Birmingham Zoo image

Birmingham Zoo

Tourist attraction Zoo

One of the Most Revieweds in Birmingham


Address

2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223

Website

www.birminghamzoo.com

Contact

(205) 879-0409

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (7.7K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 9 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: animals (78) great (43) time (32) exhibits (30) Birmingham (28) nice (25) kids (24) closed (24) love (23) train (23)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 MsKrayola 1 year ago on Google
    We visited yesterday for Memorial Day. There wasn't a line to enter so that was great. The zoo layout is good and the pathways provide a combination of sun and shade so we weren't too hot. I believe the majority of the animals were out for us to see. They don't give you a physical map and the digital one was confusing. It is better to use the large maps throughout the park. Now for the cons. A lot of the exhibits with glass were hard to see through because it was so dirty. It made seeing and taking decent pictures nearly impossible. The food and drinks are so overpriced. Pack your own water to avoid paying $5 a bottle. There were quite a few off exhibit display signs so I'm not sure which animals we didn't get to see. Overall a good experience. We enjoyed ourselves.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 LadyLoc LL (. 1 year ago on Google
    We came to celebrate my nephews first birthday. I enjoyed the Zoo so much. I want to get a season pass and come out more. I love that they have many shaded areas along with a splash pad for the kiddies. I love that you can rent a wheelchair, electric cart , or strollers for the kids. I love that the Zoo has upgraded and I actually enjoyed the food here too.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Torstein N. 2 years ago on Google
    Fairly nice zoo, My only issue is approximately 30% of the exhibits are closed, and they don't tell you that beforehand. There is only one big cat, a Jaguar. There are no tigers despite all of the posters around Birmingham with a tiger featured prominently on it. They do have a lion enclosure, but it's empty and overgrown. They advertise hippos, but there are none. And if you want to see the giraffes, you have to pay an extra charge to go see the giraffes. The reptile house was closed, no explanation given. Past that they did have quite a few other animals from elephants and rhinos, to many types of primates and small cats. Definitely a place to bring kids, as they would love it regardless.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Janis T. 2 years ago on Google
    Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo is absolutely incredible. There are many lighted sculptures and it's fun to meander around and try to see them all. The train ride is about 8 minutes and you get to see a lot of different areas. This is a great family-friendly event that's totally enjoyable for adults as well. Have a hot chocolate with Schnapps to take the chill off and wander around the fairy tale grounds. Highly recommend! Also can't wait to visit the Zoo in the daylight hours and see the real animals which are not part of Glow Wild since it's dark.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sophia S. P. 1 year ago on Google
    Large, clean zoo with a diverse variety of animals. Birds, reptiles, large and small mammals all reside here. There were quite a few exhibits that were closed, and due to the netting and barriers, it is tough to get good photos of the animals that you see. Needs some updating there, but overall the zoo was beautiful and the staff was nice. Food at Nourish 205 was exceptional.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Seth M. 3 years ago on Google
    Went for the lanterns after dark and it definitely worth the price of admission.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 timothy h. 2 years ago on Google
    The zoo was pretty nice. Takes about 2 hours to make the full walk around it. We enjoyed it but about 1/3 of the exhibits were closed or empty. Overall still a nice zoo.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sharon G. 2 years ago on Google
    Lots of space dilapidated but could be because of the lack of employees. Everyone was nice though. The animals were happy and well kept. I wish I could've fed the giraffes. I can say it's good to go first thing in the morning, right when they open. Buy your ticket online before you leave - you can do it right from your phone. Easy peasy. The staff practices their manners on all guests and they wear their masks too.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Melody O. 1 year ago on Google
    We had such a fun day. At the gate you can purchase tickets for the train ride, carasel and general admission. You can purchase tickets to feed the giraffes, as of Sept 24, 2022 it was $4 per person, kids under 2 is free. The zoo employee was sweet in handing us lettuce to give to the giraffes and take pictures for us. We loved seeing the primates and the elephants. There are loads of animals to see such as zebras, ostrich, red pandas, sand cat, lion, jaguar, and so on. They are adding some new exhibits very soon. If you do the train make sure to check the times for when it departs, we made a mistake of not checking and ended up not being able to get onto the train by the time we left the zoo. If you need strollers or wheelchairs you can rent those, the kiosk is on the outside of the gift shop. They don't hand out maps, there is a QR code you can scan to get the map on your phone. The gift shop is very nice, we bought only a magnet but they sell toys, stuffed animals, clothes, hats, jewelry, hand soaps, posters and many more things.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 kathryne leslie S. 3 years ago on Google
    The zoo was clean, animals looked well. Staff was helpful. The zoo was being g decorated for christmas and at night the lights would be spectacular! Go there! You will love it!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ana C. 9 months ago on Google
    Prepare to be amazed at this exceptional zoo! Impeccably maintained, spotlessly clean, and staffed by an incredible team, our visit left us with an overwhelmingly positive impression. So much so, that we made the decision to become proud members! We eagerly anticipate returning to this extraordinary establishment, not just once, but again and again. We are especially excited about the upcoming holiday celebrations, as they provide the perfect backdrop for creating cherished memories with our children. With endless opportunities for learning and play, this zoo has truly captured our hearts and ignited our imaginations.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Naveen B. 3 years ago on Google
    We were surprised too see so many animals here. We definitely underestimated this one. Our kid enjoyed the train ride and entire park. A nice getaway right in the middle of the town! We will be back many times.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Edith N. 3 years ago on Google
    We love it. Its small, clean and the animals look well cared for. The train is nice and they sanitize it after each ride. The chicken tenders and frys were quite good. I would recommend it.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Merrilyn C. 3 years ago on Google
    Christmas at the Birmingham Zoo is a great family time. The lights and displays are beautiful and definitely worth the time and price. The train was a long wait and we finally gave up and opted for the carousel. Due to Covid you get a specific time which makes it safe, too.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tiffany B. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful zoo. It was unfortunate that we went in the winter, a good few exhibits were closed. It was 5 minutes from our hotel. Almost all of the animals were out and you cluld get relatively close. We really enjoyed it. Pro tip, the train tickets are not necessary. We've been to zoos that are really long and transportation is almost a requirement inside, this zoo is not. We spent a total of about 4 hours there and walked the whole place at a leisurely pace.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alexandra L. 2 years ago on Google
    One of the best zoos I’ve been too. The facility was very clean, the staff were very helpful and delightful, shout out to the grill staff. They were awesome! I love the patio of the grill, love eating with a view. The giraffe feeding was amazing. It was a better photo op than other zoos! The animals were so curious of the people and actually came up to the front. Parking was a breeze and I love the free parking. We came from Texas and this was better than the closest zoo to us. The only exhibit that was close was the reptile, but that give us a reason to come back again. Also the gift shop was cool. I collect the pennies and found a book holder! I also loved the penny machines.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Jus J. 2 years ago on Google
    Our family Trip to the zoo was perfect timing! The weather was great, and it was not over crowded! We went during Autism Awareness Month for one of my sons! Very diverse crowd, the interaction with other families was great! Customer Service needs work. People spend their money and sometimes drive long distances. So, an Upbeat personality and good customer service is the bare minimum. The online booking experience was great and that team was very helpful! In person Staff need improvement!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 LaTerence V. 2 years ago on Google
    The zoo was really fun. They have guidelines in place to make sure the numerous visitors are safe. Plenty of various animal exhibits and interactive opportunities. We LOVED feeding the lorikeets! Some exhibits are closed off due to reasons beyond their control but it’s still a fun time!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sabrina Q. 1 year ago on Google
    I would definitely recommend! Food and drinks are horribly overpriced!!!! Almost $5 for a 16.9 bottle of water. Didn’t get to see any tigers. They only had a lioness no lion. All we saw was 1 elephant. We went with our daughters school. It was still great! Had lots of fun!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 GMOM#1 1 year ago on Google
    I really enjoyed the zoo it had everything spread out and spaced nicely. There was a lot of shaded spots to cool off and rest if you were tired from walking. I was a little disappointed on how dirty the glasses were to all the exhibits. I was very surprised at how close you could get to some of the animals in the different fence exhibits. I felt like if the animals were in there anyone could throw anything in to the animals or someone could get hurt. I brought my grandbaby here she was happy so that made me happy.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kevin R. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice size zoo, you can see everything's and be leisurely about it in about two hours. The Birmingham botanical gardens are also close. Get there early and get tickets online to avoid the crowd! Food was quick at their zoo restaurant. Parents and kids can be rude in this area though, that's not the zoos fault! A few animals were not in exhibits, hopefully everyone will be "home" by summer. Interesting play structures for children.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jason (. 1 year ago on Google
    The Birmingham Zoo has gone through many changes over the past 10-15 years. Most of the changes are good, but prices have increased. Concessions are expensive. The later in the day that you go the more crowded and hot it gets.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Francis H. 2 years ago on Google
    The front entrance is very appealing but as you walk through the zoo you can tell either they don't have enough staff to help but the place looks a little run down. A lot of the exhibits are not open. We had a lady in the zebra exhibit was very rude. Bring extra money for drinks and food because a lemonade is $7 a hamburger is $11. Other than that we enjoyed spending time with our church group, family, and friends.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tammy Lee C. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely loved this zoo. We will definatly be going back.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shannon M. 1 year ago on Google
    It had been a really long time since I had made a visit to our local Zoo! My Adult daughter and I decided that we would take a Mother/ Daughter Day and spend our time together visiting the animals while giving back to our local economy. Let me say I was so happy and surprised to see just how much it has improved over the years with people who love animals and give their monetary support to invest in such a wonderful project! We spent the entire day there and walked a total of 3.87 miles! That’s a lot!!! We loved it so much that we purchased Annual passes!!! It’s such a beautiful place and so many great activities all year long!! If you’ve not been… I encourage you to go at least Once!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brandy M. 11 months ago on Google
    We had a lovely visit to the zoo! We arrived fairly early to ensure we saw as many animals before their afternoon feed and siesta. They were wide awake and ready to roar. Speaking of roars, as we walked by the lion, he was revving up and let out the biggest, deepest roar!! It was a first for us all to hear and gave us such excitement! Our little ones will never forget the experience! It was a lovely day, not too crowded, and lines to the train and carousel were minimal. Thanks to the zoo keepers and helpers for a wonderful visit.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Maria Florencia B. 3 years ago on Google
    The animals seem to need more space. Not getting the conservation part from the zoo. To me it looks like all they want is to make money. I do not recommend this place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Living G. 3 years ago on Google
    I truly enjoyed my veterans day gift from the Bham Zoo! My son and I enjoyed every detail and the atmosphere was positive.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Beckett H. 3 years ago on Google
    Always Great
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Cecily C. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place to visit with kids or adults. Kinda pricy, but worth the trip at least once. The yearly pass or using a reciprocal discount is very helpful. Can't wait for all the exhibits and attractions to open back up :)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lukasz Z. 2 years ago on Google
    Excellent zoo with lots of exhibits and opportunities to come really close to cool animals. Highly recommended for kids and adults. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Karen E. 2 years ago on Google
    I’ve been coming to this zoo for YEARS! I love all the wine events and community events that they have. It’s my go to Plan when out of town family comes to visit!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Live Life L. 2 years ago on Google
    I love this place!! Beautifully landscaped, the animals look well cared for, it was just terrific. They were getting ready to put up Christmas and THAT looked amazing!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Katie B. 1 year ago on Google
    The Birmingham Zoo had a large variety of animals. Clean atmosphere and easy to navigate. All of the personnel were very friendly and informative. The only con is the price of food items, it was about $70 for three to eat lunch. Also, the ticket prices are a little steep for young teenagers. There should be a middle school discount. 13 year olds are not adults. Overall, it was a wonderful day.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Virginia S. 1 year ago on Google
    Had a great time. Some attractions were not working due to weather. Did take the kiddos swimsuits for the splash pad. That went over well. Food and drinks VERY overpriced. Fun was had. Would recommend. Able to get SNAP discount.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christopher B. 1 year ago on Google
    My family and really enjoyed this zoo. It wasn't over crowded and had many of the animals we wanted to see. The zoo had map boards posted so it was very easy to navigate around. We had a great time and I highly recommend this zoo.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Ramiro G. 2 years ago on Google
    It is not worth wasting time visiting this zoo. There are few animals, it is dirty. Much better Montgomery and Atlanta zoo.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 A C. 1 year ago on Google
    A smaller Zoo that still hits all the big points. I unfortunately visited in the off season, when many of the animals were inside due to cold or having their exhibits renovated, which the ticket lady did warn me about, but I still felt like I got my money's worth. The staff seem to take very good care of the animals at least from what I could observe of them. Critter, the fennec, is especially entertaining when he isn't sleeping.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J P. 11 months ago on Google
    What a fabulous zoo. We had so much fun exploring and seeing all the animals. There is a cute train ride that takes you around the park as well. Be prepared to spend a lot of extra money on additional attractions and food while there. I recommend the giraffe feeding for sure. They are so gentle and what a cool experience. If I come back to the Birmingham area again I would more than likely check the zoo out again. Bring a bottled water and comfy shoes and be prepared to see some great sites!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Great Beer N. 9 months ago on Google
    I like visiting different American cities and it is always nice when the city has a zoo. I say that because, with two teenage girls, zoos are the one attraction that we can all agree to visit. On a recent trip to Birmingham, Alabama, we had several hours before our flight from the local airport, and it was just the amount of time we needed to visit the Birmingham Zoo. We arrived at the zoo around noon and, fortunately for us, it wasn’t very crowded and we didn’t have any trouble finding a place to park. Walking inside, we decided to forgo using a map and started to visit the different animals based on whatever caught our attention. We continued to go from one section to the next until we had covered everything, which took less than two hours. The Birmingham Zoo is staffed by friendly folks and even though it wasn’t that crowded overall, there were lots of kids present, many of them from local summer schools, apparently. It was great to see so many happy children making their way from one animal exhibit to the next and learning about the different species. Zoos are great fun and great education for young people and it was nice to see so many youngsters soaking up the scenery and learning about the creatures that inhabit our planet. There were a fair number of animal exhibits that were closed, so we were a little disappointed in that respect. We also noticed that some of the areas, while clean, were in disrepair and this was most evident with the indoor exhibits. We also noticed that the Birmingham Zoo does have a train that will take you from place to place, for an added fee. We decided to keep walking, but it is good to know that this option is there, for those who need it. The animals on display at the Birmingham Zoo seemed to be well taken care of and while this zoo isn’t as large as others I have visited, it proved worth the investment of time and money. It is very close to the airport- only about 7 miles away- and thus made for a nice excursion before flying home. I recommend a visit if you find yourself in the Birmingham area.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stephen B. 9 months ago on Google
    Really nice zoo! Well laid out with lots of shade. Takes 4 to 5 hours to traverse at a leisurely pace. Botanical gardens are right across the street. Refreshingly different yet surprisingly competitive with the Atlanta zoo.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 notrly b. 9 months ago on Google
    Always a great learning experience for all ages. The grounds are lovely! I am so happy that the train is still in operation (a favorite childhood memory for me). The animals are well cared for (I was able to watch a giraffe get some dental care - fascinating!). The staff obviously care deeply and take great pride in their jobs. There are plenty of food choices onsite, from snacks to full meals. Parking is ample and free. The giraffe feeding experience should be on everyone's to-do list. I was a little disappointed that the splash pads and carousel weren't in operation, but with so many things to do and ways to learn, there is always something happening. The zoo has been and continues to be a fantastic family outing.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tara J. 11 months ago on Google
    The Birmingham Zoo was great! One of my favorites in the Southeast so far! Clean facilities and the animal enclosures were clean and well cared for. Tip: please purchase tickets a day or two ahead of time. The line was quite long and we arrived before it opened. Once we paid the zoo didn't feel crowded at all. Make time to visit the zoo and Botanical Garden next door!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sarah H. 6 months ago on Google
    The weather was perfect zoo weather. We enjoyed the day greatly. We paid extra for train tickets but did not think that was worth the extra. We are used to zoo trains allowing different views of animals. This train was more woods than animals. Aside from that, we enjoyed it and thought it was a beautiful zoo to visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Paul Y. 5 months ago on Google
    Birmingham Zoo is always a favourite with the entire family. Very clean place with interactive staff. The ole girl is beginning to show her age but still provides great entertainment. Avoid buying food inside the Zoo. Very very expensive microwaved food. Two kids and one adult will set you back 54 bucks. Buy your tickets online to avoid the admission lines Enjoy!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Debra H. 5 months ago on Google
    This review is hard because I love the zoo. I look forward to the Boo at the zoo or now called Hoots and Howls. Last year was great, lots of decorations and time and effort went into this event. This year was very different. Hardly any decorations at all, only 4 spots for the kids to trick or treat, and they had some candy in the sun so it was melted. Where to start on the actual zoo, after paying a large price to get in and 4.00 for a candy ticket joke right. They emptied the seal tank and moved the seals to Boston, the train was not running which really disappointed alot of kids. There were hardly any monkeys and just one pitiful looking elephant. The cafe was closed to walk inside you had to order with your phone to get anything. Then the aquariums were empty dry. The carousel was bear only poles hanging down with no animals in sight to ride, which also disappointed the kiddos. The petting zoo was basically just a goat area. I never have been so disappointed in this place. So my advice don't waste your money on Hoots and Howls and maybe find a pumpkin patch. I gave two stars only because I do love our zoo and it was very clean.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Keith C. 3 months ago on Google New
    The Birmingham Zoo is a wonderful place to take kids or visit as an adult. It's gone through quite a significant revamp over the last couple of decades, and offers many interesting and fun exhibits for visitors.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Danette D. 3 months ago on Google New
    My middle daughter and I love the zoo. I’ve been here three years and this was my first visit to the zoo. It was great, even though it was mid week and cold outside. So we got memberships and excited to go see the lights one evening.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Claire L. 3 months ago on Google New
    Very underwhelmed. It seemed like half of what we came to was closed down for repair or remodel. Things were dirty that didn't have to be. Even in the bathroom, half of the sinks had signs on them. We really enjoyed watching the flamingos, giraffes, and reptiles, but the gift shop can keep its $70 sweat shirt.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michelle G. 3 years ago on Google
    We went for the Glow Wild event and it was great. We haven't been to the zoo in years and it has really changed. Tons of improvements and renovations. Looks great!

  • 5/5 Christopher S. 3 years ago on Google
    The zoo is amazing. In my opinion one of the best zoos in the US. Make plans to see it. Glow Wild was awesome!!!!!

  • 5/5 Lindsay K. 3 years ago on Google
    The zoo is set up very nicely even with the off season they had it set up for one way flow so you were able to look at all the exhibits and animals without worrying about running into people going the opposite way and trying to keep your distance. The zoo did a very nice job incorporating signs to "stay 6 feet apart" like "stay an alligators length apart making it a fun way to learn for kids. The light up show that is running until January is a great way to see more cool lanterns that are set up around to zoo. If you are okay with seeing the animals at night I suggest just doing the one event instead of paying twice to see all the animals again.

  • 5/5 Reubin H. 3 years ago on Google
    Not a bad zoo with the Covid restrictions.....only a couple open air exhibits closed

  • 5/5 Lillis T. 3 years ago on Google
    Tonight we went for "Glow Wild" and saw awesome lanterns instead of amazing animals. Love all the renovations and especially love the Alabama Wilds section. Such a special zoo!

  • 5/5 Surrunnie G. 3 years ago on Google
    Glow Wild was very Beautiful!!

  • 1/5 Stephen G. 3 years ago on Google
    They don't have any reptiles on display.

  • 4/5 Benjamin M. 3 years ago on Google
    Great experience for kids

  • 5/5 Donado Paez R. 3 years ago on Google
    beautifull place recomended

  • 5/5 Charles B. 3 years ago on Google
    Zoo Light Safari was fantastic!!!!!!

  • 4/5 Donado P. 3 years ago on Google
    Wonderfull Place, Congratulations and thanks for maintenance this amazing place.

  • 5/5 C. B. Thuss, J. 3 years ago on Google
    Glo Wild at the Birmingham Zoo is by far one of the best light exhibits the Zoo has done! Placement of the lanterns was well thought out and the one-way trail and timed entry worked very well for social distancing and minimal crowding. Well done Birmingham Zoo!!

  • 4/5 Anna B. 3 years ago on Google
    I went for the light show, and was really surprised by how nice the zoo has become. The lights were absolutely gorgeous and I loved the atmosphere and architecture of the zoo. The main downside was that they sold us a late ticket, and then closed the zoo before we had time to make it through the whole show. Plus, I couldn't tell if there would really be that much animal life variety if you came during the day. It did look like they have nice spacious habitats though!

  • 2/5 Corey C. 3 years ago on Google
    Just to high to get in

  • 5/5 PieceofHuman 3 years ago on Google
    Great and beutiful

  • 5/5 John F. 3 years ago on Google
    Great family atmosphere. Very attentive to making everyone feel safe

  • 5/5 Jonathon H. 3 years ago on Google
    We went during the day the Glow wild lanterns were out and really cool. There's still a lot closed due to covid but still a great place to go.

  • 5/5 Juan H. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing place

  • 5/5 Wesley H. 3 years ago on Google
    The Glow Wild exhibit was beautiful!

  • 5/5 Tina C. 3 years ago on Google
    Was our first trip here love it

  • 5/5 Deanna G. 3 years ago on Google
    The holiday glow wild was excellent. Covered the whole zoo. Lovely display.

  • 5/5 LaShaundra L. 3 years ago on Google
    Awesome experience for Christmas lights

  • 2/5 Nic S. 3 years ago on Google
    Alot of exhibits we closed down and roped off. Still had to pay $100 for 2 adults and 3 kids even though we were not able to even see all of the animals and didn't get to do any of the activities.

  • 5/5 miranda s. 3 years ago on Google
    So many amazing animal interactions! A little sad to have missed the red panda as it passed away a few months ago but all the other animals are still worth the trip! During winter they also have out lanterns that are adorable. Took our family about 3 hours to walk around and take our time:)

  • 5/5 brandi b. 3 years ago on Google
    The kids really enjoyed the lights, as did the mom's! (Though we also appreciated the hot cider & peppermint schnapps. ) haha. It was a very clean, peaceful, family atmosphere and the lanterns were absolutely beautiful!

  • 5/5 Kelly C. 3 years ago on Google
    We love our zoo and all it offers.

  • 5/5 Lety C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) So cute (Original) Muy lindo

  • 5/5 Ronnie L. 3 years ago on Google
    Great Christmas theme for the kids.

  • 4/5 Ja'Qualen & Alexandra C. 3 years ago on Google
    Due to Covid-19, they have made guests explore using a oneway route system. For our family, it sucked because it required more walking and the route system would not have made a difference due to the few guests that day. However, we enjoyed our visit to the park. Parking and purchasing tickets were seamless, especially compared to Atlanta Zoo. We did like the cleanliness and how spacious the park is and the seasonal decorations they have.

  • 5/5 Kevin M. 3 years ago on Google
    Awesome Christmas display!

  • 5/5 John T. 3 years ago on Google
    Had such a wonderful time at the Christmas Lantern Lights event!

  • 5/5 Susannah H. 3 years ago on Google
    Birmingham Zoo is AMAZING. My husband and I are members and we plan on keeping our membership for years to come! The animals are well looked after, which warms my heart. Great place for kids, fantastic for casual dates with your partner. I wish I could rate 10/5 stars, seriously. Please support this zoo!!!!

  • 5/5 Mandi H. 3 years ago on Google
    Went for the Christmas lights display and it was phenomenal; highly recommend!

  • 4/5 Myles O. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice time at the Glow Wild event.

  • 5/5 Chase M. 3 years ago on Google
    The lantern disappeared was awesome. Well done.

  • 4/5 Christopher (Chris) S. 3 years ago on Google
    Great zoo for a small city.

  • 5/5 Susan H. 3 years ago on Google
    Felt very safe. Not alot of animals out this time of year, but anytime is a good time at a zoo outside getting fresh air. Getting exercise. Stop every year I my way south

  • 5/5 Daniel and Boo C. 3 years ago on Google
    Oh how I love that the Bham Zoo is growing up. Glow Wild was an excellent icing on the cake for what is becoming a great zoo experience.

  • 5/5 Cyndi L. 3 years ago on Google
    Wonderful, loved the wild glow

  • 5/5 Joy L. 3 years ago on Google
    We went to the light extravaganza they had season. It was beautiful. Such a delight

  • 1/5 Lisa C. 3 years ago on Google
    I understand with covid they have to cancel the shows. However it doesn't say on the website anything about not even being able to see half the animals!! I really feel likethey should be offering discount tickets because it was so not worth the price for how few animals they have out. If you only wanna see birds, 3 giraffes, a lion, and a lioness then go for it but must everything else was closed.

  • 5/5 Lynn 3 years ago on Google
    We had a fun filled afternoon...lots of fresh air and they have everything laid out nicely for everyone to keep distance from each other

  • 5/5 Adam S. 3 years ago on Google
    We did zoo lights and it was great! Easy parking. Convenient restrooms. They do serve beer.

  • 2/5 Steve C. 3 years ago on Google
    Most exhibits was closed, bought tickets for the train and found out it wasn't running and they wouldn't refund the

  • 5/5 Lisa S. 3 years ago on Google
    It was great tonight! My children had a blast with other children ☺️

  • 3/5 Michelle B. 3 years ago on Google
    Always a great day at the zoo, but way too much closed right now to have had to paid full price. Won't be back until everything is back open.

  • 5/5 Matthew K. 3 years ago on Google
    Not all animals were there due to weather

  • 5/5 Brittany H. 3 years ago on Google
    I love the fun events they put on for the kids like Boo at the Zoo, Glow Wild, etc

  • 5/5 André G. 3 years ago on Google
    Few covid restrictions, but overall a great experience

  • 5/5 Luz A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very beautiful (Original) Muy bello

  • 5/5 Robert E. 3 years ago on Google
    We hadn't been to the zoo in several years. A lot had changed for the better since our last visit. We will not wait so long before we go back this time.

  • 1/5 Jennifer D. 3 years ago on Google
    How dare you charge $100 for two adults and two kids for entry when EVERYTHING is “temporarily closed” without even mentioning all the closures and the atrocious state of the zoo prior to purchase! Absolutely appalling! Walking through this zoo was reminiscent of the post apocalyptic Jurassic Park 3 movie. Abandoned and empty exhibits everywhere. The best animal interaction of the day was a random squirrel running on the fence. Empty exhibit after empty exhibit, some full of storage materials. Unkept and abandoned. If you want to pay $100 for four people to see yellow plastic rope, plastic sheeting and “this area closed” signs then this is the place for you!

  • 1/5 Mary M. 3 years ago on Google
    I took my 2 grandsons to the zoo today and was regrettable disappointed. There were not many people there with it being a Wednesday. You would think the staff would be kind and hospitable. That was not the case. The train director did not say a word during the train ride, the gentleman working the ticket stand just took the tickets without anything to say. I feel like the zoo is extremely short staffed and the animals may be suffering from it. I truly believe one of the frogs on display was dead. The poor moneys were bundled together freezing. The gift shop was not even open for us to purchase souvenirs for my grandchildren. Again, very disappointed.

  • 4/5 Hans C. 3 years ago on Google
    Good place. Upgrades are being done to make it a 5 Star

  • 4/5 Danielle O. 3 years ago on Google
    Birmingham zoo is a cute little zoo. We were able to see all of the animals, get lunch, and ride the carousel twice in 3 hours. Playgrounds, splash pads and all animal encounters are currently closed due to covid restrictions. Everyone ages 6 and older must be masked unless eating or drinking. Make sure you check the zoo website for current covid rules for the zoo before you go. There is hand sanitizer everywhere. Our munchkin had a great time and really enjoyed running around!

  • 3/5 Mike W. 3 years ago on Google
    Most everything was closed. Only one place to get food. I won't go in February again. Definitely wasn't crowded. I barely saw anyone.

  • 5/5 Esther H. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I loved it, I visited it at night for Christmas reasons and it was a lot of fun (Original) Me encantó, lo visite de noche por motivos navideños y fue muy divertido

  • 3/5 Steven M. 3 years ago on Google
    Covid has alot of things shut down. But half a zoo should result in half price admission. 6 kids were disappointed with things they couldn't do.

  • 4/5 Sean B. 3 years ago on Google
    The zoo was great had a fun day. It's been a while since I had been there last and it was still a fun time despite COVID and the restrictions that were in place.

  • 4/5 Nicholas T. 3 years ago on Google
    Zoo was fun. Some exhibits were closed and we were not told we had to buy tickets to train at front gate now. Very fun time for all ages and all family members.

  • 4/5 Elizabeth H. 3 years ago on Google
    Open during covid however many attractions of animals are closed so there is only a select few animals you see and it's a one way walking path

  • 5/5 Craig T. 3 years ago on Google
    Wonderful zoo with a great variety of animals. Very good Covid-19 protocols in place. A great visit as well as a safe one. Absolutely recommend a visit.

  • 2/5 Jones O. 3 years ago on Google
    It was awesome

  • 5/5 Ana M. 3 years ago on Google
    Super! My kids and friends had lot off fun today

  • 5/5 Beth M. 2 years ago on Google
    This zoo is truly a gem. Small in comparison to big city zoos, but does a lot with what they have. Extremely well laid out and easily walkable with children. Nice variety of animals. Doesn't try to have everything, but gives lots of space to a few large animals and still close enough for viewing. Took about 2 hours with a toddler to see the whole zoo, and get a train ride (a highlight!)

  • 4/5 Donna K. 2 years ago on Google
    well maintained but work in progress. animals looked well cared for

  • 5/5 Laconia B. 2 years ago on Google
    The Zoo is awesome. My daughter loves 💘 every minute of it. I love having a membership. My daughter be super excited about the water sprinklers. Hours of endless fun and learning.

  • 5/5 Karen S. 2 years ago on Google
    We enjoyed our visit. Very nice zoo.

  • 5/5 Freebie B. 2 years ago on Google
    It has been a while since I have taken my kids to the Zoo but as always they enjoyed it. They have done some extensive renovations and it was good that we went around 2pm because that is their feeding time which meant that the animals were active or atleast close enough to the feeding doors to be seen. I love the addition of benches so you can take a break here and there.

  • 5/5 Thomas B. 2 years ago on Google
    All was great.except for a few closers..other than that.on a Sunday.it was an awesome experiance

  • 5/5 Steph M. 2 years ago on Google
    Awesome time really looking forward to going back soon. Sad to say that we adults enjoyed it as much, maybe more, than the kid did.

  • 3/5 Aimee M. 2 years ago on Google
    Was surprised how littered it was. Alot of construction going on! But Animals were awesome.

  • 4/5 Kelsey L. 2 years ago on Google
    We are members at the Cincinnati Zoo and use the reciprocal zoo discount as often as possible. The Birmingham Zoo was a GREAT stop for us to make on a long car trip. The Zoo is in a great area with decent signage to help us navigate our way there--really easy parking layout. It was the day before Boo in the Zoo, so staffing was light, but friendly and food options were limited. The animals are great and well spread out across the beautiful grounds.

  • 5/5 Melissa 2 years ago on Google
    One of my favorite places in Birmingham! I bought a membership and go as often as I can. For being a smaller zoo, there is a wide variety of animals on exhibit. My favorites are the river otters, cats, and monkeys, but there is something for everyone. I look forward to the shows opening back up after the pandemic. You can see the whole zoo in about 1-2 hours, depending on how long you stop at each exhibit. The gift shop is lovely. The splash pad, carousel, and petting zoo area are great for kids and parking is easy and free. It’s also right across the street from the Birmingham botanical gardens so if you can, visit both while you’re there!

  • 5/5 Heather S. 2 years ago on Google
    We went for a school field trip and it was so much fun! There were quite a few animals that weren't out and places being remodled, but that means it will only get better! I cannot wait to see the lights this season, I'm sure that will be spectacular.

  • 5/5 Amber D. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely beautiful. The staff was hands down amazing, answering any questions we had. The food is pricey without a membership but SO GOOD. You can take your own food in. We actually bought a membership when we left; it was an absolute blast.

  • 4/5 Mirica W. 2 years ago on Google
    I went for their hoots and howls event for Halloween with my family. My little brothers had fun so I did too. A lot of walking of course and food prices are high, but the experience was nice. Also, the lighting there was amazing and I got amazing selfies😌

  • 5/5 William S. 2 years ago on Google
    Incredible value! Great family fun! Wide selection of animals with intimate viewing experiences. Walkable, and great food options.

  • 4/5 Izz N. 2 years ago on Google
    Super fun to go for Glow Wild this year with the family. I highly recommend checking it out.

  • 1/5 Kaylan H. 2 years ago on Google
    We love visiting different zoos. This was the worst zoo i have ever been to. Over half the animals was missing. Everything was grown up and completely dirty. Birds in cages way too small. Definitely no way for them to even fly. Very small areas for most the animals that are there. A lot of the animals barley had water. A few didn't even have water. Some had tiny water dishes. A lot was covered in black and green slime. Couldn’t even see the sea lion in the water it was so dirty, it looked BLACK! All the glasses was dirty and moldy. If they would’ve taken the time and the money they spent on making the front entrance and the “glow wild” decoration look good they would have a nice zoo. Its sad most people only see these beautiful animals. No one stops to look at what kind of environment they are living in. 😡😞

  • 5/5 Brooklyn H. 1 year ago on Google
    Our 2 year old had his first zoo trip about 2 weeks ago & he LOVED it! We will definitely be back. The red panda and sea lions were my favorite!

  • 5/5 Elizabeth G. 1 year ago on Google
    What a great Kindergarten field trip! The Birmingham Zoo has made a lot of positive improvements since my last visit nine years ago! This was such an adventure! My 6 year old will be talking about this trip for the next few months!

  • 3/5 Maegan D. 1 year ago on Google
    Great time with family. Just a few suggestions the food at the 205 nutrition cafe is horrible and over priced. I thought they might have bananas and apples or some kind of fruit with nutrition being in the name but nothing nutritional on the menu besides a 12$ salad. Also so very hot 🥵 Not to many fans thru out the zoo you mostly rely on shaded areas. Glass is very dirty also at most attractions. Overall great experience with family and seeing animals.

  • 5/5 Wade G. 1 year ago on Google
    Me and wife had a blast she is pregnant and made the trek around zoo with no problems. Only downside was closed reptile house and rhinos not arrived yet

  • 3/5 Kimberly A. 2 years ago on Google
    Not alot of animals out today. Some are under vet care and very sad to see. I didnt understand the trash box in the cages. The jag was by far my favorite part. But after coming from Denver and their zoo. This one is sad.

  • 5/5 Greg B. 9 months ago on Google
    What a nice zoo! Easy walking and a lot of great animals to see! Everyone loved it! Lots of shade and air conditioned exhibits! The giraffe feedings we’re awesome!!!! The train and carousel were a big hit!

  • 4/5 Falcon 9 months ago on Google
    Seemed like a really nice place. On the smaller side but worth it. The only thing I really hated was how small the lion enclosure was. He had walked in a circle so much he made it look like a road. He needs a bigger enclosure and more enrichment. Made me feel really sad for him

  • 5/5 Sara S. 3 months ago on Google New
    I thought this place was great for a side trip while in the area. The elephants were a highlight because they have a spacious habitat to walk around. There was one elephant in particular that liked to rest by leaning against a rock and stood around with his back legs crossed. The lion roared really loud once and we heard it all the way on the side of the zoo!

  • 4/5 Robert K. 6 months ago on Google
    By arriving first thing in the morning (9am) you get to see most of the animals. I’ve been going to this zoo for 40 years and it has gone through massive upgrades and changes. It really looks great these days. They’ve done a good job expanding the habitats and enclosures for the animals that need it most like the elephants.

  • 5/5 Ana G. 5 months ago on Google
    We loved it here! Visited at the beginning of September while on vacation. It was Saturday around noon so there was a good amount of people but we found parking close to the entrance and the wait was about 10 minutes. I’m from Florida so I’m usually disappointed by zoos because of the heat so I was pleasantly surprised that this zoo had so many indoor areas as well as shaded areas, it was something I noticed immediately. This also helps the animals be more active because who the heck wants to be moving around in this oppressive heat! We bought the sugar water to feed the birds which was really cool, one landed on my head! And we also paid to feed the giraffes which was my daughter’s favorite part! Overall, top activity while in Birmingham.

  • 4/5 Sharen “Marketing Guru” R. 5 months ago on Google
    First time here and it is much smaller than Memphis Zoo. The location was beautifully set near the Botanical gardens and a quaint shopping district. It was our anniversary weekend so it was nice for us!

  • 4/5 Victoria R. 5 months ago on Google
    There are a array of animals here not as many as use to be here when I was younger there is no longer a tiger..gorilla...or lioness...but they still have all the basics ...things are expensive here Dippin dots 7.95 for 1 pouch....feed the lorikeets 7.69 after tax for 2 little ramekins of nectar....bottle of water 3.99....im just saying gift shop has nice stuff but expect to pay 12.99 and above for almost everything only singular little toys like a kaleidoscope or a car are 4.99... train ride is 3.95 but essentially be prepared to only be looking at the backs of everything...weeds....the highway...stuff like that...only the back of 3 animal displays.....food in the restaurants...in my opinion is over priced and of course you can pay online and skip the line but if you have a special discount you cannot....is it worth all the money paid....to me.....no....but to each their own. My kids still enjoy it hench they are children. The adult tickets regularly priced are about 24 bucks with a special discount about 11

  • 3/5 Rachel C. 4 months ago on Google
    Visiting this zoo from North Carolina! While it was hard to not compare one of the largest zoos to this one. I did notice a lot of things that made this zoo feel very outdated. The windows in almost all of the exhibits where nasty and dirty. It would have been nice to have them clean and be able to see through them (and yes that is possible). The seal tank looked like it was something out of the 80s that was abandoned. Traffic should have been re-routed around it due to its looks. Lots of the park just needs regular maintenance, lots of spider webs inside places or dark corners. Lots of closed exhibits as well. I will say, being a small park, we were able to get very close to the elephants and that was very nice. We were also able to hear the lion roar which was really cool. This zoo is a one and done type thing, unless you live local and do the events that they have (similar to how big museums do).

  • 5/5 Sandra S. 4 months ago on Google
    We had the best time here. We went to Glo Wild at the zoo. It was spectacular!! We loved it and will be back during the day to see the animals. What a beautiful zoo. Thank you for all you do for visitors and your animals.

  • 5/5 Cody L. 6 months ago on Google
    The Birmingham Zoo, located in Alabama, is a popular destination for families and animal enthusiasts. It offers a diverse range of animal species and exhibits, providing educational opportunities about wildlife conservation and preservation. Pros: 1. **Diverse Animal Collection**: The zoo houses a wide variety of animals, including both native and exotic species. Visitors can observe animals from different parts of the world. 2. **Educational Programs**: The Birmingham Zoo often hosts educational programs and events that aim to teach visitors about animal behavior, conservation efforts, and environmental issues. 3. **Interactive Exhibits**: Some exhibits allow for interactive experiences, enhancing the visitor's engagement and understanding of the animals. 4. **Well-Maintained Grounds**: The zoo typically maintains clean and well-kept grounds, creating a pleasant atmosphere for visitors. 5. **Accessibility**: The layout is generally accessible, making it suitable for families with strollers or visitors with mobility challenges. Cons: 1. **Size**: While the Birmingham Zoo is sizable, it may not be as expansive as some larger zoos, which might limit the number of species on display. 2. **Crowded Days**: During peak times, especially weekends and holidays, the zoo can get quite crowded, potentially leading to longer wait times and less intimate experiences with the animals.

  • 4/5 J M. 4 months ago on Google
    Not a lot of animals, quite a few off exibit. Everything's extra cost, so the price includes just walking inside, not the train, and some playgrounds. The food, despite being very expensive, was very good and portions were large. They have beer and drinks you can walk around with, which was a nice addition to the day having a seasonal beer with the autumn leaves.


Call (205) 879-0409 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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