Potter Park Zoo is a 19-acre zoo very close to downtown Lansing. Because it is small, it is an easy walk for little kids, who won't get tired or cranky like they do walking through a big zoo, such... More

Potter Park Zoo is a 19-acre zoo very close to downtown Lansing. Because it is small, it is an easy walk for little kids, who won't get tired or cranky like they do walking through a big zoo, such as San Diego or even Detroit's zoo. Although it is small, it is a high-quality zoo accredited by the Assoc. of Zoos and Aquariums (only 10% of animal parks in the USA are accredited). You can see many rare animals, such as Siberian Tigers, Red Pandas, Black Rhinos, Tamarin Monkeys, and Grey Wolves. The zoo is currently undergoing a renaissance, and new exhibits are starting to be completed. For example, the zoo has a new river otter exhibit where you can see otters swimming on the other side of a large window. There is also a small but nicely done coral reef exhibit. Potter Park has lots of fun stuff for kids, too. There are camel and pony rides during the summer, and the zoo offers classes for kids all year round. Just outside the zoo is a park next to the Red Cedar River. Here, you will find picnic tables and a big playground for kids, too. The zoo has many special events scheduled throughout the year. During the winter holidays, there is Wonderland of Lights, which lasts from Thanksgiving through the end of the year. There is also Boo at the Zoo for Halloween, Migratory Bird Day, a yearly 5K fund raising run, and the Big Zoo Party. Potter Park Zoo is in the middle of a densely-wooded area, and so in the heat of summer it is still nice and shady, and in the fall and spring it is quite lovely (gardens are found throughout the zoo). In the winter, because attendance is lower, there is free admission, but you can still see most of the animals. In short, for a small zoo, Potter Park in Lansing offers a quality time for everybody. Pros: Beautiful setting, lots of interesting animals, small size so easy to walk through Cons: Some exhibits are showing their age
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Potters Park Zoo is a lot of fun for a family day outing. The local schools also take bus loads of preschoolers and kindergartens here for an end of the year field trip. The kids enjoy a picnic in... More

Potters Park Zoo is a lot of fun for a family day outing. The local schools also take bus loads of preschoolers and kindergartens here for an end of the year field trip. The kids enjoy a picnic in the park, a petting zoo, lots of animals, and pony rides. This is a nice quite mall zoo to visit in the Lansing area. the prices for the entrance tickets, food, and souvenirs is cheaper than other zoo that I have gone to in the same state.
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This is a very nice zoo. Small in scale but really compares to the bigger zoos. We always have an enjoyable time here. The staff is great - the animals are very well cared for. Cute little petting... More

This is a very nice zoo. Small in scale but really compares to the bigger zoos. We always have an enjoyable time here. The staff is great - the animals are very well cared for. Cute little petting zoo as well.
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When we first moved to this area, I was thrilled to know that there was a zoo right in the city. Potter Park Zoo is a wonderful family zoo! While there are not tons of exhibits, they have all of... More

When we first moved to this area, I was thrilled to know that there was a zoo right in the city. Potter Park Zoo is a wonderful family zoo! While there are not tons of exhibits, they have all of the basics. There is more than enough to ensure a great trip for kids especially. With little ones, we have found it just the right size to be able to visit and walk through before any one gets too tired or cranky! The zoo also offers special rates and free days for residents, educational camps and classes and special holiday celebrations that are fun for the family and a tradition for many locals!
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Potter Park is no San Diego Zoo, but they do have tigers, a lion, cheetas, monkeys and other large animals that larger zoos have. It makes for a nice day out with the kids. They have a large feline... More

Potter Park is no San Diego Zoo, but they do have tigers, a lion, cheetas, monkeys and other large animals that larger zoos have. It makes for a nice day out with the kids. They have a large feline house that is home to the big cats I named above. During the winter, they decorate the entire zoo in holiday lights. It is a huge hit locally, unless the snow melts, in that case the nearby river floods and the zoo is closed. If you are a lansing resident, you get a nice discount admission. Be sure to check out their gift shop as well for a nice assortment of animal-inspired gifts. PROS: Tiger Cubs! Nice small zoo, friendly. CONS: Not a Large Amount of Animals
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am a huge zoo fan. I love the potter park zoo for a lot of reasons. I find they have the big cats that I love along with some of the exotic animals you can't always see. And the penguins are... More

am a huge zoo fan. I love the potter park zoo for a lot of reasons. I find they have the big cats that I love along with some of the exotic animals you can't always see. And the penguins are great to watch. The monkeys are always trying to entertain. You can sometimes feed the goats too. The food and gift shop are good too and a nice break. Don miss the bird and reptile house. It's a nice combination. A great place to picnic afterward too and feed the ducks on the water.
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Potter Park & Zoo is a great zoo located in Lansing, MI. They offer a variety of events throughout the year. On Tuesdays, Lansing residents get in free which is great for only a minimal parking... More

Potter Park & Zoo is a great zoo located in Lansing, MI. They offer a variety of events throughout the year. On Tuesdays, Lansing residents get in free which is great for only a minimal parking fee. We enjoyed the free zoo day last summer and there were clowns and popsicles for the kids. There is plenty of parking. It is a great size for my young children to walk the entire way around and not get too tired to enjoy the animals. We plan on attending the Boo Zoo, Halloween event this month.
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THIS ZOO IS SMALL, BUT IT OFFERS ENTERTAINMENT FOR CHILDREN AT A LOW COST. THE ZOO IS RELITIVELY CHEAP, AS WELL AS THE ANIMAL RIDES, FOOD AND SOUVENIERS, I RECOMEND FOR A FUN DAY AWAY FROM THE TV!!

THIS ZOO IS SMALL, BUT IT OFFERS ENTERTAINMENT FOR CHILDREN AT A LOW COST. THE ZOO IS RELITIVELY CHEAP, AS WELL AS THE ANIMAL RIDES, FOOD AND SOUVENIERS, I RECOMEND FOR A FUN DAY AWAY FROM THE TV!!
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Potter Park & Zoo is a great and inexpensive place to take your family. The zoo has a wide variety of animals...my daughter's favorite is the camel...she loves to ride him! Although the zoo is not... More

Potter Park & Zoo is a great and inexpensive place to take your family. The zoo has a wide variety of animals...my daughter's favorite is the camel...she loves to ride him! Although the zoo is not all that large, it is the perfect place to take your toddler...it is just the right size for 2-3 hours of entertainment. Running through Potter Park is Lansing's River Trail. This paved trail is 6 miles long and provides an excellent path to either run, walk or bike on. Check out this park and zoo!!
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I visited the Potter Park Zoo for the first time as an adult recently. It's not as impressive as somewhere like the Detroit Zoo, but I found it to be a great local zoo. They did a good job of... More

I visited the Potter Park Zoo for the first time as an adult recently. It's not as impressive as somewhere like the Detroit Zoo, but I found it to be a great local zoo. They did a good job of maintaining the park atmosphere with ponds and shaded walkways while still housing a large selection of animals. The zoo offers animals from across the globe and even houses a small petting zoo area where you can get up close and personal with a tortoise and some goats. Prices were reasonable, although food and drinks were expensive like at most attractions of this sort, so just bring your own snacks. Would make a great field trip or family day.
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