and conservation.

I have always loved this zoo and this last time was amazing. My daughter loves animals! Really really loves them, her room is a veterinary clinic theme, she reads every book on animals she can, went to the zoo camp this last summer and loves going to the zoo any chance she gets. This last week at the zoo we ran into one of the zoologist who are the end of her shift not only took the time to talk to my daughter about the animals but explained how important school was. My daughter really doesn't like math so I asked how she uses math and her answer was more than I ever could of hoped for. Not only in depth but explained so my daughter could really understand it. She then gave us great tips on what to do in the future if my daughter continues her interest in animals for her career. Although I thanked her I do not believe she has any idea on the impact she made or the seed she helped plant for my daughter's future.

Thank you Woodland Park Zoo and all of your amazing employees!

One of the best zoos I've visited of this size. Beautifully designed exhibits. Nice restaurant food selection. It took me a whole day to enjoy (10am--4pm).

Easy zoo to get around in one afternoon. Great animals for the size

I love this zoo. It has a lot to see, and even on cold days it has a play area for kids. The Christmas lights are awesome, but they're not included with admission. That is a seperate ticket. I find both the zoo and zoo lights worth the price though.

Favorite places to go i always enjoy my time there I took some close friends and showed them all the great stuff

Nice and simple. The animals have ample of space and a good habitat, instead of small cages. Social distancing maintained

We went for the hoilday light. It was amazing and fun. The moving displays were amazing. And there were some animals to be seen too.

Very nice zoo. Large. I think it took about 3 hours to get through. Had a wide array of wildlife from snow leopard to rhinos, a very large bird aviary, orangutans etc. Good place to take the family.

Great zoo with many interesting animal and grass lawn for picnic

Great place for the kids really enjoyed it in the snow

What a wonderful zoo experience with our touring high school group today. Students seemed to really enjoy it. The park helpers were very friendly and helpful with information about animals and places.

Very nice place overall. I took two Stars off for a couple of opportunity they have to improve experience-
1. Many pictures on Google and other places show elephants. The zoo no longer has elephants
2. Many restrooms don't have sinks low enough for kids to use. For a place meant mostly for kids, that seems like a big flaw
3. They charge you for everything including parking, any opportunity to interact with animals. Simple stuff like feeding the giraffe is like 5/person. With a $21 entrance, you should offer a little more vs. trying to pretty much nickle-dime the customer

This is my happy place! If you haven't been, you are greatly missing out. Pro tip: bring small snack foods because prices are higher in the zoo.

Great zoo. Not crowded and much larger than we expected. Butterfly exhibit was very nice.

We loved, loved, loved this zoo. We didn't even get the chance to finish. We will definitely be back.

I love it here! Its super well organized,they give you a map that is easy to read since the layout Is so well done,staff is super friendly and nice and too get in it wasnt a long wait or anything! I will definently get the membership next time I go!

Most animals not very visible but the amenities were nice

The zoo offers a wide variety of animals to see and seems to be taking good care of them. Rest rooms seemed clean and well-maintained, and while the food court was a bit pricey, the variety was good and the food was tasty. I recommend the giraffe encounter: for $5/person, you can see a giraffe up close and feed it a leaf. No petting allowed, sadly, but then you ask yourself if YOU would want to be touched by a bunch of strange creatures all day every day and that policy makes sense.
Also, parking was ample and there were pleanty of shady spots for people to take a rest while walking around.

Great place where u doesn't feel it as actually zoo where animals are kept in one place it is like a park actually which is too good to spend time with the family and watch all the wild animals

Great place to see wildlife with the kiddos, and have some family fun. I highly recommend not eating at the zoo the food is mediocre and over priced.

Since my boys were born this place has been majestic and so amazing now that I'm a Grandma it is ten times more amazing. Thanks for making our memories