Reviews of Austin Zoo (Zoo)

Katelyn Meredith

Loved this zoo. It's a rescue zoo so it's not huge but you can see animals that you can't see every day. The animals are healthy and it's the first time that I see all the animals moving. The entrance is around $15 per adults and the zoo works on donations to help the animals in the long term. Went there with my four years old and he was able to feed and touch some of the animals and to touch a snake. Such a good experience for a kid. I highly recommend this zoo. Only one thing: not so much for strollers. You can take it but it's full of stones and branches on the floor. The small train is overpriced for what it is (but it helps the zoo with the animals). You can see few animals that are not accessible without taking the train (like a ????, some ostriches as well as ????) but the train does not stop and it's very fast. Good for the kids if they want to get the experience of getting on a train but not so much for adults. The zoo is very clean and very well kept and the zookeepers we're very friendly and professional. Even for a small zoo we spent almost three hours over there and we had a lot of fun. So do not hesitate and go there!!! ❤️

Chrystal Chuc

Had a great time at the zoo with my son, It is a very informational zoo, the workers enjoyed Answering questions, they also looked at home with the animals they are working with. I would surly come back another time.

MsShy50

Visited on

Cliff Currie

Worth the drive. Not very big but it is a non-profit and rescue zoo which made me happy. Love me some animals.

Jenna Zigler

Reservation recommended

Brittan H

Visited on

Wild Flower

Wait time

Alma y Giovani Castañeda

Visited on

Christopher Hanson

No wait

Sam Rod

Price for adult entry

Marla Cordero

Wait time

ShadowDragon441

Price for adult entry

Ty Shrader

This has been one of the best sanctuary’s I’ve visited in Awhile. Our experience was amazing. We went on a cool Monday and most to all the animals we out for the public to see. All the big cats have Relatively large enclosures and all seem to be healthy. One of our favorite parts was when we got to see some of their caring staff members assist the zoos fox’s in painting with their little paws. The foxes were very excited and seemed to loved it. You and then purchase their artwork in the gift show. 10/10 experience. Will be back

Lisa Marie

$11–15

Curt Hayes

No wait

Anthony Arends

I had a fun little experience! Stayed for about 3 1/2 hours or so. Enjoyed what they had to offer and wasn't expecting something on par with SA zoo and other large budgeted places. Overall not disappointed at all really!

Yulissa Diaz

No wait

Momee Tamee

Great little zoo full of all rescued animals! The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. My kids love coming here and reading all about the animals.

Jennifer N

Came here based on reviews and don’t understand what the hype was all about. It’s a pricey ticket for what it is. The zoo is not well kept by any means(fallen trees, wood from cages broken, signs worn out). The spaces for the animals to be in were very small. I came with a double stroller and can say this zoo is not made for strollers tos a very rocky path and uphill. There wasn’t many exciting animals and the zoo was very small. The only cool thing was the snake a zookeeper had in the reptile section and let us touch.

Christie Van Beurden

Wait time

Jenny Bobadilla

Yes

Kaushik Gopalakrishnan

Reservation recommended

Stacie Papineau

Visited in January on a cloudy day and most of the park is shut down. Train not running, animals in due to cold. Areas closed off for unknown reasons. Wouldn't recommend for elderly or handicapped visitors, the walkways are uneven and muddy in places. Loved the lions, and the Bengal tiger who made a showing for us (gorgeous). More of a refuge than a zoo.

David Dunnagan

Wait time

Adiba Chowdhury

Reservation recommended

Hogan Tran

$11–15

Neal Klein

$11–15

Lakeisha Davis

No

Alondra Del Real

Had some free time on a Sunday morning and thought we'd check out the zoo in our new city. Now we're from San Diego (home to the World Famous San Diego Zoo) so we know great zoos. As my teenager daughter said, it's like a petting zoo. This is not your typical zoo. They rescue animals (there was a three-legged fox there). The walkways are dirt. The variety of animals is limited. I'd say this is a great place for families with young kids. It's a couple hour adventure for young ones. We walked through in under an hour.

Callie Kresta

I wasn't expecting AZA zoo level fare, and I was neither disappointed nor thrilled with my visit. Animal enclosures seem to be a decent enough size in general, but many are concrete substrate and seem a little bare-bones as far as enrichment. I did enjoy getting to see the Galapagos tortoises so closely, but as a whole it was simply a nice visit but not one I'd be champing at the bit to return to.

Lynn Mitchell

The animals looked well cared for and that made us all very happy. The peacocks were wondering about freely and let us get really close up pics!???? The little "big" cat was actually purring and talking with us. It was a great time. Thank you Austin Zoo!

Diana Davenport

I hardly ever leave bad reviews but compared to San Antonio zoo this place was such a let down. Most of the animals are all caged up so you can’t really see them. We went on pretty chilly day and all the tropical birds were sharing one little heat lamp and you could tell they were so distressed. The animals looked pretty miserable to be honest. The only parts we enjoyed were the feeding of the farm animals which you can’t even do like at a petting zoo you have to feed them through the fence. The train and the conductor were the best part. He was super nice and pretty funny. He offered to take our pics which I appreciated. But if your not from Austin and thinking about making the trip out here…don’t. Seriously the snake farm in new branfuels was in better shape and condition than this. Drive out to San Antonio and go to a real zoo or if your looking for something more hands on drive to Johnson city to go to the exotic resort zoo, there are a lot more animals there and they look much more attended too. We left this place pretty sad.

Michelle Keller

Weekend

Jessica Ponder

Reservation recommended

Eric Rodriguez

No

Lori Nelson

10/10 experience!!!! Well worth the money. We spent about 2 hours here and definitely could’ve stayed longer. Since there’s so many trees, it was shaded basically the entire zoo, which is a must in the Texas sun. Love that this is a rescue zoo and their conservation mission. We loved reading about where each animal came from. Also, since the animals are rescued, they weren’t hiding like they do in normal zoos. We went as soon as they open, and everyone was out and about in their exhibits. Our favorite part was definitely feeding the goats and alpacas but it was also amazing seeing lions and cougars that close up! We will definitely be back and will be bringing friends!!

Nic Lafuente

Price for adult entry

Krzysztof Drewniak

No wait

Brandi Gutierrez

Visited on

Tanya Santistevan

There were not as many animals as we'd hoped to see. There were areas closed off to protect the most vulnerable animals during the pandemic which I support, however it was hard to see several exhibits because of this. The exotic animals were beautiful and that made the trip worth it. I am giving 4 stars because they are a rescue zoo, and take great care of their animals.

Jalilah Jay

A rescue zoo so I will no give less than 5 stars for what they do for these neglected animals. ???? thank you for your service. That being said, great for kids but pretty sad as most of them were "pets" who were abandoned and major stress and mental suffering was clearly present. Left me feeling down a bit. Amazing galopagose tortoise and other animals too.

M J

Visited on

Nikolai Lesak

Such an awesome place. I've been hearing from friends that not many people know about this zoo. If you have young kids, bring them here and have a great time. All the animals are rescue animals and are fun to look at. The zoo staff are friendly. There is also toy train ride we can enjoy.

Joshua Beal

Not sure

Michael Williams

Wait time

Mary Mitchell

Wait time

Koustav Dasgupta

More of an animal rehab than what you might consider a “zoo”. Still a nice place to visit with the kids to see some rare animals Staff are friendly and prices are affordable. Most of the paths are dirt (not paved) so take appropriate shoes and strollers

Katherine Bettilyon

This zoo is actually not bad, it's a very zen like zoo. I went on a day where it wasn't crowded at all but all the good animals were inside. I went around twice to check on the lions, bears and tigers. So the 2nd time around the lions and bears were out but that white tiger was in chill mood in the hut. Nice place to take the kids and learn about animals.

Julez rizo

Public holiday

Awasthi Phalaksh

Reservation recommended

Julie Tollu

Weekday

Jay Wilson

Wait time

Kristeen Evans

Weekend

Amber T

Visited on

Emil Antonio

Visited on

Dustin Kirkland

No wait

David S

Weekend

Jenny Trump

This is not a flashy zoo, and it is really off the beaten path. You won't see extremely exotic critters. They have lemurs, monkeys, tortoises, snakes, parrots, bears, lions, tigers and a petting zoo section. Why would you come here, then? Because you'll feel good patronizing a place with its mission. They rescue animals and give them a better life. I like a zoo that not only cares for their animals, but also tries to make sure people know how hard it is to care for parrots. I like a zoo whose staff connect with the patrons. And folks, I loved the alpacas and prairie dogs as well as the other critters I listed. Recommended.

Sylvie

Price for adult entry

Sarah Lewis

No

Joseph Mahoney

No wait

The Real Branavelli

We had so much fun! The white tiger was so pretty! We loved seeing the baby peacocks flowing their mama's! I'd suggest wearing closed toe shoes as the paths are gravel.

Teresa Chavez

The zoo was a decent size. I was expecting to see more animals, but maybe it was the time of the year that I went that is why there was not a lot at that time. The paths are not very stroller or wheel chair friendly, mostly gravel.

izzy munoz

My kids had fun. Decent petting zoo.. some exhibits closed. Somewhat grown up and untended. Expensive for what it is.. Helping a cause I guess.. All animals are rescues I was told.

Karthik Dakshinamoorthy

Visited on

Maria Kryuchkova

No wait

Dayle Kruger

Up to 10 min

Dennis Robinson

Wonderful zoo, feels like a sanctuary hidden in the city. Quiet, not busy on weekdays. The staff are friendly and care deeply about their work. Love this zoo! Highly recommend supporting their mission.

A MC

It was a small zoo but it felt like a sanctuary- unlike other zoo it didn't seem commercialized with vendors. There was shade from the sun and rain. We saw 3 legged pig and a blind owl. I'm glad we came and saw these injured animals. And the vegetables the tortoises were eating were so fresh and not bruised.

Amanda G

What’s a great hole in the wall type zoo the animals seem happy , you can even feed and meet some of them. Definitely a great experience

Haley A

Wait time

Beverly William

Yes

Alexandra Weingartner

$6–10

paula kitchens

$11–15

Sandra Edwards

Weekend

Lea Gillaspy

No

Natalie Modgling

Reservation recommended

arthurdubayIII

Price for adult entry

Isaiah Chavez

Weekend

Angel Flores

Reservation recommended