The recent reviews are all over the place so I wanted to weigh in and say this is not the most horrible zoo as some describe. The controversy over the elephants notwithstanding this zoo seems to be moving in the right direction over the years. If you don’t agree with zoos in general you are not going to like any zoo. I have been a few times over the last 12 years with the last 3 years being as a mom. Of course, the zoo is hot, crowded and smelly in the warm weather, especially the indoor exhibits but so is any zoo. You can bring in your own refreshments and there are shade and cooling stations. No, you can’t compare this to a big city zoo because it is small - you can go on the spur of the moment and spend 2 hours to see most everything in the cool seasons. For the complaints about animal treatment: unless written by a specialist I would take with a grain of salt the reviews that evaluate how much green gunk is normal in the exhibit, how old and tired the animals look, what the temperature is kept at, etc. because this is a well-funded and well-respected zoo as those things go...how the zoo is small but only getting better with renovations and addition of a new cafeteria that is indoor and air conditioned...the zoo has a program to recruit and hire local teens for the high season that is very sought after (the kids are supposed to be well trained and supervised in theory).
The burger at the grill by the giraffes was the best burger I've ever eaten at a zoo. Pleasantly surprised!
I went to this zoo for the first time a few days ago. We had a good time! The outdoor exhibits look well planned and comfortable for the animals. The layout of the zoo is circular, so you don't really have to think about which way to go.
The PPG Aquarium is world class and rivals the one in Baltimore as my all-time favorite. There is an amazing diversity of aquatic life on display here.
My kids really enjoyed coming here. It didn't cost a lot to get in either so I appreciated that. I love that the website is updated regularly. I could plan my trip in advance according to what the zoo had planned. It was elephant day when we went. My kids were given a craft to make elephant ears they could wear as a hat. There's a wide variety of animals here. Highly recommend this zoo!
The construction by the pygmy hippo looked almost complete and it will be a lot of fun for kids when it is finished!
If you have a stroller or a wheelchair it is helpful to have a 2nd person since I didn't see any buttons to open doors.
This is a great zoo and certainly one of the best I’ve been to in the US. The place is well-designed and organized to prevent you from feeling like you’re being herded through the space. There are subtle branches that allow you to veer off and take alternative pathways through the zoo. The environments are also well-designed and appear more natural than most other zoos I’ve visited. This zoo seems genuinely concerned with issues of sustainability and conservation as evidenced from various signage and instruments of green technology dotted throughout the zoo. The new fit path at the entrance is also a nice touch encouraging visitors to exercise while creating a more naturalistic start to the zoo experience. This zoo really has tried to make the place more interactive over the years we’ve been visiting. I am saddened to see the old brown bear den converted into the Beer Den, but I suppose these are the kinds of touches modern audiences desire.
The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium are must sees in the area.
With all that said the highlights are a tram train if you can't walk it uphill, good views of the animals, amazing kid area and playground, newly installed island section including a sandy beach with some chairs. When it's not super hot and crowded this place is fun for kids and pleasant for adults. Avoid Fridays with day camps and school trips popular.
The Pittsburgh Zoo is a really fun plus to visit. It's a clean park & there's so much to see. I enjoyed walking leisurely through the exhibits. This is a clean zoo & even though there were a lot of other people during my visit I didn't have any problems getting around. The zoo is well taken care of outside as well as in the exhibit buildings & the animals are well taken care of.
Pittsburgh Zoo Ppg Aquarium is a US Zoo based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh Zoo Ppg Aquarium is located at 7340 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA.
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