About Lehigh Valley Zoo
A highly accessible, moderately sized zoo that offers a manageable walking experience for families, highlighted by a safari-like drive through the Trexler Game Preserve, engaging animal encounters, and seasonal events like the Winter Light Spectacular.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families with young children looking for a manageable, not overwhelmingly big zoo experienceEstablishing holiday family traditions like Easter outings or winter light viewingEducational day trips with interactive staff-led animal encountersToddlers and young children (excellent fit due to play areas, crafts, and easy walking distance)Tweens and Teens (ages 10-16 enjoyed the informative animal encounters)
Why families love it
- Drive-through Trexler Game Preserve which feels like a safari for kids
- Abundant family-friendly amenities including numerous benches, garbage cans, and restrooms
- Informative 'Meet the Animals' educational encounters that engage kids of all ages
- Fun seasonal events such as the Winter Light Spectacular and Easter visits
- On-site play area and arts and crafts activities for children
- Trexler Game Preserve drive-through
Insider tips
- Visit during warmer months to ensure outdoor animals like giraffes are visible
- Pair your zoo visit with the drive through the Trexler Game Preserve for a complete 'safari' experience
- Consider purchasing a season pass if you plan to visit multiple times a year
- Set expectations that Lorikeet Landing is no longer a hands-on exhibit
Good to know before you go
- Visiting on freezing, snowy, or very cold days (around 35 degrees) when major animals are kept inside
- Expecting to see big cats, as they are not part of the exhibits
- Lorikeet Landing is no longer a hands-on, interactive exhibit
- Giraffes and other animals are kept indoors during cold or snowy weather
- No big cats are housed at this zoo
- Crowds
- Can draw larger crowds during holiday events like Easter Sunday and the Winter Light Spectacular evenings
- Value
- Great value for the price, with admission noted at $63 for 2 adults and 2 kids. Season passes are highly valued by repeat visitors, though value is diminished during cold weather when exhibits are limited.
- Accessibility
- Highly stroller-friendly with numerous paved paths, frequent benches for resting, and easily accessible restrooms
What parents say
"I spent $63 for 2 adults & 2 kids admission on 4/20 Easter Sunday. The weather was beautiful and that alone with the walk around the zoo made the day perfect! Overall I feel badly about the animals being there but as a mother it is a fantastic opportunity for me to show my kids about animals. I was surprised at how many garbage cans, benches, and bathrooms there was. Awesome to see for moms with little kids. 10/10 great day, awesome Easter, and a 40 minute car ride each way makes this the new Easter tradition for our family. We used to do the Easter bunny train ride in Phillipsburg NJ but now "
2 weeks ago
"I've loved this place since a field trip in the 4th grade. All of the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. The animal encounters "meet the animals" are quite informative. Even my niece and nephew paid attention! My family has season passes, and we will be utilizing them as often as possible. Our most recent trip was two adults and 3 kids (10, 13, 16). I was sad that Lorikeet Landing is no longer a hands-on exhibit. I understand covid took it out, but I'd love to see it make a comeback. Wishful thinking."
a week ago
"Great for the price. We went on a cool/breezy weekend but still had a good time. It’s not overwhelmingly big but there was a play area and some arts and crafts that really made it worth it for the kids. You also drove through the trexlor game preserve so my kids thought we were on a safari. Nice place to visit and support animals!"
a month ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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