Got to see a lot of animals, bring comfy shoes cause theirs hills and bunch of walking !!! My favorite part was feeding the giraffes and seeing the elephants do tricks I recommend and tickets can be bought online read more

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Good price, very good amount of shade in the park. We came on a Friday At the end of May and it was not super busy. We were able to walk the park pretty quickly and efficiently and able to see everything. We stopped at the gift shop as well, very friendly staff. read more

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cuando estoy en la ciudad este es mi lugar favorito! ¡Llevé a mis hijas aquí y llegamos a sentir una serpiente! las bebidas pueden ser caras y hacía mucho calor, ¡pero lo disfrutamos! read more

Lots of animals, beautiful grounds. All animals are in wonderful habitats. Very reasonably priced. read more

Caldwell Zoo - Feeding the giraffes! - Zoos Near Me - Tyler, Texas

Such a fun surprise! We thoroughly enjoyed this small zoo! I love a good zoo experience and have been to many! This was a very fun experience. More intimate with the animals in many ways. The safari experience was my favorite, and mildly overshadowed by the parrots and flamingo. read more

This zoo was such a pleasure! It wasn't crowded, the animals were in clear view and up close. It bigger than it looks on the outside. It was 20$ for two and the gift shop is not outrageously priced. Great for a casual day of enjoying animals read more

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Surprisingly, this zoo was actually really nice. When my husband and I were planning our Tyler trip, at first we thought that $8.50 was a pretty high price for admission to a zoo in a town of this size. I suppose we were basing this on Abilene's lackluster-by-comparison zoo. We found this zoo to be on-par with zoos in larger cities in Texas, however. There was variety in exhibit arrangements, such that one could be very close to some animals (giant anteaters and bobcats, for example), while viewing other animals in facsimiles of their natural habitats (animals of the African and Texan plains). The zoo was arranged in such a way that we were rarely overwhelmed with the late-May heat. It was also surprisingly un-crowded for a sunny Memorial Day weekend afternoon. We stopped by the gift shop on our way out and were surprised that the items were so reasonably priced. Based on my experience at other zoos, they could easily charge twice what they charge for their magnets/keychains/etc. and still sell just about as many. So that makes the admission price seem even more reasonable (especially for parents [which we are not] but I always see parents getting souvenirs for their children at every zoo). Minus one star for either having absolutely no bears, or hiding the bears so well that we couldn't find them. read more

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This is one of the very best zoos I have ever been to! Growing up a Navy brat, I have been to just about every must-see zoo in the country but none like Caldwell. I was so stinking impressed with the super cool layout, diverse animals, and great staff. This zoo is small enough to keep the crowds down but big enough to see and experience all of the animals you would in a larger zoo. I have to talk about the "interactive" layout of this zoo. The entire thing is incredibly cohesive. The zebras, giraffes, elephants, and antelopes seem to be in the same African land - but at second glance, you can see carefully constructed slopes and streams that keep everyone separate in their own piece of land. The lions can look through the glass to the penguins and other birds, there are beautiful fish in every pond of the Texas species' plots. It's so much more than looking at animals through a chainlink fence. The coolest part of our visit was the white tiger that came RIGHT UP to the glass to say hello. The little kids nearby squealed with excitement! It was a moment we will never forget!! read more

Caldwell Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Tyler, Texas

Always love visiting this zoo! Great time with the family!

Only 3 stars for a number of reasons... it was the only Zoo that had free admission. Parking was also free of charge. I am aware that it was maintained by donations and charity foundations. Those days are over. Now they charge the same admission as a premium zoo like in Dallas for instance. It was and still is a great zoo with a wide variety of animals from Aardvarks to Zebras. The attractions are plentiful and entertaining. Paths are wide enough to allow traffic and strollers or wagons to pass each other with ease. The animals appear to be well cared for and zoo attendants are informative and professional. The snack bar has a wide array of foods and most are appealing but the prices are high. It doesn't have a skyway like a premium zoo. It has no shows or rides although there is a small train. In order to charge premium prices, you must have premium shows and attractions. The Petting Zoo is the only "hands on" activity that the kids seem to enjoy but hold your nose...Goats, calves and other farm animals aromas are pungent especially in the Texas heat. It is a family fun activity attending this zoo.but it was spectacular when it was free. School field trips have dropped in attendance due to the high price implementation. It is not worth the price plus it lacks the perks of the premium zoos. That is the reason for the 3 stars. read more

Very clean park and very reasonably priced! We drove almost 2 hours just to go and it was absolutely worth the drive! Our 4 year old had such a blast! read more

Good: Love love love this place great for the kids Bad:not enough shows for kids. So-so: prices a little high. TIP: Just maybe quick tip I have been to the Zoo in Lil Rock, Arkansa and every so long they have fans with a mist I think Caldwell Zoo should do the same.!! Please is too hot.! read more

This zoo absolutely exceeded our expectations. We visited the Ft Worth Zoo a few months ago and this one is so much more intimate! I brought my 4 year old great niece and she LOVED it! Her fav part was the wild bird walk around where you get to feed the birds! read more

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A real gem here in East Texas. I'm originally from Fort Worth, so I would naturally compare the highly regarded Fort Worth Zoo to the charming Caldwell Zoo. Without a doubt, Caldwell compares favorably. One of my favorite parts is the goat petting yard... I know, why would anyone want to pet a goat..? Whelp, me! They are much cuter & kinder than you might expect. A few are super friendly & remind me more of a sweet dog than a snobby cat. Plus, their eyes are soooo fun to see up close. Check out the website & plan ahead. There's always a special event going on that help you to see a ton of animals & become engaged too. read more

Beautiful Zoo!! Purchase ticket online or in personal, you pick a time to come. We have visited twice so far, once in April and once in August. April was beautiful, August was way too hot. It is a small zoo compared to the large city zoos but it wasn't crowded and the zoo ground were well maintained and clean. You would not know you were in the city because of all the vegetation that encloses the zoo. Lots of green, lovely place to come and walk. The exhibits are nice but some seem a bit small. During our April visit, the animals were out in force, not so much in August. I guess the heat kept them indoors too. We did not have kids but I think it is a great zoo for kids since it is small, they won't get worn out walking. They also had a play area for the kids and areas where they could feed the giraffes and birds, yes it cost and they only take cash no cc. Many of the bird exhibits get you up close and personal. I loved that. Bring water and go to the bathroom before you head out. They do have some in the park but we found one was locked and the other was on the far side of the park. Worth visiting for sure!! read more

Caldwell Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Tyler, Texas

We enjoyed this .zoo. They have a lot of unique activities. We specially liked the bird feeding from our hand with popsicle sticks. We took videos & pictures with our kids. read more

We have a membership to the Houston zoo, but the kids like the Caldwell zoo just as much. About half the time we want to spend a day at the zoo we end up here. It is true they don't have elephants or sea lions, but what it lacks in animal variety it makes up for in charm. The peacocks wandering wherever they so desire add personality to this fun zoo. read more

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We really enjoyed our visit here. The tigers that were here came from our hometown Zoo, so that was nice to see. We really liked how open all of the enclosures and exhibits were. It felt like we were in the country or out in the jungle per se while being in the middle of the city. All of the workers that we did talk to were very friendly and all had smiles on their faces. The cafe was a bit pricey but thats to be expected. Our favorite part was getting to feed the giraffes, its only $5 for a tray of lettuce and its an experience thats definitely worth it! read more

Caldwell Zoo - The giraffe deck where you get to be up close and personal and feed some giraffes! - Zoos Near Me - Tyler, Texas

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Great zoo. Nice amount of animals. Landscaping is amazing. It all looks natural. Lots of flowers. Bathrooms are clean. Staff are friendly. Definitely recommend this zoo. read more

This place is mostly depressing. The enclosures are so small for some animals I do not know how it is legal. I grew up going to this zoo and have since brought my children as an adult, but do not plan on going back for a while. We do love the newer giraffe feeding area and seeing the elephants. read more

Best kept secret in Tyler Texas The zoo keepers take very good care of the animals. I thoroughly enjoyed my time

Caldwell Zoo is a hidden gem. I have been to zoos and aquariums on the East and West coast. Somehow this little zoo ranks among top. Here's why: the animals are close enough for great photos and interaction. As a regular patron, we were able to feed the giraffes and birds in the bird sanctuary, visit the macaws roaming without a glass barrier and see the lions and tigers up close (definitely through glass). The animals seemed well cared for and were seemingly happy as opposed to other zoo visits where they kind of hide to avoid being gawked at. I don't know if I am a great judge of animal happiness but even my teenage son was smiling during our visit. We would definitely come back! read more

I remember this being a free zoo. When they started charging, I could understand why. Right now with the corona, they try and get you to book online to help stop the spread... AND CHARGE YOU AN ONLINE BOOKING FEE. That is ridiculous. The zoo itself is nice when it's open all of the way. Due to the COVID, I wouldn't recommend the zoo. If you want to take your kids to a zoo right now, I'd recommend that Ellen Trout Zoo in Lufkin. read more

I really don't know.I couldn't find the entrance.I saw where they let the school buses in I saw a service entrance.

We visited the Caldwell zoo May 17th 2016, The zoo is very pretty, and stroller friendly! The animals look very healthy and there is a lot of shade. This is a very clean zoo! They did have a little bit of construction going on, but didn't really interfere with much. We got to feed these massive Pelicans, that was a fun experience! The zookeepers/ workers are very nice and friendly! We got lunch there, and when we did we got swarmed by bees. I recommend eating before you go or after. We didn't get to see all of the zoo due to the bees following us. read more

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Came here on a whim with son and was glad we did. It was a nice day and animals were out and active. Ran across several employees who were very helpful with information regarding the animals and the zoo itself. Petting zoo was just goats so super unimpressed with that but for sure isn't a deal killer. Good variety of animals and plenty of room for expanding. Grounds were clean and well kept. Bathrooms were super clean and the elephant/savannah area was a great place to just sit and observe the animals with a cool breeze. If you're in the area it's highly suggested you give this place a try. read more

Third time going here now and I love this zoo! Just the right size that my toddler son can walk with us and see everything. We went on 4/20/19 and it was a great day. The crowd wasn't too large and we got to see everything we wanted. My son got to feed the giraffes and was so happy to do that. read more

This was actually an amazing find. Pulling into the parking lot, we were expecting a small community zoo, however, we were pleasantly surprised. $28 for two overall was a great price for a Monday morning around 11:20am. We counted and there were only 21 other guest in the park throughout our walk. The habitats all seemed very clean and well taken care of. Other than the Lion exhibit(just seemed to be the smallest out of everyones) and a bird of prey(one of the birds looked like to have a very damaged wing), we were really impressed. Would recommend to anyone that is looking for something to do in Tyler, TX. read more

I've been going to the Caldwell zoo for about 10 years. It's a nice small Zoo. (Wish it was bigger) They now have an area where you can feed the giraffes. The food court area has been upgraded over the years. I love taking my daughter there. The penguins are a must see. read more

Had lots of fun at this zoo. Been to a lot of zoo's all over and this one was small but still lots of fun. Came in winter so some animals were inside because of the cold weather, but got to see all the big cats and elephants. read more

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This is just the perfect size zoo.... Coming from Houston tx .. We fall in love with this zoo and the animals. . Definitely coming back again read more

Caldwell Zoo - We love it the zoo - Zoos Near Me - Tyler, Texas

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Not everything is bigger in Texas. Expecting to be bored by a small zoo with out of date exhibits I reluctantly agreed to skip a day of work (okay not so reluctantly, any excuse will work) and visit the zoo with some co-workers. Caldwell Zoo, I apologize for my lack of faith and utter cynicism. I was highly impressed as I shoveled humble pie down my throat ( I mean, really, Imma heifer, I'll eat anything). Yes it's true their collection is not the biggest. But they have some of the coolest, most realistic, natural enclosures set up. My fave area is the East Africa section. You can watch Giraffes, Elephants, Zebras, Warthogs and various hoofed animals roaming together and interacting naturally. The lions are even in the same grassy plain (no you will not see bloody takedowns, they're separated by a moat). The reptile building is also pretty darn cool. Caldwell Zoo does an excellent job of creating enriching environments for the animals, and great viewing and educational opportunities for the public. read more

So I was raised in these zoo... a lot off my family worked here, I remember when it was free to go in but know they have expanded the zoo so much it beautiful. And of course know they charge but it's worth it. Always will be one off my favorite spots. read more

We live in Houston and my hubby actually works at the Houston Zoo but we made a trip for a long weekend. This zoo is wonderful! Great exhibits that let you feel like you're up close and personal to the animals and lots of shade. Really fun!! Worth the trip. read more

Great place for kids and a lot of fun for families had a good time with the grandkids will be coming back sometime soon the prices weren't bad either read more

Great place and very well keep will continue too visit the zoo for sure since we moved too TYLER

I grew up in Tyler and frequently visited the zoo because it was free. In the past few years they had to start charging visitors in order to continue operating. The zoo is pretty good even though it doesn't stand a chance against the Fort Worth Zoo. Caldwell Zoo has amazing exibits and knowledgable employees who have a true love for animals and offer the public a chance to learn about them as well. I met my sister-in-law and mother-in-law who had never been at this zoo and were driving from Dallas to spend the afternoon with myself and daughter before we returned to Seattle. Both were very impressed and planning another trip here. It's definately a great asset to Tyler. read more

I have three kids, currently ages nine, seven, and three. We have been members of Caldwell Zoo for five years now and it never gets old! We often visit other zoos when traveling out of town and truthfully, we almost always leave feeling that our little Tyler zoo is better. I enjoy that we can get through the entire zoo in 1 - 1.5 hours and my kids like the familiarity of the kid- friendly exhibits. The Savannah-like view from the cafe area is really unique because one gets to enjoy a wide variety of animals in one landscape. I have not seen this model at any other zoo we've visited. *As a side note, zoo membership has a lot of great benefits - like discounted summer camps, and a nationwide reciprocal program that offers discounted admission to most zoos in the country!* read more

We hadn't went to the zoo in years so we wanted to revisit. The web site said the admission was 12.95 but when we got there it was 15.95. Half of the exhibits were empty. The alligators were just 1 alligator. It was sad and disappointing. The admission price has went up numerous times since we moved to this area. If there raising prices then you would hope that the animals would be better taken care of. read more

I'm from San Antonio and now live in Dallas. I've been to the S.A. zoo, Dallas zoo, F.W. zoo, San Diego zoo, Philly zoo, St. Louis zoo, National zoo in D.C. and who knows how many other zoo's that I can't remember. I think this was one of the best zoo's I've been to. It's small, very well designed, great asthetics, and has everything you want out of a zoo. I loved it and can't wait to take the kids back. read more