United States
Georgia (GA)
Atlanta
Things to Do in Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta
See all things to do

Zoo Atlanta

See all things to do
See all things to do
Zoo Atlanta
4
3,666 reviews
#29 of 305 things to do in Atlanta
Zoos
Read more
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Write a review
About
Viewed as one of the finest zoological institutions in the U.S. and a proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta has a mission to inspire value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family experiences. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Zoo highlights include giant pandas, including Ya Lun and Xi Lun, a set of twins born to Lun Lun on September 3, 2016; one of North America’s largest zoological populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience, featuring more than 70 species in a 111,000 square-foot complex, is the world’s first LEED Gold-certified reptile and amphibian exhibit.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
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 Zoo Atlanta and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Neighborhood: Grant Park
Best nearby
Restaurants
813 within 3 miles
Mediterranea
34
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Grant Park Coffee House
40
0.3 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Wild Planet Cafe
7
0 ft
Ziba's Restaurant & Wine Bar
64
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Wine Bar
Bennett's Deli
6
0.3 mi
Bennett's Market & Deli
1
0.4 mi
Dakota Blue
59
0.6 mi$ • Mexican • American • Southwestern
Grant Central Pizza
53
0.6 mi$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Patria Cocina
17
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican
Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House
690
0.9 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
See all
Attractions
228 within 6 miles
Grant Park
66
0.2 miNeighborhoods • Parks
Georgia Aquarium
23,580
2.4 miAquariums
Art-Haus Grant Park
1
0.3 miArt Galleries
Oakland Cemetery
1,163
1 miHistoric Sites • Cemeteries
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
3,489
1.5 miHistoric Sites
The King Center
424
1.5 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Ebenezer Baptist Church
814
1.5 miReligious Sites
World of Coca-Cola
14,458
2.3 miSpeciality Museums
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
2,155
2.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Art Museums
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum
1,249
2.5 miLibraries • History Museums
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
3,666 reviews
Excellent
1,696
Very good
1,280
Average
521
Poor
126
Terrible
43
Christopher M
1 contribution
Amazing Night Crawler experience!
Oct 2022
My wife and I recently participated in the Night Crawlers experience at Zoo Atlanta and it was an incredible experience! It was surreal to be able to walk around an empty zoo, and we got lots of great information from the educators.

The nighttime tour was great, but the educators were walking so fast, and they were the only ones with flashlights so we found ourselves lagging behind a bit in the darkness until they realized they were so far ahead and came back. The behind the scenes look into the animal kitchen was awesome and very interesting.

My suggestion for the nighttime portion would be to spend a little more time in each exhibit, as we ended the night with over an hour until lights out, and I believe that time could have been spent out in the exhibits instead of inside waiting for lights out.

The morning portion was amazing! We got to enjoy our morning breakfast listening to birds chirping and lions roaring. After the breakfast we spent some more time walking around the zoo and got to enjoy the gorilla exhibit for a long time.

Overall it was an amazing experience that I will never forget, and I recommend that everyone sign up for the Night Crawler event if you can!
Written October 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kadeah
Warner Robins, GA65 contributions
The panda den, and elephants
Jun 2020 • Couples
With all that’s going on they have blocked off sections for each party and sanitizing stations everywhere and contactless check-ins through your phone and cards only in the zoo. So I felt very comfortable being there with a half full park. Everyone has to pay for there timed tickets ahead of time on the website and you’ll be emailed your tickets for scanning , don’t forget to check the website for updates !!
Written June 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Judi Pritchett
Thank you so much for visiting Zoo Atlanta during these extraordinary times and for your rating. It is great to hear that you appreciated our efforts for the health and safety of our guests, team mates and our animals. From the title of your review I think you really enjoyed the pandas and elephants. They are incredible. Do come again when you get the chance.
Written June 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SubarcticHomebody
Anchorage, AK341 contributions
Cold = not crowded
Mar 2022
Cold weather and a mid-week visit meant the crowds were completely absent during an afternoon visit. We were some of about 100 visitors at the zoo today. It was great to be able to see the animals out and about, though they might be more active in warmer weather. Loved watching the gorillas and orangutans especially. Animals generally looked well cared for and enclosures were in good condition.

Most vendors were closed, but there was a place to get hot coffee as well as a full service lunch cafe.

Use the online planning tool to see when different creatures are being fed. We saw lots of animals eating.
Written March 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kelsey F
1 contribution
Disappointing visit at the zoo
Mar 2023 • Family
My husband and I take our toddler to zoo atlanta every year for educators day because you know, this is the time we can afford it. We were excited about our free yearly visit but it ended with a lot of disappointment. We entered the zoo around 3 due to the traffic and parking. We walked around and even skipped some attractions to try to make it to the train ride and carousel at the end. We walk up to the booth at 4:21 and I see another group purchasing tickets but a security guard closed the rope and walked away. I had to walk up to the booth and ask what was going on and ask “are you guys not selling tickets anymore???”. The lady rudely waved her hand at me and my toddler and said “I stop sales at 4:15”. But this is inaccurate because I just saw a family buying tickets. Now I have an upset toddler asking over and over to get on the train. It is posted NO WHERE that ticket sales end at 4:15. There wasn’t even a sign up. What is the point of being open until 5 on a very crowded day and not have attractions open until at least 4:45. That makes no sense. It was a whole crowd of people with their kids looking disappointed with no explanation or apology. Everyone does not have a zoo membership and can come whenever they please. This was a blatant lack of care for people’s time or socioeconomic status. I am not surprised because this country shows us over and over how they don’t care about educators. I couldn’t even give my son the one thing he was looking forward to due to your lack of care and respect for peoples time.
Written March 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jason Gaul
Connecticut43 contributions
Worse than before and unjustified and a money grabber!
Aug 2022 • Solo
Pricing issue is full of joke and unjustified! That need to be stopped. It’s like a grab of hard earned money of people these days. Shameful!

I had a membership from other Zoo in other state that I am entitled to get half price admission to enter the Zoo Atlanta. I was asked to pay two different prices on a Wednesday and on a Sunday. This is ridiculous.

The signs said $29.95, the half price is $14.95 plus 8.5% tax which comes to $16.22 on Wednesday compare to $15.45 plus tax = $16.76 on Sunday that the cashier is trying to overcharge me. Why the sign and the cashier charging me differently? That’s illegal activity to do.

They didn’t do enough to keep up with the conditions of the Zoo and the site of the giant pandas. They didn’t get to put all 4 giant pandas out to see. Very disappointing. Website was unclear and not being continuously updated.

I am a giant panda fan. I expected to see all 4 but only saw 2 on Wednesday and 3 on Sunday. Where’s the other one that I wanted to see.

The Panda gift shop didn’t stock that good variety of merchandise especially shirts and stuffed animals. All looked boring and full of junk.

The Vice President of membership of this Zoo Atlanta gave me this complimentary card for free admission. I don’t feel welcomed and the behavior of worker at the zoo admission was unfriendly. They never properly apologized to me for the inconveniences and frustration I faced.

What an insulting to give me that complimentary admission card to me that expire in a week instead within a year. It’s like a slap in the face. I go back home next day to NYC area. It’s worthless and useless to use.

Thank you for having a worse experience of all these visits I have came to Zoo Atlanta. Years back it was wonderful and best times. What happened with that?

CEO of this Zoo need to take pay cut for not doing the job as expected to be.
Written August 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael S
Savannah, GA100 contributions
Let me get ripped off on parking.
Apr 2021
Called before I drove over for my scedualed entrance day and time (Covid rules) to make sure it would still be open on Heavy Rain Day. I was told yes, everything would be open. Arrived, paid my 12 dollars for parking. Walked to gate to be told 75% of the exibits and animals couldn't be seen today due to the rain, (btw. rain was ending for day at this point 10:00am . but animals still not coming out.) They gave me a refund on my tickets because I live to far away to return on another date. However was told nothing could be done for the 12 parking I had just paid for right in front of main entrance because they don't run the parking lots. - So haw hard would it be to put a sign up before people pay to park that the zoo is basicly closed that day?
Written April 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
indigo9
Knoxville, TN38 contributions
Masks not enforced
Aug 2020 • Family
Overall I really like the zoo and the animals on display. I appreciate the one-way flow that they currently have in place for physical distancing. However, they are not enforcing their mask requirement. In the beginning, all of the adults were wearing masks. Kids up to ten don’t have to wear them though and most weren’t (mine were). I saw a teen girl also not wearing one at all.

The problem was that people started lowering their masks about halfway through their visit, and no one did anything. Employees would walk by and say nothing. We had to go around groups several times as they stood and chatted in the middle of the pathway with their masks off. We also passed an employee who had his mask down. He was obviously taking a break, which is understandable, but he shouldn’t be doing it on the public walkway.

The area around the giraffes is a free-for-all and people were not distancing. We had to just skip that whole corner. Other times, we waited our turn when there were already people in front of an exhibit, but people would come up right next to us when we were in front of an exhibit. All we could do is leave. One man overheard me telling my child to “come on because these people aren’t wearing masks”, and he followed me to the next exhibit to argue while his mask was below his nose.

The setup is fine if the rules were enforced. As it is, however, I don’t recommend it for those who are truly trying to avoid infection risk.
Written August 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zoo Atlanta
Many thanks for visiting the Zoo, we appreciate you coming out to visit and hope you were able to enjoy some of the sights no problem. We are disappointed to read about the masks, as we are trying to keep everybody both safe and happy when they come to visit. We would encourage visitors to always let a member of staff know if they notice the mask and social distancing policies not being followed, so that we may take appropriate action. We hope to see you another time in the future.
Written August 17, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tasha v
Atlanta, GA1 contribution
Awful Service at Nourish Cafe
Jul 2022 • Couples
I don’t mean to be a Karen, but I have to share my experience in the hopes that someone in management reads this and makes the necessary changes. At the Nourish Cafe we tried ordering via the touch screen, it was extremely slow and inconvenient. So we opted for the cashier instead. There was only 1 person working the cashier AND preparing drinks even though there was another cashier available and 8 people standing around doing absolutely nothing. After we ordered, the line got much longer and the poor woman was still the ONLY ONE taking orders and serving drinks. She didn’t receive any help. Again, 8 people standing around doing nothing. Later i noticed that 4 people took their break at the same time when the line got longer. I ordered the BBQ Chicken Club and the meat was cold. This was the only open food place, apart from the countless pretzel & popcorn snack stands, the food was not cheap so if its not gonna be good I’d at least expect the service to be good.

The zoo was enjoyable, but please fix the service in the Nourish Cafe.
Written July 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lritzcracker
Philadelphia, PA49 contributions
Good price for winter but cold
Jan 2020 • Friends
This is by far one of the largest zoos in the country and has a great expanse of enclosures. The primates have larger pens than the lions or pandas, which is interesting. They are bringing rhinos soon. It was nice that ticket price is cheaper in the winter (buy at the door to avoid online service fee). But I would not recommend it on a 30F day(: Much too windy and chilly. Most of the animals are not out/around some even moved off site. The elephants are inside their stalls, the lions and pandas slept in the sun, and the reptile and amphibian houses proved most popular as they were warm. But most animals were not there. It is doable in an hour or two to see the few animals that are around and nice for a small excursion. Stalls closed, pretty much everything dead and closed. But if you’re an avid zoo goer like I am, save your money and go in the summer. Much better experience at that time.
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Judi P
Thank you so much for visiting Zoo Atlanta. We really appreciate your kind comments and enjoyed your take on the zoo. Point - if it feels like 45 the animals, or most of them, will be in their outdoor habitat. Some of the older primates may stay in till afternoon. Thanks again.
Written February 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rosette Simmons
Hamilton, Bermuda5 contributions
Future Zoologist
Aug 2022
Had a great day at the Zoo with my 15 year old son and sister. He would like to be a Zoologist and the day was spent marveling over all of the animals and exhibits. We got to speak with a great staff member who explained her journey to working at the Zoo. Exhibits were excellent and my son is hoping to intern there one day.

If you want to take part in the behind the scenes experiences book early, was disappointed we could not experience any of them the day of our visit.
Written September 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 3,460
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Zoo Atlanta - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta is open:
  • Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Sat - Sun 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Zoo Atlanta tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Zoo Atlanta tours on Tripadvisor