I never thought I was a zoo person, but this completely changed my mind. I visited during the zoo's extended summer hours (Fridays and Saturdays until 9 p.m.--despite what Google Maps says!), and it was one of the best decisions I could have made. We practically had the zoo to ourselves! Google still lists the zoo as closing at 4 p.m. every day, and I don't think the zoo advertises these evening hours nearly enough. Going later in the day made the experience so much better. First, it was much cooler and more comfortable. Second, the animals were incredibly active because the heat had died down. And third, many of them were being fed their dinner near the viewing areas, so we got to watch them up close in a way you normally wouldn't. The staff and volunteers were another highlight. Everyone we talked to was friendly, enthusiastic, and genuinely excited to answer questions and share stories about the animals. You can tell they're passionate about both the animals and the zoo's conservation efforts. I also learned how important it is to support AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited zoos. I came away really impressed by everything the Denver Zoo does for conservation, research, and animal care. If anything, I think they should do a better job of bragging about all the incredible work they're doing--it deserves more attention! One of my favorite moments was watching the tiger stroll across the overhead bridge directly above us. The elephants have a similar crossing, although they weren't using it while we were there. The habitats throughout the zoo were beautifully designed and created such an immersive, interactive experience. I can't recommend visiting during the extended summer hours enough. It felt like having a private zoo experience, and I'll absolutely be back! read more

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We went on a Saturday. It was extremely hot... Very little shade and long walks to each bathroom. I was very overheated. I started feeling bad for the animals who looked overheated not an ideal zoo for me to return to... there needs to be more shade.... It was just a very uncomfortable experience. One of the exhibits at the end even had a stand-up fan on some of the birds. read more

The light displays were stunning! I went at 8:30 PM on opening night. Since it was past most kids bedtimes it was incredibly peaceful. It's a great environment to put one headphone in and just take your time. Each section has cute photo-ops with themed frames. Service: The service was excellent! Everyone was helpful and kind. Plus, parking is free! Pricing: Prices vary by day, so definitely check the website before you go. - Value Nights (Mon-Thu): Adults/Seniors: $24.95 | Youth: $17.95 - Weekends (Fri-Sun): Adults/Seniors: $27.95 | Youth: $19.95 Kids 2 and under are always free! Experience: The free silent disco (included with admission) was such a fun surprise with Disney and Pop channels. I also loved seeing the three giraffes out eating at night. It's a totally different perspective. There was also a live show happening, though I was too busy wandering to catch the whole thing! Overall: I highly recommend checking this out. It's a great family activity, but also perfect for a solo me time night if you go later. Special Nights to Look For: - Adult Nights (21+): April 2 & May 7 ($34.95, includes a drink!) - Sensory Friendly Night: April 12 (Reduced crowds & low-volume music) - Scout Nights: March 27 & April 3 read more

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I had not visited the zoo in a number of years and was glad I did. The weather was perfect, which contributed to a great experience. The zoo offers a wide variety of animals well-maintained habitats. We particularly enjoyed the walk-through design along Wallaby Way. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. read more

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Animals are well taken care of, plenty of staff around to ensure safety for everyone and to answer questions, tons of fun for all ages. There were also many baby animals when we went, super cute to see! read more

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Had the best day today at the zoo. It was clean, the staff was incredibly friendly, and we enjoyed being able to see most of the animals. We stopped several times to buy snacks and waters and each attendant was wonderful. read more

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Amazing zoo! Very family oriented to families of all ages. I liked the map and ease of navigation around the zoo. Drinks and foods available and staged throughout the zoo in decent distances of each other. Drinks and food were available for all ages of attendees. Really loved the areas you could actually walk inside and be with the animals ( safe animals) like the Wallaby's and Lorikeets. Up close and personal. Could also feed the Lorikeets. Nice presentation by several animals like penguins and elephants ( there were more ). The train ride although short was a big hit with constant lines waiting to get onboard. Great zoo to visit when in Denver! read more

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This zoo is just the right size--big enough to see a lot, but not so big that you're exhausted by the end of the day. We've visited both during regular daytime hours and in December for Zoo Lights, and each experience was great in its own way. During the day, you can really see everything clearly. When we went, there weren't any monkeys, but there were bears, flamingos, giraffes, and so many other animals to enjoy. The ticket prices are amazing and very reasonable for everything you get. The only real downside is the parking. It can definitely give you anxiety, especially during busier times, so be prepared for that. Zoo Lights during Christmas is absolutely worth it. The colors are vibrant, beautiful, and spread throughout the entire park--it really transforms the zoo. They also have food options (not bad, just a bit overpriced), a train ride, and a few other attractions that add to the experience. Overall, I'd give the zoo itself an 8/10, and Zoo Lights a solid 9/10. We'll definitely keep coming back! read more

Really like the Denver zoo! We got in for free for some event and lined up. Easily 1000 people can get in. Line wasn't too long and they let us in 30 min early too. Most of animals were awake and easy to spot. They had booths too which gave out free goodies and snacks including cotton candy. Thats just for the event that day but otherwise not bad for a zoo! read more

Denver Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Overall, an okay experience. The process of buying tickets, parking, and getting in was simple. The pricing feels high ($27 adult ticket) for what it is, but as I knew the price ahead of time, that is not really an issue. While the flamingos and elephants were interesting to see, the areas for most animals felt small, and I felt bad for them. Random construction going on took away from the experience as well. I am glad I visited before purchasing a membership, as I do not think we will return. read more

Denver Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Amazing! We normally hesitate to come to this zoo as the one down south always feels so much cooler. Last time we were here, last year, there was so much under construction, so many animals missing (traveling/moved, etc), and a lot of the enclosures were needing maintenance -- dirty/scratched glass, etc. We came during Fall Break and while it was busy, it wasn't crazy at all. We loved the Wild Fall theme and pumpkins and decor all throughout. Our first stop was to see the brand new 4 lion cubs who just turned 8 weeks old. The staff was so fantastic at keeping the long lines moving and informed, and you could tell they really loved their jobs. The lion cubs were so adorable, and we were treated with some up close views right against the glass! We were pleasantly surprised to see new signage and murals all over the entire zoo. The artwork is beautiful and so well done. Even our friend who we came with, who is a member and comes all the time, was surprised and impressed with how much was new to her that visit. We didn't notice a lot of animals missing this trip, which was so great. We got to ride the carousel which was a lovely treat, and the girl working it was so friendly. Overall, we were impressed and will definitely return again! read more

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I always love the Denver zoo. Fell in love with it when I ran a race that finished through the zoo. The food is super delicious the beef bowl I got was super filling. It was nice to see the animals and the park is super adorable and clean. read more

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The Denver zoo was awesome! We had 4 adults and 4 kids in our group, they had stroller and wagon rentals that were great for smaller kids or even just all the purses and kid gear. The staff was super helpful and the facilities were clean and well taken care of. The animals were happy and healthy looking. We had so much fun while we were there. Lots of options for food and drinks and of course great gift shops. read more

Denver Zoo - The animals were out and about while we were at the zoo - Zoos Near Me - Denver, Colorado

One of the best zoos I have been too. Really nice there were places for toddlers to run around. Everything was great! Especially the big tiger bubble wand!! read more

Coming from San Diego, I have high expectations for zoos! But, I was pleasantly surprised by just how great the Denver Zoo is. Our hotel provided us with free vouchers to go. Accessing the zoo was easy via ride share but there is also plenty of parking. It's only about a 10-15 minute drive from Downtown Denver. What I like most about this zoo is how close the animals are. As you're walking throughout the different areas, the animals are obviously a safe distance from the walkway, but close enough to provide a nice proximity for viewing! The way that the zoo itself is set up is very intuitive and a clear strength here. They have a variety of interactive activities. We were able to pet and feed stingray. The experience was free, you just had to pay for the food. This seemed to be a special during the weekend we were there as you typically need to pay for the experience as well. The staff was lovely and everyone seemed very friendly! I was very impressed with this zoo and what a great experience it was! read more

The zoo is so cute with all the decor for Glowing Wild! Spring time is the perfect time to go especially with little ones. Denver zoo is pretty large so there's lots of room to walk around, or have your little one go play off one of the figures. Best highlight was seeing the baby orangutan! We took our 4 month old and she loved it! I carried her in my carrier for most of the time where she especially liked looking at the glowing wild decor. The animals were far away but she enjoyed the animals close up like the penguins! The Zoo has stroller and wagon rentals but most families can bring their own. Wagons looked to be best fit for toddlers. We can't wait to go back! read more

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It was really hot majority of the animals were not moving and really lazy and the animals wouldn't look at us which I can't control but I wanted to get a close look read more

PRO-TIP: Order your tickets in advance! I think you have to book a time slot as well. If you have EBT/SNAP, tickets are only $3! HANDS DOWN a MUST, especially if you are a reptile fan, but there's a lot here for animal enjoyers of all kind. I'm largely impressed by the size and diversity of the enclosures and the enrichment that all of the animals get. It's an accredited zoo and if I can compare it to any zoo in California, it has to be Colorado's San Diego zoo if that makes sense. Some zoos, you may get 1 or 2 large African mammals, but they have a hippo here, rhinos, giraffes, and elephants. I know they're phasing elephants out of California zoos, so this was really neat. Additionally they have large great apes, something not many other zoos have. I got to see a baby orangutan which I have never seen before and they also have gorillas as well. Again, many other zoos, you may be lucky to see only 1 larger cat species but they have both lions and tigers. Big W. There are also penguins, sea lions, sting rays (you can opt to feed them for a fee), and a pretty decent marine section for a zoo which I'm not that used to (most marine animals relegated to an aquarium and aquatic life are usually freshwater to supplement rainforest and other enclosures). There's also a lorikeet feeding area, an aviary and many other birds to see. They had an Australian walkthrough section, but it was closed the day I went. Though I did get a good peak at an albino wallaby they had hopping around. Okay, so for the part that excited me the most. THE REPTILES! YES, they have komodo dragons which is the big ticket reptile and I was lucky to see one right up to the glass. I also have to commend them for the absolutely enormous enclosure they have for their rhino iguana. I have never seen one that large. Other rare reptiles that I got to see and were happy to do so was their Fiji Banded Iguana and Shingleback skinks. You cannot keep these domestically in the US, so I was so so happy to see them. Additionally seeing the cohabitation enclosure with the uromastyx, skink, and agama, as well as the shingleback skinks (monogamous pair), blue tongue skink, and frilled lizard was a delight, especially since I went there when it looked like they were feeding them crickets. There's also lots of monitor lizards here (got to see them feeding the water ones), various amphibians, and many venomous snakes. Loved, loved, loved this and I would definitely come back to visit this zoo, if not only just for their reptile section. Gift store and dining options were a bit limited despite them having food trucks and order ahead around, but overall, it's alright. You can easily spend an entire day here to see all the talks, feedings, engage in the activities, and going back to see the animals move around! read more

Great zoo, very large and well done! We liked the kiosks at the entrance where you can purchase tickets - it helped speed up the process. Every employee and volunteer we encountered was extremely friendly and helpful. The animals looked taken care of and healthy. They have an interesting tropical building with reptile and fish exhibits together, something I usually don't see in a zoo. They have arrows painted on the pavement throughout the zoo that are meant to help direct traffic flow (I think) but it seemed like we were always walking in the opposite direction, although we definitely weren't the only ones. That part was a bit confusing. Also we had lunch at Scratch, the chicken food truck. It was great but we were highly confused: my husband ordered the Old Bay chicken tenders and it was literally just 2 chicken tenders, nothing else, for $11.99. I ordered the Home to Roost small plate, which was an order of tater tots topped with shredded chicken and a relish/sauce for $9.99. I absolutely LOVED my order and it was a lot more food for $2 less. He enjoyed the chicken tenders, but it was just odd for me to get more food for less. Also, the lady we ordered from said we could've shared my order (the Home to Roost small plate) but I regret to inform everyone that I had no trouble finishing this order myself. Very nice gift shop at the end of the visit was a nice touch. Highly recommend this zoo for anyone visiting Denver! read more

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The Denver Zoo is consistently updating and remodeling making better places for the animals. I've been here during the daytime and night for the Denver lights during the holidays. I have enjoyed my time through it all. Compared to other holiday lights that I have been to, the Denver zoo does a nice job of organizing everything where you have ample space to wander around even if gets crowded (we went the weekend before Christmas). They spread the lights out pretty nicely so you get your steps in. The lights lead up to animal exhibitions that were open such as elephants and the giraffe and the fish and reptiles. Definitely wear comfy shoes. We easily spent at least 3 hours here during the night walk. Also take time to read and learn if there are new baby animals. We saw the baby sloth and it was so cute and chilled above the crowd. There's plenty of parking spaces from underground to the large outdoor parking lot as well. read more

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A nice zoo but doesn't offer reciprocity. Large group of managers walking around and blocking exhibits without care to the folks trying to see the animals. read more

Denver Zoo - Penguin - Zoos Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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My son and I enjoyed our time at the zoo. The staff were all very friendly and helpful with any questions we had. I really enjoyed that they offer shows. We watched a show about caring for elephants and it was very informative. We loved the elephant exhibit. It was very large and had lots of elephants. The only downside is they do not have many indoor exhibits like our home zoo. It was getting hot and we needed a break from the sun. But overall we enjoyed our trip to the zoo. read more

Denver Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Came here on a Friday afternoon which they close at 4 pm. I bought my ticket which was pretty expensive on a kiosk near the entrance. When I first went in, they have a lot of paper maps to take which was extremely easy to understand and very useful. I highly recommend grabbing one and finding the animals you would like to see. I decided to do it clockwise so I can see everything and not take shortcuts. I saw so many unique animals, the alligator turtle is something I've never seen before! Almost all of the animals were on display and playing which was super enjoyable to see. The monkeys on the rope and gorilla playing with clothes were the absolutely best! The zoo is also very interactive, the lorikeet exhibit and the kangaroo exhibit you could go inside and be near the animals as long as you stay on the walking path. The shade was limited so I wore sunglasses the whole time, wear sunscreen. The workers were very kind and answered all the questions I had. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting though. read more

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We visited the Denver Zoo while in town for the Metallica concerts. This was one of the highlights of our trip and I would say is a must see. I was surprised at how big the Zoo was but it was very easy to navigate. It took us about four hours to get through the entire zoo seeing just about everything outside the live shows. If we are ever in town again we will definitely be back. read more

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It was quick/efficient to get into the zoo for zoo lights, and while the night was fully booked, it didn't feel too crowded. There were lots of options for pricy food and drinks. The lights were fine--nothing too crazy, not animated or complicated, just simple and nice. Zoo lights is an unnecessary event--many of the animals were sleeping or attempting to sleep. It seemed like maybe the zoo put something warm near the cage wall where spectators look into the tiger's cage, since the tiger was sleeping right up against the wall, even though the tiger probably wouldn't have done that otherwise due to the noise and lights. Some of the enclosures don't seem big enough. "Enclosures" is a euphemism. They're really just cages. See the picture below of the giraffe cage. Let the animals sleep! read more

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We did zoo lights with the family before Thanksgiving and it was a great experience. Parking was easy doing an earlier time. The weather was great - a little breezy. The crowds were manageable. Also the cost of drinks and food was not as high as expected. I appreciated the amount of animal viewing we had as I've been to other zoos that had close to no animals to see at night. read more

Denver Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Denver, Colorado

We were very impressed with the Denver Zoo. We wished it had more cats but otherwise, it is very good. read more

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What a great way to spend a beautiful Autumn day! Over 125 years ago the zoo started with one bear & today they have over 2500 animals on 80 acres. And, that's a lot of walking...we walked 3.5 miles. The zoo hosts private events as well as their own events like Wild Fall & Zoo Lights. Memberships are available too. Tip: check out their website for "Today's Programs" - listed is the where & when for Talks & Demos for the day. We went on one of the zoo's Community Free Days. They have seven free days a year. You still need to have a ticket & time to enter. Get your tickets early because they only have a limited number per day. There is still one more free day this year in November, tickets are released on 11/6/24. Everything you need to know is on their website. The zoo landscape was beautiful, the sidewalks were wide & the animals were out - many of them up close & near the fencing. Plenty of room to see everything! They even have a carousel & train rides for an additional fee. I was pleasantly surprised how good the food was & reasonably priced too. We had a delicious thin crust Pepperoni Pizza, yummy Steak Empanadas, gooey Deep Fried S'mores & sweet Sopapillas that tasted more like donuts. All in all a wonderful day & an even more wonderful zoo! read more

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1/6/26-renewing my 1 star review. This time the restaurant by the elephants had been converted to a qr code only system. They didn't have the website posted on any of the marketing, which any graphic designer worth their salt, should know because not all phones have qr code readers. We made a complaint that we were blocked from buying real food at the seal Cafe where they only have snacks. The worker said that she was a lead and that the other location should have had a regular register system to serve customers. She said it was due to the SSA group and how they are running the food. This set up leads to horrible customer experiences and horrible customer service. They need to return the elephant Cafe back to a normal food station and stop doing things that make the experience worse on customers. read more

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We have been to the Denver zoo plenty of times since we have a yearly membership! Highly recommend getting a membership, we always see something new with every visit since we have littles and only go for a couple hours each time. One benefit about that membership that is huge in my option is that you get early access to the zoo before it is open to everyone else. The animals are very active in the morning too so its a great time to come! One of my son's favorite animals to visit are the giraffes. We were able to feed them lettuce! What a cool experience! They have a new Australia section that is a must check out. You can be inside of the enclosure with the kangaroos and wallabies! Super cool! The staff her are awesome. They are just so friendly and really seem to care about the animals. Don't miss out of their animal talks and don't be afraid to ask questions. Make sure to check out their gift shop on the way out. The zoo lights in the winter are cool too. A solid zoo! Lots of different animal species to see. Tips: The zoo has free days! You can find more information on their website so keep an eye out! For nursing moms they have awesome stations in both the giraffe house and one by the bathrooms by the animal hospital. They are very private and comfortable. read more

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It has been decades since I've visited a zoo. Was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of different animals and species at the Denver zoo. Truly enjoyed my visit exploring and learning about the animals and their environments as well as their care. read more

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I find my reviews of most of the zoos around the country are all very similar. It's a zoo. some small and some very large. The Denver Zoo is just a thoroughly delightful zoo! It is not a small place and still very easy to maneuver with a stroller which makes it the ideal place to come with your children and toddlers. Very easy access off the main road and easy to get to from the downtown area in an Uber, as a New Yorker that was a pleasant surprise. We paid and entered the zoo and went straight to the penguin feeding. How cute was that. Too young ladies did a wonderful job introducing the audience to some birds. This was entertaining and definitely geared toward a younger audience and you can just see how much the children enjoyed it. We enjoyed it too as well as the birds. They also have a nice feature where they take you on a little train ride around the zoo. Very small and only six minutes but... it was fun and relaxing. From that point on my wife and I with our friends just walked around this delightful zoo during a beautiful day. There were so many families there and like I said earlier this is just the perfect place for them. The giraffes unknowingly put on a wonderful show as well ase the elepfants and tigers. Many maile Lions just sleeping during the day and one female who really wanted to know what was going on around her. We went to the small exhibit of parrots, where you go the cage. This is always one of my favorite spots as they're just so photogenic and of course I always have a camera with me. (See pictures). They al;so have an open area visit to the kangaroos. New for me and lots of fun. All zoo employees are just so proud of the zoo and various keepers throughout the place just loved to talk about the animals in their enclosures. They all have such great stories. This is a great way to spend some time especially with young children or adults just walking around enjoying the day. read more

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What a great zoo! The facilities, including the animal cages, the grounds, and restrooms, were all clean. Prices were reasonable for adults and children, and they have an army of staff available in many of the exhibits to answer questions. It was truly a great experience for all ages. We went on a hot summer day but were able to find plenty of shade among the mature trees throughout the grounds. We dud find ourselves moving faster through the latter part of the day because of the heat. One of the newest exhibits is the kangaroo and wallaby area, where you actually go in the area with the animals. First time I have ever been able to do that. The animals were sleeping the whole time but still a unique experience. The zoo has such a diverse population of animals from warm weather climates, including elephants, lions, tigers, bats, and even gorillas. It's really a great place to visit in Denver. They have some great food options for guests as well, including great craft beer and cocktails for moms and dads. You can also pack a lunch to enjoy at one of several shade structures throughout. read more

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Even though it was crowded and some under construction it was a fantastic day. Friendly staff and fun exhibits. Gorgeous setup even in day for their glow Wild event. Will go again! read more

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The seal exhibit was pretty bad. It was just they were in the water the whole time and he couldn't tell what it was cause it was blurry. And enclosures don't seem safe. read more

We visited the other day and it was great! There were so many volunteers available to teach us about the animals! There were plenty of places available to sit at with shade. We went in the morning and there was plenty of free parking available which was a plus! For food, we went to the food truck by the train. The person who severed us was a very personable young woman named Ava. She was very kind to me and my family. My grandson dropped his pretzel on the floor which made him cry, but she was quick to give us a new one and did not make us feel bad about it at all. This was very kind! Great service over all. Definitely a great place to spend a few hours with friends or family, i'd absolutely go back! read more

Went to Denver Zoo with family, including a teenager and a toddler. We had seen the City (& mountains), so it was time to see the Zoo - which is nice. It took us about 4 hrs - with a 1/2 hour lunchbreak at about halfway through. (Tip - bring food, which is a little pricey and, don't worry, you can get beers here too). So, we saw all kinds of beasts - Antelope may have been hiding. Same with Llamas But present - Sloth Big Baboon Monkeys (some sleeping) Plenty of Lizards Vultures & Birds of all kinds of feathers read more

My family and I had a great time at the Denver Zoo. The staff was amazing and answered questions we had. Great day for the family.

I finally tried my BIL's advice and took my son to the zoo for Tropical Discovery on a frigid day. He was right- almost no one was there. We didn't see many animals on our way to TD- even the penguins were inside!! However, we had a great time looking at the fish and got a lot of personal attention from the docents. We also got to participate in an exciting bat talk and feeding- so cool!! On our way out, we stopped at Cups and Cones for our traditional zoo pretzel. (Denver Zoo has the best pretzels.) Unfortunately, this one wasn't very good- pretty crunchy and greasy- but it was still almost $10. Hopefully the best one will be better! read more

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I can't imagine why anyone would give this Zoo less than 5 stars. This is a HUGE Zoo with a ton of animals. The exhibits are well thought out, with multiple viewing areas which enable you to get close up views of the larger animals. All the staff that we interacted with were very friendly and helpful. There are multiple indoor viewing areas which allow folks to cool down on hot summer days. The only real flaw, is that due to this zoo's size, it is easy to get turned around and even borderline lost. However, this is a fantastic zoo, and we would definitely return if ever in the Denver area. read more