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Really like the Denver zoo! We got in for free for some event and lined up. Easily 1000 people can get in. Line wasn't too long and they let us in 30 min early too. Most of animals were awake and easy to spot. They had booths too which gave out free goodies and snacks including cotton candy. Thats just for the event that day but otherwise not bad for a zoo!
Overall, an okay experience. The process of buying tickets, parking, and getting in was simple. The pricing feels high ($27 adult ticket) for what it is, but as I knew the price ahead of time, that is not really an issue. While the flamingos and elephants were interesting to see, the areas for most animals felt small, and I felt bad for them. Random construction going on took away from the experience as well. I am glad I visited before purchasing a membership, as I do not think we will return.
Amazing! We normally hesitate to come to this zoo as the one down south always feels so much cooler. Last time we were here, last year, there was so much under construction, so many animals missing (traveling/moved, etc), and a lot of the enclosures were needing maintenance -- dirty/scratched glass, etc. We came during Fall Break and while it was busy, it wasn't crazy at all. We loved the Wild Fall theme and pumpkins and decor all throughout. Our first stop was to see the brand new 4 lion cubs who just turned 8 weeks old. The staff was so fantastic at keeping the long lines moving and informed, and you could tell they really loved their jobs. The lion cubs were so adorable, and we were treated with some up close views right against the glass! We were pleasantly surprised to see new signage and murals all over the entire zoo. The artwork is beautiful and so well done. Even our friend who we came with, who is a member and comes all the time, was surprised and impressed with how much was new to her that visit. We didn't notice a lot of animals missing this trip, which was so great. We got to ride the carousel which was a lovely treat, and the girl working it was so friendly. Overall, we were impressed and will definitely return again!
The Denver zoo was awesome! We had 4 adults and 4 kids in our group, they had stroller and wagon rentals that were great for smaller kids or even just all the purses and kid gear. The staff was super helpful and the facilities were clean and well taken care of. The animals were happy and healthy looking. We had so much fun while we were there. Lots of options for food and drinks and of course great gift shops.
The zoo is so cute with all the decor for Glowing Wild! Spring time is the perfect time to go especially with little ones. Denver zoo is pretty large so there's lots of room to walk around, or have your little one go play off one of the figures. Best highlight was seeing the baby orangutan! We took our 4 month old and she loved it! I carried her in my carrier for most of the time where she especially liked looking at the glowing wild decor. The animals were far away but she enjoyed the animals close up like the penguins! The Zoo has stroller and wagon rentals but most families can bring their own. Wagons looked to be best fit for toddlers. We can't wait to go back!
Great zoo, very large and well done! We liked the kiosks at the entrance where you can purchase tickets - it helped speed up the process. Every employee and volunteer we encountered was extremely friendly and helpful. The animals looked taken care of and healthy. They have an interesting tropical building with reptile and fish exhibits together, something I usually don't see in a zoo. They have arrows painted on the pavement throughout the zoo that are meant to help direct traffic flow (I think) but it seemed like we were always walking in the opposite direction, although we definitely weren't the only ones. That part was a bit confusing. Also we had lunch at Scratch, the chicken food truck. It was great but we were highly confused: my husband ordered the Old Bay chicken tenders and it was literally just 2 chicken tenders, nothing else, for $11.99. I ordered the Home to Roost small plate, which was an order of tater tots topped with shredded chicken and a relish/sauce for $9.99. I absolutely LOVED my order and it was a lot more food for $2 less. He enjoyed the chicken tenders, but it was just odd for me to get more food for less. Also, the lady we ordered from said we could've shared my order (the Home to Roost small plate) but I regret to inform everyone that I had no trouble finishing this order myself. Very nice gift shop at the end of the visit was a nice touch. Highly recommend this zoo for anyone visiting Denver!
The Denver Zoo is consistently updating and remodeling making better places for the animals. I've been here during the daytime and night for the Denver lights during the holidays. I have enjoyed my time through it all. Compared to other holiday lights that I have been to, the Denver zoo does a nice job of organizing everything where you have ample space to wander around even if gets crowded (we went the weekend before Christmas). They spread the lights out pretty nicely so you get your steps in. The lights lead up to animal exhibitions that were open such as elephants and the giraffe and the fish and reptiles. Definitely wear comfy shoes. We easily spent at least 3 hours here during the night walk. Also take time to read and learn if there are new baby animals. We saw the baby sloth and it was so cute and chilled above the crowd. There's plenty of parking spaces from underground to the large outdoor parking lot as well.
My son and I enjoyed our time at the zoo. The staff were all very friendly and helpful with any questions we had. I really enjoyed that they offer shows. We watched a show about caring for elephants and it was very informative. We loved the elephant exhibit. It was very large and had lots of elephants. The only downside is they do not have many indoor exhibits like our home zoo. It was getting hot and we needed a break from the sun. But overall we enjoyed our trip to the zoo.
Came here on a Friday afternoon which they close at 4 pm. I bought my ticket which was pretty expensive on a kiosk near the entrance. When I first went in, they have a lot of paper maps to take which was extremely easy to understand and very useful. I highly recommend grabbing one and finding the animals you would like to see. I decided to do it clockwise so I can see everything and not take shortcuts. I saw so many unique animals, the alligator turtle is something I've never seen before! Almost all of the animals were on display and playing which was super enjoyable to see. The monkeys on the rope and gorilla playing with clothes were the absolutely best! The zoo is also very interactive, the lorikeet exhibit and the kangaroo exhibit you could go inside and be near the animals as long as you stay on the walking path. The shade was limited so I wore sunglasses the whole time, wear sunscreen. The workers were very kind and answered all the questions I had. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting though.
We visited the Denver Zoo while in town for the Metallica concerts. This was one of the highlights of our trip and I would say is a must see. I was surprised at how big the Zoo was but it was very easy to navigate. It took us about four hours to get through the entire zoo seeing just about everything outside the live shows. If we are ever in town again we will definitely be back.
It was quick/efficient to get into the zoo for zoo lights, and while the night was fully booked, it didn't feel too crowded. There were lots of options for pricy food and drinks. The lights were fine--nothing too crazy, not animated or complicated, just simple and nice. Zoo lights is an unnecessary event--many of the animals were sleeping or attempting to sleep. It seemed like maybe the zoo put something warm near the cage wall where spectators look into the tiger's cage, since the tiger was sleeping right up against the wall, even though the tiger probably wouldn't have done that otherwise due to the noise and lights. Some of the enclosures don't seem big enough. "Enclosures" is a euphemism. They're really just cages. See the picture below of the giraffe cage. Let the animals sleep!
3 months ago
3 years ago
To start off I am the type of person who gets fairly sad at the zoo. The exhibits seemed rather small to me, but we had a pleasant time. Got there right when it opened at 10am and it was already packed. Parking is free and they have an underground garage. We got tickets for a specific time and seems like there is no crowd control or time enforcements as it was beyond crowded. Primarily young families. I do love that they have so many food options and free water stations to stay hydrated as it gets really hot walking around. So many placed sit and eat or even picnic. I might bring a sandwich next time and save some money. The exhibits were fun as they made the surrounding areas themed to the animal. Many animals to see but a lot of them are hidden. It was so crowded that we had to skip a few animals. One big downside is that bathrooms are hard to find and the map they give is nearly impossible to read. We got lost a few times. Would love to give it another go on a weekday where is it less hot and crowded. Also, members get to come before the park opens from 8-10. If you plan on coming here around 5 times a year I highly recommend getting the pass. Overall strong 3.5/5 read more
1 year ago
Had an amazing day! Took 5 hours to walk around and see the animals. The sting ray experience was spectacular. Feeding the parrots was beyond cool. The train ride and the couresal where only 4 dollars each to ride. read more
Spent a beautiful Sunday at the zoo! The zookeepers were so friendly and willing to answer all of our questions! No wait at the entrance, super easy to buy tickets. Such a variety of animals it was so fun to walk around for a few hours! read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
Great time. Staff are super friendly and ready to share their wealth of knowledge. You can tell they love their animals. read more
Going to the zoo today really made me appreciate zoos again. The staff taught us a lot throughout our walks and you could tell they not only cared about the animals but also teaching people about them. Will make sure to support our local zoo back in Houston more! read more
4 years ago
Its been awhile since i have visited the zoo and animal portion of the zoo. My kids are mostly grown. Though we did many a visit when the kids were younger and also did a overnight at the zoo with my girl scout troop. We have been going to the zoo every other year though for the zoo lights. Getting tickets is very easy to do online. I am sure if you dont have access to internet or dont want to pay that way you could probably also call as well. Parking is plenty. They have their parking garage which thankfully adds many layers of parking to their site. In all the years coming since that has been added we have always been able to get a spot. Staff is friendly. The zoo lights are fun. They seem to add new stuff each time we come. So many different colors and designs. We always have a wonderful time. Price is fair. Only reason for 4 stars is they took away the xmas music this year at least th night we were there. While I dont celebrate xmas personally i do appreciate the festive music. It is enjoyable to hear/listen to while strolling the holiday lights. Just be sure to dress warm. It gets pretty cold at night. read more
It was really hot so maybe not the best time to have gone, because most animals weren't out. I didn't get a chance to check out the restaurants or the restrooms because I didn't last too long in the heat; but overall it was my first time to the zoo after living here for 6 years and we will definitely be back. We'll try to prepare a little better and come at a time where it's cooler in the day or season. read more
4 years ago
Tonight we were here for Zoo Lights! Over a million Christmas lights and oh so fun. Our son and daughter in law are Zoo members so we came on a day and time set aside for members only. We love the zoo and enjoy visiting with our granddaughters. The smores station was so fun! We bought kits at a discounted price and chose a fire pit to roast our marshmallows. There were plenty of pits available so thank you for that. We also bought popcorn with was enjoyed by all as well. We rode the carousel and visited the animals. Two hours at the zoo was so fun. read more
1 year ago
Despite mixed feelings about zoos and aquariums, the Denver zoo is one of only a handful of zoos recognized for their high level of care for animals (I'm obviously not wording this word for word but it's all over their website and physical location!) they have a hospital area where you can watch vets perform surgery or routine check ups on animals. There is stingray cove where you can pay to pet stingrays, a multiple bird areas where you can pay to feed the birds, and much more. Kids love it and it's open year round. Tons of fun events such as boo at the zoo, zoo lights, and more. read more
11 months ago
Very nice place to take the family for the day to learn and have fun. Exhibits are fantastic and staff is very friendly and helpful. Living in San Diego, it's hard to compare with our zoos and conservation park, but I was definitely impressed. Would for sure go back in the future when in Denver. read more
11 months ago
As a member for probably 15 years, I can tell you that the Denver Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country! They have an incredible variety of well cared for animals! Tropical discovery is an incredible indoor greenhouse that has many different plants and flowers year round! They have all kinds of different experiences to learn about specific animals scheduled throughout the day and numerous volunteers who are always willing to help you with any information and knowledge that you could ever want!! Multiple food trucks, restaurants, and snacks carts are spread out through the whole park. You can get everything from snacks to meals, sodas, and alcohol! Nothing beats the zoos popcorn and an ice-cold beer!! There are tons of things to take pictures of, and above everything, animals that are very well taken care of by employees who genuinely care about the animals and global conservation!!! read more
The Denver Zoo is one of the best zoos I have ever been to! It's educational and engaging. The zoo is logically laid out and easy to navigate. Many of the animals were out and about - lots to see! Very interactive!!! AND THE COOLEST - they have a brand new animal hospital where people can observe as the veterinarians complete exams and procedures. It is fantastic and will inspire many young people to careers with animals. We just happened to see a lion getting a physical - it was like Discovery Channel in real life! There are lots of zoo attendants all over who you can ask questions to and learn about the animals. I highly recommend the Denver Zoo! read more
Had one day in Denver before we left and I was debating between the zoo and the aquarium... everything I read and even my sister in law who lives in CO, says that the Denver zoo is definitely a better and even cheaper attraction. Bought tickets online the day before, made a reservation and made it in with no issue. Parking was simple and free which was nice and went straight over to customer service where I was able to get a $10 stroller for my kid which definitely helped out throughout the day While there was a lot for us to see I was also surprised that there was a lot of areas without any animals... more than any other zoo I've ever been to... kinda random, but also a little disappointing. Food-wise, not a lot of options but we did eat at their Asian place and actually had a pretty decent chicken bowl The layout is also a bit confusing at times, but hey, my 2 year old doesn't know any different and he had a blast... so no complaints! read more
1 year ago
Went here for the Zoo Lights and they were spectacular, they also kept most the exhibits open which was cool , also had a burger and hot dog and they were very good, so much better than i would have expected them to be, staff was very friendly too, 10/10 read more
4 years ago
Awww, Denver Zoo has such a special place in my heart. I've been several times with my partner and his kids. Probably wouldn't have gone by myself, especially since now there's little ones constantly sharing fun animal facts with me. Parking is super easy in their giant garage. Lots of well-designed, engaging exhibits that always seem to be evolving. Volunteers and staff are friendly. Definitely check out the scorching hot hippo statue in the summer. Food and beverage kiosks have plenty of cotton candy for the kids and booze for the parents. Great text displays to teach all human beings about the zoo creatures. Love the private events they host (as an event planner myself) and gift shop. Excited to be a regular! read more
2 years ago
This zoo was super cute! It took us a little over 2 hours to walk around the premises and there were some great exhibits. Loved seeing the group of bachelor lions resting in the heat of the afternoon, and the baby Orangutan was definitely a highlight! I also loved the Gibbon island-- seeing the gibbons swing above our heads was so fun! Only wish we could have seen the hyenas, as many zoos don't have them, but they were either great at hiding or not outside. It was also nice that they offer discounts to those who qualify for SNAP benefits! Can't beat $1/person admission on a budget. read more
I love zoos! Whenever we travel, we stop at a local zoo for a few hours. For this zoo, we had to make a reservation which at this point in time blows my mind. The weather was crappy, so we had to go the day I had the reservation. I commented when they checked us in and they said the animals would be more active because it was not so hot. That was not true! So many animals were not even in their enclosure that I was fairly annoyed we spent the money we did. The zoo is very nice and laid out well, but we really didn't get to see much. I have no idea where the animals were, but they certainly weren't on display. Just our luck, we also picked a day where there were bus loads of school kids, who were not at all under control by their chaperones. read more
2 years ago
Horrible customer service We come here quit a bit since moving to Denver Mid July. My husband and two kids moved out here alone without any family or friends, so we have been making great use of the membership. My family came into town for the first time this weekend and I wanted to use the two guest passes available with my membership since we don't really know what else to do (we're from vegas so don't spend much time outdoors). Upon checking my available passes on my account, it said I have 0 guest passes available. Not sure how that could be possible since I literally have no one else to bring with me to the zoo besides my husband and my two kids under 2 years old. I explained this to guest services however they refuse to believe me and credit back these two passes. Not sure why they assume that guests would be lying over $45??? For me, it's based on the principle. I bought a membership that included two guest passes -- I want those two guest passes. Instead of giving the guest the benefit of the doubt, they said that an error is impossible and the passes will not be added back to my account. Cool. Spent hundreds there and stop by the gift shop for my spoiled kid every freaking time, get face paintings and they can't even give me back two guest passes that were never used. Ridiculous read more
8 months ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
Honestly compared to the cheyenne mountain zoo - they have similar animals and the cheyenne is superior and more authentic. however denver zoo has big enclosures , more attractions to look at- definitely better for kids read more
1 year ago
its great! sooo many different kinds of animals to see! the place is huge i spent 4 hours there. it was super hot this day so i was dying to find some shade & it was very hard to find shade, especially a bench in the shade :/ my only complaint tho! :) read more
The zoo was great and the exhibits were well thought out. There was a tropical house that I thought was great and it was easy to see almost any animal in there. A sloth is able to move around above you in there, which one of the kids was still talking about the day after. The hippo pool and sea lion exhibits (maybe it was a seal) were my favorites. The flamingo and tiger exhibits were also great, and the tigers could walk above you. I normally only get about 2 hours out of the kids at a place like this and we managed about 4 hours out of them at the Denver Zoo, so that says a lot. I've been to quite a few zoos over the past few years, but this one felt like I was closer to the animals and could view them more clearly than most other zoos. The zoo is laid out so you can follow a main loop with a few side loops, but pay attention when you come back to the main loop as it can be easy to get turned around...especially if you grab some food and sit for a bit. Parking was easy and there are plenty of bathrooms and places to eat inside. I'm not sure that I've seen it before, but they also had beer on tap and you could walk around the zoo with a drink (and plenty of people were). The only thing I didn't like about the zoo was the food. I've never liked the food at any zoo, but I had some high hopes here after looking at the menu. We grabbed some mac n' cheese sides, a potato salad side, and sandwiches. The sandwiches were small and I could have eaten 3 of them, but for around $13 each not including any sides (they didn't even come with chips or fries) I wouldn't do it again. My wife got some turkey sandwich, I think, and didn't like it at all. The mac n' cheese was good and was a decent size, I would recommend it. The pulled pork barely had any meat, but it tasted good. If the pulled pork had any meaningful volume of food, I would easily recommend it; however, this was slightly more satisfying than a slider. If the food experience was better, I'd have given the zoo 5 stars. read more
10 months ago
Family vacation 2021...bringing the California variant of COVID-19 to your city. My teenage daughter wanted to visit the zoo while we were in Denver. $60 for 3 of us. The most interesting thing might've been the exhibit of the animal hospital. Unfortunately, I think other zoos around our nation are better. The Denver Zoo was a good way to spend a couple of hours, but, they are not the San Diego Zoo. read more
2 years ago
Interesting. Went there with my family and the fees is abt $25 for each adult. Tamarind is one of the cutest mammal. Wish they had more good snack shops inside. read more
I hadn't been to the zoo during the day is over a decade. I usually go over Halloween and Christmas so I can enjoy the lights. It was such a treat to see all the flowers and trees blooming. I was pleasantly surprised by the changes that had been made to many of the habitats. The monkeys have a tunnel under the pathway that allows them to go to an island of trees. When I turned the corner and saw the flamingos it brought a big smile to my face. What amazing colors. I ordered lunch online at the Kamala cafe and although where to pickup was a little unclear, it was easy. The burger was really good as were the fries. If you are looking for something to do, the zoo is a beautiful walk with some very interesting animals. read more
11 months ago
4 years ago
4 years ago
1 year ago
The zoo was absolutely amazing! I loved everything, but in the bird exhibit. When I went in, it was very cool! I fed the birds, and they ate. One of the zookeepers told me to stick my finger out. I wanted the bird to go on my finger, so I did. I then got bit by the bird, and flung the food everywhere! The zookeeper laughed and said: "I guess they were too full." Waste of money! They didn't even try to help me they just walked along the path. I am very disappointed. The worse part is: I didn't see any warning signs or anything! A toddler could've gotten bit! There was also no shade! I was so hot, and there was nothing! Expected better. read more
More info about Denver Zoo
2300 Steele St
Denver, CO 80205
Northeast
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(720) 337-1400
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http://www.denverzoo.org/
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Ask the Community - Denver Zoo
Is the food and beverage package worth it? I see it is an add on when buying the tickets but there is no additional information.
You can bring in your own food and beverages if you want to save a few bucks. The food and beverage pack is from the cup and cone restaurant. Here is the menu https://denverzoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/DZF-CupandCone-Menu-July2022-R2PM.pdf
How is the zoo in the winter? Are the animals active? Worth the trip?
Many of the animals were not active, zoo was pretty empty as far as people and animals. I would recommend waiting for spring .
Would this be a good zoo to visit if it's a little rainy out?
I like that when the weather is a little bad, the zoo is less busy. Some of the animals may be outside but most of them stay in their enclosures. The indoor exhibits will be open, but you may not see all the animals at the outdoor exhibits
Can I take a small dog on a leash to visit exhibits?
Hi there! Unless you have a certified therapy dog, no animals are allowed on Zoo grounds.
Does anyone recommend purchasing the city pass for this establishment? Do they have a good section of just elephants?
I'm not sure what the city pass is... However, the elephants at the Denver Zoo are great! They rebuilt all these areas a few years ago and also offer educational sessions with live elephants throughout the day (at least they did when I took my niece… Read more
Does anyone know if the "up-close animals encounters" and "animal care and training experience" that the zoo offers are worth the extra money?
Definitely! I've done rhino, elephant, and this past weekend tiger. You learn a lot about zoo operations and get a close up view of some amazing animals. Don't think I'd pay for an encounter with an animal i wasn't very interested in though.
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Denver Zoo - zoos - Updated July 2026
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