Birmingham Zoo
4.3(8,467)4.3 out of 5 stars, 8467 reviews Birmingham, AL
About Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo offers a clean and family-friendly environment with a focus on conservation and unique events like Glow Wild, but parents should be aware of additional costs and limited animal availability.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families looking for a half-day outingParents who appreciate conservation-focused zoosVisitors interested in seasonal events like Glow WildBest suited for families with kids under 10Activities and exhibits appeal to younger children
Why families love it
- Clean facilities
- Easy navigation
- Glow Wild event with beautiful lanterns
- Good selection of items in the gift shop
- Spacious walkways
- Quiet zones available for decompression
Insider tips
- Eat before you go to avoid expensive and mediocre food
- Be prepared for extra costs for attractions
- Check for animal availability before visiting
Good to know before you go
- Visiting during peak times when the zoo is crowded
- Going without checking the availability of key exhibits or animals
- Many animals were not present during visits
- High additional costs for activities like feeding animals and train rides
- Some exhibits closed for improvements
- Crowds
- Can get busy during weekends and special events; best to visit on weekdays
- Value
- Family tickets around $100, additional costs for train rides and feeding animals; may feel pricey compared to other local attractions but offers unique experiences.
- Food
- Outside food is not mentioned, likely not allowed; food inside is expensive and not highly rated
- Accessibility
- Spacious walkways accommodate strollers and wheelchairs
- Safety
- No specific safety measures mentioned, but spacious areas allow for social distancing
What parents say
"It was a great experience. Really clean. But, a lot of animals not there. Also the male lion was alone with no companion along with an otter and multiple other animals. Those animals need companions and do not need to be isolated. I find it really sad they are just waiting their days alone stuck in an enclosure. They need to get rid of them to another zoo or get them companionship."
a week ago
"We used to keep a membership to this zoo. They are only open 5 days a week now, since COVID. We have not renewed our membership since. The zoo itself is wonderful, but be prepared to pay for extras. Feeding animals is extra. The train ride is extra. Slide climbing thing is extra. The seals were gone when we recently went. :( I have never ever seen a butterfly in the butterfly exhibit. Again, this place will always hold a special place in our hearts and we enjoy visiting, but it seems like you get less and less and it costs more and more."
a week ago
"A great half-day outing for families with kids under 10. The Birmingham Zoo is clean, easy to navigate, and perfect for a few hours of fun. While several exhibits were closed for improvements, the main attractions were open and enjoyable. It felt a bit pricey—around $100 for our family including tickets and a train ride—but still worth it if you’ve never been. Pro tip: eat before you go. The food is expensive and not particularly memorable."
3 weeks ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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