Philadelphia Zoo With Kids: Why We Keep Going Back

The Philadelphia Zoo with kids has been one of those family outings we have kept coming back to over the years. I first visited as a kid myself, and later returned with school groups and my own children through every stage from toddlers to teens.

When my kids were younger, we spent plenty of nice days wandering the zoo.

There are bigger zoos out there, but the Philadelphia Zoo has always been one of those places that was easy to say yes to on a beautiful day. Here’s why we kept going back.

Looking for more Pennsylvania family adventures? Explore my Philadelphia family travel guides and our favorite things to do in the Poconos with kids for more museums, attractions, and easy day trips.

What Makes the Philadelphia Zoo With Kids Different?

One thing I appreciate about the Philadelphia Zoo is that it doesn’t just feel like another zoo. There are a few things that have always made it stand out to us and helped explain why we’ve kept coming back over the years.

First, it’s America’s first zoo. Opened in 1874, the Philadelphia Zoo is one of those places that feels like it belongs in the city. With so much history in Philadelphia, I always thought it was pretty fitting that the country’s first zoo is here too.

Zoo360 is another thing that makes the Philadelphia Zoo unique. These elevated mesh trails allow animals to travel above visitors and between habitats, which creates some fun surprises throughout the day.

I also appreciate how easy the zoo is compared to many Center City attractions. The parking garage is right there, and getting in and out has always been pretty straightforward. With younger kids especially, those little conveniences make a big difference.

Another thing we’ve always appreciated is how manageable the zoo feels. It’s large enough to spend most of the day exploring, but not so overwhelming that you feel like you’re rushing from exhibit to exhibit. Between the animals, the gardens, seasonal events, and plenty of places to sit and grab a snack, it has always felt like an easy family day for us.

Finally, I think the Philadelphia Zoo does a great job with a wide range of ages. My kids loved it when they were little, and even now that they’re teens, they still enjoy visiting, although our trips are definitely shorter than they used to be. Not every attraction grows with your kids, but the zoo did for us.

Why the Zoo Worked So Well for Our Family

When my kids were younger, the Philadelphia Zoo was one of those places that was easy to say yes to on a nice day.

Some visits lasted five or six hours, while others were just a few hours on a beautiful afternoon. We never felt like we had to rush around trying to see everything because we knew we would be back again.

One thing I appreciated most was that we could spend very little money once we were inside if we wanted to. We could simply walk around, enjoy the animals, and head home without feeling like we had to keep spending.

Of course, somehow the kids almost always convinced me to add one more small stuffed animal to their growing collections before we left. Apparently no trip was complete without bringing home another tiger, giraffe, or penguin.

Looking back, some of our best memories are surprisingly simple. A nice day, a favorite animal, and an afternoon together were usually enough.

The Animals Were Everything When My Kids Were Little

When my kids were younger, the animals were the entire reason we went. Before every trip, they would talk about what they hoped to see, and somehow the excitement never seemed to wear off.

The giraffes were always a favorite, and we could spend far longer than I expected watching the primates. The big cats were another highlight, especially when they were active or making their way along the overhead Zoo360 trails. There was something really fun about suddenly looking up and spotting an animal above your head.

One thing I loved most about those years was how simple it all was. Watching a gorilla, seeing the tigers up close, or finding a sleeping lion was enough to make the day memorable. It didn’t take much to make the kids happy, and honestly, that made me happy too.

Age	What They’ll Love
Toddlers	Animals, indoor play area, train
Elementary Kids	Giraffes, primates, Zoo360
Tweens	Animals, Wild Explorer, extras
Teens	Favorite exhibits and shorter visits

The Indoor Play Area Was One of Our Kids’ Favorite Parts

As much as my kids loved the animals, one of their favorite parts of the Philadelphia Zoo when they were younger was actually the indoor play area. It became a nice break in the middle of the day when everyone needed to slow down for a little while.

The kids could climb, play, and burn off some energy while I finally had a chance to sit down for a few minutes. After walking around for hours, it almost felt like hitting the reset button. We would usually head back out with everyone in a much better mood.

Looking back, I think the indoor playground helped extend our visits. Without it, the kids probably would have been ready to leave much earlier. Instead, they got a second wind and were excited to head back out to see more animals.

It wasn’t the reason we visited the zoo, but it was definitely one of those little things that made our days there easier and more enjoyable.

If you’re looking for another favorite family outing, the Franklin Institute with kids has been one of our most visited spots over the years too.

Zoo360 Makes the Philadelphia Zoo Feel Different

One thing that has always made the Philadelphia Zoo stand out to us is Zoo360. These elevated mesh trails allow animals to travel above visitors and between habitats, which makes the whole zoo feel a little more interactive.

It was the first animal exploration trail system of its kind and is one of the things that makes the Philadelphia Zoo feel different from other zoos.

My kids always loved looking up to see what might be happening overhead. There was something fun about turning a corner and suddenly noticing movement above us. It added an element of surprise to every visit and made the zoo feel different from others we had been to.

Even after multiple trips, Zoo360 was still something we looked forward to. It wasn’t a separate attraction or something we had to pay extra for. It was just one of those unique features that made the Philadelphia Zoo memorable.

Before your visit, it’s worth checking the official Philadelphia Zoo website for current hours, animal experiences, and seasonal events.

Teachers Get Two Free Tickets Every Year

As a teacher, I always appreciate attractions that recognize educators. One perk many people may not know about is that the Philadelphia Zoo offers teachers two free admission tickets each year.

I also remember being able to get a teacher membership when my kids were younger, which made our zoo days even easier. Between that and family memberships, we spent plenty of beautiful days just wandering the zoo without feeling like every visit had to be a big event.

If you’re an educator planning a visit, it’s worth checking the Philadelphia Zoo educator programs page for the latest information and details.

We always visited with a membership because we lived close enough to make multiple trips each year. But if you’re visiting Philadelphia from out of town and planning to see several attractions, it may be worth looking at the Philadelphia Pass. It includes the Philadelphia Zoo along with more than 30 other attractions throughout the city. You can check current prices and included attractions here.

The Extras Were Fun Without Feeling Necessary

One thing I always appreciated about the Philadelphia Zoo was that the extras felt optional. Some days we simply walked around and enjoyed the animals. Other days, we decided to add a few extras and make the visit feel a little more special.

When my kids were younger, saying no to the train was usually not an option. They also loved the carousel, and somehow those little extras always became part of the day.

As they got older, experiences like Wild Explorer became fun additions. We recently tried the VR experience, and I thought it was a cool extra, especially for older kids and tweens.

I also like that the zoo offers attraction bundles, so families can choose what works best for them. You can add just the train and carousel or bundle several experiences together without feeling like you have to do everything.

None of it felt necessary, though. Some days we spent absolutely nothing extra and still had a great day.

That flexibility was one of the things I appreciated most. Some visits were simple and inexpensive, while others included a few extra treats. Either way, the day still felt complete.

Is the Philadelphia Zoo With Kids Worth It?

For our family, the answer has always been yes.

There are bigger zoos and flashier attractions, but I still think the Philadelphia Zoo is one of the best family attractions in the city. The animals kept my kids entertained, and features like Zoo360 and the indoor play area made visits enjoyable at different ages.

If you’re visiting Philadelphia with kids, I think the zoo is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. Whether you’re traveling with toddlers, elementary-age kids, or even tweens, it’s one of those attractions that appeals to almost everyone.

If you’re planning a full day in the city, I also shared my parent and teacher perspective on the Franklin Institute after years of visits with both school groups and my own kids.

When we’re ready to trade museums and city attractions for something more adventurous, whitewater rafting in the Poconos with kids has been one of our favorite summer traditions for years.

Another adventure we always come back to is Blue Mountain Summit Adventure Park, where we’ve spent years climbing the ropes course, riding the zipline, and ending the day with dinner overlooking the mountains.

Looking for more ideas while you’re in the city? I share several more favorites in my guide to Philadelphia museums for kids, tweens, and teens, along with other attractions that work well for different ages. You can also browse all of my Philadelphia family travel guides for more family-friendly stops around the city.

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Our family travel photography © Stack the Miles. All family and attraction photos were captured during our Philadelphia trips. Select scenic and landmark images courtesy of trusted stock sources and tourism archives.

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