Went to Oregon Zoo and yeah... casually one of the oldest zoos in the country (opened in 1888... no big deal) just out here being stunning. It's sooo green, like full forest energy, and somehow none of the enclosures give that weird sad vibe... the animals actually look well taken care of. The red panda?? I was fully prepared to leave with a new personality trait after that... soooo cute it was almost too much. Also fun fact: they've been running a turtle conservation program for years where they "head start" baby northwestern pond turtles... basically raise them in a protected setup until they're big enough to not get eaten, then release them back into the wild. Over 1,500 turtles have been sent back out there, which is wild considering the species was almost gone at one point. Overall ... beautiful zoo, snacks everywhere, accidental education happened, had a great time. read more

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My friend and I stumbled upon the Oregon Zoo during one of their Adults Only 21+ nights, which happen on Wednesdays after the zoo normally closes. One thing to keep in mind: they absolutely check IDs, so make sure you have yours with you because they will not let you in without it. The zoo itself is cute and pretty easy to cover in a little over an hour, especially during the adults-only event. There are plenty of great photo opportunities and spots to practice photography throughout the zoo, and it was nice being able to walk around without it feeling too crowded. There were also several food stands open, although my friend and I weren't really interested in what was being offered. My only real critique was that quite a few of the animals weren't out by the time we arrived. But honestly, I can't be too mad about that since we were visiting after their normal operating hours. The animals are obviously on a routine too, and I'm sure some of them were ready to call it a night! Overall, I had a great time and would definitely visit again, especially during regular business hours so I can see more of the animals. Still, for my first visit, it was pretty nice experiencing the zoo kid-free... and I'm not talking about baby goats! read more

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Came to the zoo on Monday (Labor Day) at 11:00 am. Ordered half price tickets online with my local zoo membership discount, so the cost of 2 adults and a kid was $39. Opted to park for all day rather than stress over 2 more dollars, so it was $9.80 (parking kitty app). We used Google Maps to navigate here and then followed the signs to lot C that the sign indicated it had plenty of parking spots left. Lot C was still very convenient to the entrance (just downhill from lot). Followed the masses through the zoo, kiddo really loved it and I thought it was a nice activity. Highlights included the giraffes, elephants, and rhinos, along with the river otters that swam back n forth with some kids looking at the exhibit. Lots of animals to see. My kid likes all the climbable statues and the sandbox. She also got excited for the gift shop and carousel. She wanted to do the train but we were out of time! All in all, we were here over 3 hours and had a lot of fun. A good amount of walking but the layout means you don't need to double back much if at all. read more

So fantastic, easy to access the animals fr9m indoor and outdoor enclosures. The weather much like home in Washington and all the information provided by the keepers. My favorite was the Elephants and giraffe and my husband and I even bought matching penguin hoodies!! read more

Oregon Zoo - Mates for life - Zoos Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I heard high praises about this zoo and had no idea it was a big deal! But we actually had a great time and it was definitely one of the better zoos that we have been to. I feel like often times the zoo in the summer can be pretty empty and most animals are either asleep or not even visible. But on this visit, we pretty much saw every animal available with the exception of the polar bears - but they have a camera on them in their room so we technically saw them sleeping. I especially loved the elephant area because of the large outdoor space, and the indoor viewing where you can sit on stadium style seating and just watch them roam. We were lucky enough to view a baby elephant during our visit too. The layout of the zoo itself is pretty self-explanatory and I really liked the different areas for little kids. We came across two separate sandpit areas that made for a nice break for both the kids and parents from all the walking! read more

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Oregon Zoo is always a great time for us. We have repeatedly renewed our membership over the years. Our kids love going as a family, with friends and also for zoo lights. We really liked when they had the drive thru zoo lights options (during Covid). The staff are friendly and you can feel how much they care about the animals there. The zoo is always clean and has a good flow to it. We like to eat lunch (which they allow you to bring outside food) during the bird show in the main lawn area (by the elephants). I appreciate that they have several water refill stations throughout the zoo. Our kids like the train ride and the carousal which you get a discount as a zoo member if you purchase tickets. We typically arrive for the 10:00 AM time slot and haven't had issues parking. It's Parking Kitty or you need to go to the parking pay stations. I highly recommend checking out the zoo when in the area. read more

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Came here once so long ago, I barely good remember it. But got to come again when my cousin brought her two kids on a Saturday, so it was pretty busy. Some exhibits took a bit to walk through because it was too many people. But we still had a good time. It was big enough to let the kids have fun without tiring them out too much. Lots to look at. And I liked how it was set in the woods, where it felt like you were walking through the forest to explore and see animals. read more

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Incredible zoo! Maybe the best one I've ever been to. Better than San Francisco. They have you walk along a single path so you see every animal without having to guess the best path. They have posted signs when it's best to see the animals. They're animals seem to have some of the biggest enclosures as well. Can't recommend this high enough read more

Oregon Zoo - Polar bear - Zoos Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Really impressed by the zoo in Portland! Lovely experience walking through nature with large habitats. I've been to a lot of zoos and this was the most interactive I've seen zoo animals. The polar bear was diving into the water and playing with toys. We saw elephant enrichment in the pool and a rhino keeper talk. Spent about 2 hours walking around before our flight. Good price but parking is difficult to come by later in the day. Definitely glad we went! read more

Oregon Zoo - Elephant pool - Zoos Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Sightseeing in Portland, Oregon... When I visited my niece for her birthday in December 2025, we ran out of time and didn't get to visit the Oregon Zoo. It was her birthday wish... Well, Auntie follows through and makes dreams come true - even though it was four months later! April was a great month to go to the zoo. It was a sunny day, but we still brought our jackets with us. We paid for parking via QR code, but didn't know how long we'd be there. I think we stayed a little over two hours. Parking was a bit confusing because GPS led us to a back entrance. It was locked... this entrance was for authorized personnel only. We circled around the curvy roads of Washington Park and figured that we should park close to the entrance at Lot C. We walked down some stairs and found the zoo entrance. It was kind of confusing. While I was driving from Seattle, my niece bought tickets online for the 1pm time slot. It worked out fine. The zoo, in general, was clean, organized, and an educational experience! The animals looked happy and the staff were friendly! We bought cute magnets at the Gift Shop! Thanks for a nice adventure! read more

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BEAUTIFUL! Came on a Sunday and it was quite packed but I was solo and it was easy to get around. All the animals were out and about and it was exciting how close up you were able to get to see the animals. Loved all the greenery and they have one trail you walk to see the entire zoo with a few paths that lead you to various exhibits. Add the Zoo to your list next time you're in Portland! read more

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Every time I go out of town I always try to visit the zoo - not going to lie. I was not impressed but I'm glad I was able to support the zoo. The zoo is also under construction. Not too many animals out. Admission cost $26 for adults and I probably only spent an hour and 15 minutes; of course if you have kids maybe 2 hours Max 3 but no longer than that but with kids. Please note this is a metered monitor parking. Max is estimated $10. Like I said you would not need the max. I think the first hour is $2.50. there's no cash except it in person. Everything is through a kiosk or you can purchase online and their time slots. Would I come back?... Probably not unfortunately! Happy Exploring! read more

Oregon Zoo - Entrance - Zoos Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The zoo is just getting better and better! The area looks clean and there are lots of seating areas and places for people to sit. It was a great day so there were lots of animals that were out. I also appreciated people being respectful. Anyways, I really liked it and those who wanted food were reasonable in price. The people were there were also very nice and kind, too. read more

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The Oregon Zoo is a gem in the PDX area for wildlife lovers or those just looking to take a nice stroll and see some animals. They have their own parking lot here with a good amount of seating where you pay to park. Admission to the zoo is $26 per adult and cheaper for children. The zoo itself is very spacious with tons of different exhibits to see. You could definitely spend close to a good 2-3 hours here! I would highly recommend stopping by if you are ever in the area. read more

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Went here on a whim with my bestie! BEST DAY EVER. All the animals are super active and have pretty big enclosures! Simple trails and lots of shade under the beautiful trees. My favorite animals to see were the bats, pygmy geese, and beavers!! Def check out the photo booth too when you pass it!! read more

Oregon Zoo - Giraffes and pics from the photo booth! - Zoos Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We recently visited the Oregon zoo over the July 4th weekend with the kids and it was amazing! Specially the walking route of great northwest and Africa is really good. Special mention to the birds - bald eagle , snowy owl and the condors have a great view . Also, the elephant swim show and the polar bear viewing was the best. Highly recommended when in Portland!! read more

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I've been to the Oregon Zoo twice. The first time was last December for Zoo Lights (highly recommend!), and a couple of weeks ago, my daughter and I made new core memories on a summertime mom-and-daughter day at the zoo. You're never too old for a mom-and-daughter zoo outing! The Oregon Zoo has a lovely layout, and the animals seem to have room to move and be. The Great Northwest zone was especially captivating and preserved a feeling of being in the wild. I was especially happy to see the expansive habitat for their elephants. I grew up going to the San Francisco Zoo, which always made me sad because the elephants were kept in a small enclosure with cinderblock walls. The Oakland Zoo had a decently-sized elephant enclosure, but sadly, they no longer have elephants. It was such a privilege to see this happy herd, especially Tula-Tu and Mama Rose. Since moving here, I've missed the sea otter raft at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, so I was delighted to experience sea otters again. They have a sizable habitat. The harbor seals exhibit was also a favorite! It looks like they're expanding the on-premises food offerings/seating, which is great. During our two visits, the food trucks didn't appear to be open during their posted operating hours. We arrived at opening time to ensure parking and to get a jump on the summer crowds. We comfortably spent a few hours lingering at favorite exhibits and treated ourselves to some "elephant ears" (cinnamon-sugar donuts). The Oregon Zoo is well worth a visit for kids of all ages. :) read more

I've been to mini zoos and the Oregon zoo in Portland is perhaps the best of all of them. An incredibly beautiful grounds with animals who appear very well cared for and staff members who were helpful and pleasant. They have just about every kind of animal here which is very impressive. Great information is available throughout the zoo, including information on ecosystems and natural habitats. As a senior, I particularly appreciated the various places to sit and take a load off for a few minutes. The parking lot uses parking kitty so if you've got that app, you're all set. All tickets and memberships are sold online so you'd be encouraged to take care of that before you arrive. read more

Oregon Zoo - One of two bald eagles we saw - Zoos Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Being a visitor, this was such an amazing zoo experience! There were so many zoo exhibits and animals! Some animals were sleeping but got to see them anyway! Loved how open the zoo was and there was a map to track where you are in the zoo to help plan your route! I didn't take a picture but I thought it was nice to have a covered food truck area. The lines weren't that long to order and the wait time was long either! Fast and incredible service. Ordered churros and some dip n dots perfect for a hot day (went during summer). If I were to go back to Oregon, this zoo is definitely on my list to revisit again! read more

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By no means is this a massive zoo, but I was here alone and was able to comfortably spend about 2 hours, maybe 2 and 15 without feeling like I was dragging my feet. The zoo is gorgeous, simply laid out, the animals were relatively active, staff was nice, it was very clean and well-kept. Honestly just because of the charm, this is one of my favorite zoos in the country. Has all the fan favorites too. Polar bears, black bears, lions, elephants. read more

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I recently attended a brew lights here and oh man! Was it worth the money!! First UBER/ride share here. Don't try to park. If I had to park I would have melted. Also it's a brew fest (drunk driving is not cool!) The tickets included a mug, and drink tickets. Welll worth it. The ten tickets imo were enough to get me silly x 3. (I don't ever drink maybe that's why) I ultimately ended up giving half my tickets away lol. There's lots of local breweries, lots for everyone to try. The lines can be long but with good company it goes quick. My favorite part is being able to explore the zoo at night with friends! its a fun adult experience! read more

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Had to update that the last elephant ear I had a few weeks ago was awful. Tasted like sad pizza dough, no sugar or butter flavor. I saw scant sugar crystals lightly glazed across the surface, but couldn't taste it at all. Paid $8 to end up feeling sad. So, skip the pastry when you visit this awesome zoo. read more

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Come in the morning when it's cooler, we were here May 1 and I wore jeans. Just hot. It's a pretty nice zoo read more

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What a fantastic zoo! The grounds are absolutely gorgeous. The zoo is clean and well-maintained. There were no offensive animal smells except where the penguins are. We were fortunate to see the baby elephant. I saw some animals I never saw before: bald eagle, beaver, polar bear, condors, and black bear. The otters seemed oblivious to humans and were having a great time. The beavers, as usual, were busy working. Hence the phrase "busy as a beaver." We paid $72 for 2 adults and child. So it is not cheap, but if that is the price to maintain such a wonderful zoo, it is worth every penny. Parking is extra. I would say, however, that the price of food concessions is very high so we skipped that. This is one of the best zoos I have visited and I highly recommend it when you are in Portland and need an activity for kids. read more

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Great zoo with awesome design. Most enclosure has multiple vantage point to view the animal better. Really awesome experience. read more

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Beautiful zoo, lots of exhibits, and extra activities for the family. We were there during Easter weekend and there was an Easter egg hunt for the kids. The gift shop was beautiful and had a variety of selections of apparels, educational toys, books, etc. Highly recommended! read more

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You can easily spend 3 hours at Oregon Zoo. There's a variety of mammals, reptiles, and avians from different regions, climates, you name it. Some of my favorite exhibits included the bats devouring hanging pieces of fruit, the snowy owls (Hedwig!), the elephants, the giraffes, and many of the bird exhibits. It was also great to see that the animals weren't cramped in their spaces and were well attended to. The employees are also really nice and helpful. When we arrived, the workers clarified that we were still able to buy tickets for 4pm and allowed us to store our stuff in a small storage space for free because the lockers were under construction during the time we visited. We were able to drop off and pick up our stuff seamlessly. Since the zoo was so big and we came at 4pm, we unfortunately missed the aviary. But we'll definitely come back to see it when we're in the area. Definitely worth every penny. read more

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Our Zoo is one of the best I've been to. They've made so many improvements to get the community involved and I believe really care about conservation and the well-being of its animals. Folks who think that these types of attractions should be shuttered are not considering the fact that many or most animals are not breed for display--they cannot be in the wild or are so rare that their population is low. Sorry, that was a lot. I've grown up since the days of Washington Park, and I will say this is an amazing place for everyone! Clean, enough space per animal and the display is the least of what goes on here (know a bunch of staffers and former zoo volunteers and youth who were a part of their program). My nephew is a raving fan (and if you can get a 6-7 year old to want to go do something more than 3 times, you've got a hit), and for the price you get what you expect. I love coming here in the morning right at opening and working our way from the back to the entrance. A not pro tip, but a wonderful way to get your own experience before the crowds. The animals are always doing their thing, and while the fee if not a member can be a stretch for some, well worth it. Look for group discounts, sales and seriously, take the Max--sorry Parking Kitty. They also have more and more local food vendors than just the old Africa cafe. Please bring back the animal-shaped fries from 25 years ago. If it's been awhile or new to the Zoo, try it. ...I've never been searched (unless concert), for food or drinks, if not able to buy on-site. Just saying--picnic away. :) read more

I haven't been to any other zoos, so I don't have a reference point to compare this one too, but I really enjoyed it.

Came here on a Wednesday around 10am and it wasn't very packed and we saw a lot of animals out. This zoo is very clean, has a lot of different exhibits, plenty of bathrooms , and although I didn't eat, there are food and beverages throughout the park. It was hot, and there were water misters to cool off while walking. Lots of available seating to rest and hang out. This is a great place for both kids and adults to enjoy. read more

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Another great zoo visit! Went earlier in the day so parking was a non issue and the zoo was much less busy so much more pleasant to walk around looking at the animals. Miss. Tula Tu the baby elephant is still as cute as can be! And it was fun watching the polar bears having their enrichment time of digging ice cubes out of a tube. Love visiting! Friendly staff every time and the active animals! read more

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This was such a fun day! It was a holiday which meant it was very crowded. Parking was basically impossible but we parked further into the arboretum and hiked our way back to the zoo. It was a beautiful sunny day so we didn't mind the hike. Because of the crowds it was a bit hard to get up close the animals. But the ones we were able to see were just wonderful. I was especially excited to see he baby elephant and the bald eagles. Magnificent! The zoo is clean, easy to navigate. Food options are a bit limited. Next time I'll pack a small cooler with food from home. We had a great day and were able to catch the free shuttle back to our car. read more

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We've been coming to the Oregon Zoo for years and it's honestly one of our favorite spots in Portland, especially as our kids have grown up. It's one of those places that never really gets old. There's always animals to see and something going on. The keeper talks are actually really cool -- we learn something new every single time we go. It's not just a quick walk-through zoo experience, there's real engagement if you want it. One of the things I appreciate most is that it's never overly packed. Even on busier days, you can still usually get a good view of the animals without feeling crammed in. When the weather's nice, it's such a great place to just walk around and enjoy the day. Our kids love the carousel and all the little stops along the way. And the train ride is a must every time -- it's basically tradition at this point. There's a huge variety of animals, the grounds are well kept, and it just feels like a really well-run place overall. If you live in the area and have kids, the membership is 100% worth it. We go multiple times a year and always leave feeling like it was a good day. Highly recommend. read more

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We absolutely love the Oregon Zoo! We've been members for a while now, and it's one of our favorite places to take our kids. Every visit is a fun adventure, and we always have a great time. The zookeeper talks are one of the highlights--they're informative, engaging, and a great way to learn more about the animals. There are also plenty of interactive activities that keep the kids entertained while helping them learn. It's become one of our go-to summertime activities. It's a great way to get the kids out of the house, spend time together as a family, and learn about wildlife. If you have young children, I highly recommend a membership--it has definitely been worth it for our family. read more

This was a nice zoo, it was nice because they were doing a special so we got tickets for half the price, which was nice because some of the exhibits were being moved around/empty. We also got to see the new baby elephant. read more

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This zoo is good to spend a day. I absolutely love zoos, so I was glad to be able to visit this one. Overall, I give the Oregon Zoo a B+. We felt the signage was lacking. There were sections of walking with no indication that you are headed in the right direction. To us, the diamond of the zoo is the elephant enclosure. It is very well designed providing a great deal of space, activities, water, etc. There are numerous places to view the elephants because of this. The zoo is very proud of the red pandas, but the exhibit has been closed for a while because it has been near the train station, a loud area, and the panda needs a quiet space. As for the train, the woman who hearded us on and of off was very cheerful. The conductor was friendly and informative. The ride is 6 mins long; the main view is the elephants. This ride is best for children. There is also a speaker in each car that plays when the conductor isn't talking, but it isn't loud enough for riders to clearly hear. We were right under the speaker and struggled to fully hear what was being said. read more

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Had so much fun at this zoo! Lots of great exhibits to see. Tickets are $26 and it will take you at least 2 hours plus to see everything. Located in Washington Park area with lots of other attractions to see besides the zoo. Enjoyed the Polar bear, black bear, orangutan, flamingos, giraffes, elephants and more. So awesome to see all these beautiful animals. They were decorating for their Zoo lights event for the holidays (That will be fun to see) would highly recommend for visitors and locals. The Trimet takes you right there, steps away from entrance. It was a good day. read more

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Native Oregonian here, used to go a lot for field trips as a kid, it's super different now. They got rid of a lot of my favorite parts, the butterfly house, the sloths, the cheetah! I know they do a lot of conservation efforts so I'm not trying to rag on them or anything but it was so disappointingly different from when I was little. I miss how big it used to feel, and it wasn't fun to see the kids taunting, growling and yelling at the animals, trying to antagonize them. I did enjoy my time here but I also just think a lot of changes still need to happen. read more

Oregon Zoo - Giraffes - Zoos Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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A zoo in a forest above the city. The MAX station takes you right to the front gates. There are a couple city bus stops here too. Parking is metered. It was a really hot day so most of the animals were hiding. I was happy with seeing the new baby elephant, the giraffes, bears and a lioness. Plenty of birds, amphibians and penguins at indoor exhibits. You can bring your own food in, but there is a good variety of "zoo priced" options. Volunteers are readily available to answer questions throughout the park. Best part though, wasn't animal related. I took the train ride with Jason and had such a good time. Short but very worthy. Highly recommend it! read more

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We rode the Max out to the zoo. It was really easy to jump off at the Washington Park station and get to the zoo gate. There are several parking lots as well if you choose to drive. I really enjoyed this zoo. I loved the layout and design of the zoo. The nature of the area was incorporated into the design and made for a relaxing stroll for the zoo. The zoo is much larger than you think when you first get started. It would be fun to pack a lunch and stop 1/2 way and take a break. There is a huge food court as well as the outdoor amphitheater. There is a good variety of animals as well. read more

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