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Detroit Zoological Society

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8450 W 10 Mile Rd
Royal Oak, MI 48067

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(248) 541-5717
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Detroit Zoological Society - Royal Oak, MI
Detroit Zoological Society - Royal Oak, MI
Detroit Zoological Society - Royal Oak, MI
Detroit Zoological Society - Royal Oak, MI
Detroit Zoological Society - Royal Oak, MI
Reviews
( 18 )
( 27 )
( 8 )
( 2 )
( 1 )

Best

The Detroit Zoo, located between Royal Oak and Huntington Woods, is a gem of a zoo. From summer concerts on Wednesday evenings to its stunning polar bear exhibit, this park is a g...

Worst

I've gone to many zoos throughout the country as I've got three young children. Some we like, some are okay, and some (like Detroit) aren't worth the money paid. To start with...

A Gem of a Zoo 7/13/2009

The Detroit Zoo, located between Royal Oak and Huntington Woods, is a gem of a zoo. From summer concerts on Wednesday evenings to its stunning polar bear exhibit, this park is a great attraction. It's difficult to see everything in one day without thoroughly exhausting a family with young kids, but energetic adults could probably see much of it. Fans of the movie Coraline should stop to see the Rackham Fountain featured on the hearth snowglobe (no, the Detroit Zoo does not sell a fountain snowglobe). The zoo and local business sponsor Halloween, Christmas and Easter events for young children. A more exhaustive list of animals includes: butterflies & hummingbirds, penguins, rhinos, zebras, wolverines, eagles, prairie dogs, otters, frogs & other amphibians, snow monkeys and a farmyard. more
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Okay, not great ... 5/28/2007

I have read all the other reviews and I agree with most of them. It is very expensive to get in (including parking, please ...) It is a very long walk from the parking deck and then between all the animal houses, if there are any animals at the particular exhibits. It is nice that it is there, but I do not believe I will be paying all that money to do it again any time soon. more
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Good zoo 11/19/2006

I have been to the zoo a couple of times...I think it is a pretty good zoo, especially for kids. It's maintained pretty well and its pretty clean. There is a lot to learn and do for people of all ages. My favorite exhibits are the polar bears, the lions, and the butterflies. The tram is also fun to ride. Pros: Good zoo, nice exhibits more
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It's gotten better over the years 11/30/2005

There was a time when I refused to go to the Detroit Zoo. It was dirty and didn't offer very much. One day we decided to go their with our kids because we didn't much feel like driving to Toledo, our regular zoo. We were very pleasantly surprised! The exhibits were very well done and we enjoyed our entire day. The chimp exhibit was one particular one that we enjoyed. The park is now very clean and pleasing to the eye. Warning though....it can be very expensive to go here if you eat your meals there. We've learned to take a cooler of food to save cash. It works out very well. more
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Detroit zoo 11/30/2005

The kids will love it, but a bit pricey. My son loved the reptile house and the polar bear exibit. I would go back, but not as often as i would if it was a little cheaper. more
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Great zoo 11/28/2005

This is a great zoo to take the family. The polar bear exhibit is really put together well. It is easy to navigate around the zoo. They have a huge playgroup for kids to play on and the train is a perfect way to end the day. I would however offer a few more places for food and drinks. Those seem to be a little sparse. The train could also be a little cheaper but overall a great experience. My family loves it. more
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A Must See in Detroit 11/23/2005

The Detroit Zoo is a family favorite. I'm lucky enough to live close and enjoy it many times throughout the year. I have a membership which is worth the money if you will go often. They are a very clean park and have tons to do. There is a train, many picnic areas, a park and of'course all of the animals. In the last years we have had baby tigers and a baby polar bear. The polar bear exhibit is awesome. It has an underwater tunnel. All of the animals are worth seeing. more
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pretty good park 11/22/2005

The Detroit Zoo provides a great experience for both children and adults. The grounds are spread out with large exhibits featuring a variety of animals. The polar bear and seal exhibit is outstanding. They offer several unique animal houses, most notably the butterfly house where you can watch beautiful, unique buitterflies from all around the world in a peaceful enviroment. more
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Nice zoo 11/22/2005

This is a real nice zoo to visit. The only problem is the distance between exhibits , but everybody needs the exercise!! Animals are clean and well cared for. Should have more snack areas open throughout the zoo , but that is the only complaint. more
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Get a membership 11/21/2005

We get a membership every year and that allows us to enjoy the zoo a little bit at a time. We will go one day and only look at the butterflies and another day for the polar bears. It is a wonderful place for a toddler whose interests vary from week to week. They also have great activities throughout the year from charity events to cultural programs to the Halloween Zoo Boo (well worth it). The food is good as well... typical fare... chicken, hamburgers, with a few healther options thrown in. more
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The greatist! 11/19/2005

We had the best time when we took our kids to this zoo. Wonderful animal displays. The gift shop was a little pricey but aren't all gift shops? The animals looked very well taken care of . We especially liked the penguin house. more
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Some cool exhibits 11/15/2005

Detroits zoo is not too bad. The zoo is kind of boring but does have a few stand out, excellent exhibits. The coolest exhibit by far is the polar bear exhibit, don't bother going if this one isn't open. They have a tunnel that goes underwater and you can see the polar bears swimming. It's pretty cool. Whatever you do, don't pay to go on the moving ride/simulator thing. I have had more exciting times watching my bigscreen at home. more
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Cute but Expensive 11/11/2005

There are some nice exhibits to go to at the Detroit Zoo. The polar bear exhibit for one really does live up to its hype. However, if you go there during the summer be prepared for a lot of the exhibits to be shut down. It's for the animals' safety however, so I completely understand. However, when those exhibits close, then all the indoor exhibits get packed and it's extremely uncomfortable. FInally, the cost of admission seems higher than necessary. Go here on a cool day with kids and it'll be okay, just a little costly but a good experience. more
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Huge Zoo, Lots to See 11/9/2005

The Detroit Zoo is a pretty big zoo and I'd plan on spending a good chunk of the day if you want to see it all. They have an AMAZING artic display of polar bears and seals. The butterfly house is so beautiful! You can't miss that while you visit. It's quite lengthy so for the little ones you'd really want to have a wagon or stroller just in case you end up with tired legs. It's really a great deal if you would use it to buy their family package. Going just twice would save you money by the time you pay admission for 4 plus parking. Detroit Zoo is worth a look. There's alway something to see there and you won't be disappointed! more
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Family fun 11/9/2005

I have been to my share of zoos and the Detroit Zoo is among the best I have been to. It is a great way to spend the day with family or friends, enjoying the nice summer or fall weather and the company of some spectacular animals. I especially enjoy the sprinklers scattered around the zoo which you can use to cool off in the intense heat. more
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Great Polar Bears 11/5/2005

The baby is so cute!! The size of this zoo is fairly good. It was extremely clean. And we LOVED the polar bear exhibit. I think this is the highlight of the zoo, but it is definately worth the price just to see the baby polar bear!! Parking was kind of pricey though I guess I forgot I was in the big city! more
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great michigan zoo 11/4/2005

we took the kids and my brother in law to Detroit zoo last year and was very pleased. it is a very nice zoo. it is nice sized and well taken care of. they have a nice amount of animals to view and many nice exhibits. it was an all day activity for us and a memory our kids will always cherish. more
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Expensive, Ho-Hum Zoo 11/2/2005

I've gone to many zoos throughout the country as I've got three young children. Some we like, some are okay, and some (like Detroit) aren't worth the money paid. To start with, Detroit Zoo does not participate in the AZA zoo program in which buying a zoo membership at one zoo entitles you to get in free to most other zoos in the country. Strike one. Strike two... the cost of the zoo is quite prohibitive. $11 for an adult and $7 for a child. And to park is an additional $5 per car. This is nearly double the cost of the next closest zoo, Toledo, OH. And once we paid our fees, we were completely unimpressed by the exhibits. The zoo is long and narrow, with LOTS of walking in between houses. The only worthwhile exhibit is the polar bears. This truly was a great experience, but not worth the admission fee and all the other lackluster exhibits. Also worth noting, the food kiosks were practically non-existent. PROS: Great Polar Bears CONS: Price, Lousy Exhibits more
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Great Zoo 11/2/2005

We have visited the Detroit Zoo many times this year. Our zoo membership always pays for itself! We love going as a family and enjoying a stroll thru the well kept gardens, the nicely paved paths, and the animal exhibits. The food at the zoo is great, but a lot of times we like to pack a lunch and enjoy it in one of the many beautiful areas to eat. more
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WOW 11/2/2005

We went to the Detroit Zoo while visiting the area. It was very impressive. There are so many different species of animals. It was very well maintained. Be prepared to do a lot of walking! They also had a ton of baby animals, which made the trip even more special. Parking was very convenient. We actually saved quite a bit of money by using our zoo membership from our home zoo. Make sure you bring your zoo card! more
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Owner Message

  • Watch frolicking and splashing polar bears through a glass pane and experience life on the tundra at the Arctic Ring of Life, the worlds largest Arctic exhibit. Other highlights of this interactive and educational zoo include a stroll through an indoor rainforest with free-roaming animals and a visit to one of the largest great ape exhibits in the world.

Editorial

  • In Short
    Animals from all over the world roam in the Detroit Zoo's landscaped habitats. Visitors can wander on their own along marked paths and check out attractions like the river otter...

  • 2/26/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon - Fri, 10am - 5pm; Sat, Sun, 10am - 8pm
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