Reviews of Columbian Park Zoo (Zoo)

Dana Aycock

I loved it here! It's free and has a decent amount of animals. You are able to get pretty close to most of the animals or at least are able to see them. There is a petting zoo where you get to hang out with so many goats. Just be careful though because they will most definitely chew on any and everything you have. I didn't mind it because I love goats but they kept nibbling on my shirt and bag. My only complaint was that the turkey vulture seemed to have a small enclosure. I would have liked to have seen a bigger area for him. Don't expect to see just a ton of animals. They are adding a penguin exhibit later. It's a good place to bring kids. There is a little splash area at the entrance for them to cool off when it's hot.

Bianca Salvatore

This place is amazing to take your family. I would suggest anybody and everybody to go there it's amazing so beautiful. Most of all they keep their Parks clean and safe.

Karen Peterson

Great place for taking kids they have more than a zoo there's also a giant pool and an even bigger playground! Plus a train!

Cindy Haurez

It was very quiet when we were there. Nice exhibits and interactive activities for children

Shanna Hurd

Nice little free zoo. Great for kids. Close to the custard place for a treat afterwards.

Dawn Gulik

Love our little zoo.

Zak Henshen

Nice place to have a family get-together or birthday party.

Yante Pooch

Well maintained and clean, not so much to see

Samantha Bitsui

It was a nice visit and the kids enjoyed the sight seeing

Tanya Isaacs

Awesome park. For the price it is great. By the way, it's free! Very well maintained.

David Richardson

Great zoo, I love going and petting the goats, tons of activities for kids and in the summer they offer a variety of camps that is great for all ages

A. O.

**FREE** Nice place to take the kids, small but it's "free"

Krystal robison

I love taking the kids especially when were tight on money its nice to know there is a great place to take them

Jacob Hoffman

Love this place and it's free. Donate to this place to keep it going. Great park right outside too. Kids love it

Kerry Coyne

Fantastic free zoo. Just the right mix of animals. Petting zoo with all the baby goats was really great. Moneys were neat. Train ride was nice also. Whole park was fantastic

Carrie Farrester

No fun just a few rides for kids a petting zoo nothing really fun for family they have nice pool but that's either for the kids or they adults can't take babies down water slide or lazy river

Marxa Figueiredo

Very nice park, safe, and clean. Free zoo and cheap train ride for kids. Playgrounds fun and dogs ok in collar.

Paul Rich

When i was a kid the park had paddle boats, spider monkey island diving boards at the pool and even carnival rides. it was like a small amusement park. and always full of kids laughter and joy. now it cost to much to swim. the pond is gross and well not all that. in my opinion.

Michael Olson

Terrific little city zoo. I know people from all over the state that come to Columbian Park Zoo and bring their children.

Verna Clark

We try to visit with our grandchildren when we camp at Prophetstown S.P. the zoo is small but very very nice. There is a short traini ride you can take while there and 3 or 4 different playgrounds for the kids to play at and have a picnic lunch. Best Part...all free!

Brian Oswalt

A great place to bring the kids. We always have a good time at the zoo and the park.

brock herron

Such a good time and you can't beat free!

Dorothy Salvo Davis

Great place to visit on a sunny day in the summer or for a winter stroll. Free zoo is a community asset to all. The pond provides fishing and the water park, a great way to cool off. Rides for the kiddies and a playground for little ones to run and play. Fantastic community location

Amber Zak

What's not to love? It's free, small enough that kids can make it through without being exhausted, and fun. The only downside is that it's not very stroller friendly. Several of the exhibits require strollers to be left at the gate.

Daeshaunta Smith

Kids enjoy the animals, this zoo is free admission for everyone

Chris Wolf

Best park in lafayette. It has a small free zoo with very friendly staff. Zoos goats usually give birth in mid to late may. New penguin area is going in. The play area are well maintained though they can be very busy at times. There are alot of shelters you can rent for a fair price.

Roembke Family

Great free entertainment for kids! It will be even better when the penguin exhibit is finished.

Jeff Williams

A great facility for young kids. The many upgrades over the years has really paid off. We look forward to seeing the future expansions.

Debra Adams

We love the butterfly house! This zoo has many animals, and quite a good variety. There are several playgrounds geared to different ages.

Brittney Stimson

I only visit for the goats. They have 18 babies and they're so so cute!

Courtney Light Salazar

It was such a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Karen Smedley

The zoo is free and fun, but the animal encounters are amazing!

Lauria Monique

Kids love this place and parents love that it's free. The train rides are $2. My negative is the porcupine and monkeys don't look great. Rocking, eating their stool. We don't spend much time in that area now. The last 3 times we went near the monkey cages, the entire area smelled like marijuana. Maybe have someone posted there, and signs... no vaping near cages, etc.

Alexandra Davis

Having just moved from a big city, I was rather skeptical of a small town zoo that was also free. However, my toddler and I have been twice in a row this week, and he loves this zoo maybe more than the big city one. Very well done, personable staff, fun little signs to learn from, interactive exhibits, and even a splash pad. We usually spend about 3 hours here.

Andrew Perabeau

Adorable, free zoo!! Highly recommend. There are very fun and entertaining exhibits like a petting zoo area, butterfly garden, and a kangaroo walk. The place is very clean and well taken care of. This is a great time both for children and the adults. The entire place will take you between 1 and 2 hours to enjoy.

jamie arnold

Nice clean park huge playground area and all age groups included, nice mini zoo area also

Cheryl Kirk

We really like going to the zoo. It's less than a mile from our house. We frequent it often.

William Bryant

lots of fun things for the kids to do

Rhonda Peck

Wonderful for small children. Great place for the family.

Joe Marusak

Great local free zoo. I can't wait for the penguin exhibit!

Eva Taylor

Had a great time seeing all the officers and vehicles!!

Tyler Wilson

I had to attend a family event at this location. It was hot and I hate family events. My review does not reflect my outlook on the park.

Emily McMullen

We had a great time at the Zoo. However, I feel they still have a ways to go before they are assessable to everyone! Getting around with a stroller is a little difficult, I can't imagine a wheelchair!

Lashauna Harris

Large park, lots of animal exhibits, near other fun nearby venues.

K H

Me and wife and son had a wonderful time

Brooke Parks

Love, love, love Columbian Park!! Literally in the summer it's a one-stop shop of awesomeness. Free park and zoo! Plus swimming, Arni's, and Custard. I mean, what more could you want? Oh, a baseball game? They have that, too! So, so much fun!!

Delray Shaffer

Very enjoyable especially for young children. A well maintained and interesting zoo.

Zach Anderson

This a great local zoo. You can tell that they care about the animals and do their best to act as ambassadors for the species that they care for. With plans for future expansion this is a much watch for locals wanting to enjoy a taste of the wild.

Dina Barnhart

Love this place. We try to visit it every time we come into town. My kids love all the different interactions with the animals.

Carrie Lewis

It's cute and clean with friendly staff They could have more than just goats in the petting area.

Marian Fisher

Small and quaint. Also free. Good for a short afternoon trip!

Dawn Wisch

We have 4 little kids three under 4 and one with special needs. Trying to get around places with them alone is hard. We had no trouble enjoying all the hands on activities at this cute zoo! We hung out with Wallaby's, we petted baby goats, and we had Butterflies land on us! It was fun! It was very hot and shade isn't easy to find here but we did visit the cute giftshop and everyone got a cute little prize. The playground is so much fun and they even had a Kona ice truck! We love this zoo!

Will Robertson

Always a great experience every time we go. They are adding a penguin exhibit this coming year.

Xiomara Fiallos

Really nice place for adults and kids

Deanne Betourne

It was a good place to take the grandkids.

Kia Bo Dia

Great place to take the kids. Multiple playgrounds throughout the park; great areas for groups to barbecue and/or get together; adorable little zoo; and amazing water park attached.

Eric Schoff

Ready for more variety in exhibits and monkey odor is a bit much even on a good day.

Tim Baskin

What a lovely, fun zoo! Lots of interactive exhibits for kids and great, knowledgeable staff.

Tammy Kaczynski

Nice small zoo for the kiddos.

Lacey Coyle

We love going to the zoo. So much fun and it's free. The staff is super nice and friendly.

shadowlite 1991

A few animals, very cute. Cant get better then Free

Chris Cronk

Columbia park has come a long way. They have been slowly redoing the walls and putting in rock beds in place of the eroded walls. They have redone most of their Memorial area. Feels so peaceful walking amongst the flowers and monuments. I've always loved our park, just wish for a little more in the zoo. I'll probably change my review to 5 stars once all the construction is complete.

Teresa Halter

Had a great visit here with my son...and no crowds!

the plumber

This park has everything. It has a butterfly area. They can land on you. Tons of different animals. Like kangaroos. prairie dogs. Aquarium for the otters. A awesome little interactive water features to keep you cool. A awesome little train you can ride on. Places to have a picnic at. Tunnels for the kids to crawl through. Huge playground sets. Petting zoo. The kids had a blast. It's a little bit of a drive for us. It's worth it. The greatest part. Is its all FREE! SERIOUSLY FREE. They take donations and they're adding penguin soon. Can't recommend this place enough. Love it.

Trevor Whited

I can't say enough good things about this zoo and the whole park in general. It is absolutely the quintessential park in central Indiana for very affordable family fun. I always recommend it to anyone I know that have young children. Can't go wrong with a fun day at the park.

Elisha Leuck

Its always been a lovely place. The park was clean and tidy and the zoo kept the little ones entertained.

Marissa Adams

A good little FREE zoo with a beautiful park and playground attached.

Aaron M

I like it, but no scooters allowed? Fine I guess I won't enjoy your parks?

melissa Bingham

I think this place is definitely a family oriented type of place. It’s free to get in. We love the butterfly exhibit and don’t forget about the monkeys.

Christopher Linder

Such a great place in the Lafayette area. The new additions to the water park are a blast!

Spring Seder

I love this place. Great place to bring children of all ages.

Kevin Podschun

Other than being hot it was a good time

Amy Lawson

A great place to spend an afternoon with the family! The summer zoo camps for kids are fantastic as are the birthday parties!

Anna Goodlink

Love this park! Wish my town had this park for my children, I literally drive about 25 mins just to come. First time here this year and defiently for see a lot of our summer days spent here

Sarah Leidhold

I love this FREE zoo that is available to all! It is well maintained and the staff is knowledgeable. It’s a smaller zoo but the animals are amazing; they have New Guinea singing dogs, which are extremely rare. There are also fountains for kids to cool off in, a farm animal petting zoo, and a butterfly habitat walk through. I recommend it to anyone!

Greg Eakins

This place is awesome for us city folk who never see more wildlife than the occasional trash panda or road pancake. The kids love it and can easily spend hours in the goat pen alone. This is certainly one of the greatest treasures Lafayette has to offer.

Kevin Taylor

Very nice zoo and friendly staff!! They were very knowledgeable when we had questions about the animals!! Loved seeing the majestic Bald Eagles and Spider Monkeys!! We had a blast feeding the Goats and they tried eating our clothes

Seazun Tyler

This was my first year visiting the park amd I must say this park is a hands down with so many different things to do. We will be back

lori clements

small but great place for the family

Savannah Brooks

Very nice and educational place. Would definitely go back again!

Misty Lumley

It is a great place for the whole family to come and hang out !

Mardel. K. Salotto

This Park is amazing!! It has everything a person could want, a water park, a small zoo, and a train that goes around a pond. It has play grounds throughout the park for the children. It also has Memorials for their veterans. Flowers, green grass beautiful scenery abound.

ALICIA CRAZY BRAY

Had so much fun here. Hanging with the animals was a blessing.

Susan Smith

Very nice park and loved that they can keep it free to the public.

Mike Mansfield

Free!! Very nice setup!! Would have happily paid a few bucks to see this!

Rob Hatter

The staff are courteous and knowledgeable, the zoo is clean, the animals seem well cared for and best of all, it's free!

Anthony Smith

We went to the Labor Day picnic. Held by the local unions for everyone in the community. It's always a great time for kids.

Erika Norman

Such a nice little zoo. Everything is well-kept and the animals are happy

Christi Price

We love this place! There's so much to do, and you can enjoy every aspect of the park in a day. Unlike bigger amusement parks, where you feel pressured to try to get all of the things that the park has to offer, in one day. They just added two new waterslides! Sunscreen available at the pool for a fair price! They also are bringing penguins to their zoo! Whether it's the zoo, the waterpark, the playground, or just walking around. It's a safe place for families, and your going to have a nice family day, spent at the park.

Pierce Henseleit

Nice and clean. You really need to see it.

Billy Brown

The life gard was rude. they never offer any assistant. The girls at the cove was nice clean

Angie Mantz

The chipper conductor could have been just a tad bit informative when the train rides are.. Or when you purchase tickets they could have said then.

Shayne Ridenour

Love the petting zoo,baby goats are super cute&kids love to feed them treats

Jeffery Pass

Fun little zoo. The guide at the Wallaby exhibit was very helpful and knowledgeable. It was fun to see a Joey in the mama's pouch

Christine Cooper

Great places for the kids and I enjoyed it as well...the animals are very curious and friendly...

Amanda Mitross

We absolutely love the zoo small enough for the little ones. Also my kids love my tunnels and domes in the prairie dog exhibit. All around great zoo. I would definitely recommend bringing and change of clothes for the little ones to change into as they have some for water areas they can play in.

Ron c

Small free zoo very relaxing atmosphere

Chad Lohmeyer

Fun FREE zoo with plenty to see. Many major improvements have been made recently.

ben smith

Good little zoo and park and it's free! Petting zoo, monkies, wallabies bald eagles and otters! Great size park for all ages and a train ride. In spring of 2020 penguins will be there too. Great place to bring the kids at a great price. Free!

drunkin mischief

Great place fir kids and pokemon go.

Kerry Carmichael

Nice place to go for a picnic. Ducks will follow you. Lol

Swapnil Ingale

It's located in a park where you can take family to see animals. Park is great for a picnic too.

anna lisa gross

Butterflies, baby goats, playing otters, wallaby-in-pouch...so much fun, for free!

Andrew Eaton

Benn coming here since I was a kid. Great place to play.

James Majors

Well laid out, lots of shade, the kids love it!

沛恩周

It’s a small but nice and free zoo which have plenty kinds of animals in a compact fashion. I really enjoy touching sheeps there and the prairie dogs, singing dogs are also fun to watch. In brief, it’s a good place to have a leisure afternoon!

Kylie Tedder

Good place when it's not busy! Kids arent well supervised on playground

Susan Pinkerton

Small zoo, very kid friendly, super clean animal areas, as well as the whole zoo. Staff was informative.

Mariano Garcia

Great small zoo in Lafayette. They have many exhibits where you can get really close to the animal like a farm animal petting zoo, a butterfly garden and a wallaby one where you can watch them in a relaxed environment.

PJ Catania

A fantastic family-friendly free zoo! My kids have a blast every time we go. Make sure you ride the train!

Angela Zimm

Great fun for the kiddos. We love the zoo and train ride.

Nickolas Zoffman

Free and fun. my two year old loved the animals and the little prairie dog tunnels. a goat jumped up on my wifes shoulders which was hilarious. just sat there watching everyone.

Kisha ScottWilliams

Very small but the distractions are nice . We had a great time & enioyed the splash pad & train ride .

AshLee Luebbering

Pretty cool little walk through zoo. The kids loved stopping by while we visited the park and pool. It's not huge but it's super cute. Well kept.

Aj Clark

Great littlenzoo, free admission. Wonderful to take our grandson (2 yo). Enjoyable couple hours

Mimi Bernardin

Very nice zoo. Small animal area but nice to see

Amy Williams

We absolutely love this little zoo! So nice to have such a nice park with so much pack in it, right in town! Love getting to play with the goats!!

Diane Oehmen

Fun fun fun. Need I say more. The walk there with all the flowers are nice also

adam Stapleton

Nice little zoo with a train ride

Penny N

I love the zoo - just so happened it was so hot out several animals were not out. Love butterfly area!

M arjorie Levesque

They have free things for everyone and kids too enjoy! Including a car show. We all enjoyed ourselves. Very friendly people...i know my kids enjoyed themselves and us 4 adults did too. Can't wait for another carnival... Free to get in ect.

Travis Travesty

My daughter loved her 1st trip to the zoo!

Diana Swafford

Different than it use to be. They have a lot of animals there. There are newer buildings. Its just different.

Margaret Molencupp

Love this place, u could go once a week or every day, and see something different. Not alot of animals but its a clean frendly place, wheelchair friendly too

Indy Mark

Great. PokeStops everywhere. Clean. Well kept. Zoo! Awesome place.

Koi Boi

Really nice place to go to And its free if your around definitely should check out.

Robert Dunlap

Nice park and small zoo with a train you can ride for a small fee, great place to go for a few hours - really enjoyable!

Bree Bree

They have a nice variety of animals and a great gift shop. They have a nice goat part where you can feed and pet the adults as well as the babies.

Ruth Edwards

Great place to stop by, the kids love putting money in the donation toy

Amy Kelly

Great park, beautiful landscaping and the Zoo was so much fun!

David Sholey

Great free zoo enjoyable for the entire family

sarwat amin

Kids seem to like it a lot, our toddler loved it.

Brian Mason

This place is great for the whole family It has a butterfly garden, a petting zoo, foot splash area, gift shop, restrooms and some educational shows. The park and pool are real close and there is a train for kids and parents to ride around the paremeter. There is a nice pond with ducks and fishing is allowed

Adam Vogel

Cute zoo. Kids enjoy it and the variety of animals is pretty good. Hope to see it continue to grow.

Nicholas Zediker

This is the best part about Colombian park. I love the otters and goats :)

BuFFY lewis

Great place for all! Cost nothing to get in! 1 of my favorite places in town and the

Yvonne Hine

Just the right size! A lot of fun for kids and adults

Felivi Xantri

As someone from Illinois, I was astounded to find a zoo that was free! Columbian Park Zoo had neat animals who seemed to be well taken care of. I loved the butterfly tea garden.

Jessi D

Great place to take the kids for the afternoon. There is a big public park right next door that our kids just loved!

Frog Bear

Parking and the zoo are both free. It is kind of small, but they are expanding still. My kids love petting the goats and seeing the variety of animals.

Kristy Myers

Omg I love the people that work there, they are nice. I also loved going there, because I have never seen some animals so close to me. I had a very awesome experience visiting this place!

Karla Manes

Small but adorable. It is free and a must see when visiting Purdue.

Linda S

Free zoo where you can play with the goats and see lots of other animals. My daughter loves this zoo and she is 15 years old! ❤

Jared Slaven

Support your local zoo we are very fortunate as a community to still have a zoo.

Miss Andrea Reads

This was such a sweet little zoo!! Perfect for little kids. We loved the wallabies and the petting zoo and the butterflies the best. I thought the train ticket prices were a bit much. We spent about 2 hours here. I'd go back with my little kids, probably not big ones.

Samantha Shannon

Great little zoo. Free entry. Plenty of variety and education on animals.

Kailee Lyon

Clean..friendly and not crowded.

Ran Rogers

It's free and very family and kid friendly! Loved it!

Loven iah

I LOVE this free zoo! It's small, shaded and walkable. It's in Columbia Park, which is a big park with LOTS of play equipment and even some rides for kids♡ The swimming pool next to it is only $7 per person and had several slides, lazy river, and a kid area.

Ramon Handerson

That park has a large number of places to have fun, meeting, know a lot of people. Also has great lake and a small zoo in the same local. It is an amazing and unique place in Lafayette.

Lauren Whitcomb

Always a great time with the kids and makes for a nice outing for adults as well

David Sluka

Free! Mini splash pad, plenty of animals to see including a petting area, and a 2 dollar train ride every half hour, great value.

Tessa Hintz

Columbian Park Zoo is a wonderful place for all ages. A free walk through zoo with a variety of animals, separate playgrounds for tiny tots and younger children. Benches and bench swings for adults, and last but not least, a waterpark for the summer heat.

Quincy Gregory

Cute little attraction, perfect for guests of all ages. Not particularly exciting or unique but definitely something fun for families.

Angie

Free zoo. Very clean zoo. Staff was nice and helpful and gave us information in every area. A large range of animals can be seen here. Several baby goats were recently born. Chickens, several different species of monkeys, porcupine , kookaburra bird that I’ve never seen before, otters, turtoise, butterfly exhibit, wallaby, singing dogs that are extinct except in captivity and others. There are kiddy rides there and a train. Next door there are water slides and pools and a baseball stadium. Plenty of shelter houses with picnic tables. I highly recommend.

Katie Miller

Was really great for something to go do for a day that is not far from surrounding areas. The kids were very intrigued and had a great time!

aaron fowler

Been going to the park since i was able to walk. And niw i take my kids. It's a great place.

Melissa Guerrero

Always a great time when we come here