Elmwood Park Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo
4
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
Elmwood Park Zoo was established in 1924 when a local farmer transferred 16 acres and a small menagerie to the Borough of Norristown. Today, the zoo is owned and operated by the Norristown Zoological Society, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster an appreciation of wildlife and their habitat that will inspire active participation in conservation. Under the Society's careful management, Elmwood Park Zoo has attained the elite status as one of only 225 institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The zoo's accreditation was renewed in September, 2016. Elmwood Park Zoo currently maintains a collection of dozens of species that hail from all over the globe. Highlights of the collection include red pandas, jaguars, bald and golden eagles, giraffes, zebras, elk, and more. A number of animals in the collection are managed pursuant to an international SSP (Species Survival Plan), representing threatened and endangered species.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.0
438 reviews
Excellent
204
Very good
140
Average
58
Poor
15
Terrible
21
Lynn E
Columbus, IN2 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
While this zoo is lovely during the day, don't waste your money on tickets for the evening Wild Lights! The zoo obviously way oversold the event for Sat., Dec. 16. The parking lot was packed and it took us 40 minutes to find somewhere else to park and then hike back to the zoo. No parking attendants to help. (There was a shuttle but we never did find it.)
It was so crowded inside that it was not enjoyable at all. Lines were extremely long at the food vendors. I waited about 10-15 minutes in line for popcorn for my grandkids and when I got up to the counter they said they wouldn't be selling any more for 20 minutes while they filled up the bin!
The line for hot chocolate was extremely long and the price was $5.95 with no lids available. Two restroom stops took about 25 minutes total.
We went to the event in 2020 and it was very nice--a show with Elsa and Anna and other special characters roaming about. None of that this year. I bought 7 adult tickets and 7 children's tickets and it was a HUGE waste of $220 (and that was with my membership discount!).
It was so crowded inside that it was not enjoyable at all. Lines were extremely long at the food vendors. I waited about 10-15 minutes in line for popcorn for my grandkids and when I got up to the counter they said they wouldn't be selling any more for 20 minutes while they filled up the bin!
The line for hot chocolate was extremely long and the price was $5.95 with no lids available. Two restroom stops took about 25 minutes total.
We went to the event in 2020 and it was very nice--a show with Elsa and Anna and other special characters roaming about. None of that this year. I bought 7 adult tickets and 7 children's tickets and it was a HUGE waste of $220 (and that was with my membership discount!).
Written 18 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hgtravl
Marlton, NJ3,291 contributions
Sept 2022
Our happy place. Its so comforting to go to a zoo in this area that really CARES about their animals. This zoo is on the "smaller" size but thats OKAY - the exhibits they have are beautiful, well maintained and full of happy animals. We LOVE the feed giraffes time. For only a couple bucks you can get up and close to them and hand feed them - seriously SO much fun. The zoo is always clean. The bathrooms are clean as well. Ample parking. Lots of easy walking areas. Fun for all ages. Come and support this local zoo!
Written 7 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bertram S
Wyoming, MI998 contributions
Jul 2021
This is a small zoo, but has a few big zoo animals such as a cougar, giraffes and zebras that are well worth seeing. We liked the bison too, and the way the exhibit for the red panda was set up (it helped us see the red panda better). We also enjoyed the water sprayers which cooled us off. This is an ideal zoo for children under 7 – it takes about an hour to see the animals, and has a nice playground and also a music area – lots of xylophones and the like. They also have a small carousel with fiberglass animals on it (not high quality, but good for a small zoo).
Written 30 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eda76
new jersey28 contributions
May 2023 • Family
We love this little zoo, though at 9, my son has outgrown the playground area he used to spend hours in. The volunteers and keepers are so friendly and knowledgeable. Feeding the giraffes is a must! They have added a ton of places to sit and eat and you can bring in your own food which is a plus. Several food choices are available and adult beverages are available, if you’re interested. Lots of shady areas on hot days. They’re currently doing a lot of construction so we’re excited to see what they may be adding. Today we tried the Treetop Adventure located in the zoo for the first time. I have to give a very special shout out to Kathleen, a worker there, who helped my son tremendously. I was so impressed with her professionalism and kindness. If you’re looking to try it, the height minimum is 54 in. but at least one transition would have been much easier at 60 in. Definitely an adventure worth trying!!
Written 29 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christy C
Mechanicsville, MD129 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Met up with some family for a few hours here at this zoo. Overall for the price it was fine. I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t more of a selection of animals. Everything was really spread out. I wouldn’t go back. One time was plenty.
I had purchased tickets a couple of days before we arrived and my brother and his daughters were not able to make it as they had car trouble that morning. I stopped into the gift shop and ask if we could be refunded for those tickets, I was told no but that I could email them and let them know the tickets were not used and we could come back another day. This is the first time we’ve ever been to this area and I don’t for see us coming back I wish they would’ve been more accommodating about it. It’s not like none of us showed up there were still 10 of us there that day.
I had purchased tickets a couple of days before we arrived and my brother and his daughters were not able to make it as they had car trouble that morning. I stopped into the gift shop and ask if we could be refunded for those tickets, I was told no but that I could email them and let them know the tickets were not used and we could come back another day. This is the first time we’ve ever been to this area and I don’t for see us coming back I wish they would’ve been more accommodating about it. It’s not like none of us showed up there were still 10 of us there that day.
Written 28 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
adventix
Boston, MA1,968 contributions
Sept 2021
Easy to spend here 2-3 hours but unless you have little children I believe 1 visit is enough (small zoo). The size is also an advantage as it is not over crowded. Plenty of playground space, carousel and picnic spots.
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CCKPennsylvania
Drexel Hill, PA9 contributions
Jun 2021
A grandkid favorite! FIve grands ages 18 months to ten love ths place. Whether it is feed the giaraffes, watch the river otters, play on the roomy and safe playground, or play ing the percussion instruments there is something for everyone. We have probably been five times in the last year. A great outdoor experience in these COVID times. Nice carousel and ice cream for special treats. We brought a picnic and had lunch before we walked in, but there are also ample spots once inside
Written 23 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margie W
Chalfont, PA195 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
I visited this zoo as a young child. In turn I bought my children and now my grandchildren. This zoo is just perfect for those with young children. The little ones can see animals up close and feeding the giraffes is always a highlight. I can't give this little, local zoo a high enough rating. I
hope it's around for my great grandchildren to visit as well.
hope it's around for my great grandchildren to visit as well.
Written 27 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Archie
Glenmoore, PA7,760 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
We went for a 5 pm timed ticket slot. There us additional parking around the zoo. It was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and all things Christmas. Due to the lateness we didn't see many animals outside. They were all in their enclosures. We saw a amazing jaguar and an elk. They have little food stands all around. It was a fun evening.
Written 5 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marc19002
Eagleville, PA276 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
We have been members here for many years. We take our grandkids often as we are very local. No lions, tigers, or bears, but lots of other animals. Great for smaller kids. Awesome playground and other kid activities. Parking is free.
Written 19 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Was planning to take my 3 year old nephew in February. Is it too cold to go this time of year? Are there plenty of inside exhibits?
Written 11 December 2019
It is mostly outside. There's a playground and other outside activities.
All though we had a good time, I would not go back until it was much warmer!
Written 1 February 2020
Is outside food & drink allowed? Is there a place to eat a your own packed lunch?
Written 18 April 2018
Most definitely. Food is also available but if you have food allergies or sensitivity, or the kids are picky eaters, or you just prefer your own homemade snacks and drinks, bringing your own food is a good (and an allowed) choice.
Written 18 April 2018
We are planning a visit to this zoo next Friday, I was wondering about how much time we could expect to spend here.
Written 11 March 2018
We spent about 1.5 hours there. Make sure to feed the bison and the giraffe (if it's warm enough).
Written 11 March 2018
We are considering doing the Treetop Adventures as part of a birthday party at the EPZ. While the official website lists the height requirements, it would be helpful to know how old the children should be to do the activity. For example, we have a 9 and 10 year old coming. They still can do the Cub Climb, but they meet the 54" requirement for the Zoofari. Some of the TripAdvisor reviews suggest that the Cub Climb would be too easy (2-3 feet from the ground) and some suggest that it would be too hard even with an adult because of the issues of tethering and untethering multiple times during the course.
Written 10 August 2015
Hi Kristy, Full disclosure - The adult climb has some very challenging obstacles even for adults with large steps required (read adult size legs needed). Courage and good balance is a definite plus. Only you can know if your kids are up for the challenge. Clipping and unclipping on either course can make little hands tired if they've not done it before. They would need to be accompanied by an able adult on the big climb who can also help them attach properly for the zips.
Written 12 August 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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