As stated in earlier reviews, this zoo is small which is not always a bad thing. With that smaller size though, you might expect what they offer to be of real quality. This is not the case with the Palm Beach Zoo.

First, and foremost, is the very poor attitude of the employees. I am a member of an AZA zoo in Ohio, which gives free reciprical admissions to other zoos around the country. We have used this benefit many times around the country with much success and enjoyment. I called the zoo in the morning to see if they offered free admissions to AZA members, and was assured that they did.

After driving 30 minutes to the zoo, the very rude employee at the ticket window informs me that they will only honor 50% off on admissions, and when I explain about the recent phone call she talks to the operator who lied and said that she told me it was only a 50% discount. Racking this all up to a mistake we agree to pay the admission stated by the ticket window attendant. When I get my credit card receipt to sign, the price on it is now even higher--though the woman has not pointed this fact out to me. When I inquire I was told, again quite rudely, that she had made a mistake and calculated the price based on a senior discount which we do not qualify for. When I refused to sign the credit card statement with the higher charge I was told that I had to! What nerve (I wrote void and handed it back to her loud objections).

Long story short we asked to speak to the manager who as not willing to help us in any way, and never apologized for the series of mistakes, lies, and rudeness. She also told us that no reciprocal zoos give free admissions which, from much personal experience, I know to be untrue. What can they be thinking?

Anyhow, if you go be very careful about what you are charged. Better yet, save your money, because this zoo is really unimpressive and small inside. With the exception of a few animals and interesting "ruins" in the Mayan section, it has little of quality or diversity to offer. Add to that very poor customer service and you have a real recipe for disappointement. Go instead next door to the Palm Beach Science Center which is also small, but full of interesting exhibits, and wonderful, enthusiastic workers and volunteers. The kids will love it, and you will too.

Horrible locale along semi-noisy Interstate 95 and obvious airplanes overhead from the international airport, this zoo leaves much to be desired.

Parking is atrocious on weekends, and wrap-around fend-for-yourself parking with no accessible sidewalks to front gate make it a huge hazard for walking children and elderly.

Unreadable (and honestly, unpresentable) guide map makes you think you're at a 4-H fair petting zoo.

The Mayan exhibit is the only gem at this zoo, along iwth the tiger. I'm not sure where your money goes if you buy a ticket, let alone if you become a member. Shocking for Palm Beach.

This is a wonderful place to take children. They have used every square foot possible for animal exhibits. It has lovely landscaping and plenty of shaded areas for relief from the hot sun. As we get older, sometimes smaller is better. Our grandson loved it! We did too!

This zoo has made some really drastic changes for the better. It's a really wonderful zoo for children because it's smaller and you won't feel like you've dragged yourselves around all day long. Bring the kid's bathing suits to enjoy the big, fun interactive fountain in the middle of the zoo with plenty of seating around the perimeter for parents and children to sit. A fun themed restaurant or just grab a quick bite from the concession area (still in the themed area) overlooking the lake. This is not a huge zoo. Go to the Miami Metro Zoo if you want big. A good variety of animals, however they are short on the larger animals (no elephants, giraffes, rhinos, etc.) But they still have a lot of neat animals to see. How about some naked mole rats, prarie dogs, and gorgeous tiger exhibit with waterfalls? Enjoy the new Mayan exhibit (very, very cool) and the endangered Florida Panther exhibit. A lot of style, a low price and a great place. The kids will love to run all over and have the time of their lives!