Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is home to more than 10,000 animals and is over 200 acres. A world-class Zoo with animals from around the globe, including penguins, polar bears, elephants, tigers and more!
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.

See what travelers are saying

  • Pippamoore
    Lincoln, United Kingdom84 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was our second visit to the zoo. We had previously visited in the summer but there had been several additions since we had been before. Unfortunately it was very cold this time so many of the animals were inside trying to keep warm. Those that were out appeared happy and well looked after. The enclosures were clean and well maintained and the zoo obviously cares deeply about conservation and protecting the environment. One new addition was the aquarium which again was very impressive. Although quite small there was a good variety of fish all in spotless tanks. All in all we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and I would definitely recommend a visit . It was well worth the very reasonable entrance fee
    Visited December 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written December 5, 2024
  • Sarah P
    Shawnee, Oklahoma155 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a large zoo with a lot to do and see. We bought the bands to ride all of the rides which was very helpful because it makes it easier to get to the different areas of the zoo. We did the tram rides, the sky lift, the carousel and we would have done the boat ride but it broke down as we were boarding which was frustrating but did not put too big of a damper on the experience. We could not even get it all done in 1 day and we arrived pretty much when it opened and was there at least 5 hours. I will say the newly opened aquarium was a bit overhyped and packed! The food is expensive so either eat before you go or take a lunch or snacks with you if it's allowed.
    Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, we appreciate your feedback! We have forwarded your comments over to the appropriate teams to help improve guest experience in the future.
    Written July 18, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written July 4, 2024
  • Bruce S
    Louisville, Kentucky193 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wow, this Zoo visit exceeded our expectations. We love visiting zoos and make it a point to visit new ones when traveling. We have been to literally dozens of zoos across the country and enjoyed this visit very much. It is a very large space with a diverse selection of animals to see and the habitats for their critters seem very large, clean, and well cared for. We initially intended to do the zoo for a few hours then visit other Kansas City sights but ended up spending 7 hours here because of it's size and because we enjoyed it so much. If you plan to take in the whole zoological park, wear comfortable shoes because you will walk several miles to take it all in.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 27, 2024
  • Cryptic_Tourist
    Saint Louis, Missouri1,119 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Really enjoyed this zoo, it’s very large so be ready to walk a LOT. If you have any kind of mobility issues I really would suggest renting a scooter. One of the members of our group was struggling and we weren’t even halfway around the park. The exhibits are really neat and my absolute favorite was the new aquarium. It’s small, but I really enjoyed seeing what animals they had here. Just be ready for it to be crowded because when it’s hot, everyone comes here to cool down. They do a pretty good job of crowd control though! Overall I really liked the zoo too.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written June 9, 2024
  • Pamela M
    Shawnee, Kansas73 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    There has been so many improvements at the zoo. There is plenty of room for more improvements. It is well worth the cost. I was disappointed with the food and employees. Ate at the restaurant in the Africa section and they were not friendly, and couldn't cook the fries correctly. I don't like eating uncooked or barely cooked fries. Don't say on your menu board that the fries are smothered in bacon when there's only a couple of pieces. Employees need training on being friendly. Smiles are hard to come by at the zoo. The zoo is big so get ready for a lot of walking. There is EV chairs that you can rent for the day and they are easy to use. If you can afford the cost, purchase the FOTZ membership. Save on admissions not only at the KC Zoo but also at reciprocating zoos.
    Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, we are sorry to hear that you did not have a good experience at the restaurant in Africa. We appreciate your feedback and have forwarded your comments over to the food and beverage team to help improve guest experience in the future.
    Written May 13, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 27, 2024
  • Deena K
    Ames, Iowa56 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The zoo is amazing. The animals looked well cared for and the zoo was very clean. The zoo is quite large so make sure you have appropriate walking shoes and water! We went on both the train and the tram and enjoyed both. The zoo is very wheelchair accessible. We were able to take our wheelchair on both the train and the tram. We will definitely return to the zoo if we are in the area.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written May 26, 2024
  • Cruiser08641345813
    United States15 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is a fun and family-friendly spot that offers a great mix of wildlife experiences. I love how the zoo is spread out, giving animals plenty of space while offering visitors scenic walking paths. The new aquarium is a fantastic addition, with vibrant marine life displays that really draw you in. Highlights for me are the penguins, the elephant exhibit, and the Sky Safari, which gives a unique view of the animals from above. It's a great way to spend a day outdoors, learning about animals from all over the world while enjoying the natural beauty of the park.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written September 17, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,581 reviews
Excellent
781
Very good
570
Average
171
Poor
38
Terrible
21

Tresa B
1 contribution
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
This was our first trip to the Kansas City Zoo and I would have given 5 stars because the zoo is quite wonderful; but, at the ticket counter's suggestion, we purchased the Platinum bracelets for unlimited rides at $12/pp (tram, train, sky coaster, carouse and boat). The lines were so incredibly long, we were unable to use them at any of the rides the entire day and we were there 5 hours. We do plan the return to the zoo but definitely will not (and do not recommend) purchasing the wristbands.
Written May 22, 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.
Thank you for your review, we really appreciate your feedback! We are sorry to hear you weren't able to ride the rides, please reach out to askthezoo@fotzkc.org about your visit and our guest relations team would be happy to refund you for the rides you did not ride.
Written May 24, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TennG78
Clarksville, TN168 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
The Kansas City Zoo was the first attraction on the first day of our May 2024 road trip.

Parking was good. We arrived about 10 minutes after the Zoo opened on a beautiful Saturday in May and found decent parking. Kudos to not having a parking fee like many other Zoos do (we were just in Indianapolis in February and it was $10). The line to purchase tickets was long but it moved quickly.

I'll never rate a Zoo poorly because of animals not being active or awake but it happened. It was one of those days where the heat was too much for many animals.

My biggest issue was the layout of the Zoo. The African land is simply too far away for a decent stroll. What's the solution? Charge Zoo patrons more money for a tram ride over. You acknowledge the long distance with the trams but do not accommodate those with issues walking that far and back.
Written May 11, 2024
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.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, we are sorry to hear that you did not have a good experience at the Zoo. We appreciate your feedback and have forwarded your comments over to the guest relations team to help improve guest experience in the future.
Written May 13, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jane G
Joplin, MO101 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Friends
We went to Glowild at the zoo, and the bright balloons were larger than I expected. There are many throughout the zoo. I'd recommend going to the zoo at dusk so you can see the animals prior to when it's dark, and then you can check out the Glowild.
Written November 22, 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.

D171EUdianer
Newport, NY41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
The place is HUGE! Zoo does its best to make sure you can see the animals wherever they may be in their enclosures. Boat ride was closed. Would like to see the tram included in the admission price because it is a long walk to see Africa unless you use the tram. Loved the various hydration and misting stations.
Written July 7, 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.

ificouldonlyfly
Yankton, SD265 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
I wanted to visit this zoo mainly to see the polar bear, who was out while we watched her. We ended up spending most of the day here and just about saw everything. Very nice zoo - lots to see. There are many zoo keeper chats to check out, the main one I'd recommend is the chimpanzees at 1 pm. We missed it and I regret it, because it was about the farthest point away from the entrance. When we finally got there, the chimps are in a forest, not really an enclosure like the other animals where you can pretty much see them anytime you want. The chimpanzees were nowhere to be found! So if you want to see them, make sure to do the zoo keeper chat so you can see them - I'll know next time.
We got the wrist bands to be able to ride the train, tram, and sky fari which always helps when you spend all day walking. Staff were always very friendly and helpful. Our tram driver pointed out that one of the elephants is one of the oldest (44) and she's the one with a scar on her bottom. All the enclosures were pretty big and the animals looked like they were thriving. The polar bear has a pool, the elephants have a waterfall. There's a touch tank for the sting rays that you don't have to pay extra for. Several places to eat, get snacks or dipping dots, and there's even chutes that you can buy feed to drop down for the camels to eat which was fun! One more thing we loved - not only are their informational signs about the kinds of animals here, they also put the names of each animal and some specifics about them. For example, Nuniq the Polar Bear with an explanation of what her name means, how much she weighs, her favorite foods, etc. That made it more personable for us to get to know the individual animals here.
Written July 4, 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.

Fred
Dayton, OH43 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Family
Payed 45$ for a school-aged youth and a military veteran. Found out after we paid full price that 3/4 of the zoo was closed. Feel that the young man behind the counter should have informed us of this. I guess your zoo enjoys hiring people that don't want to be thier There were too many encounters of young longhair men not wanting to do there job. Will never come back.
Written April 5, 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.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, we appreciate your feedback. We are sorry to hear that you did not enjoy your time at the Kansas City Zoo and have forwarded your comments to our guest relations team in order to improve guest experience in the future. We are sorry to hear you did not see all the animals you would have liked. On colder days, for their health and safety, some animals have access to their indoor habitats which can lead to limited viewing. There are several indoor buildings with habitats that we encourage guests to visit on those colder days and have plans in the future for more indoor opportunities - like the brand-new aquarium coming this Fall. We do hope that you return and have a better experience!
Written April 20, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mallory M
United States25 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
We had a great visit today! Even with a heat advisory there are indoor options sprinkled throughout the zoo to cool down. The animal chats are awesome. Staff is always armed with interesting facts and happy to answer questions. The food is very expensive but the zoo allows you to bring in food. Pack a lunch and come to spend much of your day!
Written July 4, 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.

Ryan W
Anderson, South Carolina, United States177 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Family
I’ve been to zoo’s all over the country and this one was a complete joke and waste of money. The zoo was dirty, animal enclosures was old and out of date. The new area they are building might be nice in the future but right now it’s not worth making the walk. They build it up like is some big “African” exhibit but all its nothing but a money racket once you get there. We didn’t see one animal but they want to charge you for all the other activities.
Written October 16, 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.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, we appreciate your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your visit was less than satisfactory and that you did not see as many animals as you would have hoped. We do have 1,700+ animals at the Zoo representing over 200 species of animals, many of which are out in their habitat all year long. If you choose to return in the future, feel free to reach out to askthezoo@fotzkc.org ahead of time for some tips ahead of your visit or stop by the front and ask any guest services representative and they will be able to help give you directions to some habitats where you will definitely see the animals!
Written January 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Curtis S
Kingsport, TN2,640 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
My wife and I always enjoy a good zoo, so we wanted to visit this one while we were in town. Easy to find, just outside of town, and parking is free. Admission is reasonable, although you may want to spring for train ticket, because this is a big a zoo. We got in our 10k steps just walking the entire zoo. I’ll be honest and state that, when we visited (September 2021) the zoo could use a little “prettying up.” A lot the buildings could use a fresh coat of paint and much of the wood had seen better days. The animals were “hiding” as the temps were little on the high side for late September. I’ve been to better zoos…..but not too many worse than this one. If you have kid and you’re in town, OK. Don’t drive out of your way (unless you have kids screaming to go). Not recommended
Written November 26, 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.

David M
Overland Park, KS49 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
The KC Zoo packs a mighty punch with varied animals and habitats. It is laid out like many zoos with sections of the world represented in a natural path around the facility. (One thing to note is to check with guest services to see if any animals in the Africa section are not outside in cooler temperatures. That is too long a walk to be disappointed, but worth it if everything is out.) High points are the tropics (smaller building with several monkey species, otters, birds, and porcupines), the sea lion show (currently under renovation but opening soon), and a gigantic African plains area with tons of different animals in one place.

Would highly recommend the sky tram over the African plains area. Relatively quick ride, but do the round trip - otherwise you'll either miss half of the African animals or have to double back. If you eat lunch at the zoo - do it at Bluey's. The food is nothing special, but the overlook is where the kangaroos hang out. They are free to roam basically anywhere in that area, so it can be fun to watch that while enjoying lunch.

The aquarium has opened since I visited and I will be going back to see what that entails. Looks like a good sized exhibit with varied species.
Written September 20, 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.

…
Showing results 1-10 of 1,555
*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.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)

All Kansas City HotelsKansas City Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Kansas City
All things to do in Kansas CityZoos & Aquariums in Kansas City
RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars