The Buffalo Zoo
The Buffalo Zoo
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest zoo in the United States. Each year, the Zoo welcomes approximately 400,000 visitors and is the second largest tourist attraction in Western New York, second only to Niagara Falls.Located on 23.5 acres of Buffalo’s beautiful Delaware Park, the Zoo exhibits a diverse collection of wild and exotic animals and more than 320 different species of plants. Open year-round, the Zoo is a constant source of conservation, education and recreation for Western New York.
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See what travelers are saying
- Laurie KWest Seneca, New York701 contributionsNOT THAT GREAT DISAPPOINTEDWe went for Zoo Lights which is the zoo all lit up for the holidays with lights. What a disappointment yes there were lights around zoo, nothing big to write home about....great for small children I'm sure lights for them were thrilling but boring for adults $16 adult admission not worth it. You couldn't see many animals only reptile house and bird houses were open, but the bird house is all under construction so everything was blocked off and taped off we seen 2 ducks 2 turtles and one anaconda and only seen them in tank using flash light on my phone what a joke. Lion and monkeys houses were closed off Hot cocoa was $8.99 extra .50 cents for whip cream and the gift shop is way over priced !!! How can families enjoy this at these prices especially if mom dad and 2 or 3 kids going it's an expensive night out. Not worth the trip, plus on top of all else it was $5.00 to park. Highly disappointed and expensiveVisited December 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten December 11, 2022
- Daisy GOrlando, Florida1 contributionSemi okayWent in late October. Overall a nice layout for a small zoo. Nice reptile exhibit. As for larger animals this zoo needs a lot of help. From going to exhibit to exhibit this zoo relies on local private donations and also local businesses. I saw and witnessed with my family a very poor enclosure practices of the polar bears and especially the giraffes. I will not go into details but these both exabits need to be looked into and addressed. Please for the sake of the animals.Visited October 2022Written December 22, 2022
- lizakq1,136 contributionsFun day outThis zoo is on the smaller side but it has a great layout and most animals look well taken care of. The admission price is fair. Easily you could spend a better part of the day here. I really enjoyed it.Visited April 2023Traveled with familyWritten April 24, 2023
- Chris PElmira, New York52 contributionsGood clean zoo with a lot of improvement in recent yearsMy wife and I last visited this zoo over 10yrs ago and they've made some huge improvements! The polar bear exibit isn't depressing anymore, the layout is sprawling. The park is very clean. I wish they offered more maps throughout the park, the bison area of the park was a little awkward to find. The sea lion exhibit looks very dark and tired. All in all great visit.Visited July 2023Written July 20, 2023
- nick n1 contributionNot imoressed.Wasn't particularly impressed. From paid parking, the cost of admission, the $10 sodas. Animals seemed extremly unstimulated. Amphibian area was nice. 2 hour drive plus tolls. Won't be visiting again.Visited July 2023Written July 27, 2023
- LostInTimePittsburgh, Pennsylvania11,608 contributionsNice dayI was in town for a meeting. When it ended I had a few hours before the flight and the zoo is by the airport. It’s not a big zoo. But I enjoyed seeing the animals. It was hot that day but there was a decent amount of shade. I loved the sand cat. I don’t think I’ve seen one before.Visited September 2023Traveled on businessWritten September 4, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
797 reviews
Excellent
289
Very good
302
Average
130
Poor
46
Terrible
30
Tfrj1718
Bradford, PA48 contributions
Sep 2020
We visited for Labor Day with friends and by the end of the trip I was embarrassed I had suggested we go to the Buffalo Zoo. The zoo is very old, and it’s apparent. The animals all looked miserable - the polar bears were lying in the mud with their faces near the glass just looking sad. Lions and tigers have almost no room at all in their spaces and they’re butted up against an old brick building. Everything is old and dated and feels very much like a zoo that would have been acceptable in the 1980s but definitely isn’t today. The gorillas have zero outdoor access and their “habitat” is so, so small. The rainforest room is neat and we enjoyed that the most. Overall, I’d say find another activity while in buffalo. This one feels like a circus zoo for people rather than a safe space for animals.
Also: their maps haven’t been updated in years because it shows elephants on the map and the elephants left their facility in 2018. When we saw the area that used to house the elephants I was appalled - TINY. I’m glad the elephants were moved.
Also: their maps haven’t been updated in years because it shows elephants on the map and the elephants left their facility in 2018. When we saw the area that used to house the elephants I was appalled - TINY. I’m glad the elephants were moved.
Written September 9, 2020
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.
Alison C
19 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
This is one of the saddest zoos I have ever been to. I’m giving this zoo 2 stars for the polar bear exhibit (it just swam I circles). Everything is in cages, looks depressed and small. Every place for children to blow off some steam, closed. The children didn’t seem to mind, but if you’re alright with seeing depressed animals in small cages and that’s if they are even visible; this is the zoo for you.
Written July 2, 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.
Bijay M
Buffalo, NY2 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
the food center SLICE in buffalo Zoo review: ask for cheese Pizza for vegetarian (not vegan), the guy just removed pepperoni and additional cheese. On asking why he is cheating, they don’t have cheese pizza. I can’t believe when you specially ask do they have separate cutters as there is severe allergy.
Written July 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.
travelgirl179
Pennsylvania349 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
We came for the Zoo lights and actually really loved it. It was super cute. It’s not a ton of lights, but it’s really beautiful and nice to walk through at your own pace. They had the reptile and amphibian houses open, and the farm animals were still out so you actually had a nice break from the cold throughout your time there. It took us probably no more than an hour, hour and a half to get through. They also offered hot chocolate and beer and other snacks, with a price of course, which we didn’t do. Overall, it was a nice experience! I would recommend for families with elementary aged kids for sure!
Written December 14, 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.
Ron K
Camillus, NY51 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Very poor zoo. Many items were closed or empty and zoo doesn’t look like it’s taken care of. If they had half as many real animal as they do fake it might be a nicer zoo.
Written July 31, 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.
Ken
Orient, Ohio268 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Third stop in the upstate zoo tour. A great variety of species in well designed habitats. They have lion cubs and they were, of course, a highlight of this stop. I love the rhinos as well though Lulu, the black rhino, was being prepared for her transfer to Lincoln Park Zoo so she's not there anymore. Their maned wolf has passed though still on the map. Nice reptile building and rainforest. Cool artic, sea lion and otter areas.
Easy to walk with generally flat paths. Some stairs/ramps into buildings.
Inexpensive compared to most zoos though this is the most expensive of the three (Rosamond Gifford and Seneca Park) and the one of the 3 that had a parking fee.
Easy to walk with generally flat paths. Some stairs/ramps into buildings.
Inexpensive compared to most zoos though this is the most expensive of the three (Rosamond Gifford and Seneca Park) and the one of the 3 that had a parking fee.
Written October 21, 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.
lizakq
Naguabo1,136 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
This zoo is on the smaller side but it has a great layout and most animals look well taken care of. The admission price is fair. Easily you could spend a better part of the day here. I really enjoyed it.
Written April 24, 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.
EFW2014
Woolwich, ME1,136 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
I was excited to see a polar bear but the lion Cubs stole the show! The two Cubs were very active and gave everyone a nice show. Mama lion was always close by. The zoo is nice although a few of the enclosures seemed small (birds). $15 per adult
Written June 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.
Chelsea
162 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
This is a nice little zoo where you can spend a couple of hours exploring. All the staff we encountered were very friendly and always willing to give some insight on the animals. The exhibits were spacious and most had great visibility. Highlights for us were the sea lions and lions. They have two cubs, the mom, dad and Aunt. The cubs were playful during our visit which made them that more enjoyable.
Written April 2, 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.
Daisy G
Orlando, FL1 contribution
Oct 2022
Went in late October. Overall a nice layout for a small zoo. Nice reptile exhibit. As for larger animals this zoo needs a lot of help. From going to exhibit to exhibit this zoo relies on local private donations and also local businesses. I saw and witnessed with my family a very poor enclosure practices of the polar bears and especially the giraffes. I will not go into details but these both exabits need to be looked into and addressed. Please for the sake of the animals.
Written December 22, 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.
Diane Ringer
Portland, NY2 contributions
Does the Buffalo Zoo offer electric scooter rentals for handicapped people?
best places to eat for families with children
Anand G
Kochi (Cochin), India2,000 contributions
Outside the zoo complex, there are many good eateries. Inside the zoo, we have very little to choose from.
Karen L
Bozeman, MT59 contributions
Are wheelchairs available at the zoo?
Jonathan F
Buffalo, NY44 contributions
Yes. It seems that there are a few, first come first served, and also the Zoo will set one aside for you if you call ahead. Most of the Zoo is accessible and there are lifts and elevators to the multi-level sections.
Dynamite2805
Brampton, Canada1,290 contributions
do they have polar bears at this zoo?
t_niagara86
Welland, Canada141 contributions
Yup
Slellis02
Little Valley, NY
What time of day are the animals most active? What days are less crowded?
SalSicily
Buffalo, NY46 contributions
Tough to tell we spent a day and had luck with some and none with others. I’d recommend inquiring about feeding times and work around them for activity. I’d do that next time I go.
Early summer late spring might be best in terms of comfort for you and higher percentage of animals outside
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Claim your listingThe Buffalo Zoo - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Buffalo Zoo
- The Buffalo Zoo is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near The Buffalo Zoo:
- (0.38 mi) The Parkside House
- (0.20 mi) Centrally located near a ton of attractions
- (1.66 mi) InnBuffalo off Elmwood
- (1.99 mi) Oscar's Inn (Bed & Breakfast)
- (1.65 mi) Elmwood Village Inn
- Restaurants near The Buffalo Zoo:
- (0.17 mi) Parkside Meadow
- (0.13 mi) Fairy Cupcakes Cupcakery
- (0.15 mi) Jam Parkside
- (1.05 mi) Lombardo Ristorante
- (1.30 mi) Hutch's
- Attractions near The Buffalo Zoo:
- (0.15 mi) Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House
- (0.09 mi) The Indian Hunter
- (0.15 mi) Eleanor and Wilson Greatbatch Pavilion
- (0.26 mi) Delaware Park
- (1.25 mi) Forest Lawn
The Buffalo Zoo Information
Excellent Reviews | 289 |
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Very Good Reviews | 302 |
The Buffalo Zoo Photos | 691 |