South Bend Zoo Question (Indianapolis, Fort Wayne: university, to live, price)

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

I'm looking to go to a Notre Dame Football game this season (3:30 kickoff) and before the game, I was hoping to throw in a trip for my wife to the South Bend Zoo. If we get there right when it opens, can we get through it completely without rushing before having to head over to the stadium for kickoff or would it take the better part of a day to get through? Any help would be appreciated!

[ischyros]

You can easily do the Potawatomi Zoo before the game. It's not a very big zoo. The zoo opens around 10 and you can likely see everything in an hour unless you really like to linger. But even then, you can easily be done with the zoo by noon and it's about a 10 minute drive to Notre Dame from there.

[baileyvpotter]

It is a very short drive to ND but be aware that some streets get very backed up due to the volume of traffic
to the stadium and parking areas. Some streets are changed to one way traffic to accommodate the increase of
traffic such as Ironwood going south. The link below gives some information....scroll down for parking and
street patterns (note the link is from 2012) Give yourself extra time to arrive to the game/stadium.

2012 Football Parking Information // Security Police // University of Notre Dame

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

I noticed that the admission is $8.50 per person. Is it worth it enough to cover admission or will I leave thinking "Hmm...I'd have given you $4.25 for admission"?

[ischyros]

Originally Posted by Tat2d Bald Dude

I noticed that the admission is $8.50 per person. Is it worth it enough to cover admission or will I leave thinking "Hmm...I'd have given you $4.25 for admission"?

I personally think that is high, but compared to other area zoos, like Fort Wayne ($13.95) or Indianapolis ($16.95), it's probably a fair price for the size of the South Bend zoo compared to Fort Wayne and Indianapolis.

[rdwoelfe]

It is a very small zoo. There are some cool exhibits, river otters, but nothing I haven't seen at other zoos. It would take about 2 hours if you go really slow. We used to live down the street and bought a pass, but we have two kids and went just about every week because it was something to do, I would say you would feel it wasn't worth the money spent on a single day.

I always enjoyed the farmer's market much more than the zoo and it could easily take just as much time and it's right down the street.