Our family LOVES the John Ball Zoo, so much in fact that we get an annual membership each year. It is a perfect place for an inexpensive family outing any day of the week. Ticket admission is $4.00 for adult and less for kids. The zoo has a lot of neat exhibits and they are currently adding on so it will get better and better. The seasonal / traveling exhibits are always very cool for kids of all ages (and the parents who drive them there!!) The only downside to the John Ball Zoo is that it is small for a city the size of Grand Rapids. But if you are looking for a quick afternoon getaway this is an ideal place. It normally takes our family about 1 1/2 - 2 hours to go thru the entire zoo. Parking is free, plus there is a pavilion / tables outside the zoo entrance to eat a picnic lunch and watch the ducks / geese in the pond. The food stations are good and the gift shop is pretty good size for the size of the zoo!
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