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    The Preserve

    4.1 (91 reviews)
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    Updated 2 weeks ago

    The Preserve Photos

    Recommended Reviews - The Preserve

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    Gio P.

    An amazing up close and personal experience. If you're an elephant lover, you need to go. I didn't want to share any personal photos but there are many photo ops with the elephants.

    Best Valentine's Day ever!!! Of course the elephants were amazing but so were the staff. Incredibly well trained and you get a sense they truly care about the animals. We got to wash an elephant, feel the bottom of their feet and take several pictures with the elephants, especially Becky - whose artwork we purchased. Katie was superb in providing information and everything was so well organized. Cannot recommend more highly. Thanks!

    Cydney F.

    Absolutely loved this experience! I was hesitant at first not knowing what to expect but from the moment we arrived I was in awe. The staff was wonderful and I learned so many things about Asian Elephants. Rosie, Becky and Kitty you all did amazing... relaxing while we bathed you, kicking the ball and hoola hooping. I recommend this exciting experience to all young and old.

    It's your favorite OCA...no, not the Elephant, me!
    Courtney B.

    For folks who lost count.... this is review 8- hun-it (800). Today, I took the Things to the Preserve for one of their Spring Break days. I decided to come to this Preserve as both Things are fond of animals and are always looking for more information about animals. The Preserve is only open designated hours and days and can only be visited by appointment/tickets paid in advance. *It should be noted that while there are many one star reviews of this facility based upon the consumer research done prior to the visiting or shortly after and the use of bullhooks on the elephants, this review does not include such research nor did I see any bullhooks used upon my visit at any time. Upon entering the location, guests are advised that the show will commence under a pavilion at the scheduled time, and bottled water is available for attendees to stay hydrated while they wait for the show to begin. As guests wait for the elephants to come out, guests are shown an elephant tooth and are educated about the amount of teeth elephants have over their lifetimes. When the elephants come out, this is where "the circus" begins. The elephants come to the pavilion with their tails and trunks linked (I assume this is to show how well they are behaved/trained). Guests are introduced to the elephants and the elephants 'wave' to the guests with their trunks. Guests are given quick facts about elephants from the first presenter. Guests are then brought to the area where they can take photos with the elephants and wash one elephant. The Things and I elected to do both. Although we soon learned this experience was more of a trained animal show as opposed to seeing elephants in their natural habitat. During the washing of the elephant, guests are able to ask questions about the elephants (many of which are answered, some which could not be due to the lack of knowledge of staff). At this juncture (while I am doing the interaction with the elephants), I am a bit apprehensive about staying for the remainder of the time I paid for as this is not a true preserve. It's become obvious at this point that this is an elephant show/circus. After the interactions with the elephants, the elephants are brought back to the pavilion to do "tricks." These tricks, as others have mentioned, include hula hoops, ball kicking, painting, and lifting a human/trainer with the elephant's trunk. On a positive note, I did learn the following: 1- There are more than 10 physical characteristics that differentiate Asian and African elephants. For example, Asian elephants' ears are smaller compared to the large fan-shaped ears of the African species. Only some male Asian elephants have tusks, while both male and female African elephants grow tusks. It is also important to note that there are two distinct elephant species on the African continent--the savanna elephant and the forest elephant, with a number of characteristics that differentiate them both as well. 2- Elephants have the longest gestation period of any mammal--22 months. Females give birth every four to five years. Elephant herds have complex social structures, are led by matriarchs, and are comprised of a group of other adult females and calves, while male elephants tend to live in isolation or small bachelor groups. One of every four elephants born die after birth (that's both an awful and alarming statistic). 3- tree species in central African and Asian forests rely on seeds passing through an elephant's digestive tract before they can germinate. An elephant footprint can also enable a micro-ecosystem that, when filled with water, can provide a home for tadpoles and other organisms. Aside from these facts and tricks performed by the elephants and close encounters with consumers, this is what those who attend can expect in the 1 and 1/2 hours spent at the location. Summation: If you are looking to see trained elephants at the price point of $125 per person (I paid for 3 tickets, $375 in total), visiting a circus may be a better bet as at least consumers know they are going to see tricks and are not expecting to see elephants in a preserve. If you are looking for a true preserve experience, see my review for Out of Africa Wildlife Park in AZ as this is a true preserve where animals are roaming free and are not doing parlor tricks. https://www.yelp.com/biz/out-of-africa-wildlife-park-camp-verde If you plan to attend, I'd advise you to read all reviews and form your own opinion prior to going as well as determine if $125 per ticket is worth the price point.

    Brian Q.

    Met the beautiful and majestic Kitty, Becky, and Rosy! Beautiful Asian elephants rescued by the preserve and the experience was amazing. The trainers seem to really love these elephants and we got to get up close and personal with all of them including helping them bathe and taking pictures. You can buy their art as well. They also have giraffes and kangaroos apparently but that is another tour.

    Elephants
    Andrea R.

    10/10 experience for a fun date or family bonding! Very welcome crew, hands on experience with animals, and educational content! My boyfriend surprised me on a trip to Fredericksburg & this was the most unforgettable experience

    Kelly M.

    We were recommended this place and my husband decided to gift me a cool experience with elephants for my birthday. I didn't do much research going in but genuinely thought it was an animal preserve. Upon arrival, staff were friendly and property looked to be in pristine condition. The staff gave an overview and you look over and see these three gorgeous elephants come walking over. I didn't think too much of it at the time. The next set was the bath time where we were able to go up and help wash by brushing Becky's skin and then take photos with Rosie. The inner kid in me was elated to see elephants up close and personal but something struck me as off when after "spa time" Becky did a handstand and that's when this felt like a gimmick and gave us the circus feel. We all came back as a group and we learned a little more about the three elephants but this is where they did their tricks. Part of me loved being able to hug these gorgeous elephants and give them kindness and love, but the other part of me feels foolish for not researching a head of time. I can only hope that the videos and stories online are not true. And that these magnificent beauties are treated with respect and kindness. But the umbrella of education and conversation doesn't quite stand up. We didn't learn about any conservation efforts and asked questions that not all the trainers could answer. Looking back I don't know if i saw sadness in their eyes or just the look of a giant animal who was over the heat. But nothing beats looking at a 6000+ lb animal who is so gentle yet strong. Overall, I'm very indifferent. I don't regret going but I do regret supporting individuals who false advertise and who allegedly abuse animals.

    Cody S.

    I certainly do NOT understand why there is a single bad review about this place. First thing we noticed was how well everything was maintained. Everything is in prestige condition. The bathrooms were clean and nice, the roads were all groomed, seating areas were all clean. IMPRESSIVE! All the employees were VERY knowledgeable, kind, and treated the elephants with love! Holly smokes the elephants were all so sweet, well mannered, incredibly talented and the absolute best! I may have cried about 96 times. Happy tears of course! I would HIGHLY recommend doing this experience. My husband and 2.5 year old had the best time too!! Our little one was in awe the ENTIRE time. We learned so many cool facts about these magnificent elephants. Def a trip to remember. Thank you all so much!

    I have visited three times with plans to go back. The elephants are such amazing animals. The staff and owners are happy and answer all my questions each time. They are promoting conservation of the elephants in the wild.

    The ladies
    Elisa M.

    There isn't a time that I go and the person I take loves the experience. People I've referred have thanked me for leading them there. Please don't be fooled by the negative reviews. This is a one of a kind hands on learning experience and the staff is super nice and knowledgeable. And there's great news as they are expanding! Next there will be giraffes and giant turtles. Make sure you make reservations as they are usually sold out.

    Joshua B.

    Absolutely amazing experience while also a fantastic learning experience. 10/10 would do again!

    Ken S.

    Our second visit to the Preserve.......so many improvements to the property and exhibits. Same devoted...knowledgeable.... Hands on staff and owners. Sadly two of the elderly elephants have passed away due to age..... They have added two male Giraffe but they are not part of the adventure yet. Still a great hands on educational experience.

    Elephant hug
    Melanie G.

    Great experience with elephants. The love of the team and their care for elephants is so much more than the reviews. My husband and I had a fantastic experience bathing, playing and interacting with elephants. Garry, Kari, Joanne, Blake, and the rest of the team.. despite the Karen's out there..they go over and beyond to give an experience with the animals that most people would love to have. We domesticate dogs..cats..and many other animals. The elephants have a great team who helps give them emotional and spiritual support. Yes..the elephants would probably love to be free..but they are dying from other countries and hunters sourcing ivory, their skins..giving them a free place to live is better than the crappy reviews from the haters. I have to say it was an incredible experience. The grounds are beautiful and the passion and love of the team was well worth the experience. Don't be negative of those truly trying to help.

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    Loved how they cherish the animals there. So obvious they love them. Highly recommend the preserve! You won't forget it!

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    Everything a delight All ages loved it. I took my friends as a surprise and they were delighted.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - The Preserve

    Review Highlights - The Preserve

    They totally care for the five (Kitty, Rosie, Tai, Dixie and Becky) that are there.

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    The Exotic Resort Zoo

    The Exotic Resort Zoo

    4.6
    (382 reviews)
    16.7 mi
    Kid friendly
    Family-owned & operated

    Absolute goat-heaven! I've been here so many times, and it…read morenever disappoints. This is my go-to spot whenever out-of-state family and friends come to visit--it's always a huge hit. If you love goats, you have to come here. They have a massive pen where you can hang out with the cutest, friendliest goats for as long as you want. There's also a decent little gift shop to check out before you leave. A pro-tip from a regular: skip driving your own car through, especially if you want to keep your paint job clean! Hop on the trailer ride instead--that's truly where it's at. An amazing experience every single time!

    My friends and I did the drive thru safari here and WOW, what a unique experience. I honestly…read moredidn't know something like this existed in the US but I'm so glad it does. I believe there's over 500 animals here, which is insane! For the drive thru safari specifically, the animals will come to your car and you have the opportunity to get up close and personal to them. If you have food, they are very assertive in getting some and may get food and spit in your car, so be prepared for that. The animals that came up to our car included deer, ostriches, alpacas, moose, and zebras. Outside of the drive thru safari, they also have a petting zoo. They have capybaras here (which I'm a big fan of) so we also paid to see and pet them! Overall, a super fun experience if you're an animal lover. The tickets are also pretty affordable which is another plus.

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    The Exotic Resort Zoo
    They need beach chairs...
    They need beach chairs...
    The bison have long, black tongues!

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    The bison have long, black tongues!
    Longneck Manor

    Longneck Manor

    4.9
    (29 reviews)
    7.3 mi

    Me and my family came here for a little getaway trip and let me just say, we had so much fun. This…read moreplace is such a vibe. Seeing the animals that close was honestly an experience I'll never forget. The rhinos were right outside our back patio area where we could watch them from a distance. Obviously there were safety barriers between our townhouse-style villa and another barrier around the animal enclosure itself, but it still felt amazing being able to see them so close. The place we stayed in was super spacious. It was more like a private little townhouse/villa setup rather than a regular hotel room. There are multiple villas throughout the property depending on the size of your group. Ours was a two-bedroom, three-bed villa with huge restrooms, amazing water pressure, and beautiful backyard views overlooking the rhino enclosure. My cousin mentioned that some of the other villas also overlook the giraffes, but ours mainly had views of the rhinos which was still such an amazing experience. One thing I really loved was how interactive and educational the experience was. The staff was very friendly, informative, and clearly cared a lot about the animals. They explained where many of the animals came from, safety precautions, and how to properly interact with them respectfully. For example, with the giraffes they explained not to stand too close to their neck or face while feeding them because if they turn suddenly you could fall over. With the rhinos, the staff explained that their eyesight is limited, so we had to approach them slowly and talk to them so they knew we were there. There's a barricade setup with small openings where the rhinos pop their heads through while eating. As guests, we slowly walked alongside the barricade while talking to them until we reached their forehead area where we were allowed to gently pet them. It was honestly such a cool and unique experience being able to interact with them that closely while still keeping everything safe for both the animals and guests. The animal activities were honestly one of the best parts. We got to feed the giraffes and even the sloth which was such a cool experience. The giraffes also got to "paint" on a canvas using this really interesting paintbrush contraption. One person would hold the canvas while another person held the paintbrush setup near the giraffe's face, and the giraffe would push and move the brush around the canvas creating its own little painting. It was definitely a two-person job and such a unique experience to watch. There was also another activity where the rhinos helped create paintings. They put non-toxic, animal-safe paint on the side of the rhino's leg and you press the canvas against it to create a little portrait to take home as a memory. Upon arrival they provided little breakfast/snack items for our stay like oatmeal, waffles, orange juice, and protein bars. They also let us choose between cider and bottled water which was a nice touch. The entire property feels peaceful, hidden, and perfect for a relaxing getaway. Just keep in mind that restaurants and stores are about 30 minutes away, and it gets VERY dark at night since the property is more secluded. We personally went out to eat and explore, but you could also order DoorDash if you wanted to stay in and relax at the property. Overall, my whole experience here was amazing. I love animals, so being able to enjoy something this unique with my mom, aunt, and cousin made it even more special. Definitely something different, relaxing, and memorable. I would absolutely recommend staying at Longneck Manor if you want a unique getaway experience in Texas.

    Truly a special place with much kindness and love for Giraffes. Thankyou Rick for sharing Longneck…read moreManor. Thankyou Noah and staff. Noah / Staff very knowledgeable in regards to the animals on property. Everyday was a learning experience about the animals and their habitat. You'll never get this type of interaction/educational moments in California. Giraffe Suite is a must -do if and when you visit Longneck Manor. We discovered Longneck Manor in 2020 via social media. We finally made it ......... unforgettable!

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    Cute merch
    Cute merch
    Longneck Manor
    Longneck Manor

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    Sweet Berry Farm

    Sweet Berry Farm

    4.3
    (189 reviews)
    31.0 mi

    What a charming little town Marble Falls is. The drive out to Sweet Berry Farm alone sets the tone…read morewith all the rolling hills and beautiful scenery. Even though we had chilly weather and a little rain, it didn't stop us one bit. We ended up picking close to seven pounds of fresh strawberries and they were so tasty and juicy. The whole experience of walking row by row and picking the perfect berry was so much fun. There's even a helpful little sign explaining how to pick the strawberries properly so they last longer. *Pro tip, leave a bit of the stem on the strawberry as you pick them, they stay fresh longer. We learned that after the fact, but we'll definitely do it right next time. The farm is huge, around 152 acres of expansive land, which was very green, open, and peaceful. It wasn't crowded at all the day we went, which made it even more enjoyable. The kids had a blast. They have a cute little train ride, a fun bouncing area, and plenty of space for the kiddies to run around. The goats were a big highlight for us. You can buy feed for 25 cents a tiny cup, and we went through four pretty quickly - you might want to grab more upfront because they close at 5 and we didn't get a chance to go back for more goat feed. The setup around the goat area was really nice and whimsical, and there's just so much open space to explore and walk and get fresh air. They also have a small gift shop with ice cream and little goodies, which was a nice touch after being out in the fields. Overall, it was such a peaceful, fun, and memorable day. Beautiful views, great atmosphere, and a perfect mix of activities for both kids and adults. We'll absolutely be back. Easily a five star experience.

    It's an annual tradition for my daughters and I to go strawberry picking at Sweet Berry Farms. We…read morekept up with our tradition, braved the heat and visited this past weekend. Love that they don't charge entry fees! They provide you with a box for the berries and charge $3.75 per pound. My girls and I had so much fun picking the berries and eating them after! We also love the farm's homemade strawberry popsicles and ice cream - absolutely delicious. They also offer pick your own flowers, a bouncy area, a barrel train ride, and various arts and crafts activities for kids. There are also baby goats to feed! Fun for the whole family and an awesome day trip.

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    Fresh strawberries!!
    Fresh strawberries!!
    Sweet Berry Farm
    Sweet Berry Farm

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    YO Ranch Headquarters

    YO Ranch Headquarters

    4.8
    (5 reviews)
    58.5 mi

    We just spent two days at the YO Ranch and it was spectacular! Jordan took us on a tour to see all…read morethe different animals they have and she was super fun and very knowledgeable! Highly recommend the animal tour. We got to feed some of the animals and learned a lot! Who knew Zebras and donkeys could mate and make a Zorkie?! So cool! She also introduced us to Patty and Thor the pigs in the petting zoo area. And all the other cuties in there! Lisa was so sweet also! She introduced us to "Sissy" the capybara. We got to feed her several times and it was so neat to call her name and have her come swim up to us! We were there for our anniversary and Lisa made us feel so special and even provided us all the fixin's to make s'mores on the fire they had lit the whole time. I'm a vegetarian and Luis really took care of me for each meal! Very much appreciated! The food was fantastic and he was great to chat with! Being able to take our dogs was just another bonus! We always love anywhere that's dog friendly! They loved all the new smells out there and they also had a blast! We will definitely be back!

    We stayed at this Ranch last week last week while we were in Texas. My husband booked it on a whim…read moreoff Expeida - we were actually planning on going to Fredericksburg but ended up there. Lisa was amazing - super friendly and helpful. We were only one of two couples there. Room was great and the grounds were fun. Amazing animals everywhere!! The donkey's were so friendly and the Capybara was so cute and friendly. Lisa gave me some lettuce and an ear of corn to feed her! Funny she is a "rodent". What a sweet rodent! Its a real hunting lodge, so if you are not into that sort of thing, it may not be for you. The only negative was that it is really far away from anything. I mean far! 7.5 miles once you hit the main gate and there are no restaurants near by, no stores, nothing so we went with the $100 per person dinner that Lisa told us about (which was almost inedible). I guess in our minds we were thinking oh its a Ranch, they will have BBQ or good food!! Wrong.... I would just recommend bringing your own food or eating prior to getting there. It by far was not worth $200 for chicken fried steak, flavorless mashed potatoes and canned green beans! Breakfast was just scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. Save the $$$$ on the food for sure, 100% not worth it. Amazing spot though if you bring your own food and I would totally recommend going there if you want to see beautiful animals.

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    YO Ranch Headquarters
    Sissy the capybara!
    Sissy the capybara!
    YO Ranch Headquarters

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    Once In A Wild

    Once In A Wild

    5.0
    (3 reviews)
    45.3 mi

    We were treated to a amazing and unique educational experience hosted by a really personable and…read moredown to earth zoologist named Amanda and she had quite a impressive collection of critters that did not disappoint.The show was very interesting and informative as well as incredibly professional. We got to learn about critters of all kinds and interact with the animal ambassadors first hand in a pretty private audience as well. It was just us and another family for the showing. Our experience was Pre-Covid I might add but these folks seem to still be hosting a very safe operation. They are do You Tubes,live feeds,school programs and outdoor events,spaced out and utilizing mask which I appreciate.Lots of us self employed don't get PTO etc so it's nice to see safety measures being taken seriously. I like to send the YouTubes and lives to my friends in the homeschool community etc because all the information Once in a Wild too can be incorporated with the information Amanda shares in their learning.I've seen some special guest as well on their lives,they always keep it interesting. From what I can see they are making rounds at schools more often now to bring the joy of learning about animals to the classroom as well.Our time with Once in A Wild was a private party and it was a special and unique treat we absolutely adored and cherished the experience.Will never forget it Thats for sure! We had a bird fly over to us and it landed on my partner like they were old friends lol!! Gave us all a laugh and lots of joy to see. Also got to hold some exceptionally beautiful exotic reptiles! Shout out to Princess!! All the critters were extremely healthy and well taken care of and among them was many rescue animals that needed someone like Amanda to give them the correct care called for and you can see the live they placed into everything they did.We would love to do this experience again and it's been some time but since things are getting a little smoother to operate safely again we hope to make that happen.Definitely a fun thing to book for a small educational based party or for a school. Highly recommend and respect their operation and hope to see the mission supported it's amazing!!

    I hired Once in a Wild for an animal "meet & greet" at my son's birthday party. The party was…read more2/17/2024 and I contacted them on the Wednesday before (pretty short notice). Douglas, their planning coordinator, worked quickly and was able to get us booked the same day. He referred me directly to Amanda, the owner, to help me pick which package would best suit our needs in addition to which animals would make for the best experience. She was extremely knowledgeable and responsive. Bridget was the animal handler for our party and arrived an hour early to setup and make sure the animals were comfortable. She did an awesome job of managing 7 different animals and a bunch of curious children (and adults). She knew so much about each of the animals and made the experience fun and educational for the older kids and adults. I can't recommend Once in a Wild enough. They're extremely professional and made my son's birthday very special. We will definitely be using them again in the future!

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    Once In A Wild
    Once In A Wild
    Once In A Wild

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    San Antonio Zoo

    San Antonio Zoo

    3.5
    (739 reviews)
    57.1 mi

    Such a Vibe!!!!!! I…read morecan't believe that it took me so long to visit here. So far hands down this a been the best Zoo on my Zoo tour. I mean it's breath taking when you walk up to it. I love the details!!! They had a physical map!!! I'm old school so the digital is not for me. It was such an amazing opener when I saw the dinosaurs, I felt like I was at Jurassic park. This zoo is so organized They have several cooling stations or options to go indoors to cool off They have artists who did face painting or drawings of you. I loved the lounge, where adults could get an adult beverage. It feels so peaceful here!! The animals look happy and healthy. They have an Airbnb where you can stay with the giraffes. Overall this place exceeded my expectations. You can bring the fam or simply go on a date. Well done HEB and the Zoo!!!

    One of my goals is to make it to all the Texas Metropolitan Zoo's. Dallas-Done, Forth Worth-Done,…read moreHouston-Done, Austin-TBD, San Antonio-Now Done! This will actually be the 3rd time to the SA zoo, but now it deserves a review specially for consistency. Parking is pretty easy to navigate and I'd say it's fairly close to the zoo. I would say they need to provide more disable parking options. Gorilla, Giraffes, Hippos, Crocodiles/Alligators, Rhinos, Black Bear, were the main attractions, especially with it being scorching hot! (I don't blame the other animals for not being out directly in the sun honestly) a plethora of exotic birds too! The gorilla was my favorite, the ones SA zoo has are super majestic looking and you get really great views of them too. It's easy to get around the zoo because there are a lot of signs that clearly tell you where to go, plus maps, and employees to assist. They have plenty of air conditioned areas and also water mist areas to get rehydrated and to take a break from the heat. They have a good number of eating stations to get something good to drink or eat. SA zoo gets a B+ for consistency and good number of animals!

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    LOVED ONES
    LOVED ONES
    Unknown Bird, but he was pretty!
    Unknown Bird, but he was pretty!
    San Antonio Zoo

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    Six Flags Fiesta Texas

    Six Flags Fiesta Texas

    2.5
    (1.1k reviews)
    46.8 mi

    I hadn't been here since middle school, we used to come every year. I really enjoyed experiencing…read moreit as an adult. Our family pays for prestige and a food package. We paid extra for the VIP / fast lane. Did not know we had to pay an extra $14 a person to attend the water park. All that money to not realize it was not included.. the fats pass lanes were pretty quick. Staff were friendly! Food is mediocre. Very pricey but it's expected with a theme park. The food areas in the waterpark areas were severely under staffed at one point only had two cashiers. For a day like 4th of July where both parks were at capacity by 3pm they should've planned more accordingly. We really enjoyed exploring and the size of the park. It seemed to be a lot more spread out than the one in California. Also seemed to have room to grow. We wish all ride lines had shade and were interactive like the Joker ride. Stayed to watch all 3 of the Star Spangled Nights, loved the shows especially the Grand Finale We will be back! Definitely worth visiting during a holiday but get there early and pro tip park in the back to leave lot sooner if staying until closing..

    The absolute worst customer service experience! From the website to the staff at the park, the…read moreentire process was frustrating. We purchased our tickets online to attend the July 4th celebration, but nowhere on the website did it mention that viewing the fireworks required an additional $17 admission. It also failed to mention that the fireworks wouldn't begin until 11:00 p.m. When we tried to get answers, no one seemed to have accurate information. Employees directed us to Customer Service, while Customer Service referred us back to employees. Unfortunately, no one was able to provide clear details, leaving many guests confused and frustrated. The experience was made even more frustrating because supervisors blamed the marketing department instead of taking ownership or providing solutions. It was clear they had very little knowledge of the actual park experience, event details, or what guests had been promised. Rather than helping resolve concerns, they shifted responsibility, leaving customers feeling ignored and unsupported. Guests shouldn't have to navigate conflicting information or excuses when they simply want accurate answers and good customer service. What made the situation even more disappointing was seeing so many people turned away. In previous years, guests were able to walk in and enjoy the fireworks, but this year's additional charge caught many by surprise and resulted in a lot of unhappy customers. The one bright spot was the fireworks themselves. The 360-degree view from inside the park was absolutely spectacular and made for an incredible show. While the fireworks were well worth seeing, the lack of communication and poor customer service significantly took away from what should have been a memorable Fourth of July experience. #SixFlagsFiestaTexas #MySixFlags

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    Superman Krypton Coaster
    Superman Krypton Coaster
    Sky Screamer
    Sky Screamer
    Boomerang

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    Boomerang
    Austin Zoo

    Austin Zoo

    3.9
    (499 reviews)
    42.5 mi

    Horrible service!! As I was walking around with my grandchildren I saw several workers on their…read morephones, so unprofessional. I've heard rumors they treat the animals poorly and when I saw the animals I'm starting to believe them. I've also heard about what they do to the animals dead bodies and I'm DISGUSTED. I saw serval cages empty, really makes you think why is that? What are they doing to these poor animals because from my own knowledge you're not supposed to put an animal that been held CAPTIVE back into the wild. Even with that one of the workers told me that evil place is their forever home more like forever prison or death sentence. I also saw rust in the water the animals were drinking and this is what they claim is an animal sanctuary?? On top of all of this I saw a worker with no bra on and nearly got flashed, MY GRANDKIDS were with me. On top of all of this I met a woman Kim and she was SO RUDE and made my grandkids uncomfortable. That woman immediately gave me predatory vibes and I felt like I needed to get them out of there as soon as possible. I will NEVER return.

    First, I just wanted to address the recurring complaint in many reviews regarding the zoo not being…read morestroller-friendly. We left our wagon in the car due to those reviews and later regretted it. You can get by with a sturdy stroller here (with robust wheels). A flimsy one might struggle in some areas. Most of the walking areas are flat (not paved though) but there are a few gnarly areas that are pretty rocky and situated on an incline. I'm posting photos for reference although it might be a bit tough to see. The zoo could really smooth these areas out to make things easier and safer for visitors. Ultimately, the zoo is fairly small -- I had my youngest in a front-facing carrier while my 3YO walked. Second, I wanted to note that the Austin Zoo is not affiliated with the city of Austin. They are a private non-profit organization that does not receive city funding or have any management by the city. They are a rescue-based zoo wherein their animals come from seizures and surrenders, etc. They really should change their name -- I think many visitors expect this to be a city zoo (setting their standards high, only to be inevitably disappointed). I am having a hard time rating this zoo. It is a non-profit that seeks to help animals and it seems like they don't receive funding to do so. At the same time, this place generally seemed a bit run down/dirty. Some of the animals seemed sad/stressed (saw a monkey and an ostrich with missing fur/feathers). Now, I know these are rescues so I can't confidently attribute that stress to conditions at the zoo -- possible that it's related to their past experiences or just general adjustment to a new place. Last but certainly not least, many of the enclosures are way too small for the animals they're housing. This is alarming. I know they're being rescued but perhaps there's a better home for them. The tickets are not exactly cheap. Although children under 2 are free, 2+ tickets are 16.95. That's only $3 less than adult pricing. I get that they don't get city funding but at those prices, I'd at least expect the grounds to look less run down than they did. Also, they don't give you a map nor did I see one posted anywhere (you have to rely on an online map on their website). Once again, they really could invest some revenue toward enhancing the visitor experience. Don't miss the train ride since there are some animals (like the porcupine) that can only be viewed from the train. The conductor (also ticket salesman) was super nice. He also very politely asked my husband to switch spots with my toddler (so she wouldn't be on the open side of the train car). I appreciated that greatly. The gift shop was surprisingly cute and had a bunch of great souvenir options. Beautiful peacocks roaming the grounds is a nice touch. Ultimately, a bit of an uncomfortable visit given the sad animals, inadequate enclosure size, lack of general upkeep, and relatively expensive tickets.

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    Austin Zoo
    The capybara encounter is everything!!!
    The capybara encounter is everything!!!
    This is the closest we came to a living creature

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    This is the closest we came to a living creature

    The Preserve - zoos - Updated August 2026

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