San Antonio Zoo (landscaping, live, education)

[mojokitty]

I've been to both San Diego and Cincinnati zoos. They were both great! I haven't seen the San Antonio zoo yet, but I plan on taking our 3 yr old son soon...he loves animals!

[motown mary]

I want to like this zoo....we were given a pass by our family members before moving here....but it was way too crowded, inconvenient parking, depressed animals and just an overall dusty dirty vibe.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by motown mary

I want to like this zoo....we were given a pass by our family members before moving here....but it was way too crowded, inconvenient parking, depressed animals and just an overall dusty dirty vibe.

I agree it's very crowded - that's because a lot of people like it. The great thing about the pass is that you can go early in the morning and stay only a few hours and not fill like you're not getting your money's worth because you can go back whenever you want.

We like to go when it opens for 2-3 hours, it's still cool and no crowds.

it's not the best zoo I've ever been to, but it's been great. Our family has really enjoyed our annual pass. I've never found parking to be a problem, we usually park under the bridge across from the entrance.

[ejf1mom]

Like chaka said we go early too. If it's too hot the animals stay inside. I've never found parking a problem either, but we go when it opens & the early hour during the summer they offer to members. We also never go on weekends. Was Africa still under construction when you went? Maybe why it was so dusty.

[Turtle_Mom]

I am surprised to see it as #7, but have to say the Tot Spot is one of the best features. Not too fond of all the animal structures (Tigers, Antelope etc.) on the hill, but the Amazonia area is pretty cool. It's getting better, that is for sure. The membership is an awesome deal. Brack park is pretty cool as well.

[SA Greed]

I understand that if you have a year membership, you can actually go in 1 hour before they open and that's the the lions are out and roaring and stuff. (friend told me)

[SanAntoQT]

Originally Posted by mojokitty

I've been to both San Diego and Cincinnati zoos. They were both great! I haven't seen the San Antonio zoo yet, but I plan on taking our 3 yr old son soon...he loves animals!

I get lost at the San Diego Zoo! It's ginormous! Fortunately, I have a pass here as I did back home. I loved taking my kids when they were little.

Motown Mary, of course, the zoo is dusty. It's outside!

[ejf1mom]

Yes you can go 1 hour early, but it is only during the summer or peak times. My hubby went last week when I was on a trip & they told him early hour doesn't start yet. We have seen the lions roar oursleves just once though.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by SanAntoQT

I get lost at the San Diego Zoo! It's ginormous! Fortunately, I have a pass here as I did back home. I loved taking my kids when they were little.

Motown Mary, of course, the zoo is dusty. It's outside!

Yeah, nature's kind of dusty, isn't it?

FWIW - I think I know what motown mary is saying, as that was my first impression of the zoo. As it is, having seen many of these animals in the wild in their true habitat, it has taken me awhile to appreciate zoos. However, I learned that going early in the day helps - they're not all tired and lazy in the heat of the day. In the end,though, it's a zoo and they're in cages, so it'll never approximate the wild environment. I think it does a fairly good job, though, of creating a wonderful environment for animals and people.

I was hoping the Africa exhibit would be a bit more extensive though.

[ejf1mom]

We were disappointed w/Africa too. All that construction & waiting & we were like this is it!!!! They had way too much hype for what it actually is. Has anyone ever done a Bday party there? It sounds fun , but expensive.