Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

It was my first time there. I have been hearing a lot about this place from my daughter who has been living out here for many years. She always wanted to get me there and she and her fiance got me there. I absolutely loved it. We spent the entire day there just immersed in the fish and animals. Even though there was construction going on, it was still a very special day. I learned some interesting things about some of the animals which was a true benefit. The place is exciting, busy and well worth going.

Staff is nice. So much is closed or under construction. This is pretty small for what they charge. The now have reciprocity with other zoos. A few years ago the lost their accreditation. Tigers, lions, elephants are there right at the beginning. The aquarium is nice but not amazing.

If you end up spending over 5 hours on your first visit here, you know it was a good time. What i loved most was how well the enclosures were made in natural environments. It was like walking through nature while stopping to view a variety of animals. Kyle really enjoyed everything as well. The layout is really well thought out. A couple minor drawbacks were highly congested areas that just didn't have much viewing area for the crowd mass. It was busy and very congested in a few areas. We also waited 30 minutes for a pizza order. Otherwise overall great visit, well worth the price of admission.

We go to the zoo often, and try to go to at least one of their special events. This year we did the Jackolantern Extravaganza. While there were no animals to be seen, the event was still fun and had something for everyone. Activities for the kids, all the shops and food stands were open, many with special treats just for this event. The most incredible part, the part everyone goes for, was the Trail of Jackolanterns. Being our first year, I didn't know what to expect. I was SO pleasantly surprised. The work, the artistry, the absolute pure talent that was on display was amazingly shocking. Honestly, I thought tickets were a bit pricey for what we had experienced up until then, but the Trail made every penny worth it. While amazingly incredible, I can't say that this is an event that I would attend more than once. But the one is worth it.

A Perfect Family Day at Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is a wonderful destination for a full day of family fun. From the moment you arrive, the experience is stress-free—especially with ample free parking right near the entrance. The zoo is beautifully laid out, making it easy to explore with kids. There’s an incredible variety of animals to see—from majestic elephants and playful sea otters to exotic tigers and colorful tropical fish in the aquarium. The exhibits are thoughtfully designed, giving you an up-close view while also teaching about conservation and wildlife care. Families will especially love Kid’s Kingdom, where little ones can climb, explore, and interact with animals in a safe, engaging environment. The paths are stroller-friendly, and there are plenty of shaded spots and seating areas for breaks. The aquarium is a highlight on its own, with fascinating underwater tunnels and vibrant marine life, making it feel like two attractions in one. Throughout the day, you’ll find snack stands, picnic areas, and even places to grab a meal while still enjoying animal views. Overall, the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium offers a perfect mix of adventure, learning, and relaxation. With free parking, friendly staff, and activities for all ages, it’s an easy choice for a memorable family outing.

Very easily walkable zoo, absolutely beautiful and not too huge. We've seen it all in 2 hours. The highlights for us were sea otters, the cloud leopard and everything at the aquarium. No long lines at the entrance, you can buy tickets online as well.

I thought the zoo was laid out and flowed nicely. It was clean throughout. Some parts were closed so had to go backwards through the part we just went through. There were some staff around certain exhibits to talk about them and answer any questions, i thought that was very informative. I can definitely appreciate the free parking and i would definitely recommend purchasing your tickets in advance.

Excellent, well-kept zoo and aquarium. Parking is free and plentiful. Lots of walking, as any large zoo is. Grab a map at the front as its a little maze-like. Other reviews said to buy tickets online, and we did, but there actually was no line at when we got there at opening. There is an area near the center of the zoo with multiple places to eat and sit and there are two stores. One for the aquarium and one at the front of the zoo. I wish we'd looked longer at the aquarium one because there were very little options at the main store. Highlights were the gorillas, elephants, sharks, and giant anteater

I came here for my birthday and really enjoyed the experience! I was impressed at the sheer amount and types of animals they had and found the pathways fun, peaceful, and pretty straightforward. The aquarium was a tad underwhelming seeing as it's right there in the name, but they did have a cool big wall with various fish, eels, leopard sharks, and black tip reef sharks, which was cool. The mini aviary and bat exhibit were also super cool. Unfortunately, the butterfly house was closed when I visited, but I'm sure it's beautiful, and while initially unfortunate that many animals were not out due to the mid-day heat, I'd much rather see them being cared for than neglected. Also, with that said, upon a second loop through as the day began to cool, most of them were now out! We had brought a water bottle, and I greatly appreciated the water bottle refill stations provided throughout the park. Food was about as expected--good but pricy, but scratches the itch, and if you have kids, theres some really cool playgrounds that I'm sure are a blast for them. We also did the Ice Age exhibit, which I found to be super informative and fun. The animatronics look and sound awesome and the plaques weren't too short or too long given how many animatronics there were.

While the animals were a joy to see, the zoo layout and high food/drink prices make this an only okay zoo for me. I recently moved here and have been making my way through some museums/parks/etc. in order to decide where I'd like to get an annual membership. Long story short - this isn't it. Let's start with some positives: parking is free, it's very stroller/wheelchair-friendly, and there's a wide variety of animals to see! The info plaques are surprisingly good, and I like that there's an aquarium inside. If you bring a water bottle you can fill up at the water fountains! I saw a fair amount of family restrooms and the map says there's two areas for breastfeeding. Some less positive notes: it's a rough experience on humid & sunny days, the tram (which I didn't realize costs $ until the end) only comes by every 20-35 minutes, and the food is Disneyland-level pricey. I would love for there to be more signage once inside, and I wish the major dining area wasn't over half of the way through the zoo! There seemed to be one major walking route, and I was STARVING by the time I made it to the dining area. My chicken tenders and fries were so-so, I wish I packed myself a picnic from home instead. I did really enjoy the red panda and the elephants, but I was so overheated by the time I got to the kids zone that I beelined my way back to the car.

The zoo was wonderful! If you're going on a Saturday on the nicest weather day of the year, get there and be in line when they open. It was soooo crowded. Also, if you have a rad pass you can head right to the entrance. One of the employees told us if we have a rad pass we had to wait in a very long line for the ticket booth, which ended up not being accurate. Regardless, the zoo has a lot to offer. I loved that the zebras and giraffes were in view as we ate lunch on the patio of the grill restaurant. The elephant area was really cool. We were so close to the elephants! The only two things I didn't enjoy were the aquarium and how few bathrooms there were. The aquarium was not my favorite because it was just way too crowded and there wasn't any crowd control around the penguin exhibit.

First time going and I had a great time. Did go during one the busiest weekends around (or so I was told given the weather), but it was still a great time. Sooo much to do and see. I will be back to see parts that I miss

This is my 2nd and hopefully last visit to this zoo. The First Time I brought my kids, the second time I brought my grandkids, and remembered why so much time had elapsed. You do NOT get your money's worth here, the enclosures are small and lack any kind of sufficient room. The animals we did get to see were great...Giraffe, Zebra, Leopard, and the Apes were hilariously entertaining. The aquarium and bird sanctuary were fairly pathetic, you expect to see all kinds of larger amazing fish yet the first half was fish tank fish. The sharks were baby sharks, and the exotic fish weren't that exotic. The penguins were adorable, the polar bear was in its enclosure which means we didn't get to see it. The vast majority of animals that you go to see in a zoo were either hiding inside or off to the vet. The prices were astronomical (like most things now) and nothing stood out that day. If you have trouble with walking up hills this isn't a zoo you want to visit! Such a disappointment.

We visited on a Saturday and it was extremely busy. There were a lot of animals, reptiles, and fish missing. A lot was being renovated during our visit. They have a lot of shady spots to sit in if you get too hot.

The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium was founded in 1898. It houses over 8,000 animals from over 600 species. Animals include elephants, giraffes, lions, tortoises, tigers, cheetahs, komodo dragons, red pandas, penguins, sharks, eels, etcetera. Please note that during the winter, many of the animals are inside buildings to keep warm and thus are unable to be seen. This zoo and aquarium is open on most days of the year. Tickets cost $0-$32, depending on customers' ages, and parking is free. You can buy tickets online. Several private animal encounters are available, and they cost additional money. This zoo has a few gift shops and a few restaurants. The stores sell reasonably priced souvenirs such as kids' t-shirts and stuffed animals. Most recently, my husband and I ate lunch that consisted of fries and chicken tenders. These foods were a bit pricey but tasted very good. I have been a customer of this zoo many times in the past decade. Overall, I think that this zoo is not quite as large as some other zoos but is good. The animals' enclosures could be larger and more enriching, but the animals do appear to be healthy.

I haven't been here since I was in kindergarten and I was surprised how big it was. We went recently for the festival of lights, which they did an incredible job with!! They had a lot of variety with their displays, and it was cooling seeing a couple animals (red panda and caribou). I do think it was just slightly overpriced... if they maybe had the aquarium open, I think it would be worth it more. There were food and drink stations open, and there were a couple interactive displays, which was great!!

Lovely time at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Conveniently located about 6 miles northeast of downtown Pittsburgh. Lots of free parking available in their main lot. Visited on a hot Sunday at around 1pm it wasn't too crowded...better than I expected. Admission is about $20-28 per person for timed tickets. There is a slight variation i prices depending on day you visit...weekends are typically more as opposed to during the week. Also the "flex" ticket option which is untimed, costs the most at $32 for adults. Free for children under 2. Lots of great exhibits. The zoo is fairly linear and you can see most (if not all) the animals and exhibits following the main path. Lots of great animals to see...some highlights include: Seeing the tiger on the rock near the waterfall, the open kangaroo area which allows you to get up close to the kangaroos including a baby kangaroo, the aquarium with a large central tank featuring lots of animals including zebra sharks, another large tank on the bottom level of the aquarium featuring a massive arapaima, the gorilla exhibit with the younger and baby gorillas and the seal area during feeding/training sessions. For those with children, the children's play area is great with some great obstacles for them. Lots of food shops around the zoo selling drinks and stadium-like foods($6 drinks, $15 burgers, $15 chicken tenders). There are also a few souvenir shops...some interesting things in there but I couldn't pay $12 for a fridge magnet. Of interest, I found that some of the animals were taken inside during my attempt to see them again at around 4pm. Particularly the tigers and lions. It could be due to the hot day but something to keep in mind if you plan on visiting later in the day. The zoo is very well maintained with lot of staff around to help and teach you.

Perfect Sunday Funday at the Zoo! I haven't been in years, so it was nice to visit one of my favorite past times. It was pretty hot so most of the animals were looking for shade and kinda just laying around. However, the elephants and zebras were very active! Apparently they love the heat! I was said that it was too hot for the polar bears, so I didn't get to see them. But, the penguins were out being playful and active. The train, tram, VR booths were not operating so it was disappointing we did not have a chance to experience any of those offerings. Overall, I still enjoyed my time with my family and got to see a lot of cool animals. Plus, I met my step goal for the day, lol.

Honestly this zoo made me feel more sad than anything. We were hoping for a fun day but left kind of disturbed. A lot of the animals didn't look like they were doing well. One of the turtles had a deformed shell or something wrong with its legs. It looked like it needed real medical attention. The elephants were skinny and lifeless just pacing around in a dull enclosure that felt too small for them. It looked like they were starving or stressed. In the aquarium we saw a dead fish just floating in a tank like no one noticed or cared. A bunch of the tanks were outdated and dirty. No clear info, barely any lighting, and nothing felt interactive or taken care of. Then there was the giraffe. It was just standing there in the heat under one tiny tarp. That's literally all the shade it had. No trees, no structure, nothing. Just a single tarp like a beach umbrella. It was sad to see. The only good parts were the otter and the hippo. The otter was playful and energetic and the hippo was cool to see up close. But that's about it. Everything else either looked miserable or forgotten. The zoo itself feels old, underfunded, and like the staff just go through the motions. It didn't feel like a place where animals are cared for properly or where visitors are meant to actually learn or enjoy anything. Don't waste your time here. If you want a real zoo or aquarium experience go to the Adventure Aquarium in New Jersey. It's cleaner, more modern, and actually makes you feel like the animals are being treated right. Pittsburgh Zoo seriously needs an upgrade or an inspection.

The admission was 50$ for my husband and I. We took the escalator up and as it was a very hot day we got something to drink at the first spot we saw on our left. 15$ for a bottle of water and a souvenir cup slushy. The grounds of this zoo were very clean. Animals looked healthy and happy. It was a really hot day and there are alot of hills, so if that's not ur thing there is a tram w multiple stops throughout the zoo. Aquarium very cool also. Bathrooms were clean and stocked. Pros: animals looked healthy and well cared for, grounds and bathrooms were clean, the employees we interacted w were cordial. Aquarium was cool and a refuge from the heat. Cons: no options for snacks that consist of fruit or no smoothies or juices available. All options except water seemed sugary or starchy. Fruit stands would be a great idea. The monkey exhibit wasn't accessible and the first girl we bought the drinks from had 0 interaction. We typed in order and she made the slushie, sat it down and went and hid in the back w the other girl. At least say thanks, have a good day, enjoy, something. Will come back definitely. But will bring my own snacks and water jug. Would recommend .

We just did the Ice Age experience at the Pittsburgh Zoo! So much fun and very realistic. The animatronics are a sight to see. Opened April of 2025.

Absolutely stunning.  Truly gets you in the holiday spirit.  The Pittsburgh Zoo, Holiday Glow- Fest is a must during the holiday season.  Tickets can be pre-purchased.  The lights are stunning and there are gorgeous handmake silk and steel lanterns that guide you through the Zoo.  Snacks and drinks are available for purchase.  There are a few animals on display as well, so you actually do feel like you are at the zoo.  A very magical and memorable experience.

Came here for their Jack o lantern extravaganza. Tickets were $25 online with a $3 service fee. It was extremely packed and there was a long line to get in. The Jack o lanterns were so creative and whoever carved them is so talented!! There were a lot of different types of Jack o lantern displays throughout the first half of the park and one area had lights flashing to a song playing which was so cool! There were some activities advertised online that I was not impressed with. There was a corn maze but it was extremely small and only one way so not really a maze. There was also mini golf, but in a small space with plastic hockey sticks it looked like. Face painting was over $10. If you're not a kid, these "activities" would be pretty underwhelming. We wanted to get hot chocolate since it was very cold and the line was very very long so be prepared to wait if you want food or drinks. The animals weren't on display except for the red panda that was running around inside its enclosure, so don't expect to see animals if you come to the extravaganza.

I have a tough time with zoos. I love seeing the animals but then I feel guilty the whole time I'm there. Most of this zoos habitats seem appropriate. Some could use some extra space in my opinion. Event wise it depends on the event. I loved the Chinese lantern festival and thought it was very beautiful. The drive through Christmas lights were okay. For the price I thought there would be a lot more. I loved seeing Santa at the end though!

With all the cold days in December, we alway look for a place where we take a walk when we see a sunny day. We picked the Zoo yesterday, a wonderful choice. Though we did not stay back for the light show, we enjoyed our visit to the zoo. Nice place for a quiet walk.

The variety of animals and the zoo keeps are kind it is very organized the mobile scooters and other wheels are amazing but no cheap but safari wheels is still nice

This is a nice zoo! Definitely great for trekking through. Can see pretty much everything within a couple of hours. We stopped here a couple weeks ago on a road trip. It was easy to navigate and see most of the animals. The weather was excessively hot, so there were a handful that weren't out. There was a spot where you could get a handful of food to feed the fish. The penny crusher machines are a go to any time I visit a new zoo. So I added another penny to my collection. The young lady working in the petting zoo area was very kind and willing to chat with us about the goats there and some of the other animals around the zoo. We didn't get food here, but the souvenir cup with red pandas on it is super cute! Would definitely go here again, preferably when the weather isn't as hot!

Went two years in a row to the Asian Lantern Fest. Last year was good but this year was even better. It's such an amazing event. We went on Friday night and couldn't have picked a better night. It was warm and not raining. They are so creative in all they displays they made. They're all so colorful and vibrant. They stick to both the zoo and Asian Lantern themes. You see all kinds of animals represented and you feel like you're in Asia. The fireflies and the whale were our favorites. We also liked that some things were animatronic. So well done! Can't wait to see what next year brings!

This zoo is very Russel approved, very enjoyable :) The wilderness must be explored!

If you're in Pittsburgh, definitely take some time out of your trip to check out the zoo & aquarium! The staff are super friendly and helpful when it comes to directions and interesting facts. We went during their Earth Day celebration, they had a lot of fun interactions! Definitely recommend going when it's not raining and cold though due to the animals not really enjoying the cold weather.

Great setup for a zoo! I wish the animals had a bit more space but I say that about all zoos. Pittsburgh was great though. Utilized their space well & went the extra mile to beautify their grounds. Felt bad for the elephants. All 6 were locked inside when I went & their cages were filthy & they were so bored. Give them a ball or something to stimulate their brains. Polar bear needs a friend. She's almost 30 & looked miserable. The glass in all habitats needed cleaning. Could not see the primates at all due to filthy glass. Otherwise, every other habitat looked great! Also, they should honor all out of state ebt cards, not just PA. Overall though, a must do in Pittsburgh!

Ok, I need to mention this ... I was eaten alive by mosquitos or other biting insects. I had on shorts, short sleeve shirt, tennis shoes. I went to urgent care 2 days later because I self diagnosed cellulitis or Lyme disease. Thankfully neither. I have gone to the Asian Light Festival for the last 3 years. (Never got bite up before) Each year, there are new displays. We arrived at 7:30 pm. Sunset was at 8:00 pm. We wandered around the area by the escalators waiting for sunset. A friend of mine was on a first date. Lots of families. Was worth the $45 entrance fee for 1 adult 1 senior.

Like any other kid raised in Pittsburgh, I have so many fond memories going to the zoo! From field trips and going with friends, to visiting with my nieces & attending Zoo Brew, I've been to the zoo countless times. The zoo is huge and has over 4,000 types of animals. Even when it's incredibly busy, it doesn't feel over crowded. I especially love the elephant exhibit! The aquarium is really cool too, always love seeing the penguins. There are plenty of dining options and play areas for children. The zoo itself is clean & the animal enclosures look taken care of. There is ample parking but lines to get in can be long so be prepared if it's a nice day. They are strict about gate closing times though. Like one time, they let the people in front of me in at 4:29pm and then wouldn't let me in at 4:30pm, even though I was literally the last person in line lol. *cue crying kids* The zoo always has cool 21+ events so be sure to check in out their website. Actually, always check out their website because one time I went there on a "warm" winter day thinking it was open but it wasn't. Overall, the zoo is a Pittsburgh must-stop for people of all ages!

Visiting family from out of state and decided to stop by. Zoo hours state they are open until 5:30 and we got there around 2 and were told that should be enough time. Paid $94 for our family of 5 to enter. First thing we noticed was that everything at entry was closed.... The food Booths and things. The gift shop was open so we went in to ask to sign up for trolley but was told it was not running today because of an event they were holding at night. They had pumpkin/jackolantern things set up all throughout the zoo but a lot of things blocked off stating they were setting up for the nights event. I don't know if they prevented us from seeing anything because this was our first time to the zoo and we were getting turned around a few times. There was no lion in the line exhibit, there was no rhino in the rhino exhibit, there was no giraffe, no polar bear. There was a lot of cool things to see but kind of disappointed. The big animals were missing so we would go up and read the sign and take some time to try to find out where they were in the enclosures but found out for various reasons, they were not in their enclosures or not being exhibited ‍ We paid $145 to feed our family at their only open food place up at the top of the zoo next to leopards. we hurried over to the aquarium after eating hoping the last 40 mins of our time would be enough only to be notified the aquarium closes at 5:15 so we kinda got rushed out of there and sadly when we got down to the polar bear (wanted to go to the spot you can go under the polar bear while it swims above) they were closed too. Wish we could've allocated more time to enjoy the day there but we've been traveling for a week prior to getting down here and it was all the time we really could have. So 3 hours is not enough if you'd like to see it all FYI and count on everything closing at 5:15. And maybe call ahead if your kids are excited to see certain animals to make sure they're there. Beautiful walk to take through forestry area even without animals. There's also a hiking path for those who have way more energy than me lol

First time back to the zoo in over 10 years. Great day taking a family from the UK through. Even though it says to allow 2 to 3 hours, and we did not dawdle, except for a pitstop for lunch, we spent 4 1/2 hours there. So be prepared to do lots of walking. Depending on what time of day it is, you can see different animals so sometimes if you loop back, you might see some animals that you missed on your first way through. For example, none of the tigers were out when we entered, but when we left, both tigers were out and easily seen. I particularly enjoyed the anteaters who were bathing, the otters, the beavers who were having a training session, and the meerkats today. The elephants and the giraffes are always a treat. Speaking of treats you can order your lunch online and go pick it up because because if you wait in line, it is quite a long wait. But the portion of chicken tenders and fries was large for $14.99 and much more than the six-year-old could eat. We also bought our tickets online so all they do is scan your phone when you enter, which also saves time. Parking is free which is nice. Both the zoo and aquarium are nice and it looks like they are right now making some upgrades, especially to the aquarium section.

The Pittsburgh Zoo is always a great time. I haven't been there in a while and decided to enjoy a leisurely stroll around the park on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in March. Lots of the animals were outside also enjoying the sun. I got there at 9:30am, when the park opened and was glad I decided to go early because when I left around 12:30pm there was a massive line. It's amazing how the zoo has been upgraded over the years. There are several food choices. I just wanted a quick snack and found "The Beer Den". The zoo took the old bear habitat and turned one into a cool beer and snack hang out zone. Cute idea!

You will see lots of animals, the exhibits are great. The upkeep is obvious. The refreshments are fair. It is a full days journey once you start. It is not easy to cut your trip short and the path to the exit is not marked. Be sure to have a map and plan accordingly.

It was one of the hottest days of summer but my kids requested a trip to the Zoo so we went! I should mention we do have a family pass so deciding day of a trip works for us. The Zoo was setting up for the Lantern festival so it was an extra bonus to be able to walk around and see some of the decorations. My kids love the aquarium and we were lucky to see the Polar Bear swimming! So much fun. We stayed a bit longer this time and they got to play at both kid playground area. They had a great time. We always enjoy spending time at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium.

I've definitely been to better zoos. They had a lot of areas not open. We waited an hour in line today just to pay to get in. The line to every place that sold food was so long. There seemed to be some event going on so maybe that's why the lines were so long, not too sure though. I've never been a big fan of the Pittsburgh Zoo but wanted to take the kids to see the animals.

I honestly didn't expect much. While the Pittsburgh is ranked 15th in the U.S. with 475 species, our visit occurred at the tail end of a long road trip during which we visited America's 5th-ranked and 9th-ranked zoos in Toledo and Cleveland respectively. Surely this wouldn't be as spectacular of an experience for a tired family after seeing much larger zoos on the same trip. But as we progressed through the extensive grounds, we began to realize that this zoological park was actually superior to the more heralded Toledo and Cleveland experiences! You get so much more bang for your buck here! The carefully designed layout, a collection of very rare animals, the plethora of food options, and the added bonus of a stellar aquarium all make this one of the greatest zoos we've ever visited. And we've toured most of the major zoos in the United States! There is sufficient shade for hot, summer days, clever displays and habitats for the animals, and meandering little secret pathways deep into the zoo. But you're not reading this review to hear about the elephants and giraffes, because that doesn't make a zoo special. You'd be far more intrigued to hear about some of the rarest animals in the world on display. We viewed incredibly rare species even on a warm day because of the park's strategic use of shade and glass enclosures for the animals. Highlights included red pandas (about 7,000 left in the world), black rhinos (fewer than 7,000 left), ring-tailed lemurs (fewer than 5,000 left), a Komodo dragon (fewer than 3,000 left), Siberian tigers with cubs (fewer than 1,700 left), Visayan warty pigs (about 330 left), and Amur leopards (about 220 left). These are some of the world's rarest animals, and all were easy to view. With other zoos, we simply experienced empty cages and animals hiding out of view. And the aquarium alone would have been worth the price of admission! With its mesmerizing fluorescent moon jellyfish, massive arapaima, leopard moray eel, and other exotic fish and mammals, the stunning indoor display is a nice relief from the outdoors if it's cold, hot, or rainy. Take it from someone who has now visited 23 of America's 25 largest zoos. Pittsburgh ranks right up there with the greatest like Omaha and the Bronx. It's a stellar experience! The only improvement they need would be more employees working the front gates. At 10:00 a.m. on a weekday morning when most people are at work, there was a small gathering at the entrance of about 50 people. But it took over an hour to process all of our tickets with only two of the eight ticket windows open. Frustrated, I finally ordered tickets online and approached the employee scanning QR codes for online purchased tickets only. And with that, our long wait was over. But even QR code scanning took 10 minutes to process five people! So be patient getting into the zoo because they haven't figured out how to streamline this process in 2024. But once you're in, you'll witness one of America's greatest zoological parks! Tip: Even though their closing time is listed as 5:30 p.m. daily, the front gates close at 4:30 p.m. and everyone must leave the park by 5:30 p.m., so plan accordingly. I saw a number of people fooled by the closing time who were denied access at 4:31 to 4:35 p.m., so be aware of this.

Went to the Zoo this past Monday for my friends birthday, she has never been and the last time I was I didn't get to see the whole Zoo. I purchased the tickets the night before just in case it was busy. It was not but it did speed up the process a little. It was very enjoyable. My friend loved every minute and we both loved the hot dog basket that was from a place in the Safari area. Fries were crispy and hot. There was not a very long wait for our food and we were able to cool off inside. When we did have to ask a couple questions, staff was very informative and friendly.

Got experience the Asian Lantern festival at Zoo for 1st time. Wonderful experience, scheduled entry times on tickets kept attendance manageable - it never felt crowded. Displays were impressive. Food & entertainment were throughout the park. Well done, Pittsburgh Zoo. The only negative of the evening is that the parking lot lights kept turning off, and it was a very dark night.

The zoo is always a fun experience, in my opinion. To get into the zoo, you have to go up a large escalator. If you are afraid of heights, either don't look down or up (lol) or take the elevator. Anyways, once you make it to the top, you're in the zoo! The walkways are wide and paved well and it's easy to follow the path of the zoo. The zoo is divided into different sections with lots of animals to see. There are also kid friendly things to check out along the way. They have a few concessions and I believe they serve alcohol too. Overall the zoo is a great experience! I most recently went for the Asian Light Festival and it did not disappoint!

I actually didn't go to this zoo for the zoo. I went for the Asian Lantern festival. It was $20 entry for this showcase and well worth the price. The groupings and configurations of lights was beautiful and amazing. And there was SO MUCH OF IT. Every time I thought the show was over, I'd turn a corner and there were a bunch more displays to see. It was great. What was not great was the masses of people with their children and strollers. It was hard to navigate around and get photos unimpeded by children...and adults who have no sense of self. I went around 8:30 and was surprised there were so many kids there. I'd suggest a curfew, like no kids after 8pm. It's about to be dark at 5pm, so families would have 3 hours to jam each other up... Another thing, there was beer available, but the lines were ridiculous. I would have more folks serving to clear the lines out. Otherwise, definitely recommend checking out this festival. The lanterns are bomb.com.

I love this zoo, but after our 3hr trip out I was highly disatisfied. I had check several times to see if they were participating in Museums for All, and even called to confirm that they do give discounts for certain programs. After arriving and going to pay for tickets with my ID & program card that I could use for discount to be informed I couldn't get the discount unless I was from PA. I told the girl this was not what I was told literally days before deciding to take my children to the zoo. Yes I paid the $100 to take my kids, but unsure if we will be back. When people call and ask you should give the correct information.

The Asian Lantern Festival is AMAZING!! Second time going this year and we were so impressed again. The hard work that goes into this festival is unbelievable. It's so fun to take your time and walk through and read all the signage and see some animals along the way. Dress warm and enj This is a festival that we will go to time and time again.

It is very early in the season, but the weather was perfect to take my grandson to the zoo. It was great. We knew some things would be closed due to the time of year, but many still open. I also know the staff has been sad due to the recent loss of some animals, but they were visible and kind and lovingly caring for all of the current zoo animals. Most were active and fun to watch! Can't wait to go back when more things are open in the spring.

Fantastic Zoo! Good prices too ($31 for 3 of us with Cbus Zoo discount). There were quite a few animals out (tigers, lions, ostriches, otters, and more). The aquarium was AMAZING! It is enormous with a wide variety of fish, shark and different kids of tanks (some small, some huge). They also had an indoor area with lemurs, gibbons and such. The kids area was closed (not surprised, too early in the season). Overall, everything was great! The bathrooms were fairly clean, shops were cute and many fun photo ops too! We love this Zoo!

We drove about two hours to get to the zoo. When we arrived, there was a technology outage, and entry was cash-only. We were distressed as we were $10 short. Standing with my wife, I wondered aloud if someone might help us, and we could PayPal them the money. As we stood there, trying to figure out what to do, a gentleman named Calvin, who was on security duty at the zoo, overheard us and approached. He asked how much we needed, and when I told him $10, he handed it over without hesitation. When I offered to PayPal him the money, he insisted it wasn't necessary, told us to have fun, and walked away with a smile. I was genuinely shocked by his generosity. In a world where everyone is trying to get ahead, it's rare to encounter such selflessness. I asked another zoo employee about Calvin, and they confirmed he's a fantastic guy. This experience truly made our day. Calvin's kindness didn't just solve our immediate problem; it left a lasting impression on us. If anyone from the zoo management sees this, please know that Calvin deserves a raise. He's a great representation of your zoo and the kind of person who makes the world a better place.

This zoo has just about every zoo-ish animal, from the heavy hitters like lions and elephants down to owls and beavers. They have a very large variety. It's 4 stars for that, but I'm kicking it down to 2 to emphasize the below issue. tl;dr it's not 1920 fix your tiny cage sizes If you research modern recommended minimum cage sizes for pets such as guinea pigs, you find that the average pet shop cage is a fraction of that minimum. For example, a teddy bear hamster should have a cage at least 3 feet long. That's no surprise when you look at it from the perspective of what a hamster might want instead of what's cheap or established practice for humans; if you consider that hamsters having brains and feelings, or that they can run six miles in one night. If a simple 2-inch-long animal that runs an average of 3 miles a night in the wild needs 3 feet of space, how much space should multiple extremely intelligent 20-foot-long animals that travel up to 30 miles a day have? Take one look at the elephant enclosure at this zoo and you will know the answer is "a hell of a lot more than this." This zoo is a private non-profit organization, so I can't say they're just moneygrubbing (or can I? what are the salaries). Their 2021 annual report shows about $7 million more in revenue than expenses. I don't know what things cost or where the extra goes. Elephant habitats are surely the most difficult and expensive to expand, and it even comes down to the question of how much land the zoo owns. (On this note, zoos cannot adequately provide for elephants, which is why zoos like the Philadelphia Zoo have closed their elephant exhibit and India banned zoo elephants outright in 2009, which the UK has also been considering.) But that doesn't begin to explain the decision to add animals like clouded leopards and anteaters in 2015-2017, and give them about a studio apartment's worth of space for life. Those new constructions were opportunities to leave behind the zoo tradition of giving animals tiny boxes, and show a sincere concern for animal welfare. As perceptions of what we owe the animals we confine evolve, zoos like this remain stuck in the past. They love to talk about their wonderful animal conservation work, but it feels like there is very little concern for the animals' mental or emotional health. Who would confine their dog for life in the enclosure of the more intelligent and larger orangutans? They have barely enough room to walk. From an old perspective where animals are seen as too stupid to get depressed, or too inhuman for it too matter, or even rather like machines, these tiny enclosures are fine. From an even slightly morally evolved or modernized perspective, that is, from the perspective of the lions and otters themselves, these enclosures are literally depressing. Zoo enclosure size and quality is the elephant in the room, the #1 reason why someone might say no when you ask if they like zoos, and a concern provided even for freaking hamsters by veterinary organizations, yet the zoo is not expressing better enclosures -- MUCH better enclosures -- as a mission and ideal. Zoos should be pioneers in animal welfare, leading the way and setting an example. Instead, this zoo and so many others seem determined to place themselves at the rear. Whether or not they have the money, they could still attempt to raise it. They could still try somehow, if they cared. They could at least explain themselves, since for a dog some of these cage sizes for larger animals would be considered abuse. They could have the empathy and courage to talk about the problem, instead of trying to pretend it doesn't exist. There may be explanations for how things are, but there's no excuse at all for not trying to make them better.

We went on a Friday afternoon around 1pm. We had a senior citizen with us who had mobility issues so we called ahead the day before to make reservations for a ECV. Thankfully they had one as when we tried to change to Saturday, they were all reserved! There were still a lot of people who seemed to be around at that time of day as we often found ourselves caught in large groups and school groups. We had a great time exploring and seeing all the animals. Loved how many of the animals were easy to view due to the enclosures being close to viewing areas. Overall, good experience and a great place to take the family. The only negative comment i have is as we were there until Park close, we didn't come back to return the scooter until 5:40ish. The two young gentlemen who were working the stroller/ECV return area had closed the shop already and one of them was just walking around with everyone's ID asking them to give back the scooters because they were closing. This should've have happened and the shop should have remained open until the park closed.

I'm actually pleasantly surprised by my experience at the Pittsburgh Zoo. I haven't been to a zoo and aquarium combo before and think that this actually is a wonderful idea. Usually aquariums are super expensive so it's nice to see it as a combo pack. During COVID-19, they have tickets still available for purchase out in the front which makes it a great place to go for a spontaneous trip! Here are some of the my favorite things here: - At the aquarium there's a fish with no eyes? It's not because someone poked the eyes out of the fish but the fish just naturally grows no eyes because their natural habitat is in a cave. So interesting. - They have a lot of felines - cheetah, leopard, lion family, etc. I feel like usually zoos only have some of these but its nice to see all these different kinds of animals you normally would not get to see. - Two very cute zebra sharks, enough said. - Blue monkeys! Their cheeks are so squishy :) My only complaint of this zoo is that there doesn't seem to be much space for the animals to roam around. Especially for the primate exhibits. The orangutangs look so sad indoors, even their backdrop is painted on to mimic greenery.

Had gone to the zoo on a weekend. The crowd was as expected for a summer weekend day. But, they have a lot of parking to accommodate the crowd. The zoo has clear maps which show exactly where we are and how to get to the next exhibit. I felt the zoo was well maintained and clean. The elephants had a water pool that they used to cool down. The Amur tiger had a companion as well. I felt great to see that animals were not lonely in their enclosures. The zoo has taken care to provide companions for most animals. As expected feeding is not allowed and they have prohibited the use of straw and container lids in the food stalls - to avoid choking hazard for the animals in case it gets dropped in their enclosure. Talking about food, the food was priced higher than normal prices. There were multiple food stalls within the zoo. We got an ice cream and a can of pop. Both felt wonderful as it was a hot summer day. The aquarium was okay. I felt they had only a moderate amount of fish. But they have tried to make it attractive with the two floor fish tank, a small play area for kid near the sting ray exhibit. I'd say if you are in the area and have some free time, the zoo and aquarium is a good one time visit. I feel families in the locality might be interested to visit more often for the kids.

This is an amazing zoo! Every single aspect of this zoo seems so intentional. I was initially a little worried about what we were getting into when the very first exhibition was really really stinky like cat pee, I think it was a Lynx exhibit, I can't totally remember. But most of the other exhibits didn't smell quite as bad. The aquarium was awesome too. The zoo is so well planned out, it's just really great. You kind of go on a path all around the zoo so you can't really miss too much. At one point, you are up way in the hills and can look down over everything. It's just very cool. My favorite exhibit was the lions, the sea otters, and the alpacas. But really, there was so much that was great. I would definitely recommend this zoo if you have not been before.

PGH zoo and aquarium is a great place to visit! The layout is family friendly for strollers or wheelchairs. The animals represent a wide range from Africa eg lions tigers elephants to Latina America - Galapagos tortoise , Asia red pandas etc. Many beautiful species of fish Lots of places to purchase food or eat your own!

The Jack o' lantern Extravaganza had just a few dozen Jack o lanterns and a few displays of skeletons. This cost almost $30 a person for walking hundreds feet with nothing to look at but covered displays of the Wild Illuminations opening in December. This was advertised something it was not. My party feel cheated by the Zoo and cannot express how much we want warn Pittsburghers to avoid this sham!

Stopped by here while in Pittsburgh for a weekend trip. This zoo has become one of my top two favorite zoos next to the Smithsonian National Zoo! For the price of the ticket, i thought it was very worth it. The layout of the whole zoo was intelligently thought out and planned. There were so many animals and I got lucky this time because most of the time I visit zoos, the animals are sleeping. Regarding the COVID pandemic, it feels like COVID never happened. No one is wearing masks in the bathrooms or inside the aquarium and buildings. There is no social distancing at all. No masks were mandated or enforced. Not a single sign enforcing social distancing or masking. Staff members did wear masks though. It seemed like everyone in Pittsburgh wanted to go to the zoo on Memorial Day thought. By 10:30 AM, an hour after the zoo opened, the crowd and line of cars getting into the zoo grounds was CRAZY. I would highly recommend purchasing your tickets online and then PRINTING them out. I was able to cut the line because one lady saw that I had printed it out and took it and let us in, without having to wait in the long line! The zoo did a great job with all the animal's habitats, except the monkeys like the orangutan could have used A LOT more space. I was a bit surprised by that. The glass to the penguin exhibit was also so foggy that you couldn't clearly into the exhibit. It is also the first time I saw an actual aquarium in the zoo though. The aquarium was very nicely put together in general and it was nice to have the combo. I was sad that I didn't get to see the polar bear but that would have been amazing to see. This park's strength is in it's activities for kids. The kids playground is like Disney World for the kids. And with the crowd that I experienced today, it felt exactly like Disney World at normal capacity.