How much does Philadelphia Zoo cost for a family?

General admission for ages 2 and older varies by date, and children under 2 are free. Check the official ticket calendar for the selected day and add $22 if parking a car.

Does the zoo require advance tickets?

Yes. The current visit page says advance online reservations are required for general admission.

Can families bring lunch and water?

Yes. Food and water bottles are permitted. Glass containers, outside alcohol and coolers larger than 12 by 12 inches are prohibited.

Is the entire zoo stroller accessible?

No. Strollers are useful across the 42-acre grounds, but the zoo warns that some buildings and exhibit areas are not stroller accessible.

Are rides and giraffe feeding included with admission?

The Barnyard at KidZooU is included. The train, carousel, Pherris Wheel and some animal experiences are separate attractions and may require additional tickets.

Philadelphia Zoo

Name: Philadelphia Zoo
Address: 3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, US
Telephone: 215-243-1100
Rating: 4.5

Rating

4.5(22,662)

Family of 4

Admission varies by visit date, so there is no fixed official family total.

Duration

4-6 hours

Best Ages

Ages 2 to 12, with broad all-age appeal

About

Philadelphia Zoo is a full outdoor family day rather than a quick animal stop. The 42-acre campus has more than 1,900 rare and endangered animals, with areas for big cats, bears, primates, birds and African wildlife. KidZooU gives younger children a space built for early learners.

At its Barnyard, children may touch and brush goats or sheep when the animals choose to enter the contact yard. The McNeil Avian Center and Wings of the World offer walk-through bird experiences, while wildlife chats add short learning breaks throughout the day.

A four-to-six-hour visit gives most families time to see the major exhibits without rushing. Toddlers may be happiest with KidZooU, the train and short animal stops. School-age children can handle more of the walking and follow keeper talks.

Tweens and teens may enjoy the larger animal habitats, free-flight birds and optional behind-the-scenes experiences. Add-ons include the SEPTA PZ Express Train, Amazon Rainforest Carousel, Pherris Wheel and giraffe feeding. These may require separate tickets, and several operate only when weather permits.

The zoo is open daily, but advance online reservations are required for general admission. Ticket prices vary by date, so a reliable family-of-four admission total cannot be given without choosing a day. Children under 2 are free. Parking currently costs $22 per vehicle and can be prepaid. The garage and several surface lots sit near the Girard Avenue entrance.

This is a mixed indoor and outdoor visit, with most movement between exhibits happening outside. Rain, heat or cold can affect comfort and attraction availability, and the zoo does not issue weather refunds or rain checks. Strollers help on the large campus, but some buildings and exhibit areas are not stroller accessible.

Rentals are first come, first served. Family restrooms are located at the main entrance, KidZooU and WildWorks Plaza. KidZooU's family restrooms include adult-size changing tables; a dedicated nursing room is not stated on the current official pages.

Families may bring food and water, which is useful at this price level. Keep coolers at or below the stated 12-by-12-inch limit and leave glass containers at home. Check the live map, attraction status and weather before starting the drive.

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

Limited

Nursing / Changing

Limited

Kid Meals

Limited

Setting

Indoor & Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Reserve the earliest practical entry, especially on hot days or weekends. Many outdoor attractions are weather dependent.

Wait Times

No standard wait is published. General admission requires an advance online reservation. Allow time for parking, bag screening and any add-on attraction lines.

Nearby Food

On-site choices include Tiger Terrace, Backyard Kitchen, Tiger Terrace Express Market, snack stands and the open-air Urban Green. Available locations and hours vary by day. Families may also bring food and water, but glass containers and outside alcohol are prohibited.

Why Kids Love It

Children can see more than 1,900 animals, brush willing goats and sheep at KidZooU, walk among free-flying birds and add a train, carousel, wheel or giraffe-feeding experience.

Pro Tips from Parents

Download or bookmark the zoo map before arrival. The campus covers 42 acres, and backtracking can wear out younger children.
Make KidZooU an early stop for toddlers and preschoolers. The Barnyard contact area is included with admission.
Bring a stroller for young children, but expect to park it outside some buildings and exhibit areas.
Check the daily attraction and wildlife-chat schedule. Giraffe feeding, bird areas and rides may be weather dependent or cost extra.

What to Bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Weather protection, including hats or rain gear
Refillable water bottles
Packed lunch or snacks in a cooler no larger than 12 by 12 inches
Stroller for younger children

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

Admission varies by visit date, so there is no fixed official family total.

Price two adults and two children in the official ticket calendar, then add $22 parking and any train, carousel, wheel or feeding tickets.

Tips to Save

Bring food and water instead of buying every meal on site.
PA and DE ACCESS cardholders can receive admission for up to four people at $2 each under current program terms.
Members receive admission and parking benefits, which may pay off for repeat visits.