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Housing over six thousand residents, each with their own distinct claws, wings, furs, paws, and scales, Houston Zoo is where you witness the finest juxtaposition of liveliness and calmness all under one roof. The zoo is snuggled in the heart of Houston and covers around 55 acres of land, with every square foot rendering a completely different, fun, and educational experience.
Meet over six hundred different species of animals from all corners of the world, living in the land that they call home. Be it African lions, California sea lions, or Asian elephants, you can witness them all without leaving the city.
Observe, feed, and have a chat with your favorite animal from up close. Not only this, you can even take a ride on the Wildlife Carousel, explore the Wetlands, or discover the underwater wildlife on your trip.
There’s a lot more hidden behind the gates of Houston Zoo. If you are traveling to the city, a visit to one of the best zoos in Houston, where the community meets the wildlife, is a must.
Houston Zoo is a small town of its own. Out of the hundreds of species residing here, you will also find passionate humans working round the clock tending to the animals. They make sure that all the residents are well-fed, comfortable, and offered proper medical care.
This commitment and love for the Zoo go way beyond these four walls. Houston Zoo has had its hands full by constantly providing support to several different wildlife conservation projects in over 20 countries. At the Zoo, they aim to inspire other individuals in the community to do their bit in saving the lives of those who cannot speak for themselves.
If you are a true animal lover and nature enthusiast, this will certainly be the zoo for you.
Houston Zoo is a lot more than just about petting animals. There is plenty to see and do here. We have compiled a list of everything that is worth participating in when visiting this zoo in the Houston area.
Albeit born and raised on the American land, the true motherland of Wetland Lowland Gorillas is Central Africa. Creatures in Houston Zoo were moved to the city as a part of the Species Survival Plan. You can find Gorillas either roaming around the outdoor habitat, resting in the night house that is completed with a private bedroom, or climbing a 23-foot-tall tree in the African Forest section.
Did you know that when Giraffes walk, they first move both of their right legs forward and then move their left legs? Know about such facts and a lot more when you feed the Tanzanian Masai giraffes, which happens to be a fan favorite (not hard to see why!). You can also encounter ostriches and zebras in Giraffe’s arena, simply enjoying the beauty of the African Forest.
Surviving the wild is not for everyone and the struggles faced by Asian elephants is a proof. McNair Elephant Habitat Area in Houston Zoo is where you can witness eight elephants living in a habitat that feels like a home away from home. You can find a pool and barn in this elephant enclosure, which helps these mystical creatures stay calm and at utmost comfort.
You can hear the roaring sounds of sea lions as you get closer to the Sea Lion Habitat. Sitting close to the entrance of the Zoo, the Sea Lion enclosure is where you can witness these creatures splashing around in the water or sunbathing by the pond. If you visit it at the right time, you can also catch a glimpse of the famous Sea Lion show where can you observe and learn a lot more about these mammals.
Do the scaly bodies and silent hisses of reptiles fascinate you? Do the expressionless faces of amphibians leave you puzzled? If you answered yes to any of these questions, paying a visit to Reptiles & Amphibians House will certainly not fail to impress you. King cobra, lizards, yellow frogs, newts, and some of the most venomous snakes can be found residing here.
Once you have met all the incredible and beautiful creatures, take a trip to the Wildlife Carousel. Your trip would be incomplete without taking a ride on this carousel that is carved and painted by hand. As you go around the carousel, you can also enjoy the music from different corners of the globe.
One tip, make sure you read the guidelines and rules before spending money on the tickets.
Bringing an interesting and distinctive concept, a swap shop gives your little ones an opportunity to get up close with mother nature. The concept of a swap shop is that children aged 18 or below can collect different items that relate to nature as they stroll around the zoo. It could be clean shells, rocks, plant elements, photos of nature, and more.
When they visit the shop, they will not only get to learn more information about the items they bring, but they will also earn points for them. The kids can use these points in exchange for anything that is available in the shop.
Witness the world’s largest and most exotic tropical wetlands without spending thousands of dollars on tickets to Brazil. South America’s Pantanal in the Zoo is spread across 4.3 acres of land and has brought the true essence of the wetland to the city. This area has been designated to keep wildlife like tapirs and giant anteaters protected.
Carruth Natural Encounters is where you meet the notorious creatures of the animal kingdom. This enclosure is home to meerkats, Asian small-clawed otters, monkeys, and naked mole rats. When you get closer to the area, you will be welcomed with the refreshing views of the waterfalls extended into pools that will leave you awestruck.
A recently introduced area of the Houston Zoo, Kathrine G. McGovern Texas Wetlands is where you meet the state’s natives. Here you will witness how the wetlands have managed to create a habitat for three completely distinctive species – American alligators, bald eagles, and whooping cranes. Now, these three species, that were earlier close to extinction, can be witnessed living in harmony in these lush wetlands.
What if we tell you that you could actually buy the art pieces that are not created by humans but by the talented animals that are residing at the Zoo? To keep the experience of the animals here enriched, the Zookeepers keep them busy with different and fun activities, one of which is painting.
These pieces could be anything from brush strokes to paw prints that are painted using only non-toxic paints. If you traveling to the city, these masterpieces could actually be a perfect souvenir for your loved ones back home.
From October, you can witness Houston Zoo bustling with cheerful faces, dressed up in glittery clothes, all in the spirit of holidays. Zoo Boo and Zoo Lights are two extremely special events that you must partake in if you are in Houston towards the last quarter of the year.
Houston Zoo hosts Zoo Boo, an event dedicated to the ever-so frolicsome Halloween, on the weekends starting from mid-October, leading up to the 31st. All the visitors are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes and be a part of the celebrations. There are also several Halloween special activities, such as pumpkin patches, temporary tattoos, and trick-or-treat stations in which you can participate. The best thing about this event is that you don’t have to pay any additional charges. Everything comes included in the general ticket price.
If you are tired of visiting the malls in Houston and can’t decide where you want to spread the jolliness this Christmas, perhaps Houston Zoo Lights could be your event. In the spirit of holiday cheer, the entire zoo turns into a magical winter wonderland. The sounds of laughter, the extravagance of fairy lights, and the tunes of Christmas carols fill your heart with joy. The silky-smooth piping hot cocoa topped with little marshmallows makes this entire experience complete.
Once you have explored all the corners of the dream world that we call Houston Zoo, your and your little one’s tummies are bound to get hungry. If you are not carrying any food with you, there are a couple of eateries sitting within the Houston Zoo’s boundaries.
A couple of themed food trucks are located in Houston Zoo, each with its very own specialty.
There’s a Masakan truck nestled near the Jaguar enclosure where you can stop for a quick bite. The truck serves lip-smacking dishes dedicated to the Asian culture. Apart from that, there’s a trailer that is known for its tender and juicy smoked meats.
If you are looking for delectable sweet treats, Albert & Ethel Herzstein Trading Post is definitely the place to be. Located right at the entrance of the magnificent African forest, this spot is where you will find the softest, silkiest Dole Whips.
Not only that, but this Trading Post also serves other treats, such as cookies, popcorn, and beverages including Saint Arnold beer and sodas.
A fairly new (and sustainable) addition to the Houston Zoo’s collection, Cypress Circle Café is where you can visit to relish a freshly made meal. The cafe sources all its ingredients from local vendors that ensure that the food served to you is nothing but high-quality.
The menu here is quite extensive and includes a variety of sandwiches, pizzas, and burgers. They also serve sodas and beers to help gulp down your meal.
The spacious, cool dining room of Twiga is what makes it a popular choice among visitors. Their menu is completed with a range of kid’s special food including hamburgers, chicken tenders, cookies, and more.
You can even choose to sit outside and enjoy your meal with a view of rhinos and giraffes, just sitting and living in their respective enclosures.
Below are the following details that are good to know when planning to visit the Zoo.
Open seven days of the week from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Last entry at 4 PM.
The Zoo operates at regular hours even on Easter Sunday.
If you are not a member, it is highly suggested that you reserve a time slot online. Make sure you are reaching the Zoo at the selected time.
Please note: You must treat this reserved slot as your arrival time. You can explore the Zoo up until they close the gates, which is at 5 PM.
Houston Zoo ticket prices for general admission of all the non-members start from $19.95. Make sure that you book your tickets online, they do not sell tickets on-site.
Please note: Entry for Zoo Lights is not included in the general admission tickets. Additional charges are applied.
Flex pricing allows you to plan ahead and book tickets that best fit your budget and schedule, allowing you to save as high as 20% on tickets for children and senior citizens.
There are also several other Houston Zoo coupons that you can use to get a hefty discount. Please go check their website for more details.
Houston Zoo does not have a parking lot, but there are several spots nearby where you can park your vehicle. We have compiled a list of all the parking spots near the Houston Zoo below.
1. Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) Parking Garage
Parking charges
Non-member: $20
Museum member: $10
2. Texas Medical Center Garage #4
Parking charges
Visitors: $13
3. Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza Garage
Parking charges
Weekdays: $15 before 5 PM, $10 after 5 PM
Weekends after 5 PM: $10
4. Lots E-I, Hermann Park
Free parking
For more details, please check their website.
Once you have booked your tickets, you should start planning for the outing beforehand if you don’t want any hindrances or challenges. Here are a few tips that will help make this trip to the Zoo perfect for you.
A backpack helps make sure that your hands are always free, especially if you are visiting with a kid. Carrying bottles, purses, and diaper bags separately can be a bit of a task.
What should you carry in your backpack?
Sunglasses, bug spray, hand sanitizers, face masks, sunscreen, water bottles that you can refill, snacks, a small first aid kit, cash, and a bag for Swap Shop treasures.
Getting a Zoo membership is especially an excellent move if you are living in Houston. If you are someone that enjoys being surrounded by animals, spending a minimum of $15 on tickets every single time wouldn’t really be a smart decision.
Membership will start paying off in two visits itself. This membership doesn’t just make entry to the Zoo virtually free but also offers added perks. There are several programs and adventures on discounts. You can also get early admissions!
This tip is mainly for those visiting Houston Zoo with their little kids. The Zoo is spread as far as your eyes can see. And the more you explore, the deeper you go inside the different areas, and the further you will get from the entrance.
This will make your little one tired and walking back all that distance will only seem impossible at that moment. This is where a stroller or a wagon becomes a blessing in disguise.
We already know that Houston Zoo is not just an hour-long walk around the cages. It is spread far wide and you are bound to get tired, which is only natural. Now, you don’t want the wrong choice of clothes and shoes to add to this challenge.
Hence, it is best to wear clothes in which you are the most comfortable. You can switch your jeans and tops for shorts, loose dresses, or athleisure outfits. For your footwear, it is suggested that you wear cushion shoes instead of sandals or heels.
You will be booking your time slots online. These slots are your arrival time and it is highly suggested that you reach on time to ensure the total capacity of the slot is not exceeded.
Additionally, Zoo is located in one of the busiest areas of Houston, and finding parking can be challenging. So, if you are bringing your own vehicle, it is best to just reach at least half an hour before your reserved slots.
Once you arrive at the Zoo, you and your kid would want to cover everything. A map will help direct and plan your trip to the Zoo in a much better way.
Apart from figuring out where you should head next, the map also gives you a daily schedule including the event names, times, and places. You can keep an eye out for fun events like Zookeeper talks and training camps to make sure you don’t miss out on the fun.
Houston Zoo is not your basic destination. This is a spot that has brought natural marvels from around the world under one (open) roof. Elephants from Asia, wetlands from Bazil, or sea lions from California help you travel the world without flying out of the city.
Have you ever paid a visit to the Houston Zoo? How was your trip? Do you have any tips that you would like to share with your fellow visitors? You can let us and them know in the comments below.
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April 3, 2024 
