Cancel

Open app

Search

Houston Zoo

4.0 (916 reviews)
Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Houston Zoo Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Houston Zoo

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Christine S.

Great place to visit in Houston on a nice weather day. Their Zoo Boo & Zoo Lights events are spectacular. So much fun to be had for the daytime & the evening as well. Yes, the tickets can be pricey but there's ways around that. Groupon, City Pass, Student discount, senior discount, free pass days. I love that people can bring their own food but there's also great snacks & meals to buy there as well. Some advice: Buy their refillable drink container ($2 for refills) & the membership if you plan on going at least 3 times in a year especially if you have kids. You'll get your moneys worth. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a portable charger & bring a backpack instead of a purse!

Nancy A W.

We went to the Houston Zoo first thing yesterday morning and had the wonderful opportunity to see some of the exhibits alone. The animals were awake and moving around and the staff was friendly. The weather was cloudy and humid but everyone was in a good mood. I love the photos I took of the animals here. I was sad the red panda was being seen by the vet for skin allergies and missed it. The rhino exhibit is being repaired right now so be aware of that right now. The giraffe line was so long. Other than that it was a fun experience.

Natalie A.

We love the zoo! Parking can be a pain, once you find parking, the zoo is clean and well organized. Many places to sit and relax in the shade. Bring a picnic lunch. Options for food at the zoo as well. Many animals and the new Galapagos area. There is some construction taking place near the Giraffe area. It's a great chance to get out if the weather is right. I am not a fan of going whenever it's super hot because there are limited areas to sit in air conditioning. However a good portion of the walks are covered with trees so you do get shade.

William L.

It had been years since my last trip to the Houston Zoo, and this one still holds its own compared to some of the bigger zoos I've visited around the country. Definitely one of the better ones out there. (We gotta be top 5 right?) I came out for one of their Young Professionals Group events (the Flock) It was a beautiful day and such a cool way to experience the zoo. Staff was welcoming, had a couple cocktails and some breakfast in us before we started wandering... My favorites on this day were the Sea lions, the pygmy hippos, and the penguins. Grounds were clean, lots of families out, and it can get pretty busy. No avoiding that. But the place is massive enough that you can still find your own pace. You'll definitely get your steps in.. parking is free, but be ready to walk from the lot to the entrance. Zoo's got alot more got events running throughout the year (Zoo Lights during the holidays is a classic) there's always something new going on. I think they're building new exhibits/experience for 2026. Bottom line: if you haven't been in a while, go. Whether you're bringing kids, going with friends, or just need an excuse to be outside looking at animals, it's worth the trip.

Siamang
John T.

This is my new favorite zoo - and I have been to a lot if them. It feels intimate. Somehow the animals seem relaxed and happy but are so often engaged. Keepers were very accessible and informative. Everything was clean and well maintained. The layout and signage was logical and informative. Just an all around outstanding experience!

Zoo lights
Jennifer L.

The zoo did an amazing job with the zoo lights. It's worth the visit for sure. Both adults and children will love this. No the animals are not out except the giraffes. The parking isn't the best only because it's crowded so arrive at least 30 minutes before your ticket time

Neha S.

We came here for the Houston zoo lights, and it's a really cool experience and is super festive, especially if you've never been before. My only qualm is that the tickets are $36-$41, which is pretty expensive, especially since that doesn't include getting hot chocolate or s'mores, which we bought separately. It was $17 to get one hot chocolate and one s'more, but you get to keep the cup the hot chocolate comes in (it's kind of like a Starbucks cup with the lid). They're playing music everywhere, and there's a lot of different things to look at and explore like a little neon playground and an area with foamy fake snow, etc.

Evie T.

I've lived in Houston my whole life and love our zoo. It's been cool to see how the zoo has developed throughout the years with their new exhibits and events. We recently went this past weekend and really enjoyed our time. We went in right when they opened and the line moved very fast. we bought our tickets ahead of time and it helped with the speed of checking in. The zoo is currently under some construction but it doesn't seem to be effecting any main attractions or the animals. On this particular day the zoo was crowded but had a good flow! We got to see all of the animals and they were active this day. Let's get into the pros and cons: Pros: clean, friendly employees, lots of animals, and lots of opportunities to be in the shade/ AC. Cons: zoo events like zoo lights of zoo boo gets way too crowded. Unenjoyable... even

Phuong N.

Weather was nice so we ventured to the Zoo for an outing . The whole Zoo is decorated beautifully with lights and festival decorations.

Smores
Dominique N.

We came for zoo lights and it was super fun! A lot of the animals were sleeping but there was still a lot to see. The different lights exhibits/areas were very pretty and very fun to walk through. There are different lights for everyone and they are really unique with different kinds of animals, flora, fauna, and lotssssss of photo ops and backdrops. I wish I got more pictures but I was so entranced by the setup. The different activities are fun for people of all ages from children to adults. There is lots of free parking in the zoo's lot.

Serra M.

I finally made it to the Houston Zoo after being here 5 years. The weather was overcast, and slightly humid. We made a point of trying to see everything before the sun came out. Although, it's Memorial Day, it's not too packed. I guess we are on a Zoo tour, the last one was in Dallas. I think my favorite part of this zoo is the closeness of the Elephants and Gorillas. Literally you feel like you could reach out and touch them. We did not feed the Giraffe's at this location, but they were very much active. We had a great time and will continue our tour to other locations. Next time we will try the park train!

Jenell M.

The Houston Zoo is always a good time and have various events for everyone not just kids. On this occasion I came to the zoo for the Sip and Sparkle Event. It's an adults only nighttime event that showcases all the lights and decorations for the holiday season. There are also tables scattered around giving away wine samples. You get 6 drink tickets with entrance but you can buy more tickets or wine by the glass if you want. And for those that don't drink you can purchase an alcohol free entrance ticket and still enjoy the beautiful lights. Most of the animals were tucked away, but we did get a chance to see some giraffes and a rhino . This was a great way to kick off the holiday season and I would definitely recommend.

White Rhino
Mike C.

So let me start off by saying we love going to a great Zoo. Houston is by far one of the nicest and cleanest we have been to. We like it so much we signed up for memberships today. So why the low rating? Prior to heading out to the zoo we inquired about the memberships and different options. I am a retired law enforcement officer with almost two decades of service to my community. On occasion companies will offer a discount to Law enforcement and military veterans, active or retired. I confirmed with the person we contacted at the zoo about such a discount. We fully intended to purchase memberships regardless but were told Law enforcement was eligible. When we arrived I was told I did not qualify because I was retired. Apparently when a Law enforcement officer retires the zoo no longer appreciates my service. Fortunately we also have military personnel in our family and were able to use that status for the discount. The Zoo itself and the people working here are great. I have an issue with their policy regarding retired first responders. I just took it personally I guess.

Giraffe

See all

7 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

24 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Beth M.
45
26
0

17 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 13
Thanks 2
Love this 12
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 9
Thanks 7
Love this 13
Oh no 1

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 23

Houston Zoo Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Houston Zoo

Is the playground currently closed?

Is the petting zoo section still available to the public for free or is it being charged an amount to enter?

Childrens area has been closed for awhile. I think it's due to Covid.

How much would it cost for 1 adult and 3 kids?

Houstonzoo.org

Valor de las entradas?

Depends but roughly $24.95 Adult $22.95 Child… Read more

How much do yoy tip for a bike ride /bike-tax? From the zoo to lot C.

$5-$8

Can we take food inside the zoo?

Yes you can take food, drinks and a cooler into the zoo. They do not allow alcohol, glass bottles or straws. This is a great idea as it will save you a lot of money.

Do they have babystroller rentals?

YES! Stroller and Scooter Rentals… Read more

View All 11 Questions

Review Highlights - Houston Zoo

Favorites include the giraffes, chimpanzees, gorillas, giant anteater, bongos, and of course, the elephants!

Mentioned in 130 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Zoos 628 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Houston Interactive Aquarium and Animal Adventure - Starfish

Houston Interactive Aquarium and Animal Adventure

3.5(175 reviews)
16.1 mi

We always have such a good time coming here!…read more We love the interaction with the touch tide pool, the octopus, penguins and the interaction with various animals - especially the sting rays! There is also a petting zoo with llamas and goats and horses and even giraffes but the kids have usually been more interested in the aquarium and aviary. There have been some changes to the pricing and the play area with all the bouncy houses has drastically changed since we had a membership last year, so I'm not sure if we'll renew. But it is still definitely a place we'll hit up at least once a year!

This is an amazing zoo. Never knew it existed. You have the opportunity to interact with the…read moreanimals. Each interaction does require payment/credit. Depending on what you will be doing, it ranges from 30 to 90 credits. About $3 to $9 depending on how much credit your purchase as they give free credits the more you buy. The koi were huge and hungry. For 30 credits, got to buy some koi food to feed them. The sting rays were fantastic. First time to feed stingrays. Mouth is on the bottom... a staff showed us how to feed them. Learned something new. We got to throw some fish to the otters. Petted lemurs and kangaroo. Went up close to an Asian water monitor lizard. It was big... 8 ft in length. A lot of firsts for us. They also had a camel, giraffe, turtles, different types of lizards, ant eater, baby armadillo, warthog and so much more. We didn't get a chance to interact with the capybara as they were cleaning the cage. We went in a Friday afternoon and wasn't busy. I can see how kids would love the place. Oh yeah, they even had penguins that you can interact with too. Another first. Definitely worth visiting if you like animals.

Photos
Houston Interactive Aquarium and Animal Adventure - We always love getting to feed the parakeets!

We always love getting to feed the parakeets!

Houston Interactive Aquarium and Animal Adventure - Boy Scouts around the animals.

Boy Scouts around the animals.

Houston Interactive Aquarium and Animal Adventure - Kangaroo

See all

Kangaroo

TGR Exotics Wildlife Park - Smile, yes I'm handsome.

TGR Exotics Wildlife Park

4.6(73 reviews)
26.4 mi

I can't say enough good things about TGR Exotics! We had our 3 year old's birthday party there and…read moreeveryone had a fantastic time! Gwen and Rachael were incredible hosts throughout, the kids and the adults all had fun, and we all learned some fun facts about animals. This was the easiest and stress free party I have had for my children. Gwen and her staff did the majority of the setup before we arrived, they helped us unload our car and set up what we brought the day of, and played with our boys while we did final preparations. We got so many compliments from all the parents about how great the party was! Thank you Gwen and staff at TGR Exotics Wildlife Park!

We took about 11 kiddos [ages 7-11] to this park, and they had the best time with the animals. The…read moreowner, Gwen and her staff are clearly passionate about sharing these animals with everyone. Gwen even set up the party room for our kids and made sure each child had the chance to touch -- and sometimes even hold -- the animals. The team made the children feel completely safe while teaching them so much about each animal. There's such a wide variety here -- from sloths and tortoises to bears, monkeys, and so much more -- and you get to see them all up close! I highly recommend this experience for small groups. And if you have a child who loves animals, this is the perfect place for a birthday party. You won't be disappointed!

Photos
TGR Exotics Wildlife Park - Drew letting you get up close and personal! So much fun and a great memory

Drew letting you get up close and personal! So much fun and a great memory

TGR Exotics Wildlife Park - Stella and Quincy getting a snack.

Stella and Quincy getting a snack.

TGR Exotics Wildlife Park - Juan getting a cookie and a pet.

See all

Juan getting a cookie and a pet.

Japanese Garden - Squirrel

Japanese Garden

4.6(72 reviews)
0.3 miMuseum District

Peaceful, zen, bit of nature within the museum district's Herman Park…read more Parking was free since we went on a Sunday and we were able to find a very close spot within the lot. We want on a day with gorgeous weather, not too hot and plenty of sunshine. We saw squirrels, turtles coyfish and various birds. There was a decent crowd but we were able to move around easily and get some cute pics. This is a beautiful weather day must.

This was my first visit to the Japanese Garden in Houston, and it left a gentle impression on me. I…read morecame toward the tail end of winter, just as spring was teasing its way in. Here and there, I spotted a delicate cherry blossom and a few early blooms, though I wish I had visited at the peak of flower season. The garden itself is exquisitely designed and every corner seems crafted for peace, and I truly enjoyed the calm atmosphere. It felt like a small escape from the city hustle. That said, I did notice the cleanliness was a bit of an issue; the garden could definitely use some extra care to keep it pristine. Another small drawback was the restroom situation. There are only two available, and both were quite busy, so I ended up waiting a while and eventually decided it wasn't worth it. Still, the park draws a lovely crowd with people come to stroll, reflect, and soak in the beauty. If I'm in Houston again at a better time, I'll absolutely return to see the garden in full bloom. It has so much potential, and with a little more attention to detail, it could be a true hidden gem.

Photos
Japanese Garden - Squirrel

Squirrel

Japanese Garden - Squirrel

Squirrel

Japanese Garden

See all

Houston Zoo - zoos - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...