09/17/07

Could have been better

by frank02

After going to other Zoos in the country the Houston Zoo really was not what I expected. The whole zoo just looked like it needed a lot of work. The area was kind of dirty and many of the animals had been moved to another exhibit. The children's zoo was closed altho im sure it probably was not all that. The staff is very friendly and know all your questions so that really did help. The park outside the zoon and the area the zoo is in is really fun. It is a great place to have a picnic and spend some time with your family. The zoo itself really did make you wish for more. If you have never been to a zoo before then this is a good zoo but once you have seen better it makes you wish the Houston zoo had worked a little harder.

• Pros: nice staff, parks are nice
• Cons: Price, dirty, parking

07/31/07

Love it!

by moomoo07

I love the Houston zoo! The last time I visited, I had my grandsons, ages 7 & 8 now. They had a blast!. I think we saw every animal and attraction in the park. We even had a picnic there; just don't feed the birds. If you don't feed them, they won't come.

I particularly don't buy the food because of expense, but nevertheless, the Houston zoo is a great place to spend time with family friends or meet new friends.

• Pros: Children friendly
• Cons: The heat and humidy

09/07/06

What started with one bison has grown into a collection of exotic and domestic animals in Hermann Park.

by Contributor

Facts
When a bison named Earl was given to Houston in 1920, it unwittingly became the city's first zoo animal. Others followed: secondhand circus animals, unwanted exotic pets and an elephant. The boundaries of the park comprised 30 acres in 1925; today, it has an additional 25 acres and houses more than 5,000 animals.

Features
The facilities include a tropical bird exhibit, the large and small cat houses, an extensive collection of reptiles (including an albino alligator), the Wortham World of Primates, a two-acre rain forest and natural habitat, and the recently upgraded Children's Zoo, which allows kids to pet various farm animals. The Brown Education Center offers daily exhibits, as well as a "Meet the Keeper" presentation, at which children can learn about the duties of zookeepers.

10/28/05

Great Fun

by parlangua

Right here in town, no long drives, and a beautiful place. The trees and grounds are lovely, the animals are fun, and the collection is quite interesting. No long lines, enthusiastic staff, and the animals are clearly well cared for.

• Pros: No lines, Pretty setting, Convenient
• Cons: Restrooms, Parking

10/26/05

User review by deborahmcannon

by deborahmcannon

The zoo is a great place to spend an evening or part of a weekend. The grounds look great, the animals are totally awesome! It's a fun date place! You can even have a beer while you walk around and enjoy the ambience.

10/05/05

New Houston Zoo

by megmaddy

The Zoo has transformed since it privatized a few years ago. I love the new Natural Encounters building. They've redone the bathrooms and everything seems cleaner. The employees are helpful and the animals awesome, as always. A wholesome, fun, day long experience for the price of a movie ticket--what a deal!

05/12/03

GREAT

by antonio_04

This place is great for all the family to enjoy. Great service, great habitats...its just GREAT!!!

02/28/03

houston zoo

by annettekubeczka

The Houston Zoo is rated as the best "free" attraction only Houston's Zoo is not free. It is only free if you are under 2 years old.

02/22/03

Not free

by rimmer1

I do not know why this was put into the catagory of free attractions because it is not free to go to the zoo. I think it should not be in the free attractions catagory.

• Cons: prepay

02/22/03

visitor

by cattery

Needs more protection for the animals from visitors. More animal security

• Pros: good parking, extra attraction near, not to pricey food
• Cons: facilities for relief, to hard on handicappe