How much does a family of four cost?

At the currently listed base rates, two adults and two children ages 3 to 12 cost $105.80 online or $109.80 onsite before taxes or fees. The zoo says pricing may change by day or special event.

Yes. Children ages 0 to 2 receive free zoo admission. Babies ages 0 to 2 also do not need a giraffe-feeding ticket to enter the deck.

Is there a nursing or changing space?

Yes. The quiet room beside Buck Café may be used as a nursing room. Family-style restrooms are available, and two restroom locations include adult changing tables.

Is Elmwood Park Zoo good in rain?

Light rain can mean smaller crowds, and some indoor spaces remain available. It is not ideal in heavy rain because much of the zoo is outdoors and rides, giraffe feeding, food stands, and the overflow shuttle can close.

Are food and children's activities included?

The playground, Percussion Garden, and Connection Corner programs are included with admission. The carousel, barrel train, giraffe feeding, face painting, and food cost extra.

Elmwood Park Zoo

Name: Elmwood Park Zoo
Address: 1661 Harding Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19401, US
Telephone: 610-277-3825
Rating: 4.5

Rating

4.5(6,494)

Family of 4

$105.

Duration

About 3-5 hours, depending on animal stops, playground time, meals, and paid attractions

Best Ages

Ages 2 to 12, with strong toddler and elementary-age appeal

About

Elmwood Park Zoo is a family-sized zoo in Norristown, about 15 miles from Philadelphia. It combines animal viewing with active play and several optional attractions. Children can watch animals, attend a free Connection Corner animal-ambassador program, make music with giant chimes and drums in the Percussion Garden, and use a playground built for climbing, running, jumping, swinging, digging, and spinning.

Weather permitting, families can also buy tickets for giraffe feeding, the carousel, and a child-sized barrel train.

The broadest appeal is for ages 2 to 12. Babies through age 2 enter free, and the site is manageable with a stroller. Toddlers and little kids have the strongest match with the playground, music garden, carousel, and train.

Big kids can spend more time observing animals and asking questions during education programs. The barrel train is limited to children at least two years old and under 48 inches tall. Children under 13 need an adult on the giraffe-feeding deck, and carousel rules vary by height.

Most of the visit is outdoors, so this is not a dependable heavy-rain activity. The zoo specifically notes that shows, feeding experiences, rides, shops, and food stations can change with weather. Giraffe feeding stops when the temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some indoor exhibits and quiet areas, and the zoo says cool or rainy days are often less crowded.

Allow about three to five hours as a planning estimate. Arriving at 10:00 AM provides time for animals, lunch, and play. Families seeking a quieter experience can come after 1:30 PM, which the zoo identifies as a generally less crowded period. Parking is free, but weekend overflow parking and shuttle use add arrival friction. The shuttle does not operate during inclement weather.

The zoo is stroller accessible, although some sloped paths are easier than others. Double strollers rent for $14 while supplies last. A Welcome Center quiet room can be used for nursing, and large family restrooms include adult changing tables.

Online base admission for two adults and two children ages 3 to 12 totals $105.80 before taxes or fees. Paid rides and giraffe feeding are $6 per nonmember participant.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Yes

Nursing / Changing

Available

Kid Meals

Available

Setting

Indoor & Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

A weekday at 10:00 AM for a full visit; after 1:30 PM is generally quieter according to the zoo

Wait Times

No official gate-wait estimate. Mobile tickets can be scanned at entry, but busy weekends may require overflow parking and a shuttle.

Nearby Food

The zoo has several on-site choices, including Tosco's Pizza with chicken fingers and fries, Grasslands Grill with burgers, cheesesteaks, and hot dogs, Twisted Cone for frozen treats, and Buck Café for sandwiches, snacks, drinks, and child-themed desserts. Hours are weather dependent.

Why Kids Love It

Families can see zoo animals, feed giraffes when weather allows, ride a carousel or barrel train, make music on giant instruments, meet animal ambassadors, and climb, dig, swing, and spin in the playground.

Pro Tips from Parents

Check the weather and call extension 222 if a paid attraction is essential. Giraffe feeding, the carousel, barrel train, and food stands can have weather-dependent schedules.
Bring a government-issued ID if borrowing a sensory backpack, noise-canceling headphones, stroller, wheelchair, or scooter because the zoo may hold the ID as collateral.
Download the accessibility map before visiting. The zoo is stroller accessible, but its sloped landscape makes some paths easier than others.
On busy weekends, follow current parking signs rather than driving directly to the street address. Overflow parking and the shuttle may be in use, and the shuttle does not run in bad weather.

What to Bring

Weather-appropriate clothing
Comfortable walking shoes
Refillable water bottle
Government-issued ID for rentals or sensory equipment
Stroller or funds for the $14 double-stroller rental

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

$105.

80 online or $109.

80 onsite for two adults and two children ages 3 to 12, before taxes or fees.

Prices may change by date or event.

Tips to Save

Buy online to save $1 per paid admission, use the free parking, and focus on included activities such as the playground, percussion garden, and Connection Corner programs before purchasing $6 rides or feedings.