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Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham

3.8
#3 of 8 in Zoos & Aquariums in Alabama
Zoo · Zoo / Aquarium
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With over 230 species on site, Birmingham Zoo provides expertise in conservation and helps tell the story of the plight of endangered species spanning six continents. The not-for-profit organization educates and entertains, with over 99 hectares (122 acres) that are home to over 950 animals. Visit bird exhibits and take part in a pelican feeding. See the world's largest lizard at the Komodo Dragon exhibit. While here, you can learn about the zoo's efforts and proficiency in elephant conservation and African wildlife. You'll be entertained by a seated performance conducted by the two host sea lions or jump on the zoo train for a ride around the property. The children's area features a carousel that's appropriate for all ages. Birmingham Zoo is just one of the many highlights you can arrange to see using our , custom trip planner Edition.
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Birmingham Zoo reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.0
1,150 reviews
Google
4.3
TripAdvisor
  • We enjoyed seeing all of the animals, especially the primate exhibit as well as the predator exhibit. The Alabama walkway was fun, just not a lot of animals on display. Have patience for the black... 
    We enjoyed seeing all of the animals, especially the primate exhibit as well as the predator exhibit. The Alabama walkway was fun, just not a lot of animals on display. Have patience for the black...  more »
  • We had a really nice time at this zoo last week. It was very hot but we still enjoyed it. The splash pad helped us to cool off as well as sitting in the cafe. Most employees were very helpful and... 
    We had a really nice time at this zoo last week. It was very hot but we still enjoyed it. The splash pad helped us to cool off as well as sitting in the cafe. Most employees were very helpful and...  more »
  • I think I have been to nine zoos. This wasn't my favorite. I hate it when a zoo doesn't follow a path and you have to do lots of backtracking. This zoo has paths that just end and you have to turn....  more
    I think I have been to nine zoos. This wasn't my favorite. I hate it when a zoo doesn't follow a path and you have to do lots of backtracking. This zoo has paths that just end and you have to turn....  more »
Google
  • We visited yesterday for Memorial Day. There wasn't a line to enter so that was great. The zoo layout is good and the pathways provide a combination of sun and shade so we weren't too hot. I believe the majority of the animals were out for us to see. They don't give you a physical map and the digital one was confusing. It is better to use the large maps throughout the park. Now for the cons. A lot of the exhibits with glass were hard to see through because it was so dirty. It made seeing and taking decent pictures nearly impossible. The food and drinks are so overpriced. Pack your own water to avoid paying $5 a bottle. There were quite a few off exhibit display signs so I'm not sure which animals we didn't get to see. Overall a good experience. We enjoyed ourselves.
  • We came to celebrate my nephews first birthday. I enjoyed the Zoo so much. I want to get a season pass and come out more. I love that they have many shaded areas along with a splash pad for the kiddies. I love that you can rent a wheelchair, electric cart , or strollers for the kids. I love that the Zoo has upgraded and I actually enjoyed the food here too.
  • We had such a fun day. At the gate you can purchase tickets for the train ride, carasel and general admission. You can purchase tickets to feed the giraffes, as of Sept 24, 2022 it was $4 per person, kids under 2 is free. The zoo employee was sweet in handing us lettuce to give to the giraffes and take pictures for us. We loved seeing the primates and the elephants. There are loads of animals to see such as zebras, ostrich, red pandas, sand cat, lion, jaguar, and so on. They are adding some new exhibits very soon. If you do the train make sure to check the times for when it departs, we made a mistake of not checking and ended up not being able to get onto the train by the time we left the zoo. If you need strollers or wheelchairs you can rent those, the kiosk is on the outside of the gift shop. They don't hand out maps, there is a QR code you can scan to get the map on your phone. The gift shop is very nice, we bought only a magnet but they sell toys, stuffed animals, clothes, hats, jewelry, hand soaps, posters and many more things.
  • My family and really enjoyed this zoo. It wasn't over crowded and had many of the animals we wanted to see. The zoo had map boards posted so it was very easy to navigate around. We had a great time and I highly recommend this zoo.
  • Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo is absolutely incredible. There are many lighted sculptures and it's fun to meander around and try to see them all. The train ride is about 8 minutes and you get to see a lot of different areas. This is a great family-friendly event that's totally enjoyable for adults as well. Have a hot chocolate with Schnapps to take the chill off and wander around the fairy tale grounds. Highly recommend! Also can't wait to visit the Zoo in the daylight hours and see the real animals which are not part of Glow Wild since it's dark.

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