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Calgary Zoo Botanical Garden & Prehistoric Park
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
33 reviews for Calgary Zoo Botanical Garden & Prehistoric Park
33 reviews in English
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Review from Merry K.
2/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Yelp Kicks Butt Challenge 2/10
When you want to get out for some exercise and you have a 4 year old in tow...head for the zoo! Today was a beautiful, warm-ish winter day so it was the perfect zoo day. We have a zoo membership which means we can see as much or as little of the zoo as we want without feeling like we didn't get our money's worth.
Highlights today:
- watching the hippos and giraffes eat
- Seeing the gorillas play
- Seeing the snow leopards walking around (we always seem to catch them sleeping)
Disappointments:
- The butterflies are gone until Spring
- The flamingos have moved (somewhere???) because of the cold.
Overall it was a great day and we can not wait until the penguins arrive. Evan loved the animals and I loved the nice long walk. -
Review from Van B.
1/10/2012
I haven't been to the Zoo in ions and the perfect opportunity arose when one of my friends asked me to accompany her to the Zoo lights happening in the city. Each year through some days in December to January the Calgary Zoo puts on their annual Zoo Lights exhibit for those in and out of our city to enjoy.
The cost of the Calgary Zoo Lights was $20 per person but we had a 2 for 1 voucher which made it even cheaper! Parking is free so that was another added bonus when deciding on whether you want to check the Zoo Lights out or not.
It was a chilly night but with the right layers, mitts and toques you really can't go wrong traveling through this magical light heavy exhibit full of bright colors, cheerful and fun environment.
I've always had a soft spot for photography and I haven't dusted off my camera in such a long time and what better night to take out my equipment to learn and practice taking photographs in low light situations.
So as chilly as it would be that Sunday evening we slowly made our way through the park looking at all the pretty lights. I even took the opportunity to do something I haven't done since my childhood days and that was to go down a slide covered in the blissfulness of multicolored lights.Wow, did I ever feel like a kid again and that feeling was great.
My favorite part of the park was probably the snowmen/women/people that would light up according to the music playing. That was pretty awesome I thought as it reminded me of Las Vegas and the Bellagio Hotel with their water fountains.
If you're an out of towner or someone who just lives in the city looking for something interesting to do, pop on by when the Calgary Zoo Lights is happening, grab a hot chocolate and layer up for a good time. -
Review from Janna L.
1/10/2012
This was our first Christmas in Calgary for my husband and I. Sans children, we thought we would hit up the Zoo Lights for a beautiful Christmas Eve couples night. We saved about half the price by buying through hubby's employment so always be on the look out at your work's social club offerings. It was a warm night but surprisingly, no line up for us to get in at 6:30pm. The crackling fires along the paths were nice (crowded!), kids were scooting everywhere trying to see everything - and the LIGHTS! Wow! Almost any animal you could think of, all lit up in every imaginable colour. I loved the pink flamingos. The trees were all lit up as well and there was music playing in some areas. We noted some things for the kiddies were set up, some not. Almost all the animals were indoors but we vowed we would return to the zoo on a regular day to spend some time with them. We walked the whole thing, was nice to be out in the fresh air. Lover's Lane was adorable! The line ups for a hot chocolate outside were CRAZY so we opted to take a break and sit lodge-style at a table and order from the cafeteria.
We also went to the gift shops and did buy a floor puzzle for my nephews. Prices, not too bad. NOTE - if you own a season's zoo pass you save 25% at the register!
At one point, a zoo employee caught up with us outside on our trek and educated us a bit on some of the animals and history of the zoo. She was fantastic, I did not get her name unfortunately. I can honestly say that the spirit of Christmas was in the air and everyone was having a great time.
Cons - 1- so many people taking photos everywhere that foot traffic came to a stand still a few times
2 - be prepared to be run over by a stroller or 2!
Pros - 1 - Parking was free
2 - Where else could you go and see the likes of something like this? A lot of work went into this and we really appreciated the experience. -
Review from Jane B.
Calgary, AB
10/31/2011 ROTD 11/13/2011
I recently attended the Calgary Zoo (during Boo at the Zoo)
I really do love the zoo and everytime I go something different and unique happens. So here are my thoughts;
It's a bit expensive, especially if you are going with a large group of people but I guess it's understandable as the money goes towards the animals. Really wish they had half day rates or cheaper days ...
The zoo is generally very clean (with the exception of construction from time to time). Bathrooms were in great condition.
I love that they have bottle/can recycling at every garbage can but I really wish they had paper recycling for all the maps they hand out...
The only thing that bugs me is that often their signage is incorrect. So the animal that they say is in the enclosure is not the animal in the enclosure. The monkey signage was all wrong this time. So I wish they would be more on top of this.
My fav exhibits are the tigers, snow leopards & lions because I am a cat lover. But I do love how close you are to the hippos!
I am excited for the upcoming penguin exhibit!
All in all the Calgary Zoo is perfect for a day with visiting family, for a date or something different to do with a friend while catching up. The nice part about the zoo is that is always provides you with a conversation so no awkward silent moments :) -
Review from Amanda F.
12/1/2011
In terms of accessibility and the experience itself here - this zoo is my FAVE!!!! Used to make a habit of going every year on May Long but didn't make it out there this year :(
Although the admission prices may seems steep at first glance, I have yet to do a complete tour of this zoo in less than 6 to 7 hours (and that's if we skip the dinosaur area). So $25/person for an entire day of awesomeness - I think that's a fair price to pay - and if even a fraction of that is going towards animal welfare - BONUS!!!
I have some AMAZING memories from this place - like the time we were walking down the back road behind the tiger pen and the zookeeper happened to be feeding the tiger at the time and invited us in to watch!! OMG I have never seen anything like it in my life - the zookeeper was teasing the cat a bit so he was hissing and spitting - it was breathtaking and a little intimidating, to say the least! Or getting to know/recognize Bob the peacock - what a bird!! I know I will never forget these things! I LOVE the otters!!!!!!!!!! Watching those guys darting in and out of the water having a blast - just try to pry me away from that!! And well of course there is the elephants - another exhibit I have a difficult time leaving - elephants are my favorite animals and to get to be that close to them is worth every penny to me!! ...I could go on and on and on about this!!
This place is easy to find if your not from Calgary and makes for an amazing, reasonably priced, mini weekend vacation - and the rocky mountains are just a stone's throw away! Great place for kids but still an awesome place for 'older kids' like myself!! I love Love LOVE it here - I could probably conduct tours myself because I know the layout of the zoo like the back of my hand! Even the food pavilion is awesome - when you sit outside you get these tiny birdies at your feet looking for a handout - soooo cute!! I would like to try going in the winter sometime though because I never have in the past - be interesting to see what's up when it's cold!! -
Review from Vishnu V.
11/18/2011
I happened to visit this place for an event, which made to roam all over the zoo to collect some clues and do some fun acitivities.
Volunteers were very helpful. A well organised place with different animals,birds and reptiles etc;
Worth the price you pay for. A place to go out for sure if you are in calgary.
But I had been to many other zoos which had a better collection of animals, reptiles and birds. So it did not impress me much else all went fine with me at this place.
Yelp's 30 day challenge : 11/30. -
Review from Jenna G.
Edmonton, AB
11/10/2011
The Calgary Zoo is a magical place! I expected $21 for admission and $5 for parking to seem steep, but after spending 5+ hours roaming both the indoor and outdoor pavilions, it was well worth it.
While the dinosaur park is definitely worse for wear, (possibly due to the season, as there were no plants to distract from the dated statues,) but the rest of the zoo more than makes up for it. Unlike some other zoos, I very rarely got the feeling that an animal was cramped in its pen and it always seemed the animals were well cared for. In fact, there was even a sign on the old Australia building explaining why it had been closed and that the animals had been transferred to other zoos, not kept in unsafe cages.
I loved seeing the excitement on kids' faces, as they were confronted by their favourite animals, or when they came across an exotic or unfamiliar species. I couldn't help but get excited by a few of them as well!
The zoo definitely seems to be more about animal preservation, not just keeping animals on display. A must-stop on any trip to Calgary! -
Review from Dan D.
8/4/2011
I wanna give the Calgary Zoo 5 Stars (mostly because I love zoos in general!) but I feel like it is ALWAYS under construction in some part of the zoo!
Am I imagining this? Am I crazy?
Now don't get me wrong, I know that construction produces a better end result, but I feel like it is a little unfair to have people pay a full admission when some parts are off limits.
That being said, it's a nice zoo in a nice area with (go figure) lotsa animals! -
Review from alison t.
Mission, BC
11/3/2011
I went here on summer vacation and I thought this was a very neat zoo. It was much better appointed in terms of animal accomodations than the Zoo in Edmonton or in Greater Vancouver. The part I didn't really "get" was the big concrete dinosaurs. I thought they were creepy. The live animal exhibits were very well done and I was glad I explored here.
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Review from Wendy P.
11/22/2010
I love going to the zoo. It helps that the Calgary Zoo is so much better than the Storyland Valley Zoo in Edmonton.
Calgary's got an extensive list of animals that they care for. Lions and tigers and bears (oh my!), and pandas, elephants, monkeys, birds, butterflies... even dinosaurs!
The butterfly house is one of my favourite spots to visit, you get some good photo ops if you stay still.
If I visit in the summer, I've got to have a screamer. It's a slushy with soft ice cream mixed in. So delicious.
In the winter, I love to go see Zoo Lites. Most of the animals are put away, but the whole zoo is lit up. It's quite pretty.
One thing I haven't done yet is brunch at the zoo. I think it's now closed for the winter, but that's on my list as a summer time thing to do when that opens up again.
One last word to the wise, watch out for the peacocks. They roam around free. Did you know they used to be used as guard birds? -
Review from Daryl D.
Calgary, AB
3/14/2011
I have been going to the Zoo since I was a child in elementary school..you know? field trips and all that.
Anyways, I find it has always had something to offer, I see it's a great place for families with young kids, and it's very spacious with lots of walking, so it's also great exercise.
It's a place you'll want to bring a camera to, because you could see everything from peacocks on the loose to dinosaurs (up to October 2010 they were anamatronic dinosaurs, too!).
The admission is about $20/adult, unless you have one of those annual passes, which could be a wise investment if you & your family frequent the Zoo often.
And on the tragic subject of animal deaths: I have seen a few times in the news in the last few years, the Calgary Zoo has had to take a lot of heat for the passing away of an animal. I agree it's tragic when that happens, but please understand death is part of the "circle of life" and that the zookeepers are not personally responsible so they shouldn't have to be put in a position of having to defend themselves.
Other than that, the Zoo always offers something interesting, such as a variety of buildings with a theme, such as the African Safari which is nice & misty like a rainforest. Also, the butterfly farm is a lot fo fun, because if you stand still they sit on your skin & it tickles lol.
I have yet to see ZooLites, and Zoo Year's Eve...but I deliberately hang back because I'm a baby when it comes to the cold ;) -
Review from Reginald T.
Calgary, AB
12/31/2010 3 Check-ins Here
I'm a born-and-raised Calgarian, and this year was the first year I ever attended Zoolights.
Zoolights is an event that lasts a couple of months in the winter where they decorate the entire zoo in Christmas lights. It's spectacular to see and presents many great opportunities for a photographer like myself to experiment with playing with light, bokeh, and other abstract techniques.
There's usually activities for the kids, ice carving, carolers, lots of hot chocolate, fire pits scattered all over the park where you can huddle and warm up, and on New Year's Eve, there's fireworks around 8 or 9 p.m. as well, making it a great destination for the family, while still allowing the parents time to enjoy the rest of the evening later on.
Even though traditional zoo hours end at 5 p.m., during Zoolights, everything is open until 9 p.m., including the cafeteria, which is a good thing if you missed out on dinner. However, just like during normal operation, nothing ever stops you from bringing your own food and drink as well, which can help you save money.
If you have a Discovery Passport, then admission is included. Otherwise, you have to pay admission (even those that hold an Annual Pass).
If you're the type of person that loves checking out Christmas displays and loves to drive to Airdrie to check out their Festival of Lights, Zoolights is definitely something you'd be interested in checking out. And if you've never been, you should go at least once. It's quite specular and costs less than admission to the movies. -
Review from SplitSecond A.
9/29/2011 94 photos
Had fun being a kid again, this zoo has so much to see so plan a full day to see everything, just dont go to early because non of the animals are out so plan on being there afternoon time
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Review from Bob M.
Calgary, AB
4/30/2011
We have been Discovery Pass/Members for 20 years and the Zoo has always been an oasis for an hour or 1/2 day getaway. We have taken our kids and now grandkids to watch them marvel at a sleeping snow leopard, a mating elephant or a duck on the path. Over the past three years something has changed. The incessant construction has ruined the tranquillity (I know short term pain ...), an ongoing staff shortage, persistent parking challenges and then the closure of the back lot and gate this winter have all contributed to lowering our opinion of a great Calgary destination.
The greatest (worst) change has been in food service. While staff really try to make the experience bearable, it seems that management doesn't have a clue. The layout and design at Kitamba is a joke. Funnelling thousands of customers with trays of food and kids in tow through 4 tills but really only one narrow gate ruins the mood and the food. The Safari brunch, while always overpriced was at least terrific. Now the sparse and cold selection destroys a once treasured experience.
It seems that they are using the 'captured audience' approach to restaurant management. WE are there and don't have a choice - so what are we going to do. Well, we are taking a picnic every time we go (twice a month) until things improve. -
Review from Danny F.
Calgary, AB
10/27/2008
It's hard to not like the zoo; you get to look at animals. It's really that simple.
Sure it can cost a bit to go and seeing absolutely everything isn't really conducive to having a good time (it's just too big). So don't see everything, plan what you want to see and what you want to skip -do you really need to go to the Botanical Gardens? What in the Canadian Wilds have you not actually seen in the Canadian wild?
Good for a date with a lucky lady/gentleman or with your nieces and nephews (sons, daughters, kid next door, anyone 10 and under really). Have fun! -
Review from Emma G.
2/4/2010
I absolutely LOVE this zoo. I have only been to a few zoos in my lifetime, but the Calgary Zoo is my favourite.
It's not cheap (around $20 I think?), but for double that you can get a year's membership. There are obvious times to avoid going (the last month before school gets out, and basically all summer, at least if you're like me and hate kids), but when it's not too busy it's so much fun.
Getting there via the C Train is super easy, it has it's own stop and you just walk underground to get there.
The exhibits are well organized and they have a lot of variety. There's a Canadian Wildlife exhibit, Africa, everything. I wish they had more sea animals, but that's alright. My favourites are the hippos, elephants, and owls.
The food is, as expected, fairly pricy and not that great. Still, it's fun to eat popcorn or ice cream and watch all the little shows they put on.
This is a fun place to go, and I definitely want to check out Zoo Lights next Christmas.Listed in: Calgary Five Stars
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Review from Max P.
Calgary, AB
8/10/2010
The Calgary Zoo has received some bad press recently. For a variety of incidents which may or may not have been totally avoidable. Some people have walked away from the zoo concept, which is unfortunate. I think they provide a valuable community service and encourage conservation and education.
In all accounts the Calgary zoo is excellent, and probably behind only the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Wild Animal Park in the zoos I have visited.
As others mention, it is close to downtown and offers a fantastic half-day for tourists. My family has an annual pass which has already paid for itself and we enjoy ~2 hour visits, but for those who may only visit the zoo once, be prepared for a long day with significant walking.
We like to arrive first thing in the morning (the gates open at 9am, however some of the shops don't open until 10am or later). You can then catch some animals in their daily routine. Head straight over to the Destination Africa and you can see the hippos getting their morning wash and feed. We have noticed the lions are also active first thing in the morning, but the giraffes are often MIA until about 11am. You get to understand the routines after a few visits and can often custom tailor your trip to which animals you'd like to see.
A few tips for visitors:
- Visit the zoo on a "bad weather day" and save! If you check the zoo website and see that the weather is bad (fairly self explanatory) they offer a discount coupon for up to 4 visitors. Great for tourists who were going to head to the zoo no matter what the weather! Plus there is plenty to see even when cold or raining. The TransAlta Rainforest provides plenty of viewing of gorillas and other tropical plants and animals all kept at a hot and humid temperature.
- There is a less crowded "West" parking entrance which is convenient for people with kids or wheelchairs (check the zoo website for the exact location)
- The massive Canadian wilds area often gets overlooked by Calgary locals because you can see many of the same animals in Banff, however between the huge enclosures and wide assortment of animals (moose, muskox, caribou), it makes for a great exhibit.
- The zoo sells food and drink but encourages picnics. Feel free to bring your own food.
- The dinosaur area seems a bit tame compared to real animals but every time we go there are tons of 5 - 12 year olds who absolutely love it. Be careful on days where the zoo is crowded, you can get stuck on the narrow paths in stroller/wheelchair traffic jams. -
Review from Chad W.
Calgary, AB
10/22/2008
I've always enjoyed my journeys to the Calgary Zoo. It's the second largest in the country and offer a delightful variety of beasts from all over the globe. Their exhibits include the Arctic Shores and Antarctic Landing, their Australia exhibit (which I feel is rather small), their gorgeous and massive botanical gardens and Dorthy Farvie Conservatory, the Canadian Wilds display, their nocturnal building with Creatures of the Evening, Destination Africa, Eurasia, their Prehistoric Park, and a fairly kick-ass primates display.
Overall, there's plenty to see here. Of course, prices can be somewhat ridiculous, but it's always worth a go. -
Review from Sapna G.
Calgary, AB
10/19/2009
I may not be the biggest fan of zoos, but I can tell you that for whatever reason, I make it a point to visit the local zoo in whichever city I am living.
I must say, and this completely shocked me, but The Calgary Zoo is one of the best zoos I have ever been too. Between the exhibits and the layout, few zoos that I've seen can even come close to competing.
What I hate is when a zoo is in the middle of NOWHERE. So unless you have a car, it takes you hours on end to get there via public transit. I once visited The Toronto Zoo and it took us 2.5 hours to get there on transit. Then, once we got there, we found the layout to be a complete disappointment. The animal enclosures were so spread out that we spent the majority of our time walking from one to the next. And what was even more disappointing is that when we got to the next enclosure, a lot of the time, the animals weren't even there.
The Calgary Zoo has its own C-Train stop. The city clearly put a lot of thought into it. It takes about 10 minutes to get there on the train from downtown Calgary.
The other thing I love about The Calgary Zoo is that it's spaced out properly. You do walk from one enclosure to the next, but they are close to one another and the animals are always in full view. The other thing I love are the exhibits. The Calgary Zoo was renovated a few years ago and they built some incredible displays and exhibits. Plus let's not forget the fact that The Calgary Zoo puts on a slew of festivities throughout the year including Zoo Lights and birthday parties where you can actually spend the night at the zoo!
I have never been more impressed with a zoo.
It is evident that a lot of planning, care and thought went into the creation and construction of The Calgary Zoo. It's leaps and bounds ahead of a lot of the other zoos out there and I'm proud to say it's in my hometown. -
Review from Damian P.
Calgary, AB
9/9/2010
So fun!
I go to the zoo at least 5 times a year. There are always new and interesting animals, and there are so many babies! SO CUTE! Great zoo, not too big so you don't have to spend the whole day there. Perfect for a romantic date. I also love how you can hold events there such as weddings. The behind the scene tours are fantastic! Can't say enough good things! -
Review from Cornelius V.
Calgary, AB
2/5/2011
Before we start, I need to disclose a conflict of interest: I'm a member of PETA: People Eating Tasty Animals.
Ok, moving forward, I see zoos as a place of conservation and education. While this place was once that type of spot (and a damn good spot at that), the zoo, much like the city I was born and raised in has gone to complete shit over the last ten years. Ever since the legendary zookeeper Peter Karsten departed, animals drop dead every year, and like a good Calgary business, everything here has evolved into chasing the almighty dollar and expanding things to unsustainable levels. The zoo now hosts: singles dances, banquets, weddings, and the fucking zoo lights. What the fuck? Is this a really bad theme park or a zoo? Don't zoos close early for the health of the animals? Are the polar bears and penguins this zoo wants to acquire attractions or biological artifacts that can be studied? The motives are pretty obvious here.... regardless, the collections of animals this zoo has are impressive for the piss ant polluted town that we are. So, if you don't care about the utter mismanagement, and you're going to skip the most depressed looking elephants ever, this is a decent place to spend your money to fund the zoo's next half baked project. Compared to other zoos such as Houston, San Diego and Chicago (FREE!), Portland, Berlin, and even fucking Krakow in Poland, the grounds and buildings, much like Calgary itself, are very uninspired and underwhelming.
Honestly, the zoolights are fucking lame. Zoos are supposed to be sanctuaries for animals, not kitschy attractions for families and boring couples. But what do I know, this city just raves over the Christmas lights and ice carvings that you have to pay to witness on private property. Too bad our city doesn't rave over nice looking bridges and buildings. -
Review from Fatima E.
Calgary, AB
3/21/2011
I love the zoo. I always have but I really miss the water wall, I'm not sure if it's just broken or gone forever. Either way it's probably better for conservation efforts but still, my little kid fingers used to have so much fun. I am pretty happy that the big wooly mammoth is there and the relief walls on the walk under the train station. I would go a lot more if it wasn't so darn expensive though. I think that looking at wildlife and nature should be free, or at least, less expensive than going to movies. One time a gorilla ripped a chunk of land out of the earth and whipped it at my baby cousin and I, it didn't actually hit us but what could be more entertaining than that?!
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Review from Katie C.
Calgary, AB
10/23/2009
The Calgary Zoo - one of Calgary's biggest tourist attractions, day trips and entertainment venues. I've had so many different experiences with the zoo, I figured I'd bullet list the pros and cons of each part to keep it from becoming a massive blob of words.
On daytrips (Grab the young'uns, let's go to the zoo!):
-It's pretty expensive to buy a single day or family pass to the zoo
(FUN FACT: If you plan to visit the zoo more than twice in one year, it is completely worth it to support the zoo fully and just buy an annual membership)
- Kitamba Cafe has the best poutine in Calgary. That's a fact.
-Stay away from the hot dogs. Just... no. It's not worth it, and there is better zoo food to be had.
-Skip the Canadian Wilds! Go for a hike if you really need to see it.
-All of the Africa exhibit = super awesome
-Siberian Tigers. are. so. cool. Just don't jump the fence!
-Gorilla show is funny and so worth it
If you plan ahead, you can get some one on one time with the animals, like say the elephants. It is so worth it.
Special Zoo Events:
-Zoolights really are all that. They also make a great date, full of romance and hot chocolate.
-Boo at the zoo is really cute.
Kids stuff:
-You can have catered sleepovers for kid's birthdays and special occasions. Very cool, very professional, all kids seem to love it AND they get to chill out with some animals.
Corporate events:
I helped organize an event at the zoo once, and it was painless. They make it so easy, help with any special needs you have and are always on the ball. Ours was an informal family event, and everyone really enjoyed their time there.
Formal Events/Weddings:
-Again great service, and they are able to keep sections of the zoo private for the participants. The food is pretty good for banquet food, and the event being held at the zoo gives it some pizzazz.
Overall, I'm a pretty big fan of our zoo. That being said, I do have some issues with zoos in general, animal captivity and safety. I feel that the zoo generally does a decent job at addressing these concerns. -
Review from Leon C.
9/13/2009
As zoo's go, this one is really well sectioned and organised. There are plenty of events for children and adults to enjoy, such as feedings.
I personally am not a big fan of zoo's as caged animals do not impress. There is a section within Calgary zoo where you can watch the animals on larger plains which is much more exciting. I didn't visit the botanical and plant gardens that are meant to be excellent.
There are excellent deals on yearly passes, the animal variety is great and as zoo's go this one is pretty good.Listed in: Brit in Calgary
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Review from Lesli K.
Calgary, AB
11/21/2008
The zoo is definitely a place to enjoy yourself, especially with kids in the warmer months. Here's a secret though, go on a brisk day in the winter and you'll likely have the whole place to yourself. The zoo is open every day of the year, except Christmas.
Even if you go on a cold day, rest assured that there's two great indoor animal enclosures where you can keep warm and see the animals - the African area where you can view the hippos & giraffes, and the rain forest where you can see the gorillas, alligators and birds.
If you go on a hot summer day, indulge in a delicious soft ice cream cone. I don't know what's in the mix, but those babies don't melt. You can walk from one end of the zoo to the other and you'll still have an intact ice cream cone...who knew chemicals could taste so good? -
Review from T C.
Lloydminster, AB
12/24/2008 6 photos
I had only 4 hours to spend here, not enough time to cover all the extensive
exhibits. If time is short for you I suggest going to the website and pick
out the things you definitely want to see when you arrive at the zoo.
The zoo is not a cheap family outing but you do get your money's worth.
Highly recommend, especially for kids.
Check my photos. -
Review from Monica L.
12/1/2008
Everyone who I asked about Calgary recommended that I go to the zoo, and I enjoy looking at lazy animals as much as the next person, so to the zoo I went. Coming from Washington, DC, where most attractions and museums are free, I was skeptical about the $16 entrance fee, but it was well worth it. The Calgary Zoo has its fare share of big and exotic animals, like Bactrian camels, snow leopards, giraffes, and elephants, and they were ALL out and about on the day I went. Even the red panda! And everyone knows that all red pandas do is sleep.
The grounds are extensive, but certainly doable in one afternoon, if you skip the gardens and Prehistoric Park. As an East Coast American, I thoroughly enjoyed the Canadian Wilds exhibit, since the only "wildlife" I ever see are squirrels and pigeons. However, this one exhibit is gigantic and dwarfs the other sections of the zoo; there could be a little more variety in the non-native species. The zoo does do a good job with its presentation, though, making for quite an enjoyable way to while away the time. -
Review from Cat S.
Calgary, AB
2/5/2011
I try to make it to the zoo every year but I think I am done with it. Something is very wrong in the sense that there have been alot of animal deaths and some of the animals are kept in such small environments. I always end up feeling sad after I leave the zoo. And the whole zoolights thing... no thanks. went once, froze my ass off to see a couple lights and stand around a tiny fire fighting for a hot chocolate.
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Review from David L.
12/26/2010
I love the zoo in Calgary. It bought back memories of the Vancouver Zoo at Stanley Park - Back to the Future style. The glass house with butterflies was so neato. I've never witnessed so many exotic butterflies flying around in the air in a small little glass greenhouse. I had closeup with a lion and tiger too. Prehistoric Park with the large life sized dinosaurs was really about walking outside and enjoying the fresh air. Fun for the whole family!
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Review from Rhona-Mae A.
Calgary, AB
10/12/2009
The Calgary Zoo is a great place to visit any time of the year and during different times of the day. They have fire pits and warming stations on cold days and cooling stations on hot ones. There are a wide variety of events and programs, from Zoolights to the Safari Brunch and from school programs to singles events. You can book the Zoo for a corporate banquet or even a wedding reception. Although if you're looking to hire a pianist, be forewarned that there is no piano on-site.
I'm not wild about seeing caged animals but I do applaud the Calgary Zoo for its dedication to animal conservation. At least the animals aren't crowded and they have made a good attempt at creating surroundings that bear some resemblance to an animals' natural environment. They have been revamping the place steadily throughout the past few years.
The staff have enrichment programs to keep the animals active. Even the tortoises get their daily workout in the rain forest. Beware of the ice-cream obsessed geese, though. On one visit, I was chased around by one who eyed my ice cream lustily. One family laughed heartily as they filmed me running to avoid the goose's teeth, all while screeching "Get away! You can't have my ice cream! It's MINE!"
Smart layout. It's very easy to spend time in one area each visit (e.g. Africa, North America, Eurasia, Australia, etc.). I'm looking forward to seeing the Dorothy Harvie Conservatory once it has been completely revamped. I miss the butterflies. It was decent enough before but what I saw today from the outside looked stunning.
Having visited the Zoo several times with family, friends and by myself, I can say that the animals are more active when it's not so warm out and they are pretty active right before mealtime. If you want to avoid crowds, go on a weekday or during holidays. For instance, fellow shutterbugs tell me that Boxing Day is a great day to go to the Zoo.
I was sad to hear today that the manta rays are gone. A staff member said they weren't doing so well in Calgary so they were sent to another zoo, which is the best decision they could have made.
Having paid $30 to see Sea Life Park Hawaii, I consider the $14 admission to the Calgary Zoo a steal. If you want to really get your money's worth, get an Annual Pass or Discovery Passport. You get discounts to the gift store, Zoo events, food and more. I bought my pass last November and I feel I've definitely got my money's worth. -
Review from Noel M.
7/28/2009
I am SO happy that I decided to visit this zoo! I thought it would be weak but was completely wrong! It took me about four hours to cover everything. The vast array of animals were impressive in themselves but the fact that they had amazing habitats is what really did it for me. The animals actually seemed happy! They were up and frolicking as opposed to laying around praying for death as I'm used to. Plus, I can't think of a single zoo animal that was missing!
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Review from Christopher W.
Calgary, AB
11/13/2008
I've never walked around the zoo to look at animals. I guess I just don't find that stimulating enough; I could do it on 17th Ave and have a more entertaining time. But I did attend their Zoo Lights spectacle last year with a bunch of other two-legged animals looking to capture that Christmas spirit through tiny, LCD multi-coloured lights strewn all over the place.
It does add something to the zoo, and if you like it during the day you'll probably love it in all it's incandescent glory....
I just checked their website to see when the Zoo Lights start (Nov. 28) and was saddened to hear the "behind the scenes" giraffe show planned for this weekend for "adults only" has been cancelled. That's a shame. Sickos everywhere are probably pondering how to pass the weekend now. I imagine that show would have been something: giraffes dressed in leather masks, with whips and ass-less chaps slapping each other around while people get their kicks....
What the hell is going on down there anyway? This takes the whole "you get to look at animals" thing to a new level. I know it's a slow time of year for them, but they have the lights and that should bring a fair number of people in; they don't have to whore their giraffes out. Who would pay for that, anyway? There is a lot I don't understand about man's relationship with animals or why we want to watch them..... -
Review from Calgary Guy A.
Calgary, AB
1/25/2010 7 photos
The Zoo is a must see during a visit to Calgary.
Took my kids down to the Zoo on a snowy January weekend to preview Dinosaurs Alive. It was OUTSTANDING!!! Thought my four year old son was cold because he was shivering but he was actually scared by the 30-foot moving T-Rex that was roaring up a storm. The animatronic dinosaurs are fantastic. We'll definitely be going back...especially now that he knows the dinosaurs aren't real.
We warmed up by checking out Destination Africa...there was a baby giraffe frolicking about, the hippos were swimming in their huge tank and we checked out the gorillas, including the baby who is growing up quickly. There are several gorillas on loan from the Bronx Zoo and it's an active enclosure...they even have 2 colobus monkeys hanging about.
On warmer days, we make a point of checking out the Canadian Wilds which is a fantastic display with Grizzly Bears, Wolves, Otters, Burrowing Owls, Moose, Bison, and Porcupines to name a few.
I've visited a host of zoos in my travels but continue to be impressed by the quality of exhibits and the conservation efforts of the Calgary Zoo.
We've always had a great time at the Zoo and we make regular visits with our Discovery Seasons Pass. We always recommend the zoo to visitors, particularly families. It's first class.
