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    The Preserve

    3.9 (94 reviews)
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    Recommended Reviews - The Preserve

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    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.

    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

    Woman with bullhook and an elephant

    Ya'll DO NOT COME HERE! This "preserve" is not even an ethical preserve. They "rescue" retired circus elephants and have them continue doing tricks for entertainment still, which is harmful for each individual one. They are running under the guise of saving elephants and keeping them "safe", but they are just doing this for people's entertainment, and to cash in. There is a video online that shows the workers carrying a metal bullhook, which is used for prodding the elephants to do the tricks. PLEASE DO NOT COME HERE! DO NOT SUPPORT THEIR BUSINESS!

    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.

    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!

    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.

    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

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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 - Yes, I kissed this adorable camel! And NO, my husband still won't buy me one for a pet......

    The Exotic Resort Zoo

    4.6(379 reviews)
    16.7 mi
    27 years in business
    Kid friendly

    What a fun filled day!…read more The Exotic Resort Zoo. Wow! This family owned safari park was so much fun! You can drive through or take a guided tour. Definitely do the guided tour! You get up close and personal with over 700 animals representing 45+ species. There are many species of deer, kangaroos, camels, llamas, emus, ostriches, antelopes, water buffalos, bison and more! We saw two new baby bison! One was born about 2 minutes before we arrived at their pasture. Another was just under a day old! You can feed the animals too. Look at the tongues on those highland cows and bison . There's also a petting zoo. We had a small group and our tour guide, Nicole, was fantastic!

    We surprised my best friend with tickets for her birthday weekend since she absolutely loves…read moreelephants--and it turned out to be even more incredible than we imagined. From the moment we pulled up to the gates, we were filled with excitement. The elephants are clearly very well cared for, and the staff was both knowledgeable and genuinely friendly. One of the highlights was purchasing a piece of artwork created by Rosie, one of the elephants, which made the experience even more special. Everything about the day felt unforgettable. The staff went above and beyond, even helping us capture tons of photos by always offering to take pictures with our phones. It was truly an amazing experience from start to finish.

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    The Exotic Resort Zoo
    The Exotic Resort Zoo - They need beach chairs...

    They need beach chairs...

    The Exotic Resort Zoo - The bison have long, black tongues!

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    The bison have long, black tongues!

    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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    Sweet Berry Farm - Fresh strawberries!!

    Fresh strawberries!!

    Sweet Berry Farm
    Sweet Berry Farm

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    YO Ranch Headquarters - Bella and her new baby

    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
    YO Ranch Headquarters - Sissy the capybara!

    Sissy the capybara!

    YO Ranch Headquarters

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    Reptilandia Reptile Lagoon

    Reptilandia Reptile Lagoon

    4.7(16 reviews)
    15.3 mi

    I don't even know where to start. Being that I am someone that absolutely freaks out with snakes…read moreand can tolerate lizards, this place actually made it interesting and enjoyable. I seriously was so intrigued by the vast variety of snakes and reptiles that it removed my fidgety fear. This place is extremely large, there are so many twists and turns and rooms and stairs and sections, it's probably what made it so interesting. Each area is separated by region of the world that the snakes, lizards, and turtles are from. You will experience different climates, some areas are much hotter, some are a bit cooler, some have more humidity. Walking through here makes you feel like you are in an episode of National Geographic. I never thought I would be so up close and personal with some of these reptiles. The really cool part is that they have an incubation room when you walk in where they have all of the eggs of the next generation getting ready to hatch! I even got a video of a lizard eating some baby possums, which was both gross and cool, simply the cycle of life for those of you that might freak out, everyone's gotta eat! We got to talk to the owner, who is a super interesting guy and has been all over the world and lived in South America. He gave us so much information on the different snakes, he is like a walking encyclopedia. I think we spent almost an hour walking through all of the different sections and looking at the different species, again, I reiterate, as someone who has a crazy fear of snakes, I actually enjoyed this reptiles zoo, honestly, it was a bit breathtaking at how amazing it was to watch so many beautiful species of reptiles. If you are coming from San Antonio, it is about 40 minutes north of 281 in Bulverde.

    The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable! She even waited for us so the kiddos could see the…read moresnakes and cross feeding.

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    Reptilandia Reptile Lagoon
    Reptilandia Reptile Lagoon
    Reptilandia Reptile Lagoon

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    Once In A Wild

    Once In A Wild

    5.0(3 reviews)
    45.3 miStone Oak

    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 - Unknown Bird, but he was pretty!

    San Antonio Zoo

    3.5(729 reviews)
    57.1 mi

    I had the pleasure of coordinating employee appreciation event, and there was no better place to…read morehost it than the zoo. I was especially happy that my family was able to attend. Since I don't have children of my own, my nieces and nephews mean the world to me, and getting to share such a special day with them made it even more memorable. It was truly a beautiful day and an amazing experience from start to finish. Huge credit to the SA Zoo Events team, especially Jessica, Morgan, and Abigail, for creating such a wonderful and unforgettable event. I visit the zoo from time to time, and every visit brings something new and unique. It's always an experience in itself.

    It is an older zoo, and is confined to its limited location, but it is also not too bad except when…read morethe summer hits. And then trying to find the small AC area already packed with screaming kids that become road blocks as you try and see their awesome alligator snapping turtle in a way to small enclosure. I have been coming here since the mid 80s, and feel little has changed aside from revamping old into new exhibits. The gorillas are back from an absence of I forgot how long. The aquarium needs a facelift, as well as the reptile house. I avoid eating here since it is worse than high school cafeteria fare. Prices could be better adjusted to the income of the populace to at least enjoy some of the fantastic rare creatures they house. I still will come though for I do like seeing one of the only zoos' that has a pair of Tomistoma schlegelii and an Orinoco crocodile. Bring back the mini boat ride!

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    San Antonio Zoo - LOVED ONES

    LOVED ONES

    San Antonio Zoo
    San Antonio Zoo

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    Six Flags Fiesta Texas - Boomerang

    Six Flags Fiesta Texas

    2.5(1.1k reviews)
    46.8 mi

    I love me some high thrill roller coasters! In the northwest part of San Antonio near La Cantera…read morewhere I10 meets Loop 1604 lies the closest Six Flags theme park (with roller coasters) to Houston since Astroworld closed decades ago. I've been to this particular Six Flags location over 25 times over my lifetime, and it has a great mix of rides for everyone. In my opinion, there are better Six Flags theme parks like Six Flags over Texas in Arlington and Six Flags Great America in Chicago, but this one in San Antonio is pretty good. It comes with several high thrill ride options like Iron Rattler (my favorite), Superman Krypton Coaster, and Wonder Woman. It also has lots of tamer rides for all ages. The food options are also pretty good, especially Johnny Rockets (those burgers and fries are amazing). As for crowds, it's hit or miss. Just know that on weekends around Halloween, Fright Night gets pretty packed. Same for Christmas at the Park. I once waited in line for over 2 hours to ride Iron Rattler. Less busy times like early May before the real summer kicks off, wait times are all less than 30 minutes even for the popular rides. There is also a water park directly connected inside the park so that's super convenient. In Dallas the water park is completely separate. As for pricing it's gone up over the years (even parking is $40 now whereas it was $20 not too long ago), but compared to the high end theme parks like Disney and Universal, Six Flags is very affordable. Enjoy!

    Six Flags Over Texas is easily one of the more visually unique parks in the chain …read more The setting really stands out - it's built against a quarry wall, which gives it a cool backdrop you don't see at most theme parks. I also loved the consistent Hispanic/fiesta-style theming throughout the park. It adds a fun, vibrant energy that makes the whole place feel lively and different. Getting into the park was surprisingly smooth and fast, which is always a great way to start the day. Once inside, the atmosphere is super energetic with lots going on, but be ready for crowds - especially on busy days. A couple things to plan for: parking is pretty expensive ($39 for general and $55 for premier), so keep that in mind when budgeting your trip. Also, the Texas heat is no joke, so definitely come prepared with water, sunscreen, and maybe a game plan to stay cool. Overall, it's a fun, high-energy park with a unique look and vibe. If you can handle the heat and crowds, it's a great place to spend the day.

    Photos
    Six Flags Fiesta Texas - Superman Krypton Coaster

    Superman Krypton Coaster

    Six Flags Fiesta Texas - Sky Screamer

    Sky Screamer

    Six Flags Fiesta Texas - Boomerang

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    Boomerang

    Austin Zoo - Keep your hands clean, just not in the petting zoo

    Austin Zoo

    3.9(498 reviews)
    42.5 mi

    Manage your expectations if you choose to visit the Austin Zoo. It is a very small zoo - more like…read morean animal rescue. I knew this going in so was prepared for what to expect and really enjoyed my experience. I visited on Presidents' Day holiday with my daughters (6 and 2). Tickets were under $20 which I found reasonable and felt good to know that the money is going back to maintaining and preserving the zoo. I thought the size of the zoo was perfect for younger children. My daughters loved seeing the animals without massive crowds, within a restively small space. They particularly loved seeing the Galapagos turtle, lions, and snakes in the tiny reptile house. There are gorgeous peacocks roaming the grounds. They have the option to feed some animals (goats, farm animals) which we did not do this time. They also offer tours, educational programming and some extra cost activities. What I think could be better - - Their website doesn't mention that their train has been down for a long time, and requires major repairs. This was disappointing to find out there. My girls were looking forward to it. - No cafe or proper concessions stand - Parking can get crowded and require long walks to the entrance

    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.

    Photos
    Austin Zoo
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    The capybara encounter is everything!!!

    Austin Zoo - 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 May 2026

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