The Houston Zoo is a wonderful place for families with children to visit, a group of animal-loving friends, or even someone who’s looking for a unique and interesting date activity. With some amazing exhibits and things to do and see, the Houston Zoo is something that everyone in Houston should experience.

Meet the Zoo Animals

The Houston Zoo hosts a plethora of different types of animals, ranging from rare birds–like certain species of owls, to unique mammals–like the African Lion or Southern White Rhino, to some crazy aquatic animals and reptiles–like the Green Moray Eel, Gray Smoothound Shark, Moon Jellyfish, Western Diamond Back, American Alligators, Indian Star Tortoise, Glass Frog, Barton Springs Salamander, Sambava Tomato Frog, and more. With some many things to see, a trip to the zoo is definitely a full day activity! Wear you’re walking shoes!

Unique Exhibits

The Houston Zoo has striven to create exhibits that are both visibly appeasing to the zoo visitor (you and me), as well as comfortable for the animals, and representative of what they would have experienced in nature. The African Forest is a particularly unique exhibit, and provides a set up that would resemble an African savanna. At this exhibit, people will find giraffes, rhinos, a gorilla, and more. The Elephant Exhibit is another popular favorite at the zoo, and is a large enclosure that spans over three acres. There are seven grown elephants right now, plus a baby elephant named Duncan, who is just too cute for words.

Another unique exhibit at this zoo is the Sea Lion exhibit, which is typically reserved for aquariums. Not at the Houston Zoo, though; here, the sea lions do more than swim about–they’ll even put on a show! The sea lions show is quite entertaining, so make sure not to miss it when you take a trip here. Other exhibits include the Hoofed Fun exhibit, an aquarium, a bird exhibit, a carnivores exhibit, the children’s zoo, a natural encounters exhibit, a primates exhibit, and a reptile and amphibian center! If you have kids, make sure to check out the children’s zoo, where children can get up close and person will animals in a petting area, visit the play ground to get out some of that energy, and watch a river otter play under water.

Educational Experiences for All

With a camp zoo-fari, classes and programs, Zoo-mobiles, distance learning programs, field trips, home school projects, and things designed for those seeking a master’s degree or hoping to be awarded a scholarship, the Houston Zoo has done a fabulous job connecting with those at all educational levels. For a unique experience, sign you or your child up for a class–you’ll learn a ton and have fun at the same time!

Entry Fees and Hours

Zoo members get in free, as do children under two. For everyone else, children 2-11 are $11, adult 12-64 are $15, and seniors over 65 are $8. There is free admission on the first Tuesday of every month, from September to May. The zoo is open 7 days a week from 9 AM to 7 PM.

Make a day of the zoo, and learn something new– and don’t forget to check out the Houston Zoo Lights during the holiday season!