Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown
Categories
Location on the map
Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, US
Accessibility
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
Crowd
LGBTQ+ friendly
Yes
Phone: +1 800-652-4143
Site: http://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/
Site: http://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/
Opening hours
- Monday:10AM–5PM
- Tuesday:10AM–5PM
- Wednesday:10AM–5PM
- Thursday:10AM–5PM
- Friday:10AM–5PM
- Saturday:10AM–5PM
- Sunday:10AM–5PM
Comments (199)
I went to Elmwood Zoo in February with family. You need 3 hours to fully explore with a toddler. Very basic zoo.
The zoo is really small but enough parking areas.As soon you get in you see the eagles and red panda and food court.there are couple of food courts around the zoo. Shopping store by the entrance.water mist to cool you off.There are few animals compared to other zoo.I think the price is reasonable.There is giraffe enclosed where you can feed them for $5-7.cougar,Jaguar and zebra and bison few of the notable animals.no lion or tiger.Ample parking space for everybody.
I love this zoo! The staff has lots of information about the animals (I like learning their names!) and the giraffe feeding is a must at only $4 a person!
A great variety of animals for the price. The wild cat enclosures are some of the nicest Ive seen. But some exhibits seemed too small or run down.
Nice zoo, me and my son really enjoyed feeding the giraffes it was quick but a cool experience, they didn’t have many animals out. They had a nice little petting zoo where we got to get up close and pet the goats and brush them.
Really cute place. Perfect for my 5 and 6 year old daughters. The kids really enjoyed themselves. We will absolutely travel to visit the zoo again when Dad can join us for
Unique little zoo. Nice place to take your family. Have breakfast with the animals or view one of their feeding events throughout the day. Watch the Bald Eagles, Vultures and Bears get feed. You can also take a ride on the Zipline, or have your childs face painted. You can also grab a bite to eat. Highly recommended.
Perfect zoo for my kids. It’s not too big and we can stop at the playground if they get antsy! We love being members and it’s well worth the price! We got to meet the new sloth and just love the updates the zoo is doing.
A fairly small park with some animals .. the giraffe feeding was a good experience and kids enjoyed a lot... It is a well maintained zoo.
Love this place! Would definitely recommend! Great price also ,especially for a big family that doesnt want to spend to much money but wants to have a nice day out!
Great small zoo. Animals always active (happy). Friendly staff and clean over all. I come yearly so will come again next year.
We had a great time visiting Elmwood Park Zoo last summer. After initially planning to visit the Philadelphia Zoo, some friends suggested Elmwood Park Zoo as a quieter, less crowded alternative for our then 4-year-old with sensory needs. Knowing it would have also potentially been a short visit, the prices at Elmwood Park Zoo also made it a much better option.Though there are less exhibits and animals than the Philadelphia Zoo, Elmwood Park Zoo was perfect for our daughters first time at a zoo. The size of the zoo and number of animals was perfect, allowing us to make it through the whole place before she got tired or became bored. We all really enjoyed the exhibits where you could walk right up to and pet the animals. Every staff member we encountered was also very friendly.We highly recommend Elmwood Park Zoo to anyone looking for a less-crowded and budget friendly alternative to the Philadelphia Zoo. We look forward to visiting again this year!
Great place to take friends and family to see a wide variety of animals in a small setting. Tickets are very reasonable, plenty of food options once inside, nice layout, extremely friendly staff! We will be back!
My girls (5 & 3) new fave place. I got the annual family pass, which is very reasonable. The park is the perfect size for little people to walk around, and there is seriously something for everyone.
This cute little zoo is a wonderful place for young kids. It is easy to navigate and is not too big for children to walk around. The extras are pretty expensive, like the feeding of the giraffes, which we paid $16 for about 30 seconds of feeding. And the carousel, which lasted 25 seconds but cost me $8 for two kids to ride. I find these costs to be frustrating when you already pay such a big price to just get in the zoo. But the animals were all in very nice and clean enclosures. And most of the animals were out and about so it made for some fun sightings.
Beautiful zoo, always well maintained and very family friendly. Weve had membership for 3 years and it always seems like a great value.
Nice small zoo, not crowded during the weekday. The staff are helpful and friendly.
Been coming here since I was a little girl. It is worth getting a membership.Lots of shade, places to sit, food,drinks, exhibits. I even got to bring my dog for dog days, which was a dream come true.
Super cute and fun date idea. My boyfriend and I got free tickets from work and we had such a great time. I hadnt been there in well over a year so they had some new additions that we enjoyed.
I really like this family time!!! I come back, and come back… and definitely I come back ☺️ I want to take a canopy group. I had never seen a red panda bear before Elmwood Park, it is very cute. This Zoo is a safe place for the endangered animals. I like the food and in the concessions area they have live music, we really enjoy this place.
Just did the Sloth 🦥 Encounter with Kara! 100% recommend. The experience was amazing. You can tell the staff really cares for the animals & the experience is about making the sloth feel comfortable. Very educational as well. Go see Liana, she’s so cute!
Quaint local Zoo, very easy to walk. Clean and well-kept, staff was helpful and polite. Outside food is allowed and there is plenty of picnic tables spread throughout the zoo.
This a nice zoo there are plenty to different animals to see and my son enjoyed himself quite a bit.
They have otters so obviously its a great zoo. Its just a nice simple zoo to the kids and walk around. Its small compared to most zoos but they still have a variety of animals to learn about.
My son had the Greatest time here! The giraffe feeding and the little petting zoo was his favorite part. Hes learning so much about animals right now and the way this zoo is set up, its been our favorite that we visited so far! Worth the trip and the $12. I seen people struggling to find parking at around noon so beware of that. There was plenty of space and it was not over crowded and we felt safe and comfortable here.
Nice but not a lot of animals. I enjoyed the giraffes though. lots of parking...actually more parking than zoo! nice gift shop. a lot of the outdoor eating places were still closed. a lot of those too considering how small the zoo is.they have a carousel that I was actually looking forward to. that was closed also. They had some zip lining or tree house set up but that too was closed. I can imagine this little place being really crowded when the warmer weather is upon us.
There’s so much to do here! My daughter loved climbing in the tube and playing music! We had a blast!
Medium size zoo but staffs are super friendly. Love the setting and decorations in the zoo.
The place is great for the kids. The Giraffe feeding was the best part for our family. At this time they open at 12pm and I would advise getting there by 11:30am. You can an see the whole park in about 2ish hours even with a decent amount of people there. The place is great and we will be going back a few more times this year.
Nice little zoo! Not very big. Very good for younger children, toddlers - 5th grade. Animals are a little closer than most zoos and more visible for the kids to enjoy. Some of the keepers even have some smaller animals out and about for the kids to get really close to. Dont expect to be there for an entire day though. 2-4 hrs depending on the kids ages, and youve seen everything!
Highly recommend Elmwood Park Zoo for families with younger kids (under 8 or 10). It’s not a very large zoo, so little kids can really get a lot out of it. My kids love the giraffe feeding the most. There’s also a really nice playground right in the middle for when the kids need to burn some energy. I used to go to this zoo as a kid and they’ve really made a lot of improvements over the years. They’ve expanded the parking lot, added a zip line adventure, beer garden, playground, and musical space (percussion playground?). Older kids might not find it as fun, but it’s perfect for younger ones!
Went here with the family on Memorial Day. Overall we were happy with the excursion and felt like it was a decent value (adult tickets are $15/ea. My 3 year old had a blast, the 7 month old was too young to appreciate any of the wildlife. It was a hot day but there was ample shade and plenty of mist showers scattered throughout that def helped keep us cool.In closing, while we wont be buying any annual passes, I can def see us revisiting again in a year or two!
How can you not love this Zoo? It is the perfect size for families, not just for the kids but grandparents too! They offer a nice variety of animals even with the construction of one of the spaces. Several encounter opportunities that you pay and schedule in advance and some that add some joy to your visit. This is a reasonably priced day out with animals in the heart of Montgomery County.
I see a lot of people displeased because it isn’t the Philadelphia zoo - yes, it is a lot smaller. However, the prices (in my opinion) are very reasonable! They have a variety of animals (yes there are far fewer than there are at the Philly zoo) and it’s a very cool place to walk around for an hour or two and see some very cool things. I even got to see a sloth today which was a very nice surprise! Staff was very friendly and offered tricks on how to best see the animals, as well as cool facts about them :)However, do not come here if you don’t want to be around children (or parent your own children). We unfortunately had to skip a lot of exhibits as there were children acting extremely unruly (throwing rocks, running into people, blah blah blah…) and it was chaos. I also witnessed a child almost fall into the prairie dog exhibit that she was climbing up on unsupervised. I feel bad for the staff who I saw attempting to parent children, as their actual parents were uninterested in doing so. Everywhere is understaffed, so if you plan on bringing your children, please watch them as zookeepers are NOT babysitters and your child throwing rocks at people ruins the experience of this wonderful place.
Very nice spot for small children. Staff is very courteous. Can also do picnic, or get food & beverage - several places to choose.
Very neat little zoo, well kept grounds. Perfect for a couple of hours out with toddlers!
Nice small family zoo. Its got more activities than animals at this point. The staff is fantastic and always answers questions. We caught an alligator feeding and porcupine feeding while there. It seems like its undergoing some construction. The whole middle is closed. It needs some repair on some of its current exhibits like the elk space and the jaguar space.
We bought the Otter Experience, which let us get up close and personal with the two river otters, Rocky and Piper, and their keepers. We got to feed them and train them to do tricks while the keepers answered all our questions.The Experience also included zoo admission, so we saw all the other animals too. I grew up in Norristown. I remember when this wasnt much more than a petting zoo. Its awesome now! And they have plans to expand even further.Great place to take the family for half a day.
I absolutely loved this Zoo!! It is in my top 3 favorite!! Honestly as much as zoos are kid friendly I would not bring young kids! Before I get a lot of hate let me explain! I love going to the zoos and seeing the animals and when I go I do NOT want the distraction of a kid wanting to leave or trying to take off. I want to observe and admire the animals! Call it selfish I dont care that is just my opinion! I love that this zoo offers adult beverages! I dont like the price but it is an added bonus! I love how close you can get to the animals and how they all look happy and healthy! I would totally come back! I highly recommend this zoo whether for a date day or family day with kids.
A great place to take your children. My children enjoyed our visit here. The animals were up close and active. Giving you the feeling that you could reach out and touch them while they were in their habitats . they also give you the option to feed the animals. For a fee of course. Overall a great experience
Lovely little zoo. We had no kids with us and still really enjoyed it. Best kept secret around.
Wild lightsWe are member so about $10. If no member about $14Until Dec 30th from 5pmYou can buy tickets by onlineThey have not much food so we brought meals
Great small zoo. Everyone is very nice. Has done a lot of improvements. Medium selection of animals but they look great. A fun time. Nice gift shop. Only one ace to get food though.
I was there for a wedding. It was quite nice. Everybody loved feeding the giraffes!Its hilly but they have some golf carts for people with mobility issues.The food was excellent and seating was comfortable.
Very clean and enjoyable! Its cool they have a station to hand feed giraffes!
Superb place for a family day out. The exhibits have grown in leaps and bounds in the last few years, the giraffe feeding experience is something you will never forget. Do not miss out on this experience!
Wild Lights is an event not to be missed!If you enjoy Xmas at Longwood Gardens...you will Love ❤ Wild Lights!It is more manageable because it is smaller than Longwood Gardens.... so if you have children, you can see everything and feel fully satisfied with the amount of holiday lights and holiday cheer without so very much walking.And theres more:⭐a carousel⭐visits with Santa⭐fire pit to toast marshmallows⭐photo ops and live performances by top-notch Anna and Elsa⭐so affordable!This is my 3rd year going and since we went early this year, I think we will be back in 2020 for a second round.
Despite being smaller than the Philadelphia Zoo, this is the better Zoo by far. Dont waste your money at Philly to see 3 animals when you can have a much better experience here. I enjoyed the giraffe feeding experience so much - made even better by a really interesting keeper/interpreter there answering all my questions.
Fun place, very small great for toddlers who wouldnt be able to handle a larger zoo and lots of walking. Feeding the giraffes is a great feature and the kids love it. Expect to only take a couple hours.
Small zoo with a nice variety of beautiful animals to admire. Zookeepers are very knowledgeable and kind during your visit. Impressive highlights include the Giraffe and Bison feedings which cost an additional entrance fee. Lots of cute activities for smaller children. All in all this is a nice afternoon outing and well recommended.
Was really excited to go, wanted to love it but this place is a money pit. We got in for free with passes from the library which was great. But everything else money money money. Ride the caresel 3 loops 3$ each. Ropes course like 6 obstacles $22 for a 4yr old the bigger ones were over $50. Food we got 2 orders chicken sticks with fries and 2 orders mozzarella 2 slashes and 2 drinks $70. Then the gift shop spent another $75 om 2 snacks and a puzzle.The zoo took us maybe an hour or 2 to walk it was so tiny. No touch nothing. Do not waste your time or money here.The only thing I though was great was the quiet area for sensory kids very cool.Thanks
Nice simple layout that is just the right size especially if you have younger kids who will tire out before your done the whole zoo. Not to big and not to small. Good variety of animals to hold anyones interest.
Terrible. They have no capacity limit. The scheduled tickets mean nothing. The parking lot fills up and you have to wander for a while until giving up and parking in a neighborhood. No food in the park(everything was closed) vending machines all broken. There was way too many people. My child enjoyed it at least.
We enjoyed this small zoo last summer for my birthday. For a small zoo it had tons of animals and up and close encounters with Giraffes and Bisons and few other birds. The best part about this zoo was the water mists throughout the park and small park with fountain for the kids to cool off. They have three small rides that is plenty after walking through the park and playing at the big playground. The gators were also very nice to see.
Very nice zoo, great place to take the young ones. Its not huge so you can see the whole zoo in about an hour.Great place for kids.
Good sized zoo for an afternoon visit. Zoo was very clean and there is a good amount of animals to see. The playground is nice for letting the kids run around for a bit.
Although a lot of people it didnt feel crowded. Make sure you get your tickets ahead of time and allow time to park on a busy day. Lovely small zoo for children and those adults who just like animals.
Perfect quick outing for our toddler. We had a great time and its so nice to see how well the injured animals are being cared for. The staff was informative and didnt mind answering many questions from our little guy.
It wasnt overly crowded oh, the people were very friendly the volunteers for the animals were very knowledgeable about the animals. It kept multiple species together that naturally live in the wild together but help each other. We thought that was a great idea!
Loved my visit to the zoo. Was a nice trip to do solo. I went towards the end of the day and crowds were minimal. Some of the beauties I saw were giraffes, a leopard, bald eagles, Turkey vultures, and many more. Looking forward to enjoying some of the food and spirits when covid restrictions are lifted. Make sure to buy ticket online in advance.
Great place for the family. Definitely better for younger kids due to the size and exhibits.
Love Love Love this zoo. Truly a hidden gem. A literal escape for children of all ages and adults alike. From the playground to the random water works cooling you off as you walk the park to the feeding of the 🦒 🦒. Seating for parents are ideally placed where your little one is still in line of sight.
The good-Great small zoo. Kids 5 and under would love it.The bad -Management has to do a better job coordinating times for zoo entry. I purchased my tickets online and was given the slot 2pm and the zoo closed at 3pm. That was extremely unfair to me and my family when the advertised time was 12pm-3pm.
We’ve been members of this place for a few months now ($99 for our family). The park is always clean and the staff friendly. We love that we can go here and be in and out quickly or take our time (lots of stuff to do. The park is very well laid out for all types of experiences)
Its a small zoo but very nice. It also has some unique features.
Its been a few years since weve gone and it was the first time we took my son, not impressed at all. We ran into more empty enclosures than actually seeing any animals. Honestly, it was a complete waste of our time and money to even go. I would definitely not go again. Next time well save our money and go to Home Depot, where we can look at fences and cages for free.
I really enjoyed this zoo. Its not too big and most of the animals were available to view. They had had a few food venues and the gift shop was open. I will definitely be making another trip here
This place is adorable! My 2 year old had a great time. The animals seem very content and well cared for. Were definitely going back soon!
This small zoo is fantastic for kids. It offers great views of all the animals and is rarely crowded. The kids love the large playground and zip-line course.
The staff was all so genuinely pleasant and helpful. The price for admittance was excellent! Parking is free, which is great. Feeding the giraffes was unbelievable. The staff and even security guards were all knowledgable. And held to Covid restrictions. Food and drinks were a little pricey, but worth it, so be prepared for that. Over all, well be going back looking forward to all the attractions being open.
This is a great smaller zoo, with quite a few animals that you dont see many other places. The jaguar, porcupines, and red panda were favorites. My daughter loves anything feline so the bobcat, cougar, and ocelot were wonderful as well.The playground is well done, with lots of structures, shade, and fenced. Great for parents with small kids.My sister had crutches today and it was a bit difficult to maneuver around some of the hilly areas, but we managed alright.They are clearly spending time and money to upgrade exhibits. The zebras and giraffes are in a new enclosure and soon the red fox, Bobcats, and otters will be too. Construction is still pending.The Trail of the Jaguars was our favorite spot. The Jaguars were front and center and absolutely adorable, playing ball and enjoying a post-Halloween pumpkin.I recommend getting a map from the Store, but I wish the map was a bit more helpful. All in all, a good zoo to visit if you want one on the smaller side, particularly with kids under 10.
I came here for a wedding. Everything was beautiful except for one Thing. A security guard was extremely rude. The wholeWedding he would give us issues in letting certain people in- one of those people being the photographer. At the end of the night he started screaming and wasExtremely rude over a set of chairs. Threatened to call the cops because there were chairs moved around.A wedding is the most important part of someone’s life. And this man made the ending very scary and uncomfortable. The way he was acting I was actually scared and thought maybe he was drunk. I don’tKnow his name but this was at night on 6/3/2022 , he was an older white male.
It is a great family place to visit. Plenty of accommodations to sit down and shaded areas and covered areas. A number of different food vendors.
My favorite zoo to visit with my young kids. We visit a few times a year. Love the free parking, nice employees, unique giraffe feeding, library pass availability, and gated playground. Only cons that come to mind are the bathrooms are too small for strollers and the food stands are not consistently open (closed in the winter). Last time we visited the new sloth area was open (but you could not walk through just look through the glass) and the reptile / monkey / bat house was closed.Shout out to the employee at the ice cream stand who remade my son’s ice cream cone when he wasn’t clear about his order. Thank you!
If you want to see animals, spend the extra money and go to the Philadelphia Zoo. Theres a handful of animals here. The improvements that theyve made are mainly to build attractions for people. Youre basically paying for a glorified playground with some exotic animals.
Great little zoo. Lots of well designed exhibits that let you really close to the animals. We stood about 3 get from a bald eagle in an open exhibit right by the entrance. Feeding the giraffes and bison was great, too. They also have a nice coffee shop, taco shop and ice cream shop. It looks like there are lots of nice rides for kids and just some generally nice places to sit and relax. Next time we go, well try the zip lines, which let you go right over the elk and bison!Edit: the lights during the holiday season are great! See pictures before.
Ive been a member of this zoo for nearly a year and I truly love it. It has a lot of activities for the kids but even my husband and I enjoy going. They have a nice variety of animals and you can feed the giraffes and bison. Highly recommend!
Such a nice little zoo. Takes about an hour to go through the whole thing unless you take the time to feed the bison and/or giraffes. Really nice selection of animals its size.
Very cute zoo! It was awesome to feed the giraffes and pet some donkeys and goats. They also have porcupines, which I haven’t seen at the other zoos I’ve been to!
My kids totally loved this zoo. Is just the right size to take a large family. I like that you can actually feed some animals. The staff is super friendly too. My favorite part about the zoo was the kids playground. After the grownups get tired take the kids to the playground while you relax on the bench
This is a cute little city zoo. Not the fanciest of all but does the job. It is quite small but still well built. Suitable for family with small kids.
This zoo is PERFECT for young children. It wasnt crowded, you got to see the animals up close, and the musical park along with the Merry-go-round was a delight. I would highly recommend this zoo!!!!
I loved it. My first time visiting and very impressed with the cleanliness and how well they take care of these beautiful creatures. Will go again when all the concessions are open.Exceptional
Really enjoyed our visit here. Feeding the giraffes was a highlight for a minimal extra fee. Some of the bird habitats were closed due to bird flu risks but there was still plenty to see and do here.
We visited the zoo twice this winter. Once for the Christmas light display and once to see some animals during the day. Both visits were wonderful, for different reasons.For a small zoo, the Elmwood Christmas display is wonderful. Weve been to several light displays throughout the area (including for zoo displays) and the Elmwood Display is very good. We really enjoyed the ability to go indoors, to view some of the animals and to get warm. There were also some fantastic photo ops!!When we returned during the day, we had a very nice time. We chose a day that was not brought and sunny, so some of the animals were not out. Well go back again, when the season changes, to get a better feel for the outdoor areas. We spent a lot of time in the Big Cat building. The panther is beautiful. The keepers who were working on the building were friendly and informative... Not just about the cats, but also about other animals in the zoo. Were looking forward to it next visit!!
Loved enjoying a small zoo while traveling! Feeding the giraffes was awesome! Was really wonderful to have a special needs friendly atmosphere and the quiet room when our little guy had some sensory overload. And even a little ride! We’ll definitely be back if we’re ever in the area again!
Great zoo not a big zoo that you feel a you need to spent the full day at. We have season pass, the day we went recently by 11am it was feel like of 95 degrees so we left to go to our pool but didnt feel like we miss out if anything
Great zoo for little kids due to the manageable size and their little attention spans. During the age of covid its good too because its mostly all outdoors. The concessions are also very good compared to other zoos Ive been to.
Went here for the Wild Lights Holiday exhibits. The staff are very friendly and the Wild Lights exhibits were beautifully amazing! Definitely a must go before it goes for the season. Its great for families and will keep the kids excited and occupied.
What a great zoo for everyone. There are a variety of animals including giraffes, zebras and bison. There is a lot of open space for sitting g and watching the animals or having lunch. Also there is a carousel and an area with larger than life musical instruments. It was exciting to feed a giraffe and get within a foot of a Bald Eagle. Plus the zoo is extremely accessible!
We went in April last year. My daughter had fun feeding the Giraffes. Which is kinda main attraction of the zoo.Parking was a bit of crunch and difficult to secure on a weekend.Also it is recommended that you take your own stroller because the rental strollers run out very quickly in peak days of summers.
A compact zoo that can be covered within a couple of hours, hence great for families with small kids. They also offer animal feedings, a zipline tree top adventure, rides for kids and a playground. You can host your events too such as birthday parties, etc.
Great place for kids. 10x better than the Philadelphia Zoo. They have a little park for the kids to play in in addition to the all the animals and rides. They have a zip line course and you can hand feed giraffes. A+
From the moment you arrive you are surrounded by beauty and feel far away from any city. There is plenty of free parking and an awesome new bridge through the woods from upper parking lots. Staff are friendly. The zoo is clean. Everyone had on masks (but only some visitors practicing safe distancing). They have hand wash stations with sanitizer everywhere. The animals are well loved. They have plenty of places to picnic and a playground for the kids. They have a few little rides and hands on experiences (they cost extra). The zoo is handicap accessible as far as I could tell. We love having a membership here and I could seriously go on and on about how wonderful it is. We love all their holiday events too!
Was expecting a nice zoo, and been looking forward to coming here for a bit. Very limited animal exhibits. They have the audacity to charge extra to see the giraffes. Doesnt the admission and extra fees that comes with the mandatory online booking give one access to see the animals??? seems like a glorified mommy and me time children playground versus an expected zoo experience.
We Love the Elmwood Park Zoo! Very convenient for driving to and parking! Also they run couple times a year a special for family membership including 2 Adults, up to 6 kids and 2 Guests! Usually under 100$ and sometimes for Black Friday on Groupon they also have good deal!
This is a phenomenal place for kids and adults. It is not a big Zoo, therefore, you can see the whole zoo in a about 2-3hours. The staff is very friendly. The CEO does a lot for the community. We need to see them hiring more people in the 19401 zip code for sure!
Excellent place to take your kids not really an adult Zoo. Plenty of things for the kids to do they will not be bored plus theres animals
I took my grand daughter, two nieces, and nephew and we enjoyed ourselves.
I am lucky to have this place close to home. I have an annual membership so essentially I can walk in anytime. Sometimes I have a little time to spare and this is a good place to just walk around and enjoy the animals. Very kid/family friendly. They are constantly expanding/improving. Lots of special events even for non-members. Food options and restrooms throughout the zoo. Staff/volunteers are friendly. Parking can be tight.
This zoo has grown to an incredible size since I was a child. There was not really a snack bar open however it could be due to the time of year (mid May). Its a great place to have an up close experience with the animals and to learn about conservation without huge crowds
First time! We went there for a friends wedding, believe it or not. Got to feed the giraffes and have cocktails with the jaguars. It was really well done!
Good time with the family overall. Zoo is adding animals. Found more than 1 exhibit empty or coming soon. Did not take long to see all enclosures. Treetop climbing adventure & zip line was fun for the kids. Food was carnival $$$ (ckn fingers and funnel cake) better off packing lunch.
We went today with my two kids park is small but enough to have a great family time too much to aee and do love the giraffe and eagles our favorite the red Panda as well .
The zoo is so much more packed with cool new animals and amusements since i was a kid! Well maintained and fun place
Great zoo! Very family friendly and it’s a perfect size. Lots to see and lots for kids to do!The Wild Lights during Christmas is awesome!! The lights are amazing and the carolers sang Itsy Bitsy Spider for my 20-month-old!! Haha Very crowded but totally worth the $12!
Been trying to get in touch with someone at zoo. Are there picnic tables outside of part? I thought I saw some a few years ago when I visited. We want to bring our own food, but not sure about the table situation. Thanks!
It is always a treat every time my family can visit this awesome zoo. I made the decision to purchase a seasons pass this year and it’s so worth it. My son loves coming here and he has learned so much about the animals here. It’s a very comfortable and younger child oriented. The prices are also fair on food and the gift shop. They always have fun events going on. This is by far our favorite zoo ever.
Great place as always. For the kids and adults alike. New food spots. Zipline courses are great and we love the animals as always.
Been ziplining twice there and both times were incredible! Tons of amazing animals and feedings! Feeding the giraffes was so awesome! They have a good and semi random selection in their gift shop.
Great park for a great price. Not as big as the Philadelphia Zoo but it has a nice selection of animals and activities for the kids. Its also good that you can see every animal they have in 2-4 hours compared to big Zoos all day visit, thats great! There is a very nice Carrousel in the middle as well big playground for kids. There is also climbing and Zipline activities for older kids. Only few animals are missing like a Elephant, Lion and a Rhinosourous.
The woman in charge of letting us feed the giraffes wouldnt let me in to take a picture. I dont see what harm it would do to take pictures feeding the giraffes. It really put a bad taste in our mouths right at the start of our day.While we walked around we found out everything is extra! Its nice they sell beer and food, but expect to pay out the nose for everything after you get in.Later in the day we had a good time, when they fed the cougar and it actually came out from hiding. Also the jaguar and trail was nice. The bats and birds gave a little excitement too. Feeding the birds was $3 for 3 tiny pieces of apple.
Lot a huge zoo, limited but good attractions. Animals, rides, giraffe feeding, play area. 4 hour is ideal time to see all. Limited food choices in cafe. Perfect for toddlers.
Nice little zoo. Animals looked good. Wasnt crowded but I did go on a Monday afternoon. Everyone seemed friendly. Casual day Only took an hour. A beer was $9.00 but expected it to be expensive it a zoo lol😀
Shortly after we walked in we started to turn a corner to head towards the red barn and a young employee was driving a golf cart right at my family and myself we have a little 2 year old and that’s who was nearest to the golf cart. You would think as an employee who should be practicing safety he would stop and just let us walk by. He did not he kept going. So my husband was like “ hey slow down or just stop until we pass there’s kids here.” “ the employee then said “ how about you just get out of my way” so disgusted by this response and when my husband went to the supervisor they were threatening to call security on him. will probably never go back here again!
Did not visit or see much of the animals beside some zebras and giraffes. My visit was more on a personal level. My cousin had her baby shower here and the space was huge and air conditioned which made everything else fabulous.
Thank you to this zoo for giving us an opportunity to enjoy some Christmas lights that were well done, had crowd numbers where people could easily maintain a safe distance, and all at a great price.
Elmwood Park Zoo is a great small neighborhood zoo which features some great animals.Parking is plentiful and free. Tickets are fairly inexpensive. $17.95 for adults and children $13.95. You can also feed the giraffes or bison for an additional $4. Beer and wine is served near the creek with a nice seating area and live music.Good inexpensive family fun.
We absolutely love this zoo! It is a family favorite for every member of the family. It is the perfect size zoo for younger children. The zoo is beautifully maintained. They are continuing to add and develop the features. Great place for some reasonably priced family fun!
I had an amazing time with my kids this zoo is amazing the staff is super friendly way better than the Philadelphia zoo and my kids got to feed giraffes 🦒 definitely recommend
Really disappointed in the direction this place has gone. Concessions were one of the best features for sure, but they have changed and not only are they now overpriced, but the selection is disappointing to say the least. Wont be renewing our membership
This is a great small town zoo. Only takes two hours to walk through but they are always adding to it. There are a number of animals you can feed. Also a lot of things for young children to play on/with. Next time I am in town I will be headed back here
Beautiful, easy to manage zoo with a variety of animals, indoor exhibits and outdoor activities. Parking can get tight on busy days, but atleast they have a parking lot! Plenty of space for strollers. You can get so close to animals, and participate in feedings too! There is a playground if your little ones are getting antsy. I personally love the new music area next to the babbling river. Next visit we will add the tree climbing package for the older ones (and me too). Even in the colder months, there are things to see, but the warmer month presentations rock (like the bird show). There are a few food/snack areas for purchase or you can take in your special food. Or leave a cooler in the car! Seriously, the parking is easy access. The zoo keepers are very knowledgeable (if you dont happen to find the info on display) and clearly care for the animals. They offer a number of fundraisers for kids and adults (wine!) and we appreciate the resulting improvements and ones in the works. Please exit through the gift shop: it has a nice assortment of high quality stuffies (and wine). Or you can scoot back through the entrance to avoid that hurdle. I recommend a membership for the special access and discounts. (My kids took these pics).
Great zoo! I love the new things theyve put in or plan to. The only thing is I drove around for 35 mins to find a parking spot but it was spring break so that could be why.
It is a cute little zoo. We were there for zoo lights and they put on a great show! I was impressed that even though there were a lot of people there, it wasnt so crowded that you couldnt enjoy it! I think they really got their times entrance down! Hope they will do the zoolights again next year!
I visited Elmwood zoo with my summer camp and I was quite pleased with the experience and what the zoo had to offer. In my opinion there werent a whole lot of animals however they make up for it by having a nice park for the kids to play in, a music station, a high climbing obstacle course, a bar,, and gift shop, train ride, food & more. The people there were nice as well.
This place is amazing!! A reasonable variety of animals. A great place for kids. The staff is very friendly. Really cool place to visit with the family. Highly recommend to anyone.
Great zoo! Easy access, easy parking, and it was very wide open when we visited (it was a cool day).The best was the jaguar exhibit that happened to have three very active cats (apparently, we were lucky - when we went back at the end of our trip, those three were out of sight, and the fourth continued to sleep). The jaguars were walking and brushing up against the glass, making for super close encounters and great photo opps.The weather was too cold to feed the giraffe, which was a bummer, but they did have bison feeding which was pretty awesome for our three year old. Staff was super helpful and friendly with this (and everything else for that matter).I would definitely go back - plenty to see without the crazy of the Philadelphia Zoo.
Are you looking to spend 3-4 hours with your kiddos? Do you and your kids love feeding animals ? Then this is the place to be.My 3 years old daughter is in love with Animals and she always yearns for feeding them.Usually feeding the animals is free at zoosand you pay for the food only. Elmwood park zoo offers animals feeding animals that too for a price, so we chose for giraffe feeding and had a great time. The prices are genuine and they have set timing for the animal feeding.My daughter thorougly enjoyed seeing jaguar, red pandas, lion like monkeys(my favo) and my personal favo was goat and sheep feeding.Some other attractions of the zoo includes carousol ride, face painting and caterpillar train ride. There’s playground for kids too, where they play for free.Treetop adventures were pretty kool too.Overall, it was a fun and joyful experience visiting this zoo.
Attended Beast of a Feast event. Absolutely fantastic! They sold the right amount of tickets so while there were a lot of people, it didnt feel crowded. Food and drinks were OUTSTANDING! Music was fun. Save your money on the raffle (they had no idea what they were doing there). The zoo itself is small but legit.
Small but great spaces to play and see the animals. Zip line, high ropes, carousel extra charge. Picnic pavilion or buy lunch. Great playground. Nice party spaces.
Great little zoo. Parking makes it seem packed, but it hasnt felt packed when walking around. Great for my younger kids and the zoo brew beer concession is awesome. Few paid activities once youre inside, so prepare to drop more than just admission.
Small but good zoo. Bring extra cash to pay for feeding animals. Zipline & climbing experience is really cool! Kids need to be 4 y/o, at least 36 inches AND have CLOSED TOE SHOES!
Small zoo very nice for smaller kidsWe spent about 2 hours and that was just perfect. Everyone was wearing masks and there was sanitizer everywhere.
Its an okay zoo, not many animals. Its more of a park. Perfect for young young kids, like toddler age. Overpriced for what it is then everything inside costs even more. $4 for 4 pieces of lettuce for the bison meanwhile the workers strand there feeding them piece after piece.
Awesome place and had a great time. For the money spent, (seriously, prices are ridiculous) there was a lot closed. School trips should have stricter rules/requirements to keeping their children a bit better behaved and looking out for the younger ones. They bulldozed right over them and had no regard and chaperones/teachers did nothing. Bathrooms should also be better maintained as well. We felt very bad for the red fox, it was having issues walking and the hind legs collapsing in it. I hope its getting the medical attention and care it needs. ♡
Nice local zoo to take the family to. They have a nice park that the kids will love to play at.
We have had a family membership here for a couple of years. It is so nice to go to a local small zoo instead of the Philadelphia zoo or the Bronx zoo. This zoo is very walkable for a young child or toddler. It has an adorable playground in the center. They just added a habitat for large cats and it is beautiful! This is a great day trip for a family!
First time ever at Elmwood; most definitely plan on visiting during normal zoo hours. We attended the Valentines Day adults only dinner and had an incredible evening! Dinner was delicious, drinks on point and staff was friendly. The whole evening was entertaining with tons of knowledge and humor. The animals were great and really seemed well cared for. This small zoo has personality and great staff who care about what they are doing.
A small local zoo ...we had a few hours to spare and so went to the zoo. We also bought the giraffes and bison feeding experience tickets. The staff are friendly and helpful.
I was there for a family wedding and yes a wedding and the staff did a fantastic job.it was gorgeous and the staff was very professional.i highly recommend them for any occasion.
The giraffe feeding is what I come for. Zoo is a little small but its neat. Never super crowded. There are a few hands on exibits. And I always love a place that takes care of military and vets
Small convenient zoo perfect for families of all ages. Zip line course & zoo brew for adults. Carousel, mini zip, train, and large playground for children. Great exhibits with a variety of animals. Giraffe, Bison, and Bird feedings are also a lot of fun.I throughly enjoy working here, and visiting with family and friends on days off.
We had a group of 7 adults and two toddlers and we all loved the holiday lights! Some of the animals were awake and visible, but the lights are an attraction on their own. It is a reasonable loop, perfect for our toddlers to be held, run, and ride in their stroller.
Wonderful and inexpensive place to take the whole family. Giraffe, bison, and barn animal feedins. A bar for the adults. Plenty of playground space when the kids are restless!!!
My kids had such a wonderful time,the food was very good and the prices were great.Well worth the trip!!💯
Great time. We were looking for a few hour activity on memorial day as 2 adults and we got it. Parking is a little lacking but we did find a spot and it was free so really can we complain, no. I recommend this visit to everyone.
Went on a school tripOverall its perfect for school trips because its small enuf so we dont have to worry about losing your kids..
Amazing small zoo. If the Philly zoo is overcrowded or too expensive, come to Norristown to see pretty neat animals. Been coming to Elmwood for 24 years and it has grown and become a better zoo every year.
Cute little,💎 Im,Norristown our first. Bia Groupon the food ia expensive and,so are the additional rides 4.00 for,non members,for,a,2,minute 🎠 ride. Extra to feed,animals. The steps have a handicap warning with a yellow line and I with MS tripped trying to catch a woman with a cane who almost fell because She didnt see the incline.
Beautiful day at an awesome local zoo! We all had a great time seeing all the animals that were out and about.
Very small zoo, playground is great, petting zoo area. My kids are older and more interested in the tree top adventures. The giraffe feeding was neat. Needs a little updating but great for the price.
I have to start off by saying that this was my first time going here and that I had no idea what to expect.I think my expectations for a zoo were a bit higher but it probably only has like 10 animals and some birds and rodents. Red panda, zebra, giraffe, jaguar, alligator, Prarie dogs, couple of reptiles, bison and some little rodent animals. Thats about it for the zoo. We could get pretty close to everything so that was cool.However there is also a TON of stuff you can do with kids. There is a playground, a little roller coaster that they can ride, a merry go round, a huge climbing/zipline/tree house place, and an ice cream shop. So pretty much a recipe for a good time with young children.We got in for free so not sure on prices but you could spend several hours here with young kids and they would be entertained. In addition to all the activities you can eat food, get ice cream, feed the giraffes or the bison and a few other things.So its a definitely appropriately named as Elmwood Park zoo. Its literally a park and a zoo in one! Great place for young kids and families or a date place for young couples.
Good place for small kids or in small groups. Not a big place but good for a short trip in the morning with small children. Has a playground inside with a music playing area as well.
A wonderful, smaller zoo that is still tons of fun. Much easier to get to than the Philadelphia Zoo, the Elmwood Park Zoo has free parking and a ton of great animals. The jaguar exhibit is a real standout, but there really isnt a weak link in the whole zoo. We took our 18 month old daughter this afternoon and had a blast. There are a bunch of great food options, and plenty of space to sit and eat. The price of admission easily pays for itself in enjoyment, especially during the winter season when tickets are almost half off. Definitely worth the trip.
We have been members for years. This is a great place for families and kids of all ages. Size is manageable and not overwhelming like other zoos. It’s so obvious that the zoo residents are loved by this fantastic staff.
This place was awesome. An intimate, family focused zoo with fun opportunities for all. The zoo was well kept and inviting. I cant wait to return!
I dont know if it was the day or time i went, but the animals there all looked depressed and so sad. It sad hard to see. I went with my godson and best friend and it was an awkward time. The animals looked hungry and i think the cheetah was eating its tail smh. Most likely wont be back.
Very cute, family friendly zoo! Lots of North American animals, and several more exotic ones as well. I especially enjoyed the bird house, were you can feed parrots and other rain forest birds. It is also nice that you can buy beer here as well as other beverages and food.
Love this zoo, went a few weeks back. They had a DJ playing a good selection of music from across the years.
Nice small zoo!We went on the first day of spring and thought we might miss a lot of animals. Although the giraffe and zebra were not out, we were able to enjoy most of the other animals. The kids were even able to feed the bison (for an additional fee) and it was definitely the highlight of the visit.We saw a lot of improvements taking place. We definitely want to visit in the summer to check out the carousel and train.
We went for the holiday lights, but we will be bringing back our kids in the warmer weather for sure. Its small, but its well-kept and just the right size for smaller kids to do without getting too tired or cranky. They loved playing in the percussion garden too.
Zoo was a great time. It was definitely worth the money. My nephew had a great time.
My nephew and niece love this place very hands on and fun place. Definitely recommend coming and supporting.
Great zoo experience for younger children. Just the right size and variety of animals combined with playgrounds and entertainment for kids!
What an awesome zoo experience for kids! Even with many school trips there today we had no problems seeing the exhibits. Much better zoo for little kids than the Philadelphia Zoo that packs in so many visitors its hard to see the animals. Thank you Elmwood!
It is always fun seeing the animals but the zoo was not very large or exciting. I was told from people who are from the area that it was in terrible shape back in the day, and now it actually looks a lot better. The staff wasn’t incredibly helpful and did not seem too knowledgeable but I can see how this might be great place for kids to run and play!The Philadelphia zoo is where it’s at, and the price isn’t too different:Elmwood zoo: $18Philadelphia zoo: $16 during the winter or $25 every other day
Not A LOT of animals, but a super fun place for families. Theres a huge playground and some water play areas for the kiddos as well as a Zoo Brew alcohol cart for the adults.
Small, but full of character! The bats and the red panda were some of the most engaging examples Ive seen, and we try to go to zoos whenever we travel. I will go again when I am in the area.
What an amazing place. The staff is friendly and enjoys sharing their knowledge and stories about the animals. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Elmwood zoo.
This is a small zoo in Norristown, they have a cool variety of animals and good playgrounds inside for kids to play, the first selection of eagles is a very cool exhibit and the giraffes is also very nice as you can get close to them and feed them. They also have a nice hall for parties celebrating!
More kids activities than animals. Not what I expected. Its nice that almost all the animals are injured and cannot survive in the wild though.
Nice place to visit. They hosted a wedding for my friend and it was fantastic! Have visited before, with no wedding, just a zoo visit. Nice place to take kids.
Great zoo! You can pretty much walk the while thing in a couple of hours (if youre with a group/kids). Toscos pizza has a location within the zoo which makes for an easy lunch stop. There are alcohol beverages available for adults. Feeding the giraffes were super fun! Getting a membership is well worth the money if you plan to go throughput the year. They have several planned events throughout the year that look a lot of fun. Added bonus- they allow dogs on certain days!!!
Great zoo! The part where you can walk in and pet the goats and sheep is so much fun!
Great Christmas light show! Reasonable ticket price and free parking, great date night or family night out.Goes for a good community zoo.
An amazing local zoo. Our expectations were completely exceeded. The facilities were in great shape (very walkable and stroller- friendly) with a lot of careful attention paid to seasonal decorations and enrichment for the animals. They have a very strong educational component for elementary school aged children.
Perfect for families with young children. Montgomery County libraries have passes you can check out for free admission. Pay the extra to feed the giraffe. That was awesome.
This was cute for a first date or something around the holidays!
Great zoo to visit. Its just the perfect size for little ones in my opinion. They have a cool playground that kids love to go to which is fun. I suggest making that the last stop before leaving. The ticket cost is very affordable compared to other children attractions in the local area. I just wish more written information would be given about all the exhibits. You might miss a few and not really know it until the end of the trip like the alligators.
It was awesome!!! The kiddos and I truly enjoyed this zoo. Although the zoo is small, they have many different animals and you get to feed the Giraffes for a small price. Cheaper if you become a member. They also have things for the kids to do like go to the playground and play with musical instruments. It just a wonderful place for the family! We will come again.
Just for kids! this Zoo is beyond boring and small, they do have a nice maze course that is in the woods but you have to make appointments for this, its like $60 before taxes and this will be the only entertainment you will receive if you are not a child. Phila zoo is definitely what I recommend if your from ages 7 and older.
Enjoyed walking around seeing the animals. Had fun feeding the Giraffes 🦒! Great place to come with friends/family.
Love this place..... Id say this is one of the best small zoo i have been to. Every time I have went the animals have been out and present, not the case at most small zoos. Its a very clean park with a huge playground and a few kids activities,(carousel, Caterpillar ride, aslo tree top adaventures which is seperate for a fee..) The park is reasonably priced and has A Veteran Discount. I really like this place. You can also Feed Giraffes and birds by hands.
They have a bar! This zoo is a staple in this community. Inexpensive with a convenient location. Season passes are so worth it if you have little ones. I love that they take some of the old or injured animals to take care of. They have a huge open bald eagle exhibit in the center. They continue to improve it too. Of course there is feeding areas, crawl areas, merigoround, playset and more for the kids. There is also a bar and high adventure for the adults. The kids love the different activities and events they offer as well. Beware of limited parking at peak times.
This zoo was amazing. My daughter had so much fun. We were so close to the animals it felt like you could reach out and touch them.I highly recommend it!!
Great small zoo! Perfect for young kids! We loved the giraffes, zebras, jaguars and buffalo the best! Very clean and well maintained. Looks like theyll be getting a few more animals in the future by the looks of it! They also have a great playground!
Great for kids. Went there with for a summer camp trip. Nice small and cute animals
We went for the Xmas Light display. They park is beautifully decorated. We had hoped to see more animals but it was understandable given the time of day and temperature. We will definitely return in the spring/summer.
Total reviews rating 4.5
199 Reviews for Elmwood Park Zoo 2023:
Review №1
2022-04-08We went on a Friday morning right before it opened. No line cause I bought the tickets in advance online. My 4 year old loved the animals so much. He tells me all the time he wants to come back and see them again. The gift shop was nice lots to pick from. The staff were also very helpful & kind. My son especially loved feeding the giraffes. Will be coming back again in warmer weather.
Review №2
2021-10-31I love this zoo. I have been a member for more than 25 years and have seen it go through many changes during that time. This is an excellent zoo to bring children. It is relatively small so you can take your time and see it all in an hour or two. The exhibits have been redesigned to give the animals much larger and interesting enclosures than what was used in the past.Children can enjoy the close up views of many of the animals, a carousel and a fine playground.A good variety of food and beverages are available in many places including adult drinks.
Review №3
2022-05-30We loved our family trip to elmwood park zoo! It’s the perfect little zoo. It’s not intense and too big like other zoo’s. It’s laid back, lots of shade, lots for the kids to do and see. The animals are well kept. You can even grab a beer and while you watch the animals and be the best parent ever. The park inside the zoo is nice and offers something like physical for the kids!Next time we will try the zip line and ropes course!
Review №4
2022-06-12Just an awesome place for kids. Been going here a lot over the past few years. Get there at 10am and it’ll be nice and quiet. No huge crowd. Plenty of cool things to see - red panda, giraffes, zebras, bison, sloth, and they seem to be adding more. Plus you can get free passes from the libraries if you’re a Montgomery County resident. Probably a good 2 hour visit or so most times for us with a 3 and 5 year old.
Review №5
2022-05-24Cool,big parking,you can feed animals for extra fee (card payment available).Great to spend day with a kids .A lot of entertainment for children.Pretty small territory.But you will see a lot. Party and wedding is an option.
Review №6
2021-12-29Love this zoo. Their Christmas lights and displays are wonderful. We like to take the grandchildren every year for an enjoyable evening. As members, we also get a discounted entry rate.
Review №7
2022-03-29Great little zoo. Loved seeing the bison. They were up close and you could really get the sense of how big they are. Feeding giraffe is also a great activity for the kids. Well be going back and its worth the membership if youre local. The playground is cool as well but can beat little crazy when its busy.
Review №8
2021-08-26Very nice zoo! Lots of shade, misters and great zoo program. Also lots of food choices and you can bring your own food too. Good parking and great views of the animals. Only a few things to keep in mind: the carousel was open and then was temporarily down for the remainder of our trip. If you want to go on it and it is up, dont wait. Also, the hand sanitizer throughout the park smells pretty bad. My recommendation: bring your own. None of this deters my visit and would love to come back soon!!
Review №9
2022-06-13We were in the area and looking for a fun family adventure. Our daughters loved the exhibits and playground. We loved how clean and well designed everything was. This is a small but very well done zoo. Lots of educational plaques and the sweetest volunteers at every turn. They smiled and engaged our girls as they shared information at each section.
Review №10
2021-10-05Had a great time at the zoo! Saw animals close up and got to see a whole bunch of eagles and vultures. The area was also decorated for the holidays and it gave a nice touch to everything. We got to eat some of the food as well and having a QR code to scan and order instead of waiting in line was cool. Would definitely recommend the area for a visit!