The Austin Zoo is a nonprofit animal rescue organization, which makes it different from almost every other zoo in the country. The selection and variety of animals is limited, but knowing that the... More

The Austin Zoo is a nonprofit animal rescue organization, which makes it different from almost every other zoo in the country. The selection and variety of animals is limited, but knowing that the animals are being helped rather than exploited makes up for any lack. The zoo grounds are pleasant and shady, and the zoo is just the right size for young children.
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The Austin Zoo, is definitely not the greatest zoo I have seen, but it's all we have in Austin, so go for it. The animals consist mainly of rescued animals, so I do have to give them credit as that... More

The Austin Zoo, is definitely not the greatest zoo I have seen, but it's all we have in Austin, so go for it. The animals consist mainly of rescued animals, so I do have to give them credit as that is a very worthy cause. If you have young kids, I don't think they will really care that it's not the size of a regular zoo. They will enjoy it just the same. The older kids are a different story. They were not impressed with it and were quite bored. One thing that everybody did like was the train ride through the hill country. Do be bring your pocketbook as it is quite pricey. Their souvenir shop is just as pricey as a souvenir shop at a regular zoo, and so are their admission prices.
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THis is a good place to take the kids if you don' t have the time to drive to the San Antonio zoo. It is a tiny bit pricey, and quite honestly, there just aren't many animals here. You can see... More

THis is a good place to take the kids if you don' t have the time to drive to the San Antonio zoo. It is a tiny bit pricey, and quite honestly, there just aren't many animals here. You can see chickens, a tiger, and a few other animals, but the pickings are pretty slim. The kids don't mind, though. It is not all that stroller friendly either, not much pavenment to manuever a stroller on. I remember wishing I had a 4 wheel drive stroller. We did attend a birthday party here once, and the kids all absolutely LOVED it. There is also a neat little train ride here.
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This zoo is small and privately owned . The size and limited number of animals doesn't make this zoo one of my top choices but if you don't want to have to make the trip to San Antonio then it will... More

This zoo is small and privately owned . The size and limited number of animals doesn't make this zoo one of my top choices but if you don't want to have to make the trip to San Antonio then it will do. The admission is a little high considering the number of exhibits.
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The Austin Zoo is located outside Austin, between Oak Hill and Dripping Springs. They are a smaller zoo, with only rescued animals. They have plenty of shade to eat a picnic lunch and a train that... More

The Austin Zoo is located outside Austin, between Oak Hill and Dripping Springs. They are a smaller zoo, with only rescued animals. They have plenty of shade to eat a picnic lunch and a train that takes you into the Hill Country setting around the zoo. The price for admission is a little inflated, and the souvenir shop is almost non-existent. Buy animal feed at the office when you come in, so you don't have to trek back to the office to buy some for the petting zoo.
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The Austin zoo is a great place to visit if you have younger children. The petting zoo part was the favorite of my youngest granddaughter (she's 2). The animals are well cared for and although our 8... More

The Austin zoo is a great place to visit if you have younger children. The petting zoo part was the favorite of my youngest granddaughter (she's 2). The animals are well cared for and although our 8 year old was a bit bored she did like petting the animals. Closer than the San Antonio zoo (which we love) but it's still good for the little ones. I enjoyed it!
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We have been to the Austin Zoo so many times over the last few years. I use to wish we had one more like the ones in San Antonio or Dallas. But I have really come to appreciate the Austin Zoo. They... More

We have been to the Austin Zoo so many times over the last few years. I use to wish we had one more like the ones in San Antonio or Dallas. But I have really come to appreciate the Austin Zoo. They don't breed or buy the animals they have but they are ones that were abandoned or hurt. They take them in and restore them to their original health and give them a good home in their zoo. It may be a bit small with lemurs, monkeys, cougars and bears. But it is almost perfect for my little ones who can only take a certain amount of time in the heat or walking! The train there is one of our favorite parts of the zoo and the thing my kids look forward to most. It takes a trip around the zoo in the middle of all the brush and hill country. Austin zoo is and will always be a family favorite!
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Be Prepared to answer questions from your older children about some of the animals at this zoo. There are monkeys that were rescued from research facilities and other animals that were either... More

Be Prepared to answer questions from your older children about some of the animals at this zoo. There are monkeys that were rescued from research facilities and other animals that were either rescued or surrendered by their owners. I am an emotional person, and it does get to me when I think of what their lives used to be like. This is a phenomenal zoo that deserves even more attention that it already receives. There are plenty of animals to see, but even more important is the knowledge we can all gain by reading the plagues on the cages telling the story of each animal. It does get hot in the summer, so take precautions for yourself and your children. You will want to spend more time than you expect you will. It is an amazing zoo filled with beautiful creatures. You should visit often -- very worth the drive.
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I definitely did not expect anything amazing in Ausitn zoo, but I did found something. You can learn from signs that where each animal was rescued from, and every animal got its own name. And also... More

I definitely did not expect anything amazing in Ausitn zoo, but I did found something. You can learn from signs that where each animal was rescued from, and every animal got its own name. And also you can feed them yourself, it is really fun. You should expect a lot in a local zoo, but it is a great place.
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My kid cousins (ages 5-11) came to visit me a few years ago and I took them to this zoo. They were so disappointed at the small zoo compared to the large one they had been to, the Houston Zoo. I... More

My kid cousins (ages 5-11) came to visit me a few years ago and I took them to this zoo. They were so disappointed at the small zoo compared to the large one they had been to, the Houston Zoo. I felt as though we were in some farmer's backyard. The place is great for tiny kids, ages 2-5, who are thrilled because they don't know any better. The petting zoo is good for little kids and babies. There is a train ride around the zoo that they would enjoy as well. I thought the prices were a bit inflated for the quality, but at least Austin can say it has a zoo.
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