Fort Wayne Zoo Reviews

my family and i our from St Louis, which we have one of the largest zoo. However, this past weekend my husband and I took are grandchildren the Fort Wayne IN children's Zoo. This place is well kept. the grounds are very clean and inviting. the sights and animals are in clear view for the children to see. they have a log ride throw one portion of the zoo that you can see the animals as you go along. Many attractions and options. Kids got to feed a giraffe. I was amazing! they loved it, we loved it. hope to go to Fort Wayne sometime to go back to the zoo.

Well done Fort Wayne!!!

My husband and I are new residents to Fort Wayne. We had our daughter's family (6 children) visit for the weekend so we thought the Zoo would be a great place to take them. We have never been.. The admission fee is reasonable ($15 adults & $10 2-17).
They have free parking, it is very clean, nicely laid out and the animals seem to be well cared for. We all really enjoyed it.
I do wish that when I paid the admission ($90) the clerk would have mentioned that for $129 we could have purchased a 1 year Grandparent's Pass. We weren't aware that it was an option. I called first thing Monday morning (we went on Saturday) to ask if I could pay the difference to make it a Pass and was told I would have had to do that within 24 hours. Its too bad they wouldn't let me do it because we have other grandkids and we, as a couple, would probably visit through the year.
That aside, we did enjoy the Zoo as a whole, and would recommend visiting.

Our family loves visiting the zoo. It is always clean and staff are extremely friendly. Animals seem healthy and interactive with guests. Layout is also great to feel engaged through most the campus. We are Museum Members and it is a great investment!

This is a lovely zoo and they are constantly making improvements. Great for a family with small children as they have photo ops, splash areas, misters, small rides. Buy a ride pass... they are affordable and they do not expire! The kangaroo, giraffe, and sting ray exhibits are our families favorite.

great place for relaxing stroll with beautiful scenery - not just for kids - great way to spend a lazy day

We recently visited the FW Children's Zoo with my two daughters, ages 3 & 1. The zoo was amazing and our girls really enjoyed it!

Since I lived close to Memphis which boasts a zoo compete with pandas, elephants, hippos, and polar bears, I was told I might be disappointed but I was absolutely delighted instead. The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is well planned and perfectly landscaped with a wonderful transition to each exhibit. This is a must visit location when in Fort Wayne and the Sky Ride was superb!! Can’t wait for my next visit!!

nice zoo. many animals where sleeping, but it was small enough for a 2 and 4 year old. can spend a lot of money on cho cho train, log ride, pony ride for each family member. loved the sting ray pool. was able to pet the sting rays. overall it was a nice zoo.

Nice Zoo. Love to go there.
Quite an extensive zoo for it being in this location. They have added to it in recent years.

Great zoo and an easy walk. Wide walk paths. Animals have large enclosures and have lots of room for mobility.
Definitely a zoo that I would recommend for visitors of all ages.

Unbelievable zoo. Better than any zoo in any big city I have been to! The animals are close together. The zoo is clean and the staff is amazing! A++++

Lots of things besides animals to keep kids interested. Rides, exhibits and other activities gives more variety than mist zoos. No kids in our group but we enjoyed the animals and beautiful well kept grounds. Older seniors may not be up to the walking needed to see all areas but wheelchair would be an option. The zoo staff were friendly and informative.

We were in the Fort Wayne area, and a zoo was on our children's bucket list for our vacation. We had been in contact with one of the employees at this zoo, and she told us how wonderful it was. So we took her up on her offer to visit, and we are SOOO glad we did !! This zoo is NOT just for children, like the name suggests .... adults alike, enjoy this zoo immensely.

The zoo is amazing = all of the animal enclosures, to me, felt very researched, and natural for the animals. This zoo is very large, and took us about 5 hours to completely tour the place (including a break for lunch). We
all enjoyed the log ride and the train, but the carousel was down that day.

We watched a sea lion show / feeding, and the kids LOVED the stingray touch tank exhibit. There were about 18 sting rays to touch, which kept the kids VERY busy !! :) The kids loved feeding and brushing the goats in the petting zoo, and seeing animals we have never seen before.

If you want something amazing to do for the day in Fort Wayne, the zoo is the place !! This zoo is VERY clean, including all the bathrooms we found, and it shows that the personnel truly care for the animals here, and want the best not only for them, but for the people that visit here.

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo has been our favorite family outing every summer! There is always something new to see and do.

I have been going to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo for 20 years and a recent visit was so impressive! A lot of new features, healthy animals and beautiful exhibits. Highly recommend!

We were in Fort Wayne for the weekend (first part of the weekend business). We decided to go to the "children's" zoo , first do not know why it is called children's zoo? It is a beautiful zoo. The animals have plenty of room to roam. There are 4 rides, Carousal , sky lift , train , and a log ride. We thought we would be there for about a hour , wrong it is a well laid out zoo. The landscaping in gorgeous . It is well worth the visit.

Great place to take your children or in our case, grandchildren. Very child friendly with lots of things to experience. Giraffes and monkeys are always a favorite.

Great family fun. Many sights and really good animal exhibits. I would suggest bringing your own food and drink. Concessions are a little pricey.

This park will surprise you and entertain your children. We go even without children. So many areas such as the safari, the Australian adventure, reptile house, Avery, and so much more

Each new exhibit at the Fort Wayne zoo is done with great thought. Not overwhelming and exhausting but so interesting with details to let you get to know the animals and insects. A lazy log ride pass the kangaroos, a litttle horse ride for the kids, a carousel ride , a train ride with ice cream or a chair lift ride over the prairie are just some of the active rides. Watch the seals under water or the sting ray stream pass. This is one of the best zoos run with pride.
A good day for all.

Went with my son's family who live in Florida, I had not been there in years. What a great day we had. They said it was the best children's zoo they had ever been too.

More than a zoo, this like going on Safari! Animals are in natural surroundings and walkways are easy to follow. Different parts for each continent. Really nice experience for adults too!

Zoo had been good in the past . No major issues. food was good at the meal No major issues. enjoyed the time spent.

I would recommend a visit to the zoo to any visitor that would be in Fort Wayne. It is clean and has wonderful concessions and picnic facilities available. The animals are kept in good condition and it makes for a great family outing.

Four adults took one three year old to visit the zoo on a cool opening day in April. The zoo was busy but not as packed as I imagine it is on warmer sunny days. Regardless the weather, the zoo was a treat. The Ft Wayne Children's Zoo opened in 1965 and has evolved / grown since. The zoo now houses over 1,000 animals on forty (40) acres of Franke Park. Among its merits is the fact that it is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The zoo has "children" in its name for a reason. It is definitely designed to provide youngsters, even the very young, great opportunities to see and interact with animals from around the world. Not only can they see the animals, but at different of the exhibits are stationed zoo staff to either provide a formal presentation (times for these are posted) or to informally answer any questions concerning that animal / exhibit. These staff members add to the entertainment and education value of a trip to the zoo. When visiting with young ones, the zoo has rental options directly inside the entrance for strollers and wagons, in case you do not want to bring your own. Additionally options for food and beverages are spread throughout the zoo. Also, necessary stops (i.e. restrooms) are too conveniently placed throughout. Want a further remembrance of your visit, a gift shop (Wild Things Gift Shop) is right by the entrance / exit. The zoo (maps provided at the entrance) has a great design allowing visitors to directly walk to particular exhibits, if you have a favorite picked out. Alternatively, you can follow the well laid out trails that natural flow from one exhibit to the next. For extra costs, you can also ride the gondola, ponies (12 years and younger), carousel, water ride and train. Token stations are present immediately in association with each ride for easy investment. Upon entering the zoo, we actually planned our visit to proceed counterclockwise. We traveled past the capuchin monkeys and Lynx in Central Zoo and headed to the new African Journey Exhibit. The African Journey area is the largest. So many animals to see, our three year old liked the Great White Pelicans, monkeys, hyena and lions. Leaving the African Journey, we stayed to the right into the Indonesian Rain Forest. In this area, the little guy liked the leopard, the orangutans (his overall favorite) and tigers. Leaving the Indonesian Rain Forest, back into Central Zoo, he liked the otters, sea lions and penguins - all of which obligingly were putting on a swimming show. Next was the aquarium area. He loved the opportunity to "get his arm wet" while trying to "pet" one of the stingrays. Onward to the Australian Adventure where, of course, he had to splash around in Outback Springs. His favorite animals here were the "Roos." Nice to see real kangaroos in comparison to the cartoon versions he has seen on TV. Finally, we went through the Indiana Family Farm exhibit. Know he wanted to pet more of the animals (e.g. pigs, cows, donkeys, rabbits) than was allowed. However, interacting with the goats and being able to brush them was fun for him. We had a great time, made better by watching the three year old's reactions. Definitely worth a visit. If you have young children, you might even want to get a season pass for multiple trips.

We have a gem in Fort Wayne with our zoo. Clean, educational and perfect for all ages. Can feed giraffes and pet stingrays. The grounds are beautiful. Well worth a visit!

I was expecting something somewhat small. After asking someone local how long it took to see everything, and them responding "2hours if you go fast, 4 hours if you take your time." It took us 3 hours, and that was running through. I probably could have spent 5 or 6 easily with my kids! There was so much other than looking at the animals! Make sure to take some money for the Alligator ride and sky lift! The train was not worth it IMO.

This place is great. While it is sold as a children's zoo, it has a lot to offer for every age group. Everything is well designed and themed and the animals look like they have a decent amount of room to stretch their legs.

We visited the zoo in the late afternoon on a Saturday in June. The zoo was not overly crowded, and the weather was perfect. We leisurely explored the zoo in about 2 hours. The new red panda habitat is well done. We appreciate the reasonable price and free parking. Zoo staff are friendly. It’s worth a visit if you are nearby.

I have been to numerous zoos in the tri-state area and this is definitely the best of them all!! It flows nicely and the animals appear to be treated well here. It is easy to navigate and there is so much to see!!!

So many good things going on at the Children's Zoo! We have a family membership and take our grand children several times a year and they always enjoy the visits. This zoo is easy to navigate and you can spend a few hours here or the whole day. They also offer summer day camp for different age groups. The kids really enjoy the interactive giraffe and sting ray exhibits, goat petting farm and the rides.

So much fun for all ages ! The kids loved all the new babies the zoo has this summer. A great way to spend an afternoon!

We love Fort Wayne children’s zoo. This is our 2nd year being members and we definitely do not regret it. A word for the wise, late afternoons are much less busy than the mornings!

Have always loved the Fort Wayne Zoo. Never disappoints regardless of time of year, weather or busyness. From the moment you get there, you feel the family vibe. The facility is always very clean and the staff is so friendly and helpful. Very well laid out, easy to maneuver and no matter how busy, seems like there's always the opportunity to stop and watch the animals without being trampled our in someone's way. Love the different areas to rest and snack or just people watch for a bit, lol.so much variety in terms of age related activities. No matter if your 1 or 91, there is something to make all smile and just really enjoy the family fun. Love going very year and will continue for as long as I can.

Was a wonderful day for the zoo!!! We really enjoyed seeing all the animals... some got really close!!

we always have a great time at the Fort Wayne Children"s Zoo.
it nice to visit the animals. we like riding the train and canoe.

The zoo is so nice. It is divided into areas so Africa takes about an hour and a half, Indonesia takes about an hour and a half, Australia takes about an hour, and the family farm. You can spend a whole day or just a morning.

The animal enclosures are up to date and they really care about the animals.it is perfect for all ages, wheelchair accessible, and so much to see and do. I learn something new every time I go. It has been there since 1965 and just gets better and better.

I grew up going to this Zoo. Every year it gets better and better. Was fun seeing people from all over the world and enjoy it.

Good place to take the kids. A lot of different areas Africa, Australia, aquarium and rides to keep young kids entertained.

The Fort Wayne Zoo is THE BEST for a family with young children! Big enough to cover amazing animal exhibits, and small enough to manage in half a day. Hands-on/interactive adventure for kids of all ages. A family membership for the season is the best value. We took our four kids there multiple times every summer when they were young, and now we are taking our grandkids!

This was a really great zoo experience. Many exhibits, a great variety of animals, friendly staff. Couple of notes this is a children's zoo so no alcohol is sold here. Consessions serve basic items and snacks but are pricy. Bring your own water bottle in and fill up for free. The Giraffe feeding was really cool.

Grew up with this zoo,still love it 60+ years later. New animals everytime i visit. We loved feeding the different animals.

My family had a blast! Its definately a full day trip! A lot of up close animal interactions and some of the enclosures are a lot bigger than a big city zoo. There were different rides which was nice, the whole place seemed to flow pretty well and wasn't too hard to navigate. Free parking, nice people, and the best handmade pizza ever. Definately worth the 2.5 hour trip!

They have an open safari that you can ride around in a jeep that the kids can drive. Feed the giraffes, go to Australia. Lions and tigers and bears. I can't begin to name all the animals.

I’m a big fan of this zoo, especially the penguins, sea lions, and otters. Appreciate the good food choices (not typical hamburger joints), the touch tank, and kid’s play areas. Definitely one of Fort Wayne’s top attractions.

This is by far my favorite zoo. It is very clean and the animals appear to be well cared for and happy. The Fort Wayne Zoo is great for kids of all ages and even for a date away if you want to enjoy the zoo on your own.

Very nice zoo. Maintained extremely well. Good for small children and adults. Reasonably priced. Nice park and outdoor concert area within walking distance.

My wife and I took our 18 month old son on Memorial Day. What a lovely zoo. Very clean, lots of shade. I loved the set up on the African plains and Indonesian rain forest. It’s very cool how they have replica huts and little villages set up. All of the animals have quite a bit of space in their enclosures. We fed the giraffes which was a blast and I loved how you could go into the kangaroo exhibit. Will definitely be back again.

This zoo is very interactive with kids. Can do the whole zoo in a day if visiting. Train, boat rides, Merry Go Round, Pony rides, and Sky Lift give you lots of ride options with the kids. Great Experience and always updating and working to improve your experience!

One of the best family oriented locations in fort Wayne! The zoo has done a great job of providing great access to animals in in environment that is clean neat and welcoming. One of the best opportunities to visit the zoo is during extended hours in the summertime. Been allowed to visit in a crowd free situation during those time periods is very much appreciated and a great time to go!

Love this zoo. It's clean ,the employees are always great. It was on the chilly side so the animals were more active.

My girls and I loved this zoo. We loved the variety and theme of area. We did the log flume ride which was great. I love how all the extra stuff is affordable. The zoo itself is affordable. We spent 3 hours there and did it all. We can't wait to go back again!

I had no idea such a gem existed. I've been to many outstanding zoos, including the Bronx Zoo and the San Diego zoo but this is the best. Don't let "children's zoo" fool you. It's a full-fledged zoo, with the largest number of kangaroos (11) in North America, a lion, two red pandas, lemurs, goats that you can brush and that love to kiss you on the arm or leg, lots of storks, wildebeests, giraffes you can feed, etc. It's so reasonably priced you would think an hour or two will do it but it is very extensive. We spent five hours there so we could see everything. The most amazing aspect is the landscaping. A lake, creeks, and waterfalls, beautiful flowers, all kinds of trees and bushes make for a magical landscape. The day we went it was 90 degrees but we didn't feel it because of all the shade in the zoo. We are planning another trip in just a week!

Great place for families. Beautiful exhibits! Also they have great events like Trick or Treating at the Zoo. Not to mention they have a youth intern program.

Awesome visit to the Zoo......clean, nice food selection, LOTS of animals out to view...overall GREAT DAY.

When my children were small and we visited the Fort Wayne zoo. We came back to visit family and my 4 year old is a 24 year old now....and our visit to the Fort Wayne zoo was just as fabulous. This the only zoo I have been to where you actually see the animals....not in cages, but in habitats that are beneficial for both the animals and the visitors. We laughed, learned, and fell in love with all the animals all over again. Great zoo! Very family friendly.

Wonderful visit starting with the easy parking to seeing the giraffes up close!! And in between we rode the train, log ride, and the carousel. Saw otters, penguins, orangoutangs, fish, stingrays, zebras, lions, tigers, and more!!! Very enjoyable day at the zoo with my daughter and grandson. Free parking and $14 each to get in. The rides and feedings cost extra, which you buy "tokens" once inside the facility. Food was reasonably priced, but you are able to bring your own food and drinks in. Hope to go again soon!

Despite "Children's" in the name, this is a large zoo with modern, naturalistic enclosures and an impressive collection (and for that matter, we were hardly the only visitors without kids). We were delighted to see dingoes, Tasmanian devils (exhibited in only a few zoos in the U.S.), Javan gibbons (possibly nowhere else), and a banded mongoose troop. Keepers were consistently friendly and their talks included detailed information about the individual animals ("Our tigers are twins but they have different birthdays: one was born before midnight and one after!"). We recommend a visit!

We buy zoo passes for our kids/grandkids every year for Christmas. They sometimes go 2-3 times a week. There's lots to see, very kid friendly, not too big, not too small, just right. Fun rides to choose from, e.g., train, sky ride, boat, carousel. Petting farm and feeding lettuce to the giraffes are highlights are just a few highlights.

Outstanding experience. Much better than in some of the most acclaimed and major zoos in America. Excellent variety of fauna and flora and totally family friendly. If you can make it to this zoo, do it. You will not regret it.

The zoo staff are well trained in customer experience. The animal displays are both entertaining as well as educational. Many of the displays are "hands on" for the kids.

I do live in Fort Wayne so this zoo is available to me. My family has been lifelong membership holders. It's a great family experience. It well maintained and feels as though you stepped in the wild. It is a manageable size as well. The a finals are not spread too far out as this helps with young children. We usually visit about 10 times a year. That should tell you how awesome this place is.

As one who has seen a variety of zoos over the years, I would rate the Fort Wayne Zoo as first class and one of the best visited. Calling it a "Children's Zoo" is appropriate it is also a "Fort Wayne Audlt Zoo" as well. First cabin all the way!

I’ve lived in quite a few different parts of the country and have went to several zoos, this is definitely one of the best! Especially for the Halloween trick or treating for the kids

One of the coolest zoos I’ve been too. This place has big time animals that makes you feel you’re at a big city zoo. But, you’re able to walk around the whole thing and see everything they have in about a couple hours. Good food options and the staff there makes it a great experience.

The Fort Wayne zoo is set up with kids in mind. All the attractions have great viewing for children of all ages. During this visit found about a ride pass ($20) which you can share which allows for 12 rides at the cost of 10 and it does not expire! This saved us $4. In the African adventure section we rode the sky ride which took us up over part of the zoo allowing for seeing some of the animals from a birds eye view. We also rode the log ride in the Australian outback and the train ride.

Things to watch out for is the cost of drinks and food and too few bathrooms.

We had lots of fun and saw quite a few animals.

We use Ft Wayne as a meeting spot to visit with family. The zoo is always a nice place to start our visit. Mornings at the zoo are not very crowded. The park just outside the entrance is a great spot to have a picnic lunch. By afternoon the crowds start to gather and we usually hit only a few more exhibits before heading to the hotel for a swim. Shady, easy to walk, good variety of animals, brushing the goats always a hit. Expensive to do all the rides and add-ons. Free parking is a bonus.

great variety of animals, log ride and train rides are popular family activities. pony rides and goat petting zoo. great family activity. love it, we go many times through out the season. seasonal zoo passes offer discounts to other midwest zoos. discounts on grandparent season passes.

The Fort Wayne children’s zoo provides great homes for animals, wide open enclosures provide comfort to the animals.but may limit your viewing ability. They have the animals Confort at the forefront and I highly recommend a visit to this family and animal friendly zoo.

My family went to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo when I was a child, and I just recently had the chance to revisit it with my husband. This zoo is also for children at heart. We spent about 3-4 hours there and still didn’t see all of the exhibits. It was a hot day but there are water fountains and food/drink stands placed strategically throughout the park. We especially enjoyed the African Village where it was a baby monkey’s first day in the exhibit. The staff is very helpful and informative. I wish we could have stayed there all day!

My wife and I went to the FW Children's Zoo for the first time without the kids. What a great zoo and they have made some wonderful enhancements. Fun for everyone.

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is one of the biggest surprises in Fort Wayne & is absolutely well worth the stop. The exhibits are well marked & I love the divisions between things & the African exhibit is one of the best I've ever seen. I also like the fact that each area has plenty of places to sit & rest as well as food available throughout the zoo. It's extremely clean with plenty of rides for the entire family & a working farm that is something you don't normally see. With parking free & an admission that is pretty much half of what you would pay in other cities, this zoo is absolutely a place I'd take anyone to if ever I'm in that area.

We loved all the close encounters and zoo is big. My toddlers loved petting the stingrays and i appreciated the variety of their menu

I found the zoo to be charming as it had a little bit of everything. I was however very disappointed that once you got in you had to buy tokens to ride the little rides and train. Why not just charge more to get in? Also I don't know why the skylift was called "Safari skylift" as you only really observe grass and trees. I know ft. Wayne's doesn't have a whole lot to do so it's good for what it is just know you have to shell out more money once you get in those gates.

Not your typical small town zoo. It's almost a mini version of the Omaha zoo but the animals are very close up so you aren't getting out your binoculars to see it all. Cheap log ride and train rides too.

When I think children's zoo I think small and petting zoo with barnyard animals. Well yes there is the barnyard section for that but this is a zoo that an adult can like. Great exhibits great facilities. Fun log ride to go on. Love this zoo been there multiple times a great day to spend with family

We loved this zoo! It is set up in a way for you see every animal exhibit and you never walk far without seeing an animal. No wasted space! The exhibits were nice. It was clean. My husband said “this is the best zoo I’ve ever been to!” I agree! Definitely recommend! We will be back!

The zoo is organized into various animal habitats such the Africa, Indiana Family Farm, the Rainforest, etc. There are several small rides and a sky ride through Africa. The Rainforest has some indoor slides of very large insects and butterflies and it opens up into a domed "rainforest" area with birds and fish, etc. There is plenty of shade so you can go on a hot day and still be comfortable and plenty of benches to sit and rest if you need it. The Fort Wayne Zoo is a beautiful zoo with a more natural look than some of the larger zoo that we've visited. It is truly worth the visit!

A little gem that we almost missed taking in. Very few cons for this zoo at all. There are times within the zoo you forget your in one because it really feels like you're on a nature walk instead of visiting a zoo. Animals are not all visible at all times because they have areas where they can easily hide from the crowds if they want and it all looks like a natural setting.
We did not have enough time to get to the Africa or Central zoo settings but took in the Indonesian Rainforest and the Australian Outback. Both have areas where you can walk into the enclosures and view the animals very upfront and personal without touching them. We hit several times/areas where they were getting fed so that was a bonus.
Only cons we really had were food options were expensive so I would suggest bring your own as long as it's reusable, you can bring it in. No plastic straws or one-use plastics are allowed. If you're going to take advantage of the rides (we didn't), get the tickets at the gate because it was hard to find places to buy the tickets. The rides have long lines as well that we could see so plan on standing in line for a bit if you want to go.
Sting Ray bay was nice but a small area and very crowded - mix that with some pushy people and it didn't take us long to leave the area. If you are coming for this specifically, go early or wait to even get close to the touching area.
No electric scooters available to rent. This is a huge downfall for any elderly person or anyone who may not have the ability to walk as much as this requires you to do so. This is something that every place at this point in time should be offering.
Outside of those few cons, this little zoo is a great place to visit. And, for those wondering, you can come and go as needed so if you want to pack a picnic and leave it in the car until lunch, you can do that. There were many families eating lunch picnic style along the entrance greenway. Will definitely be going back to see the rest of it.

Highly recommend this zoo for all ages! It's rated in the top 5 in the nation. There is an African Veldt, Australian Adventure and Asian sections as well as the normal part with all animals from lions , tigers, kangaroos to giraffes you can feed!

I took my grandkids who range from 12-6 months and we all had a fantastic time! We spent over 3 hours and still didn’t see everything! I bought them a year pass for Christmas and I know they will use it a lot! The zoo was very clean and they were careful about Covid restrictions. What we saw was very educational for the kids studying zoology in their science homeschool curriculum. We loved the kangaroo exhibit. There were 4 joeys that would pop their heads/feet/tails out of mama’s pouch. We packed in our lunch, so I don’t know about the food. I would definitely return next time I am in town.

Amazing settings to see zoo animals. I’ve been coming here for well over 50 years and have never been disappointed. Got to bring my grandchildren. They loved the exhibits.

The FORT WAYNE Children Zoo is awesome.It has a high national rating.It is a wonderful zoo to be enjoyed by yourself, with a date or with family and friends.The admission is reasonable. If you are a locale come see what your city has in store for you...if you are vacationing in the city I highly recommend this zoo....I feel you will not be disappointed.

I'm a big fan of the Fort Wayne Zoo. Best in Indiana in my opinion. The African exhibit is a huge draw with the chance to fees the giraffes. Take your time and you'll have a very enjoyable 4 hour outing.

We are here now. I don’t know what happened but the pizza was straight trash. This used to be a highlight for us but we will be skipping this in the future. Cheese like plastic and all dough. Mine was burnt on the edges.

This zoo is amazing - alot of animals, very clean zoo. You can tell the animals are well taken care of - had a great day! We highly recommend this zoo.

I've been going to this zoo since I was a kid, and its nice to see how a lot of the areas are still the same and feels a bit nostalgic, but they also mixed in some really nice updates over the years. Lots of garden areas that are really beautiful as well, especially in the African exhibit. The walk through rainforest has always been a great immersive experience, and lots of opportunities for up close viewing of the animals throughout the zoo. Love the sea lions, tigers, and the reef area. Kids will also enjoy being able to feed the giraffes up close. Wish they had a military discount however!

We were there as part of the opening weekend promotion. It was a little disappointing that some of the animals were off exhibit due to the chilly weather. That is understandable, but would have been nice if something was posted online when purchasing the tickets or even at the entrance to let guests know that some animals are not on display for one reason or another. Glad we just paid the promotional price as the regular price seems like it is not worth it as this zoo is very small.

Top notch facility. Always improving and adding new adventures! One of our grandchildrens favorite places to go in Fort Wayne. Never disappoints!

We love the Fort Wayne Childrens Zoo! Been taking the grandkids for years. Animal exhibits are very good, and the zoo is always clean.

We love the FWCZ! The African Safari is my favorite part, but the Indonesia, Australian, and rest of the park is themed well too. We make it a point to visit every season, usually multiple times!

This zoo has everything you could ask for. I am 79 and my great grand daughter is 2. We both love it.

I support the zoo and it is a great asset for Fort Wayne. The staff and volunteers are excellent as are the exhibits. We purchase a family membership for our grandkids yearly. My recent visit was not enjoyable at all because almost no one practiced social distancing and hundreds of people were walking around with their mask off or were not wearing them at all. I spent most of my visit avoiding families and groups because they did decided to not wear masks even though the zoo clearly posted that wearing masks is a requirement for entry. There were also several signs clearly stating that in order to enter an exhibit, MASKS ARE REQUIRED! If I had known this before my visit, that so many people would not follow the mask requirement and that there is NO enforcement, I would not have attended. Because of my work, I am in contact with people who are recovering from cancer. I have to be careful for them. I would feel terrible if someone got sick.

This Zoo is so clean and fun. The animals are always happy. The zoo is planned out perfectly. My only complaint is the price for a 20oz coke is 4.29 and a bottled water is 3.99.

This zoo is GREAT for kids!! We all had a really fun time and I would definitely come here again. There is just something about the way this zoo is organized and arranged and how the exhibits are set up... this place is so well put together and the experience was a memorable one.
P.S. we also got to feed the giraffes. I would recommend around 4 hours to comfortably see everything without rushing.

This adorable zoo has been part of my son's childhood and we continue to enjoy it as a family now that he is all grown up. We especially enjoyed the Sky Safari ride in the morning with a bench that seats three. Africa was new to us and worth the trip alone. We saw so many beautiful birds that we had never seen before. Zoo highlights were the bat eared foxes, lions, kangaroos, a friendly ostrich, penguins, porcupines, red pandas, servals, two species of tortoises, white pelicans, zebra, giraffe, and wildebeest. Peafowl roam the zoo grounds, and we spotted chipmunks and Canada geese who also call the zoo home. There is even a botanical conservatory within the zoo and some beautiful birds live in it, plus an aquarium, reptile house, and sea rays. The zoo is for all ages!

We were very excited about visiting the zoo today…. Found it by accident, we were hesitant to go to a children’s zoo.. thinking it was only a petting zoo. We were pleasantly surprised, easy parking, very easy to navigate the entire zoo. Lots of many different animals, some were put away due to the chilly weather at night. A few extras for extra money… carousel, log flume, train ride and jungle gym. A definite great time for all…. Since we were a few adults with no children 😀

I love this zoo more than the Indy zoo! I go every year. It’s beautiful, fun and different. They have different areas with themed countries. I LOVE the Indonesian rainforest. They have birds running around. Australia is another great one. They have a fun log water ride.
I wouldn’t waste my time on the train ride again. Big disappointment. It left the park and went by an ugly pond and circled back. Short and not related to the zoo. I was hoping to see animals or at least ride through the zoo.
Also, the peacocks are free roaming and friendly. We got some beautiful photos of them.

We have been doing this for many years. it is always a real treat. Never hesitate to recommend this to any family with children.

Plan to spend the day, food is available and reasonably priced, but they also have picnic tables just outside the gates if you prefer to bring your own.

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is very family friendly. You can rent a wagon or a stroller at the entrance in case you forgot yours. The zoo is spread out so you never feel over crowded with people even in large groups. My kids enjoy the petting farm where you can feed the goats and the train ride that takes you through a tunnel and outside of the zoo.

I took the grandchildren to our Halloween at Fort Wayne Zoo. It was cold and it was sprinkling but the grandkids enjoyed it. One pays at the door and they give you tickets so you can go to different stations and get candy. The kids went thru a maze, saw a witch, touched a stingray and saw the lion seals. They had a blast. The week before it was princes day and the next day was super hero's day and I missed it by a week. So next year I will make it a point to look at the agenda. When we went it was tractor day. They had them all over the zoo. Come on over next Halloween at the Zoo. You will not be disappointed.

What a great zoo! This place is super clean, and as the name implies, geared towards families. Lots of kid activities, animal feedings, and rides. Includes an area on Africa, Indonesia, Australia, and Farm Animals. Free parking. Lots of food options and clean restrooms. You can get through the whole zoo in half a day. Great family activity in Fort Wayne!

Took my grandson and we LOVED it, from feeding the chickens and goats to riding the train and boats - my little one year old discovered something new around every corner.

The Fort Wayne zoo has always been the city's best attraction, but I wish the changes they have made in the last decade would have benefited the animals more. The are so many species and wonderful sections, but many of the exhibits are small for the animal. The serval and bat eared fox have extremely small spaces. The poor leopard should have more room and enrichment opportunities. With the expansion of the Africa section, I'm still disappointed with the wasted space. The land the sky safari takes up could easily give the animals I listed more room, instead of having a large portion of the land that's rarely used.

We visited with our for-year-old daughter at the end of June. We all loved it! It was not too crowded or expensive. Doing things like feeding the giraffes costs a little bit extra, but it's totally worth it. It was a really great experience for all of us, especially our little one. The staff was friendly, and the place was very clean. We also loved how up close and personal you can get with many of the animals. The kangaroo paddock was especially neat.
Highly recommended!

The Zoo has several areas under construction. One thing added is an area on the train for children in walkers or small wheelchairs so those that are challenged can go on train. Enjoyed the day.

Excellent zoo with clean facilities and a wide variety of exhibits. I have found this to be more enjoyable than the zoos at Jacksonville, Baltimore, Hershey, Toledo and Chicago.

We really enjoyed the Zoo's Glo Wild! So nice walking through the zoo at night, with all the beautiful lanterns. Looking forward to visiting again next year!

Signs everywhere saying mask required but don't expect this to be enforced.
Seeing the disappointment in my 4 and 2 year old grandsons eyes when we had to leave the zoo shortly after arriving because adults could not wear their face masks was heartbreaking. They had their's on and never messed with them once but adults coming in would literally rip theirs off as soon as the walked through the gates. So much has already been taken from them and now this and just because this zoo cannot enforce the rules. Those two precious little boys stood there with their face masks on while the adult zoo managers tried to explain why they couldn't do anything about adult zoo goers not following the rules.
I hope those two adults never get that image out of their minds. I know I won't.

The Fort Wayne Children’s zoo is a great place for all ages to visit. This is one of few zoos in the United States that truly cares about the education of people in the zoological science. Every visit, I learn something new about the research being done at the zoo; and there is constant improvement in the exhibits. Truly a treasure in Fort Wayne!

This year the zoo has some construction going on, but even at that, we've already been there three times this year. It is the perfect size, not too big and spread out. The African section is my favorite part of any of the many zoos that I've been to. The sea lions are another highlight. I can't wait to see what the new river otter and monkey exhibits are like, because each new or redone area has been a wonderful improvement on an already fine zoo.

Love this zoo. A true effort is made to give the animals a safe and friendly living environment. And, the experience from the perspective of the viewer is top-notch. I've been to many zoos across the country. Proud that Fort Wayne's can be considered easily in the top 10. -Paul

I have visited many zoos and I still think this zoo is one of the Top 10's. Easy to get aroung and you don't have to pay for parking.

Can’t wait for it to be back to normal. I knew the birds were put away due to the bird flu, but I didn’t process exactly how many animals would be off exhibit. I also didn’t realize how much of the zoo was under construction. There is only a fraction of the animals to see. And with temps fluctuating less critters want to venture out of their cozy inside homes. The dead end after the bug house that makes you go up the exit if you want to see the tigers was definitely packed and a bit overwhelming. We missed the rainforest and orangutans. We loved seeing new murals, updated paths, and new enclosures (without animals at this time). There was also updates to food/snack areas. We look forward to when flu numbers go down, construction is done, and the zoo has more to see and do. Right now I’m not sure I’d pay full price again for a small part of the actual animals on display. Love this zoo and will definitely be back when things calm down.

Fort Wayne is the second largest city in Indiana, and we are blessed to have this first class zoo. I have to admit that it doesn't come close to the San Diego Zoo as far as size and animals, but for the mid west area, it's hard to find better.

Great animal exhibits, don’t skip feeding the giraffes, it’s a favorite and petting the sting rays! Great zoo with spread out exhibits and very stroller friendly (recommend as there is a lot of walking if wanting to see entire zoo in one visit). There are interactive areas for kids with petting zoo, riding a train, and a sky ride if desired. Food and drink available in different areas and conveniently located bathrooms and even breast feeding privacy areas. Great stop for all. I enjoyed going with just my hubs and and now with our child and other family members!

This zoo was fantastic! The exhibits were nice and the animals were close. The flow of the zoo makes it easy to see everything and not worry about missing anything. There is a great variety of animals. The zoo size is just right, not too big and not too small. Great place for adults alike!

This was our 2nd attempt at visiting the Fort Wayne Zoo. Last fall we tried to go to the Halloween event but it was an unusually nice day and apparently EVERYONE else had the same idea, so we couldn't find a parking spot...so we took our painted faces back to the hotel. :( When we arrived this time, we were worried again, cause as soon as we turned into the entrance we could see that it looked packed. Starting to get bummed, we made our way to the front lot (right in front of the entrance) and shockingly we found a spot in the 2nd row!! Yeah us!! It was $38 for 2 adults and a child. The zoo is broken down into sections, such as African Journey, Rainforest, Australia, etc...
There is a lot of walking but even on this hot day, we found many shaded areas, lots of benches and seated areas throughout, several misting spots and multiple spots to stop and grab a snack or sit down and eat.
We didn't do any of the "rides" but there were options for people who like that: a train, sky ride, log ride, carousel. (Rides cost extra.)
Unfortunately with the weather being so humid and warm, many of the animals were sleeping, or hidden in the shade...can you blame them, though?
The zoo was kept very clean and inviting. We'd definitely go back on a cooler day though.

This is a very nice zoo, and I think you will enjoy going here. The zoo is clean, and the animals are well cared for. No matter how many times I visit this zoo, I always enjoy going there.

We go here at least several times a year and are never disappointed. Definitely the best zoo in Indiana. Make a day of it by packing a lunch or eating at one of the many food areas inside the zoo.

We visited on July 4th, and it was over 90*. It was a great zoo, but we only saw half of it before the heat was just unbearable. All the staff we interacted with were friendly and helpful. I appreciated that we could leave and re-enter.

This is a great mid sized zoon. We loved it all except two things. The train goes nowhere in the zoo.. The food as way over priced.

My grandson from Alaska was visiting. He is three years old and loved our zoo!
From the pony ride to brushing the goats. He loved it all.

We love the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo! We live locally and buy a membership every year! The proximity of the different regionally named areas means you can see EVERYTHING in a day, and leave without being exhausted from walking. There are animals everywhere and there aren’t any gaps you walk where you’re just moving from one place to the other without seeing some kind of wildlife! We also love the rides the zoo offers, and the snack options. We visit a number of times each year and plan to continue to do so!

Great zoo for young children.Most cities the size of Fort Wayne have nothing like this to offer.They offer a fun night for kid during the Halloween season for kids to dress up and see the animals.

This is one of the best small to mid-size zoos that I've ever visited; and I've been to many of them. With the name, I expected a small petting zoo and figured just over an hour. Well... I spent two hours and had to rush at the end. They have 4 distinct sections. 1.) The central area when you come in that has sea lions, penguins, and a farm where you can pet and feed goats. 2.) An African section that feels remote enough that you don't feel you're in Indiana that has a small play area and giraffe feeding. 3.) An Indonesian section with a carousel. 4.) An Australian section where you can touch stingrays. Much of it is shaded by trees; and gives a feeling of immersion. With small children, could spend 3 hours here!

Was a little sad at the lack of animals. seemed like a lot of walking to see so little. We went on every attraction and we didn't see any animals. I would think attractions would have something to look at. The more I think about it the more upsetting it is. None of the token machines worked unless we used our card. While waiting on the train ride we were behind a group of young children all well behaved but confused on where to stand and the guide was pretty rude to them. The younger team members I saw with groups were great! Lots of workers which was nice to see. But as far as animals didn't see much.

Been wanting to bring my granddaughter here for a couple of years. It was worth the wait. The zoo took us a little longer to explore than I thought because it was pretty large. I would avoid the train because it goes next to the lake and the only animals you'll see are ducks and geese. Definitely take the sky safari since you'll get a good view of some animals and the zoo. Get there early, too, because the parking lot fills quickly. Gift shop had plenty of cool items for sale. A must see when you're in Fort Wayne.

There are far more animals than we anticipated with much more diversity than we've seen in other zoos. The layout allowed us to explore and find exhibits instead of just walking around for the day which was so much more fun. Definitely a "go back to" zoo!

Visited the zoo for the Tractor Weekend and my son had a great time seeing the variety of John Deere equipment around the zoo supplied by Kenn-Feld Group, a local Deere dealer. He loved climbing up on all the equipment. Also loved the trick or treat candy stations throughout the zoo. Highly recommend checking out this cool weekend.

Great place to take a date or the kids! The attractions are awesome. Easy to get around and lots to see! If you’re in the fort when the zoo is open...GO!

This is a wonderful place to visit. Very clean and the place is friendly. Love it! There is ample parking. Admission price is well worth it.

Our whole family loves going to the zoo! It is so amazing to see the animals up close! It is a must if you have kiddos and are going to Fort Wayne!

Lots to see and do here. Great interactive areas for small kids. When we visited we missed many animals due to the bird flu, but still enjoyed our time. The stingray exhibit was excellent!!

Great layout, natural barriers instead of fences in many areas. Nice selection of animals. Didn't go to glo, but the lanterns were out and looked amazing.

Had a great time with the family. The park was clean and the staff were all very nice! The stingray exhibit was very cool as was the the giraffes, both with a close encounter opportunity. Super pleased with everything overall. We had a great time!

My family and I moved up to Indiana a couple years ago and we love coming to this zoo! It has several interactive things and as well as up close and personal experience. My daughter loves the carousal, I like the gator ride and her father loves the sky lift. We always ride the train and it's nice that you can see some animals from there as well.

The zoo is easy to get around and every time we have visited, we have been able to see just about every animal. There is a petting zoo/feeding section here too. It doesn't ever seem too crowed no matter when/what time of the day we are there.

It was extremely crowded but that is to be expected on a holiday weekend. It was a nice place to walk and see the animals. They have a wide variety of animals.

Fort Wayne’s Zoo is a great place to visit. It has many different animals, places to rest and eat and kids love all the peacocks running around free.

I love this zoo! It's clean and the gardens are beautiful! The animal enclosures are very nice- natural and wide open.

My children and now my grand children just love the zoo. One is able to get close to the different animals and see them in a natural habitat. We have always had an enjoyable time and where members when our kids were young.

Very nice visit. Clean. Wheelchair addressable. Most of rides were not possible. Spent a couple hours.

Definitely get here early in the morning for less of a crowd. Overall, it was a nice zoo. The train was not open during my visit, but everything else was.

This zoo is smaller but perfect to see many animals without walking miles. The log ride and train ride are our family's favorite rides. You can bring in your own food and drinks. Free parking

Our family has enjoyed the Fort Wayne Zoo for multiple generations now. A must visit! Many families find this a great place to visit. Thanks to those who support its programs, and to Jim who has led the direcction of the Zoo so well.

Fort Wayne zoo is one of the best. It has a great flow. You basically circle the whole thing and don’t have to backtrack. Good place to get some exercise in while seeing the animals. Lions, tigers, kangaroos, orangutans, giraffes, and many more!

The first time I went to this zoo, I expected to spend a couple of hours. I ended up being there 5 hours and that was 20 years ago! This zoo is beautiful. Not too big, not too small. Perfect for a day out with kids or without kids. Many natural settings for the animals. I think its better than many large zoos I have been too. They are always adding and renovating to make it the best zoo experience. So glad its in Fort Wayne!

Took my two young granddaughters to the zoo. The three year old loves it and couldn’t get over the orangutans. It was a fun day trip. The train and log ride were fun.

Great little zoo geared towards kids. Took our grandkids there and they had a great time. Try to get there for the Sea Lion show. Reasonable priced. Don't waste your time with the Train Ride, $2 a person and I can see Ducks at home

If you're in the area for more than 1 days, I would strongly recommend buying membership and going early (members only hours are early in morning).
Train ride was waste of time, do creek ride instead. Pony rides seemed expensive ($6) but we did it anyways.
Head to Indonesian rain forest early as it gets crowded when gates open for general public.

I enjoyed the intimacy and ambience. It wasnt too crowded and there were nice animal encounters. The price was just right.

A great place to spend the afternoon. I've been to the San Diego zoo and although they have more animals, the Fort Wayne zoo has better more comfortable looking habitats. It's clean and beautiful. They have different events throughout the day like feeding the giraffes, seal tricks, and feeding the goats. If you're in the area you should visit, you won't be disappointed.

I have never been to such a wonderful Zoo as this one. The different areas that they have, things for kids to do, it is just amazing! My grandson loves the petting zoo area, the train, and riding the ponies! And watching those penguis, and feeding the Giraffes is so fun. Wonderful place to take the whole family!

What a great time we enjoyed at the FW zoo along with 2 of our grandchildren. There are lots of things to see and do there and we got lots of exercise too. Very cool exhibits.

I love our children's zoo here at fort wayne !!!
It may not be as big as San Diego zoo or other zoos but for me its PERFECT for a day to visit especially with kids in tow :)

Great way to spend a family day. Really good exhibits for a 250K person town. Not pricey and the food is ok.

This zoo was very well-maintained, and had a great variety of activities to interact with the animals. The layout was easy to follow, and the information provided at the exhibits made it easy to identify and understand the animals. Everyone working and volunteering there was super friendly and professional. It was a very enjoyable day at the zoo.

Fort Wayne Children's Zoo has to be the best zoo ever! From all the animals to observe, rides, hands on experiences, sit down to have a bite to eat and drink. Our grandchildren enjoy that we have the grandparents pass and go quite often throughout the year. The membership is well worth it! A must place to stop while in Fort Wayne!

An amazing walk through Africa, Australia and rain forests! Animals are well nourished and act like they would in the wild. Excellent for children and anyone who has a heart of a child! Great place for a walk and for relieving the stress of the day!

I have been visiting this zoo my whole life--yes that long. I,have watched it grow from a very small petting zoo to the wonderful place it is now.

This zoo is so awesome. The animals are more active and well tookin care of than at any other zoo I've been too. There are many exhibits where kids can interact with some of the animals and others you can alot of times actually see up close. Indonesia Rain Forest really feels like your walking thru a rain forest with waterfalls and alot of trees and bridges (stroller accessible) and is alot cooler than any other zoo. The Africa part has mist coming out at the beginning and end, which is also great on the hotter days. Even the Asia part has water squirting out to cool you down. There are so many great things about this zoo itd take all day. I recommend it 100 percent. I'll leave it at that.

We are lucky this zoo is in our home town because is is a great zoo! The rainforest, Africa, Australia and on the farm, my favorite is the goat petting!

Fort Wayne is not known for much, but the Children’s Zoo exceeds expectations. The director and staff have done a fantastic job updating the grounds and adding new exhibits/animals to keep the locals and visitors intrigued. For those who live in the area, the membership is a great way to go. Not only does it pay for itself after just a couple visits, but members also get great deals through the month of September as well as reciprocal zoo benefits all over the country. Happy that we have such an amazing zoo to share with our littles!

One of the best zoos for its size, large variety of animals from all over the world. We have an annual pass that let's us go all the time. You can see the whole thing or just parts if you don't have the time.

The Fort Wayne Children’s zoo is outstanding. Lots of animals that are visible. Little ones can feed the giraffes. Many teaching areas. Pony rides and the train ride are favorites. The best zoo around!

This Zoo is a gem in Fort Wayne Indiana. So well kept and a fun restful place to meander thru. Great family get away!

The zoo is very nice. The habitats are very nice. A nice variety of animals. There is a park next to the zoo with a playground and picnic areas.

This zoo has something for almost everyone. It is clean and well run. The animals are in spacious displays and seem to be very well cared for.

I often brag to out-of-town friends and relatives how wonderful the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is. Honestly, I think they might be limiting themselves by including the word "Children", as it is a wonderful zoo for all ages. I love the fact that, after living in Fort Wayne for 26 years, I've enjoyed the zoo with my children when they were 2-20 years old, as an "empty nester", and now with my grandchildren. The zoo has changed and updated, so it doesn't seem like the same, "old" activity. Besides the fact that we always seem to experience at least one different animal encounter each time we go. I highly recommend this zoo as the #1 attraction to see if visiting the Fort Wayne area.

The Ft. Wayne Children's zoo has so much to offer children of all ages. I have been to zoos in larger cities, but this zoo has more interaction opportunities with animals. It is clean and there is a lot of shade & resting stations.

Although it was scheduled to be only opened partially for trick or treating, the weather was so nice they opened up additional areas. I will go again.

I can’t say enough about the Fort Wayne Zoo!! We were there recently with our grandson and I can’t tell you who had more fun, us or him!! Loved feeding the giraffes and riding the train. So many beautiful animals to learn about and the Zoo has really taken great care to put them in environments like the would live in in the wild. Great place to spend the day!!

Always fun for the kiddos! They love the animals! We go a couple times in the summer and always at Christmas!

I took my 5 and 6 year old granddaughters and was really pleased with all that this zoo had to offer. There was a new adventure around every corner. My granddaughters loved the exhibits and the activities. The admission price was reasonable and the staff were all very engaging and helpful. After reading other reviews I thought it would be a three to four hour visit but ended up being a 6 hour visit and I didn't feel that any of our time was wasted. At the end of the day I asked the girls what their favorite thing was at the zoo.... they both agreed the pony ride was the best part with the stingray exhibit being second. Grandma liked how much the kids got to interact with different animals.

We began visiting this zoo when our children were small; visited many times with my grandchildren; now visit with our great grandchildren. Wonderful experience everytime we go.

I have visited many zoos throughout the US and we are lucky to have this zoo in Fort Wayne. Some of the best exhibits anywhere.

Really enjoyed our visit at the Zoo. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The public areas was clean and tidy.
Large planters including many large hanging baskets decorated throughout the park.
Nice to be able to purchase tokens with credit or debit card. These tokens you can use for special rides or feed the giraffes or even face painting for the kids.
I felt some of the animals enclosures was a bit too small give the animal on display stress. This isn't true for all the animals.
Some of the animals was off display like the Lions. They was at another Zoo out of the country. Also thought it was strange there was no elephants there too.
I wish there was more water fountains around in the public areas like around the bathrooms.

Hello from Fort Wayne locals! 🙋🏼‍♀️

We absolutely love our zoo—it’s been a part of our family’s life for years. My kiddos, now 10 and 13, have grown up visiting the Fort Wayne Zoo, and it remains one of our favorite weekend spots. 🐅

We’ve explored zoos across the country, and this one truly stands out. It’s the perfect size for a relaxed day out, with beautifully themed sections that are easy to stroll through without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. 🦒

Highlights we love:
- Pet a stingray —for FREE!
- Optional add-ons (for a small fee) include feeding giraffes, feeding stingrays, the log ride, and the train ride—always a hit with the kids.
- Oh yes, and there is FREE parking—a rare and welcome bonus!

Whether you're a local or just visiting, this zoo is a gem worth experiencing. 🐒

Went here on a blistering hot weekend day. Good news is the areas of the zoo we visited (Africa) and (Indonesia) were well shaded for the most part and we survived. Was really impressed by the cleanliness of the zoo and the exhibits were in great shape.

For a smaller city, this zoo has an impressive collection of animals and some less common animals that you may not find in bigger zoos. Our favorite part was the African exhibit where you could feed the giraffes for a $1 and we loved seeing the honey badger. Kind of disappointed in the sky tram ride. Only cost $2 per person but it doesn’t have a great view of the zoo from above and was kind of boring.

Wasn’t crazy about the token system to feed the giraffes, ride the carousel, or sky tram. Instead of just paying the employee for these extras, you have to buy tokens first from a machine, then give the token to the employee. I get why they do this to keep better control of the cash but it is kind of annoying. Maybe you could buy the tokens at the front gate when paying your admission. Maybe you can do this already but we were never informed of this and there weren’t any signs saying we could do this.

The worst part of our visit was the food service. Long and slow lines at the Indonesia area restaurant and neither the African or Indonesia area restaurants are enclosed. This means on a hot day you are stuck eating outside and you don’t get a chance to cool off while you are eating. Didn’t go over to the Australia area, so if the restaurant over there is enclosed and has a/c, I apologize but there were no indications on the zoo map, this restaurant was any different.

Cost to visit is $14 per adult and $10 per child. Under 2 is free. A nice plus is parking is free.

I was pleasantly surprised with this zoo. A nice layout, not overly big and overwhelming, a great place for a half day outing with the kids. Some areas are under construction (Presenting: the North American Construction Worker!) which actually gives a person a rather "pro-active, expanding and moving towards excellence" kind of vibe. The kids noticed the absence of bears of any sort but this was made up for by some hilariously active orangoutangs and energetic barking seals. Choose from three rides: a ten minute "dug-out" canoe ride, a short train excursion, or an overhead African safari tram ride. The walks are nice, the gardens and water features tastefully done. Not Henry Dorley but i don't think one will be disappointed.

One of the best zoos I’ve ever visited. Many different areas to explore along with some fun rides for the kids.

The last time we were here was about a year before Covid started. So plenty has changed in that time. They still have rides for guests like the carousel, sky safari ride, crocodile creek log ride, and the train. Guests can also feed certain animals like giraffes, goats, and stingrays, or ride on pony’s. Be sure to stop by their concession stands for a pretzel or something to drink. They have a large variety of animals throughout the zoo. This place is ideal for small children and families. In order to exit the zoo, you’ll have to pass through the gift shop.

It has been years since I took my own children, so our trip last week was like going to a new place. It is perfectly named — my two-year old grandson was thrilled to see so many of the animals from his story books come to life. Feeding the giraffe was amazing, He had such fun in the petting zoo feeding the goats, watching the kangaroos hopping, the zebras grazing and the tiger in the Australian Adventure put its nose on the glass opposite where my grandson was standing. The grounds were well kept, the attendants were helpful and the layout was easy to follow. We were there about three hours and saw all of the attractions. Many memories were made that day.

Recently moved to Fort Wayne and had an amazing experience at the zoo! So much better than zoo’s in much larger cities. Definitely recommend

Got to zoo shortly after opening. Great signage to zoo. Very affordable! Great zoo for all ages. Would visit again if in area!

We went here on our way through to stretch out legs on a road trip. It was supposed to storm but we took our chances. We ended up having a wonderful time. Minimal people so much less crowded. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the animals. The zoo was very clean and the animals seemed to be very well cared for. We spent about three hours there and has a great time. The bathrooms were very clean and they all had changing tables in them. We purchased the souvenir cup and refilled it for 99 cents per refill. We also were able to get coffee and popcorn. All sections of the zoo were very clean.

We saw a show of the sea lions which was so fun to see. We were able to feed the giraffes for 1.00 for a leaf of lettuce. There was also a sting ray tank which the kids got to touch the stink ray. It was a very interactive experience. One of the best zoos we have been to.

The gift shop was wonderful. We were able to get Polynesian flutes. They were really cool and beautifully made.

Very large we ended up getting a membership, so many things we can come back and see. Our kids really enjoyed it

If the most wonderful sound is the sound of a child laughing, this is where you want to be. Kids start enjoying themselves the second they walk through the gate and smile throughout the zoo, making Mom and Dad smile too. Feeding a baby giraffe made my day.

The Fort Wayne Zoo is a very interesting zoo, clean and the animals are lively. My family and I go there every summer. It is affordable. Plenty of parking. We also like the rides. The sky line, train through the amazon and the boat ride are so much fun and my family never gets tired of doing them. Highly recommend this zoo. The Carousel is especially fun. Only negative would be that the food can be expensive, however, you may bring your own food and picnic

Best Zoo, a must visit if visiting the Fort! My three daughters and I visit the zoo a few times month!

If you want to spend some relax time and know amazing thing, The FT Wayne children's zoo is the ideal place for do it. The zoo has different activities for knowing a lot of thing and in this season open until 7pm, nice he¡¡

I love this zoo! It is a very nice one the flowers and other landscape it great. Walking around the safari loop is fun. I was pretty much handicapped acessible. There were a few of the doors that didn't have buttons to push to open doors for people on moterized chairs. The favorite animal that my grand kids liked was the red panda. They had some new babies for us to see also. It is a nice sized zoo.

took 4 grandkids, spent 6 hours. Amazing zoo. We LUVD the orangutans. They cam right to the window. The little one super cute. Ride the ponies - the kids really liked - I know it costs extra but hey. We did the train and fed the giraffes. Petting the rays is hard for little ones as the rays are always too deep. Play in the creek. Just an overall fantastic experience

Special needs son loved the train ride, we went on it three times, staff was friendly and knowledgeable.

I had not been to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo for over 25 years but made a visit a few weeks ago. It has grown in size and they have added many new exhibits. It ranks right up there with Zoo's in larger cities. While we were walking through the section with the lions, zebras and such there were times I felt like we really were in the jungle; no other people around and a jungle like atmosphere. If you have children there are attractions just for them. The Fort Wane Children's Zoo is not just for children and a visit is a day well spent.

Great zoo. Plenty of shade while walking through on a hot day. Lots of food spots, but you can also bring in your own.

We had such a great time on our class field trip to the FW Zoo! It is very easy to navigate with young children. We were able to see the entire zoo in one visit. All the exhibits were very nice and the kids especially enjoyed the petting zoo and sting rays. We will definitely be planning another visit!

I love the Fort Wayne area. While visiting my son & daughter-in-law, they decided to make a day trip to the Children's Zoo as They had only lived there a year and hadn't gotten to visit. The last time I went to a large zoo was when I was a youngster living in the Chicago area and went to Brookfield zoo. I was pleasantly surprised at the size of this zoo and the variety of animals from lions, tigers, bears, monkeys and even a large section you can have a close up personal interaction with kangaroos!

Even though it rained the entire time, my adult daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit last week. The grounds are so thick with vegetation and tall trees that we never really got wet. I feel this provides a wonderful, more natural environment for the well being of the animals. The free parking lot is close to the front gate and has picnic tables, Restrooms are easily located throughout the zoo. Although I have been to numerous zoos, I was excited to see a lynx, ostrich, wildebeest, prairie dogs and great white pelicans for the first time. I highly recommend you visit.

Me and my children enjoyed a day at the Fort Wayne's Children's Zoo's Halloween event. It was quite cold but that's Indiana weather for you. The kids got treats and got to play games. My only gripe was that there were not more animals to see. It would have been neat to have a behind the scenes but that might not have been safe but still it would have been neat.

4 generations went to the zoo on Saturday and it was a disappointment as the lion exhibit was closed, there were most exhibits where there were only 1 or two animals. The giraffes were active and most of the walk was in the shade! Expensive food and the Australian adventure was lacking

My family and I decided to make a last minutes trip Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. The extended summer hours allowed us to take our time and enjoying all exhibits at the zoo. My kids enjoyed seeing all the animals, feeding the giraffe, and so much more.

If you're a member of the zoological society you get a discount to the Fort Wayne Zoo.

We decided to go on all the rides the zoo had to offer but unfortunately it did not add to the experience because you do not see any animal on the rides. Ride costing $2 per person (2 tokens) I would except more.

Overall we enjoyed our visit and look forward to coming back.

So much to see, do, and enjoy! We have been here many times and get a family membership every year. This is a great place to take you kids and enjoy the entire day or even if you only have a few hours to do just one section of the zoo. This is the best zoo I have ever seen with some many animals and things for our kids!

We love visiting this zoo! We hadn't been for two years and nothing really seemed different but we love all the rides and activities. Yes, you pay extra for those items but it is an affordable museum. We have the children's museum membership in Indy and was able to get half price off at this zoo.

My children loved the pony rides. I love the crocodile water ride. The goat area is a favorite as well. The set up of this park is perfect. We really like the several different sections and how it is laid out.

The only issue is the bees. There isn't much a zoo can do about it but you can't even enjoy a one minute lunch without them coming for you. My daughter ended up getting stung in the goat area. She was walking and not even bothering them. We still had a great time.

My husband and I (in our 60's) love to visit zoos when we travel and recently visited here in late May (with no kids along). We thought this was a very good zoo for its small size; we spent three leisurely hours there. We appreciated the free parking, very reasonable admission cost, and nicely landscaped areas throughout. The zoo map suggests turning right at every path intersection to follow a loop to see it all without backtracking; this worked great (wish all zoos were laid out so smartly!).

The African Journey habitat is a very nice naturalistic area to stroll through on level paths. Unfortunately, the giraffes were completely hidden behind a grove of trees when we walked by. We also really liked the Indonesian Rain Forest habitat, especially the Jungle Dome Aviary, where we are able to view orangutans right up close. We enjoyed the variety of primates we saw at this zoo. We were glad we stopped here.

Fort Wayne has a top notch zoo. It is very difficult to see everything in one day. This year our company hosted their summer picnic at the zoo. It was a very nice experience for children and adults. The kids loved "petting" the sting rays, riding the ponies, taking a sky lift over the African Safari, and walking through the rain forest. We go at least once a summer if not more. If you are from out of town, it is a must see!

Children's zoo is fun for little ones that don't have access to animals in their everyday life. If you live in the country or outside Fort Wayne on a farm not quite as important. My grandkids love the out of the ordinary animals that you don't see on a farm. The stingray exhibit could have been built better so you could actually touch them. Been spoiled by Motes aquarium in Sarasota.

Well worth the membership if you are going to go more than a few times within the seasons. The other benefit to a membership is if your kid gets cranky halfway through the day, you can always leave and not feel like you are wasting money.

The zoo itself is very clean, updated, and contains a large variety of exhibits and animals. The volunteers are helpful and always close by.

Also, a helpful tip is that if you are in before they close, you can stay an extra hour after. For example, during the peak season (Memorial to Labor), they close at 7pm, but if you are in before that, you can stay until 8pm!

We went to the zoo after our state tournament in August. Ft Wayne has a very nice zoo. It wants confusing to get anywhere you wanted to go. We went to the giraffe exhibit and actually was able to feed the animals. Overall it was a fun exciting experience.

You can not ask for a better place to spend time with your kids or grand kids than at the Fort Wayne children's zoo. They do a great job with interactive displays and special learning kiosks for all ages. Highly recommend getting a yearly membership with 2 guests. Then spend 3-4 hours at a time visiting different parts of the zoo and the kids will not get that tired. You can also buy the pass mid summer and you use it for a calendar year. So go last half one year and first half the summer next.

Rated 4th best zoo in the United States ? Yep, right in my backyard! How lucky am I . I will say this beats out non children zoos as well. If you’re around or not around this area you won’t be disappointed . The zoo most importantly is a non for profit with volunteers everywhere. The zoo is very clean and very easy to navigate throughout the sections . For two adults , two kids 4 and 6 and a baby it was 50.00 . The day we visited someone previously through a rock through the lion exhibit so we couldn’t see them that day .many restrooms, and food stands throughout so no worries. The have a main area for eating as well . The attractions are plentiful such as riding pony’s , feeding the giraffes, the train which goes around a large body of water , a water log ride , ski lyfts etc. the great thing is everything from food, to attractions the gift shop etc uses them so at the end of the day you have left over coins you can use at the gift shop when you walk out or save for another visit . You can use money or every machine throughout will take credit cards as well. I’m not going to go in great detail about the zoo, it is just amazing ! It is way better than the Atlanta zoo . I will say if you’re an aquarium person , you won’t see much but this is a zoo . I forgot to add if there is no parking at the main lot there is parking across the street (very short walk) another major thing I must mention.....you can bring coolers as long as they’re not on wheels and you can bring you’re on radio flyer wagon to wheel your kids around in ! I will post pics as well.

Our family has been frequenting this zoo for several years. Our son is almost 5 and has probably been to this zoo 75 times. We were disappointed when they got rid of the pony rides, but they put in a brand new red panda exhibit which looks amazing! They also took out a old pond and are putting in a new playground area that looks really nice. The have a number of rides, train, carousel, lift and boat ride. These rides are not part of the admission fee. The animals always look healthy and seem to be taken care of. This is a definite must if traveling through Fort Wayne with a young family. You can walk through in 1/2 day. If you are going to reside in Fort Wayne, buy the annual family member. It is well worth it. Parking is free. Five star review from me has to be absolutely exceptional, so I didn’t think it deserved the 5 stars. However, that didn’t mean it’s not a great zoo.

I love this zoo. I can't say enough about how great they are at making sure there are interesting things to do for kids of all ages. It took us about 3 1/2 hours but we saw every exhibit and rode the train, ponies, carousel and ate lunch.

We arrived 15 minutes before opening and this seemed to be perfect as it was very crowded when we left.

There is a wide variety of animals and it seems they have more than larger zoos. There were many helpful and friendly people at exhibits to tell the kids about the animals.

I have a 18 month old and a 9 year old and they both had a good time. The extras like the train and carousel were not over priced so I was happy to say yes. I haven't been in years but it has continued to improve and we will be back before too long.

We drove 2.5 hours to come to the zoo. In the past I rated the zoo a 5. Not now.

The lions and several other animals were off display. Many others were no shows. All hidden in nooks and crannies that you can not see them. I call that bad habitat design.

The captive food prices are ridiculously high. $4.30 for a 20 Oz bottle of pop. $8 for 6 inch pizza.

Then a lot of the food places were closed.

Also a lot of the bath rooms were closed

This zoo is nice for the smaller set. Lots of interactives. Plenty of animals that the kids can see up close. I am disappointed however in the size of many of the enclosures. Many larger animals were in enclosures that were tiny. The alligator looked like he could barely turn around and several larger mammals had no room to run. Meanwhile some animals had huge enclosures for relatively smaller animals. The staff was friendly and the zoo was clean, just felt sorry for the animals.

Used my annual membership (grandparent) to take two other seniors for the afternoon. The weather had not warmed enough for ALL the animals to be out in their cages,but most were out and active. A great place for animal-lovers of any age. Clean, beautifully landscaped, easy walking,informative signs, expanded parking (free). Rides are reasonably priced, but food selection is limited and not cheap. Picnic tables outside the zoo.

Very fun friendly environment, animals are well taken care off, all of the rides are functioning. Recommend the boat ride, my daughter loves it!

I took my grandchildren, 2 & 4 along with my mother, age 85. It was easy walking for all. We could get close for viewing.

Amazing zoo in Fort Wayne, easy to access and very reasonably priced. Local families would be wise to buy the family plan, which pays for itself in no time!

We looked forward to our visit with family but were very disappointed to find out they only provided wheelchairs that need pushed. The lack of electric scooters made the visit uncomfortable and difficult for everyone in our group. Be sure to take your own scooter if you need one!

Great zoo with plenty to see and do. Feeding the Giraffe's was an awesome experience as well as seeing a variety of other animals.

This zoo provides a great experience for a smaller city of 240K. I've enjoyed it as a child and now with my own children for 45 years. And although it does not include some of the largest mammals such as elephants, rhinos, polar bears, etc., It does have giraffes you can feed, lions, tigers, alligators, and hyenas! You can also get right in with the goats and brush them. I still enjoy this at 53. You'll spend a few hours here if you take the time to explore the whole zoo.

As a note of advice, I recommend visiting later in the day when the heat is lower and she shadows start providing shade for the animals. It's also feeding time for a lot of species. The crowds are also much lighter. Take your own drinks and snacks if you like.

This zoo is probably more exciting for younger children, but if you kids like animals, I highly recommend it. The zoo is regularly updated and well kept. We've gone to many of the much larger zoos in the region, but we still love this smaller scale zoo.

Fort Wayne has an awesome Zoo! Great for people of all ages. Lots of awesome animals to look at and a great petting zoo.

This zoo is the best I've seen for children. The land space for the animals is good, the education level is good and to feed a giraffe if priceless. I don't care for the amount of space the Sea Lions have but all in all, it's a great place to visit. It's also not so big that you can't see it all in a day. In fact, you'll probably be done within 4 or 5 hours and see everything. I highly suggest the walk on the trials rather than just riding the jeeps since you'll see much more. It really is worth the trip and don't forget to drop a few dollars in the donation bins if you can. It's a fairly cheap fee to get in as far as zoos go so help however you can.

For years I have wanted to visit this zoo, but hesitated to make 2 hour trip from Indy given we are members of the Indianapolis Zoo. Today, though, I met up “half way” with my girl friend visiting family in Fremont, Ohio. We left the kids at home to spend time catching up. What a lovely place! Our highlights were the very chill kangaroos that you can walk right next to. The sky ride reminded us of our youth riding the one at Cedar Point.. but this one had better scenery and was round trip. We walked for close to 3 hours to see the zoo, enjoying it the whole time. I will return with my kids for the log plume ride and the sting rays..plus just to experience this whole zoo. Very relaxing spot. Animals there looked pretty content. Great volunteers.

Took my wife to the zoo that I went to as a kid. It was still as good as ever but not as epic as it was when I was a kid. They have changed some of the exhibits and rides. Looking forward to taking our kids to it one day.

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo has been around for generations. Today I went with my grand daughter and her husband and my great grand daughter. I remember taking my children here and each generation has remained a great experience. This is still a fun family experience. Clean, educational, easily accessible and inexpensive. Highly recommended

Our three year old loved going to the zoo. Every animal she seem was so cute according to her haha always a good time.

Fort Wayne, you have such an amazing zoo! Thank you for allowing us to experience it! Such a nice layout and so many unique animals (bat-eared fox was among our favorites), plus whoever was running the background music was 100% on point. We got a reciprocity discount with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. This zoo was 1000% worth the visit while we were in the area.

I knew Ft Wayne had a zoo but had no idea until this year how wonderful it was! It’s a perfect size for young children and seniors! I think we walked about 3 Miles at a nice leisurely pace! Great food at each section! For locals is definitely worth a family pass!

This zoo was just incredible to our family! They have a lot to do for the kids and adults! The log ride, train, sky lift, carousel, pony/ horse rides, petting Zoo & face painting!!! It does take a long time, if not all day to see everything so if you go, go kinda early. This zoo was the highlight of our Indiana trip. Tons of animals to see and this zoo is very nice! I have no complaints about it, we can't wait to go again!!! Lots of good memories! A+++++++++++

This is an excellent Zoo. Very interactive scenes. A good amount of animals. Takes hours to go thru. It has different Lands, Australia, Africa, Indonesia, etc.

I have never went to a zoo that had so much interaction with the animals. Children can feed the giraffes, you actually go into the kangaroo habitat. It is cool.

Going to the zoo is always a treat. They have a wide array of animals throughout the multiple “themed” sections of the zoo. They give each person a metal washer for you place in certain bins. Each bin will represent a different animal. I think it’s used to see if there’s an animal that’s really popular with visitors. Grab a map to help you navigate the zoo so you don’t miss anything. Theirs plenty of food/drink locations throughout. They also have different rides you can take. Some of the popular ones include the train, sky-lift, and the log ride.

Immaculate zoo with beautiful habitats. We have visited many zoos and this one was a great surprise. A beautiful African exhibit with a created stream throughout. Waterfalls. Animals appeared to be in good health and active. We enjoyed seeing the African white pelicans - a bird we had not seen at other zoos.

The zoo is great. We buy season passes each year. If you go a few times, you certainly get your money’s worth. It’s perfect for families with children of all ages. There are several rides available, as well as other activities for children. They’ve completed several different projects to add to the zoo. One of the newer attractions is the Bamboo Forest.

The landscaping with all of the natural shade is very well done so don't be afraid to visit on a hot and sunny day. It's a pleasing environment to immerse yourself in. The zoo is just the right size to see absolutely everything and not have to wear yourself out.

Parts of the zoo were under construction, but we really enjoyed the new(ish) sting Ray exhibit and getting to try to touch them

Our zoo is the best around. The facility and animals are clean and taken care of.
The kids love it. I wish members could get in quicker.

We love going to the zoo just as a date! Our toddlers love feeding the giraffes and riding the rides. The aquarium is our son’s favorite!

We had a great time at the zoo with our first grandchild. The zoo staff and volunteers made it a special occasion.

The zoo is very well maintained, well staffed and is absolutely great. The rides, animals with free roaming space, rainforest area and everything else is worth your time. We enjoyed it tremendously

this is a great zoo. it's great for a family day trip it is educational and they have different attractions to ride

I love Fort Wayne Children’s zoo. I have been to many zoos across the country, but this one is my favorite. You can actually see the animals and the peacocks roam freely. The temporary exibit of “The North American Construction worker” with signs of “Do not feed/tease the workers” is a brilliant idea! I purchased a grandparent’s pass which was a decent price. The one thing I did not appreciate was the $2 to ride the train or log ride. When you’re with grandchildren and on a fixed income that can get expensive quickly. Apparently others also thought that because I did not see many riding the train or logs when I was there. They also need more drinking fountains. Except for the expense and water fountain problems, I love this zoo!

Such a great place. You can really enjoy a large variety of animals and adventures. Bring the kids pack a picnic and enjoy yourself. Very nice park on site.

I took the kids to our great Halloween Zoo. Saturday was super hero days. We ran into Batman, spiderman, Elsa and others. Also had pretty decorated pumpkins. They had a haymaze, lots of pumpkins to select from to take home. Thanks to all the volunteers for all those hours you have put into this. The kids enjoyed the Sting Ray's, the fish and the peacocks. Oh let's not forget the train ride. Also the candy you passed out....see you next year. We also had beautiful weather.

Spent a Saturday morning at FW Children's Zoo with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson.
Many things to do at the park. Please take the time to let your kids ride the ponies, ride the train and visit the African Veldt.
You definitely need to bring extra money because the rides mostly cost $2 each,but are well worth the money.
There is a wonderful aquarium and Australian exhibit. So many things to see and do for adults and children.

There are zoos everywhere. And I mean everywhere. And we visit so many every year. So when I tell you this is a great zoo, it really is! There are so many photo ops around the zoo so if you like taking pictures like I do, this place is a gold mine. Touching the stingrays was one of my son's favorite things. There are a ton of animals and different activities. You could easily spend all day here. And a bonus, the price is the same as all those little zoos that don't have nearly as much stuff going on.

Great place for kids & adults alike. This zoo is both entertaining & educational. Plenty of zoo staff around the grounds to explain different exhibits, give directions, help with feeding some of the animals. There are snacks, drinks, souvenirs, train rides, up in the air glider rides, log rides down a waterfall. A top notch location to take
grandkids for a couple of hours. Rental strollers & wagons available....or bring your own. Lot’s of healthy, well taken care of animals.....some small, some very large. One of the best zoos in the Midwest.

We've been visiting the zoo for about 20 years, and it hardly looks anything like it used to back then. Every year, exhibits and attractions are being added or upgraded. If you haven't been there in a while, go see what you're missing.

It is such a joy to go to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. They have a nice variety of animals. On hot days it is nice because the zoo is very shaded.
I try to visit at least twice a summer.

Great family oriented zoo. Designed with children in mind I have been going there my whole life. Good zoo, great price.

Fort Wayne has an excellent Children's Zoo. My grand children go there often and it is a perfect place for little ones. We love it.

We always love this zoo, and during the pandemic was no exception. Social distance markers a plenty, and “mask required” reminders posted. There are a few interactive kid spots and photo op spots closed currently, but major food stands, aquarium, rides, and sting ray bay all open. The current hours without a membership are noon to five during the week, and when we arrived around 1PM on a Thursday, we had no line at entry. The bees are starting to show themselves, but it’s just that time of year in this area- they love all of the zoo’s flowers! Also, I’m a sucker for the pony ride as a mom- the ponies are so sweet and gentle, and the zookeepers are always brushing and bathing the ponies❤️ they also have a log ride, ski lift type ride, train ride, and carousel

It is a really nice zoo. A lot of attractions for the kids. Sky Safari and Australian Adventure are really fun!! Kids had a blast!

This zoo USED to be so much fun. Our grandchildren couldn’t wait to get to the horse/pony area to ride. We used to spend a fortune, but to see their smiles and joy, we would have paid anything. But then, the “powers that be” decided that the horses/ponies weren’t worth the trouble, for some inexplicable reason, so now….the kids don’t even want to go. Very sad, and a terrible decision.

I was charged twice and paid almost $60 for pretzels and drinks. I’ve made 3 calls and an email with no response.
I’ve been a member for 10 years and have spent a lot of money there but because of this experience I won’t go back.
It’s a very nice zoo but I’m so disappointed in how I was treated

This is such a gem of a Zoo! So many activities geared towards children and it's still interesting for adults to go to on their own.

what's not to love!! the animals, the staff and the overall experience is wonderful. One of the best places to visit in Indiana

Awesome overall zoo and the price is hard to beat!! Had toddler who loved walking most of the time and there was so much for him to see and interact with.

This is a wonderful zoo! There are many areas to explore that can easily take a few hours of your day. There are so many cool animals! A lot of the animals are interactive and the landscaping is very nice. There is a decent food selection as well.

This is a terrific large hands on zoo! We don’t live far away from this zoo and we are spoiled by what a great experience we have each time we go. It perfect for young children as well as teens there are so many ways to spend the day!

I am continually surprised at the size and quality of this zoo for being in a smaller city (compared to say Chicago, Indianapolis, etc.) like Fort Wayne. I would say it definitely rivals the zoo in Indy. Plenty of activities for the whole family and they're always adding new exhibits or animals. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area and also it's cheaper than the Indy zoo with just as much to see and do!

This zoo had nice winding paths to travel to different “zones” on how they’d grouped the animals. They had a range of animals and seemed like they were well-kept. There were plenty of places to stop for bathroom and waters or snacks. We did also get to feed the giraffes!
It was not busy for a Sunday morning. It was just hot and humid for a morning trip to the zoo.

Loved it. Especially like how it is easy to get around the whole property in one day by taking right turns. We really enjoyed the boat ride. My favorite animal there would be the red panda. Very cute. All the water was crystal clear in all the exhibits. I can tell it is well managed and the animals are happy and healthy.

Three generations visited the zoo and from 1 to 61 all enjoyed the day. You can get really close to the animals which excited the one-year-old. The three year old liked feeding the giraffes the best. Highly recommend!

I spent an afternoon at the zoo this week, and enjoyed it, as usual. The Sky Ride was fun, and the river otter was out swimming (sometimes he is sleeping). The zoo staff was great, and always helpful. I might go again this year for Zoo Halloween. Fort Wayne is very fortunate to have this wonderful asset.

Great clean zoo for families. Sky lift, train, log ride. Food, fish, wild animals. Get close to the giraffes. Take your family today.

We usually get a season pass for the zoo because it’s so big you can just go to one or two areas each time you’re there. It can get tiring if you try to squeeze in the whole thing at once. Also the Halloween trick or treating at the zoo is a lot of fun. They have a sky ride and the carousel is pretty cool too. Our six year old enjoys every visit.

Lots to see and do. Bathrooms are everywhere. Very kid and family friendly. Many plants with pretty paths from one exhibit to another. Lots of shade and some water misters to cool hot, humid days. The log ride is fun at any age. Definitely something to see if you are in the area.

Excellent Zoo and always improving!
A must see for children. Lots of animals and your able to see them in their enclosures. Some zoos you can't see the animals, not the case here!

After years of wanting to see this zoo we finally made a trip to Ft.Wayne and we were VERY impressed!

This is definitely not just a kids zoo...it's one of the best zoos we've ever seen and well worth the $14 admission.

First, we really appreciated the free parking and how close it was to the entrance. Then we encountered the friendly staff which we found throughout the zoo which made our day at the zoo even better. We also really liked the interactive elements of this zoo... there were several places where you could get up close and interact with the animals like feeding the giraffes, "petting" stingrays, or getting close to the monkeys and "communicating" with them.

The layout of the zoo is very good. Well landscaped pathways leading you through the park and make access to the exhibits very easy... we were impressed with the beautiful flowers, shrubs, and ornamental grasses that created a more intimate experience. The landscaping at the zoo is like a botanical garden and by itself would be worth the trip.

There were plenty of "resting" areas with benches and tables and chairs. The concession areas were very inviting, clean, and blended in nicely with the layout of the zoo. We didn't eat at the zoo but they offered a nice variety of items at prices that were typical of captive venues.

There's a train (extra cost) that goes around the park and a large lake that looked like fun but out time didn't permit going on it. And there's a log flume water ride ($2/person) that goes around some of the park and exhibits that my wife and daughter went on and liked it.

We spent about 4 hours at the zoo but could have spent all day...there's so much to see and do... we'll definitely be back.

The animals are all in natural environments and maybe that’s why they rate it as a top zoo but there wasn’t much there. The giraffes did not come out to feed and so that was one of the big losses. The petting of the stingrays was the highlight of the day. There was maybe two animal shows and you had to be there at a certain time, so we missed those also. There is construction going on, right in the middle of the zoo so you have to wait to see what they are going to put there, monkeys I think. We have been to some of the best zoos in America and this one was a waste of our money, sorry. Chicago is too great zoos and the binder Park zoo in Battle Creek Michigan is really nice also. If you have kids you can ride this nice scaled down train, that goes out into a woodsy area not really around the zoo, it’s really more for kids. We had no kids with us so maybe that’s why it wasn’t that fun. Enjoy

I'm an enormous fan of zoos and try to go to as many as I can, and this was one of the last zoos within a few hours of me I had left to check out. For a while the name 'discouraged' me because I had assumed it was a petting zoo. But after researching and having gone, the term 'Children's Zoo' should not be a red flag for anyone, it has just as much as any other zoo of it's size (if not more), and nothing about it seemed to be 'brought down' or overly childish.

A lot of popular animals like lions, giraffes, zebras, sea lions, otters, and orangutans as well as a few rare ones. This is the only zoo I know of for several hundred miles that exhibits Spotted Hyenas, and while the Toledo Zoo has Tasmanian devils you can get much better viewing of them here. Most of the exhibits are spacious or at least adequate, and virtually all of the animals during my trip were active and seemed healthy.

The only thing stopping me from giving five stars is that a handful of animals didn't seem to get equal treatement. The Komodo Dragon quite literally lives in a box, and one so small it looks like it can barely turn around. Some of the birds (notably the owl) live in cages so small they seemed almost unable to move around. The bat-eared fox exhibit was also quite small, and what was most troubling was a tiny, empty exhibit that I assumed was once for some kind of small monkey, only to discover later that it once had a leopard! If the zoo ever plans to exhibit leopards again, they should really invest in a much larger living space.

Secondarily, while entering the indoor 'asia' area, I saw construction for an exhibit that I assumed was an outdoor orangutan yard. After leaving however, it seems like they might be adding clouded leopards there instead. If that is the case, I really hope the zoo considers adding an outdoor yard for orangutans if they don't currently have one (I could not find one). While they have a surprisingly spacious indoor exhibit, I can't help but feel like sunlight and fresh air would really be nice for these animals.

Lastly, there is no zoo map provided for visitors or avaliable anywhere on the grounds for reference that I could find. While I assume this is because the smaller scale of the zoo makes it easy to travel it all, I could easily see visitors missing certain sections if they weren't aware of them.

In summary, a surprisingly good zoo and a great experience, but a few animals seemed to not be receiving the space they should have.

The zoo was under construction. The animals were visible. beautiful leopard and red panda's. For the most part a typical zoo. Parking walk was long.

Took our two grandsons on a cold blustery day. Dressed appropriately for the weather and enjoyed ourselves. Rode the train, fed the goats, rode the merry go round and warmed up in the rain forest.

I may be biased, but I just love our zoo! It really is easy to see why it is one of the top rated in the country. I think they’ve done a great job maintaining a natural environment in the exhibits for the animals. I always seem to learn something new while I’m there. I recommend going on cooler days or later in the afternoon when the animals are more active. A season pass is also a great deal for families who like to make multiple visits during the same season. If you’ve never been during Halloween, that is a must!

Wonderful zoo for all ages. We've been to many zoos across the USA and this one holds it's head up high for variety of animals, cleanliness (bathrooms also clean and modern), helpfulness of docents, seats and shade. Set up so kids and adults can see the animals.

This zoo just keeps growing and improving with time. Plenty of family friendly fun to be had here. The admission is a little pricey, but if you're in Ft. Wayne the membership pays for itself quickly. Also has deals for members from other zoos, so if that's you, check it out.

Great zoo, lots of animals to see. My daughter loves riding the horses & ponies. Do miss the bat exhibit though. My kids also love the aquarium building & rides

Because it is called a children’s zoo I was hesitant, but I was completely blown away and so pleasantly surprised! This zoo is by far one of my favorite zoos I’ve been to! We go to a zoo in all the new places we visit every year and this is my all time favorite so far! We have a 2 and 4 year old who had an amazing time here! It really is great for the whole family! We all touched stingrays (and got to watch them be fed!) saw sharks in their aquarium area, saw the otters get fed (so cute!) we went on a rainy day and it turned out to be the best day to be there- no long lines- it felt like we had the zoo to ourselves and all the animals were out and moving around! It’s a very clean zoo, restrooms were all clean, food was GREAT, staff were all kind and helpful and the exhibits had me blown away! It felt like a new experience in each section! I can’t wait to return for the newest addition when it opens! They have an area under construction and I’m certain once it’s done it will be even more amazing! We got to use our zoo card to get a reciprocal discount for admission! We were here 3-4 hours and didn’t get to see everything- it’s much larger than it looks from the outside front gate and what most people would expect from a “children’s zoo” we all loved this experience and wished we could have stayed longer!
We will DEFINITELY be back again!

Our zoo is a top of the line zoo with many animals. It is clean and well cared for. Average visit time is 2 hours or more. So much to see. Landscaping is very pretty too. We go often, because we always get a yearly pass.

Lots of animals. Something to see at any given spot (not a long walk between exhibits like you find at some zoos). Fun for all ages. My kids loved it as young children but still enjoy going with the family as young teens.

So happy to have such a great zoo in our home town. I love that they are always making improvements to the animals enclosures. And the staff seems to genuinely care for the animals. It’s a great lay out, they do a great job at utilizing their space. We have visited some bigger city zoos and while its nice to see some animals we don’t have at our like elephants, we find ourselves comparing them to the Fort Wayne Zoo and in some areas falling short.

My son loves visiting the zoo, as do I, but my wallet does not. Admission is reasonable I would say at $15 per adult and $10 we child but then you have to purchase over $20 in tokens to be able to participate in the extras like pony rides, train rides and log rides etc. food is expensive so I would plan on eating elsewhere. The exit is through the gift shop so be prepared to make a purchase there too. Overall, a great zoo with lots to see

A great place to take the family and talk about the animals. They have so many different exhibits to see along with different things to do! The newest greatest thing watch petting the stingrays!

This is one of my favorite zoos. There is something for everyone of all ages. There are rides, animals to pet.

Just spent a day at Ft. Wayne Children's Zoo with the 5yr old grandson. What fun! He absolutely loved it and wanted to return the next day. This is a great zoo to see in about 4 to 5 hours time. You have an opportunity to see the entire zoo before you get tired of being at the zoo. The grounds are nicely landscaped and well maintained! The zoo is constantly upgrading exhibits to keep them in good condition. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, they have extended hours and you can leave and return the same day with your receipt. Parking is free. What else could you ask for?

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is a great place for a family trip. For a smaller zoo, they have a wide variety of animals including a small aquarium. The animals seem to be well cared for and are fun to look at. Attractions at the zoo include feeding giraffes, a sky rail, a train ride, and a log flume ride. There is a small food area inside the zoo but there are also picnic tables outside the zoo to eat before entering. There are several bathrooms throughout the zoo that were nice and clean. The zoo also provides “mommy nooks.”

I visited with my mother and 2 daughters (6&9) I've been to this zoo plenty of times, not much has changed. But it's still very enjoyable for the whole family.

I love this zoo! It is so family friendly and fun while being educational! There are indoor parts and parts in nature. The landscaping is beautiful and the people are friendly and helpful. We always take a picnic and eat before we go in to see the animals. The grandkids love the petting zoo, too!

We visited last year and loved this zoo. It says it is a children's zoo but my college daughter and I loved it. It was great for a fall day visit with family. Staff was great and animals seemed very well taken care of. Will visit again when time permits.

I have been coming to this zoo since I was learning to walk. I have enjoyed bringing my own kids since they were tiny. Last year I discovered they have Dolewhip floats. Let's be honest the only reason I renewed my membership this year is this. My kids could have gone either way. Don't get me wrong, the zoo is awesome. It is one of the best I've ever had the privilege of being able visit! Yet, the dolewhip gets this mama eager to take the kiddos all summer long!

We have had the opportunity to visit this local gem several times with our grandchildren in the past 3 years. What a pride and joy for the Fort Wayne larger community. Great to be able to feed giraffes.

Great zoo for younger kids. The zoo has a lot of attractions but is easy for kids to walk. The rainforest is our favorite.

It is very clean and the animals are well taken care of.... Don't miss the Giraffes, you can feed them lettuce....they are beautiful....upclose....

One of the best children's zoos in the country. A couple of recently updated exhibits have provided some interactivity with the animals. There's a handful of rides but the classic train ride is still the best. Seal feeding time is a must catch. For adults you should try ZooBrew which takes place in August each year. booze, food and animals. A can't miss

We get a yearly grandparents' pass and then are able to visit the zoo for short or long visits. All the areas of the zoo are very well done. You can visit Africa, the rain forest, or Australia or do all in the same day.

My husband and I enjoy visiting zoos and have visited several zoos around the area. This zoo is by far my favorite. I like that the layout helps to keep everyone moving in the same direction which makes it feel less chaotic. It also makes it easy to know that you have visited all the exhibits. They have several rides and ways to interact with the animals. The prices are comparable to other zoos we have visited as well. It is a great way to spend the day. It took us about 2 hours to walk the entire zoo.

Nice clean zoo has lots to do and see my kids just love this zoo the different areas to see keep you busy all day.