As a Fort Worth native and many year member of the Fort Worth Zoo, these are our favorite tips for ensuring you make the most of your visit!
The Fort Worth Zoo has been open for over 100 years and has since garnered a reputation for being one of the most distinguished and celebrated zoos in the USA, with countless accolades. It’s all the perfect zoo for young children. Below are our 10 tips to ensure your trip to Fort Worth Zoo is unforgettable.
1. Book online to avoid the lines.
Book your tickets online to avoid the lines at the gate. You can book tickets on your phone on arrival and bypass the line. If you are likely to visit the zoo more than twice a year consider an annual membership as that will ultimately end up saving money.
Tip: Be aware of online websites offering zoo tickets. These are scams, the only place to buy tickets online is on the official website www.FortWorthZoo.org.
2. Check the weather.
It’s not a big secret that Texas can get HOT. We’ve raised our children in Texas, but they are still not big fans of the heat. The Fort Worth Zoo does have plenty of shade, but on hot days it is definitely advisable to get there as close to opening time as possible. You also have a better chance to see the animals in the cooler hours. Definitely apply sunscreen before you go and bring a hat and sunglasses. You will also want to bring a refillable water bottle for everyone so you can all stay hydrated.
3. Be Prepared to Walk / Wear Comfortable Shoes.
A visit to any zoo is going to require a lot of walking, luckily Fort Worth Zoo is an incredibly walkable zoo. It is one place in the city we love to take our kids where they can get their wriggles out. It is not too hilly which is perfect for little legs.
The zoo is also extremely stroller friendly, and they have plenty of strollers to rent. Fort Worth Zoo also has plenty of shade, helping to make the hotter days bearable. You will want to make sure you and your little ones are wearing comfortable shoes to make sure you enjoy your day out to the fullest.
4. Plan Ahead / Check the Best Day to Visit.
Fort Worth Zoo is open 365 days a year, but it’s important to plan ahead which day you want to go. Every Wednesday is half-price admission which is great if you want to save some money, but also means that the zoo is extra crowded. On busy days parking can take long a time. If you dislike crowds it’s best to avoid going when the schools are out.
In April and May there are a lot of field trips. These usually happen on Thursday and Fridays.
Tip: If you are not planning on spending a full day at the zoo, arriving 2.30pm on field trip days is a great time because the yellow buses usually start heading out around 2pm, and practically no-one is at the zoo!
5. Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time.
Fort Worth Zoo has a few places to eat, but unsurprisingly it is typically overpriced and not great quality. You are allowed to bring food from outside so we often like to bring a picnic. There are also places to eat nearby the zoo along University Drive. Sometimes as a treat for our little ones we pick up food for a picnic at Eatzi’s Market & Bakery which is a half mile away from the zoo. The food there is delicious and perfect for a picnic.
If you do decide to purchase food at the zoo we recommend heading down to the food court at Texas Wild. You will also find Kona Ice Trucks and Dip'n'Dots vendors around the zoo grounds, but check in advance for opening times as these vary throughout the seasons.
6. Consider Giving Your Kids Some "Zoo Money".
As you walk around the zoo there are lots of places to buy souvenirs and treats. You can easily find yourself in a situation where you little on is asking to buy something and you keep having to say, “No” constantly as you walk around. To counter this, we like to give our kids “Zoo Money” usually $5-$10, that they can spend on whatever they want. For our little ones this money always seems to go to the frozen banana stand or feeding the giraffes!
7. Prioritize Your Day
The Fort Worth Zoo is a large zoo with several wonderful habitats. You can’t walk far without stumbling into one of the exhibits but hitting them all with young kids may not always be an option.
When you enter the zoo you'll immediately see the impressive World of Primates exhibit on your right. If you get there early in the day we recommend skipping ahead and heading for either Texas Wild or the African Savannah. Most people stop at the World of Primates upon entry so you'll avoid some of the crowds if you do this.
Once you walk ahead you'll have the option to go right, which will take you towards the Elephants, African Savannah and Predator exhibits. Or you can go to your left, which will take you towards the MOLA (Museum of Living Art) reptile exhibits and further on to Texas Wild where there is a playground, petting zoo, carousel and food court among other things. The walk from the African Savannah to Texas Wild is pretty long so if you know that you have limited time at the zoo we recommend choosing one side to start with and then if you have time you can check out the other exhibits.
*Tip* There is a small train called the Yellow Rose Express which will take you from the entrance of the zoo (near the Crocodile Cafe and picnic areas) to Texas Wild.
8. Check the Daily Zoo Keeper Chats.
Both of our children are obsessed with animals, and the zoo is truly one of their favorite places. The website keeps a daily schedule for zookeeper chats. This schedule tells you where the zookeepers are going to be. We love getting the opportunity to interact with the zookeepers, who are a fountain of knowledge and facts. It enriches the learning experience for our kids and helps their confidence by allowing them opportunities to ask questions. We like to show our kids the schedule and let them pick if there is any zookeeper they’d like to meet.
9. Take a Train Ride on the Yellow Rose Express.
Our kids love riding the Yellow Rose Express train (and honestly it often comes as a welcoming break from walking for the parents). It costs $5 ($4 or members). Your child even has the opportunity to be a junior train conductor!
10. Cool Off at the Safari Splash
The Safari Splash Pad is an amazing escape from the heat during those interminable summer months. The Splash pad is 14,000 sq ft and has four slides. It is zero depth so very safe. They have plenty of shaded lounge chairs to snag so you can relax while your kids run wild. Our kids absolutely love this splash pad which we think is the best in the city.
Extra Fun - Feed the Giraffes
One of our kids favorite things to do at the zoo is feed lettuce to the giraffes in the African Savannah exhibit. You can purchase the lettuce using cash or card at 2 vendors near the exhibit.