Reviews of The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (Zoo)

Jen K

Nice zoo, good size. Only need a few hours to do all of it. Nice selection of animals with good views. Friendly helpful staff. Some of the cages and tanks were a little dirtier than you'd like to see but the animals seemed happy. We did the penguin encounter. So much fun!

Jen K

Nice zoo, good size. Only need a few hours to do all of it. Nice selection of animals with good views. Friendly helpful staff. Some of the cages and tanks were a little dirtier than you'd like to see but the animals seemed happy. We did the penguin encounter. So much fun!

Donovan Johnson

A nice place and environment for kids but a little pricey.

rhonda greenejustice

The African safari exhibit is impressive. Various types of elephants, a gigantic orange rhinoceros zebras camouflage in foliage and all types of birds. Perfect day for the zoo

Alex Ramos

This was our first visit. The zoo was very clean and well maintained. Plenty of shade on the pathways, good food from the cafe, clean restrooms, very helpful staff. We came especially for the penguins and penguin encounter. It's a little pricey, but it was really educational, and the penguins are so dang cute! It's a really special exhibit and my kids loved it. Great zoo!

Deborah Bayer

It is hard to describe this zoo, the third oldest zoo in the US, because there is so much to say and so little space available. It is gorgeous in the Spring, set on acres and acres of pristine Maryland countryside, relatively untouched since the late 1800s. (I presume that it is equally show stopping in the Fall.) As large as the setting is, the zoo is just the right size to see in one trip without getting overwhelmed (or over tired). But do bring a stroller for your young ones. The admission price is relatively low (under $22 for adults) compared to other destinations and you get a lot for your money. I highly recommend bringing a picnic lunch/snacks. There is a tram to take you to the main exhibits and the children's petting zoo and carousel (you can buy tickets separately if you didn't buy the package). What I hope every visitor does is take a minute to speak with one of the zoo volunteers or zoo staff members who make themselves available throughout the park. These must be the friendliest, most well-informed folk in any zoo. My crew was worried about both the giraffes and the sleeping cheetahs (are they sad? are they sick?) and we received a super interesting explanations for all of our questions. (Giraffes are super shy and cheetahs are smart and lazy when they are well fed.) Our talk with the zoo staff member was super helpful for the kids (and the adults who could not answer their questions). It made our trip even more special. This zoo is a must see. It's like other zoos, only better, much better. We can't wait to go back.

Brittany Price

Really nice place I wish that all the animals where out but other then that it was a great experience!

Addie Spicer

This is a nice zoo, just not huge. You can easily see all of it in part of a day. They have been making improvements over the past couple of years, which means you can't see all of the animals all of the time, but you can see that they are making spaces better for the animals. They also have some really neat animals that you don't normally see at places, and a fantastic group of penguins. It is more impressive than the DC Zoo, but this one also costs money to enter. They offer good information and education on the animals and ecology and are making moves towards sustainability with their waste management and food sales.

Dima Ataev

Great place to bring your kids and support the Baltimore Zoo! Definitely get the season pass

Myriah Strozykowski

Smallish zoo; great staff. My 5yo especially loved the Goat Corral, where you could pet and spend time with the goats,and the attendant was very friendly and knowledgeable. All of the staff was pleasant and engaging. Lovely way to spend the day.

Ashley McCracken

Went on the penguin encounter and had an awesome time with meeting the girls and learning more about their role in education for the zoo! :)

Carly Cole

Four stars only because of the extended time of construction. We bought a membership in 201i because the cashier said the remodel would be complete Sept 2018. Its May 2018 and it's still not near complete. Otherwise, the exhibits are interesting and the animals seem well cared for.

Tamara Maglione

Polar bear is amazing was a ladt minute descion and a very good one plenty of shade great things for kids to learn

Brytnee Griham

This is one of my family's favorite places to visit. There is so much for the children to do and so many option to closely interact with the animals.

Richard Parks

I love the Maryland zoo. We took our grandchildren to enjoy it as well. What a great day !!!!!

Thomas Williams -State Police-

The new elephant and lion exhibits are outstanding. The new polar bears were cool. The kids had a lot of fun watching them swim.

Demetries Oberc

The zoo is better then i remember. It still lacks number of animals and the giraffe and elephant exhibit was down, so that really was sad. But still a good time. Only took 2 hours with a toddler. Bit expensive.

Ashley Benjamin

Very walkable zoo. My kids especially liked the train and carousel, lots of food options too! Would be nicer to know which exhibits were open ahead of time, there were no rhinos or elephants.

gregory burrell

The Maryland Zoo is a great family spot to take your children for an affordable price for the amount of exhibits they show. There a few nice areas you can have the children interact with such as feeding the giraffe or feeding the goats. A few exhibits they show are flamingos, chimpanzees, penguins, lions, cheetahs, leopards and a few more. There is a chimpanzee education center to get more insight on different kind of chimpanzees. There are multiple other education centers for penguins, polar bears and I believe giraffe. Beware of the smell for the giraffe center, I didn't go to far in before I walked back out. Overall, it's a great place for school trips, families and anyone who might be interested in checking out the area. Only reason behind the 4 star was just the limited space on busy days to walk. I enjoyed my visit while I was there.

Rachel Diller

Really nice just wish it was a little more affordable for people with children on disability

Michael Shank

The zoo itself is okay, some of the staff are friendly and helpful, others are very self-absorbed. Maintenance is somewhat lacking at least during our last visit it was. It definitely feels like more of an attraction and less of an educational center. I would recommend Zoo America in Hershey, or Lake Tobias in Halifax before recommending the Baltimore Zoo.

David Crockett

Excellent zoo, great zoo keepers and staff. Well kept animals and very clean. Great experience.

Aboud Aboud

Wonderful place (for humans.. I believe the animals desire to be free). Polar bears are beautiful. You get to see animals close. Designed well and easy to navigate. The children's section is fun. Worth the visit.

Sharon Jemmott

They've done a great job! I haven't been in awhile. Really enjoyed it!

Vladimir Fefer

Really nice zoo for young children (10 and under). Theres several slides and kid friendly stuff.

Kelly Raleigh

Never a dull moment. Lots of interactive activities for kids, and well worth a membership if you plan on going more than once. Animals are well cared for, and it shows.

Omar Black

Fall 2019 construction should be done and the zoo will be that much better. In the meantime. Steer clear

Anne Gotimer

Decided to purchase the penguin experience for my husband as a birthday present. The experience was amazing! The penguins and staff are so friendly! You get a good amount of quality penguin time and learn about how penguins are cared for at the Maryland Zoo. I would highly recommend this experience!

S K

One and only nice and and wonderful place to spend time with wild animals because there is no another option of Maryland Zoo in Maryland. I had enjoyed here on my last visit. But after I had some experience of other zoo in different place, I felt animals are not happy and natural inside the Maryland Zoo. Might be I was wrong but seriously this place is not look like natural place for wild animals. (Please this is my personal view. We appreciate hard work of Maryland Zoo Managements) Another I felt there, Poor environment for Animals in Maryland zoo. I understand it is zoo But whatever place they put animals is way too congested. In little place have many animals. There is not much freedom for animals. I had chance to visit here only once. For part of human entertainment, student education and children exhibit there is no any comment, they did excellent job. As an animal lover I am very sad about that innocent animals. Look like more human construction and human movement in little space. This is only my personal thinking about animal inside the Zoo. I know the Maryland zoo have fallowed every standard for zoo and animal service. Everyone who want to explore wild animals and want to teach their young generation should try this zoo. They have many things to explore there.

Brian Geiger

Great visit to an historic zoo during its celebration of bears! We enjoyed antics of a polar bear, penguins and otter, who seemed to enjoy a cool and sunny day. Children will love farmyard animals, cave creatures, The Zephyr, and big slides! Staff and volunteers are cheery and helpful. Visit, soon!

Jacquelyn Jones

Parking is free. The staff and volunteers are friendly. The concession food is pretty good even in off season. The property is under going renovations to the benefit of the animals. The biggest downside is the entrance price. It was a lovely day.

Brandi

The MD zoo was decent, but I definitely would not go back. It was one of those one time things. I was pretty underwhelmed the entire time. Nevertheless the kids enjoyed seeing the animals. Oh, the food costs were absolutely ridiculous. Yea, I won't be returning.

Chi Kang

What an amazing experience and visit to zoo. Highly recommend close encounter with the penguin.

Mike B

Great zoo. Feels very natural and the animals are beautiful. The Africa exhibit is the best. Don't get excited for any one animal on their website though, some are ambassadors and not always at the zoo.

Ryan Kelly

We go here all the time. Staff and volunteers are the best! Creature encounters are very informative and engaging for our little demons.

Josh Layton

Great trip with kids, loved everything, little pricey

Candice Cross

Great place for kids and families!!! Animals are easy to find, and the information is great on each animal.

brenda laws

Great close up views of the animals especially Lions.

Miranda Bronsgeest

It's not huge but easy to follow routes, great variety of animals, great shuttle service, plenty parking, kids love the food options and the maryland woods. It's pricey but with a membership very doable. Zoo store is great.

Rachel Rigg

Nice zoo, free parking and usually not too crowded. The new exhibit with lions is much nicer than the old setup. There is also a place where children can pet goats which my son enjoys.

Theressa Lowry

A school trip for special friends. The staff could not get any nicer/ helpful. The kids had a great time. The school staff enjoyed the trip we were not as tired as past with the hill and wheel chairs. Thank you Baltimore zoo staff who help make this a great day for our kidos

Adrianna Wilbur

We loved this zoo so much! The exhibits are unique and pretty spacious. The animals seemed happy and healthy! The zookeepers for the chimps are so friendly and you can tell they really love the animals and their job. The zoo is also full of volunteers who are so helpful and friendly! I had to be in a wheelchair the day we visited and they have hear really cool shuttle services that allows you to sit in the wheel chair while they take you to and from the gate. All of the employees were so welcoming and friendly. We loved seeing the chimps, the polar bears, the awesome penguin exhibit with super cool pelicans, the elephants and giraffes! It’s an awesome zoo and plenty of spots to relax and watch the animals. I recommend!

Feng L

Very polite staff....zoo is very clean...animals seem very happy an well taken care of...they have a lot of educational seminars for the kids....they have a train ride for part of the park which my 3yr old loved an a carousel as well. He also liked the tree slide which also has a spiral staircase that goes down underground into a cave under the tree which houses the reptiles. Get there early for a good parking spot ....keep up the great job Maryland zoo staffers !

victoria cowen

Needs more animals, so tiny, and a bit trashy looking. Especially animals that have water, the water looks horrible. The animals look like they are living their worst life as well. I dont think I will volunteer come back here anytime soon

Jeffrey Paul

Definitely a bit old in places but also fully renovated in others. If you can get in did a reasonable amount and pack a picnic lunch then go for it!

D Lewis

Hot day!

Rachel Rigg

Nice zoo, free parking and usually not too crowded. The new exhibit with lions is much nicer than the old setup. There is also a place where children can pet goats which my son enjoys.

Richard James

Bit of a walk through the park until you can get to any of the animal habitats(except the prairie dogs). Nice and informative on a lot of animals as well as a nice assortment of animals. The staff is great. Do not waste your funds on the train ride(except for maybe the kids that love trains) because it is just a small circle through a very small part of the park, extremely overpriced for the 3 minute ride.

David Pittman

I liked most of the exhibits, including penguins, otters, and polar bears. But the food and beverage vendors were very disappointing. They offer beer and coffee but not iced tea! And they sell cotton candy but not corn chips or granola bars.

R W

The zoo has been renovated. Beautiful getaway to see amazing animals close. We actually saw the lions come out when we went. Spectacular beautiful,powerful cats. All in all getting a membership is a great way to save if you plan on going more then twice. Discounts on food events also I believe you can save at aquarium as well. Nearby just a great way to leave your worries for a day.Enjoy!!

Brian Cox

I have been coming here since I was a child. The most recent updates are great. It was a pleasure to bring my son here for the first time and experience all the great fun that I had as a child. Wife and I have season passes so we will be back again!

Douglas Pemberton

What a great place to visit whole in the city. It's a great little zoo. The New penguin pool is spectacular. The New elephant area is cool and the

Monique Jones

Its better than it has been in a long time. ALL TE ANIMALS R there

Kne-Shall Renee

We had a great visit in mid April. It is definitely the time of year when the animals are most active. Every animal except the rhino was not only out, but getting up close and personal. It was also the weekend of their Easter event which was a good time. A few extra bucks if you want to play the games, but a nice addition to celebrate the holiday.

Walter Bobby

We love the Maryland zoo. Got our daughter and son in law a membership to share with their daughter. A wonderful day!

phyllis hagstad

Great habitat design for each animal. Lots of shade. Very well staffed. Clean! We had a great time.

Christopher Henry

Great day. Animals were quite active and it wasn't too crowded. Really open exhibits.

Suzanne Woods

Met a great man named Kevin who works with the turtles. So informative and helpful.

Theressa Lowry

A school trip for special friends. The staff could not get any nicer/ helpful. The kids had a great time. The school staff enjoyed the trip we were not as tired as past with the hill and wheel chairs. Thank you Baltimore zoo staff who help make this a great day for our kidos

Eric Roberts

A pleasant surprise! So much has changed. Really great experience. Nice animal displays and the zoo layout is map friendly. My son could not get enough! Good job MD Zoo.

Denise SmithWilliams

They really need more animals and a major upgrade. I haven't been to the Baltimore zoo, in years. Still a great disappointed. Baltimore really needs to step up there game. If you want people to be excited about living some place, you have to make the place exciting.

Rachel S

Wonderful zoo, nice assortment of animals to see and great events occasionally. The staff isn't the most friendly always and later in the day it's not the cleanest.

Roderickcarlie Hough

Good family place needs more attractions. And many one large food place. Meaning name brand. Al's needs more water a final attractions a lot of people do not like going to the inner harbour.

Dominic Sacchetti

A great place to spend the day. Parking can be a bit challenging during the summer so if possible arrive early, or visit in the winter when it is less busy. To save time buy your tickets online, the line is much shorter. Once in the gate you can ride in the shuttle, or get some exercise and walk about 10 minutes to the main area. Once inside, the zoo is divided into three areas. The African area has chimpanzees, zebras, giraffes, lions, and lemurs, etc. The Maryland area has local wildlife from different regions in the state, and farm animals. The arctic and penguin area has polar bears and African penguins. I highly recommend the penguin encounter. It is a behind the scenes tour of the penguin food prep area, followed by petting penguins. The African penguins walk right up to you and are very friendly, although they do like to nibble shoelaces. Playing with penguins is definitely an experience not to miss. Finally I would suggest wearing sunscreen, taking a water bottle, and bringing some snacks.

Shayla Melton

Actually enjoyed myself for the most part their was tons of walking but i still love D.C. zoo better

Adrianna Wilbur

We loved this zoo so much! The exhibits are unique and pretty spacious. The animals seemed happy and healthy! The zookeepers for the chimps are so friendly and you can tell they really love the animals and their job. The zoo is also full of volunteers who are so helpful and friendly! I had to be in a wheelchair the day we visited and they have hear really cool shuttle services that allows you to sit in the wheel chair while they take you to and from the gate. All of the employees were so welcoming and friendly. We loved seeing the chimps, the polar bears, the awesome penguin exhibit with super cool pelicans, the elephants and giraffes! It’s an awesome zoo and plenty of spots to relax and watch the animals. I recommend!

Christina Tegtmeyer

I was pleasantly surprised. The last time I visited the Baltimore zoo it was terrible! Run down and didn't have hardly any interesting animals. Well the resent renovations have completely turned it around. I will recommend the zoo very highly from now on.

Michael Oberhausen

First time going to this zoo and was not a fan. Exhibits seem small and it takes a while to go from one to another. If you're looking for a good zoo, I suggest going to the one in DC (which has free entry)

Christen Adkins

It was so amazing! U can see the animals up close majority of the time! The lioness she came up to the glass,it was so awesome! She's beautiful & the Lion he was sitting there like this is all they're going to get from me just a look that's it lol,He was just sittin there chilling like what u see is what u get

Stephen Louderback

A lot of nice new upgrades! Still more to come. The Lion space now makes it very easy to see the Lions from about any angle. Animals were all very active. Employees were all very nice, knowledgeable, helpful, and seemed to really care about the animals. Food service was quick and good quality.

Jeni Barnette

I really enjoyed my trip to the Baltimore Zoo. My only complaint is the cost of food and drink. I also think the Polar Bears and Grizzlies deserve A LOT more shape to swim and walk! Otherwise, I enjoyed seeing the Lions, leopards, cheetahs, bobcat, chimps, penguins, giraffes, etc

Kerry Spatz

A marvelous place to spend time with family or a date. The are finishing the elephant exhibit soon so that will add to the experience. I decided to also pay extra for the penguin exhibit and it was well worth it. Just bring plenty of water as you leisurely wander to see cheetahs, otters, and bears oh my!

Havens pospisil

If you love photography then this place is perfect for you, although if you are thinking about visit wonderful places then, believe me this place could be one of the best option for you. Decent environment, and different kind of species makes this place outstanding and beautiful. Must recommend!

Christopher Hanna

We've been going here a long time now and with the new construction completed it's better than ever. The elephants and giraffes have way more room now and you can get a good close up look at them. The zoo staff are friendly but the food staff consistently seem like they would rather be anywhere else. I get it, no one wants to be slinging fast food, but part of the job is putting on a friendly face, and I have encountered that maybe once here.

Karlo Chambers

It was fun, and the animals look nice, and the time you spend there is good

Mehran Abolghasemi

Great Zoo. There are lots animals such as Giraffe, Zebra, Rino, Elephant, Polar bear, most importantly the flamingos...

Troy Lupo

Clean and pretty nice. I'm not av huge fan of zoos (would rather see them in the wild) but the animals seemed well cared for and the path was clean. We were disappointed that we didn't see the baby chimp or polar bears. Also, a few restaurants weren't open on a Saturday afternoon in the summer and the train wasn't running. Over though, it was a nice trip to the zoo

Redslither

Small zoo with not s whole lot to see. Costs to get in. Good news is they're expanding and adding elephants. It was packed with kids yesterday when we went, it was kinda annoying there was not enough chaperones to keep them under control but its kinda expected at zoos. Had a great day overall.

Timur Stranger

I had an amazing day with my kids! Professional and helpful staff! Really nice atmosphere and great service! No doubt this is a nice place for families with little kids!) Highly recommend this Zoo to all my friends!

Jame Atkinson

Great place for a quick day trip. I love this zoo and its very affordable. There's a nice variety of animals, and they seem to be growing all the time and making significant improvements. Love the Giraffe House it was a neat experience. The staff was quickly available at all the superior exhibits.

Bharath Chandar

Open walking space, train and great animal exhibits. Great family day.

Eric Bellavance

Had a great time at Johns Hopkins Fall Fest. Zoo staff was friendly and answered questions about the animals. Parking was crazy but I am sure that's just because of our work event. We will be back.

Jon Hartsock

The Maryland zoo is pretty cool, been coming for years since I was little. And now I'm bringing my kids. Several exhibits are under construction. Hopefully expanding and improving!

Shirley Willis

This place is totally overpriced. As many others have said, there aren't a whole lot of animals to see. And many of the exhibits are spread out quite a bit. Also, the enclosements for the animals seem so tiny!! I have been to other zoos where the bigger animals like the lions, elephants, cheetas, etc. have a ton of space to roam freely. They usually have a cliff or a river or something like that to keep them distanced from the public. But here the animals seem to be in such tiny cages or spaces. It's truly sad. Not to mention most other zoos have more than one animal per species. But many of the animals at the MD zoo seemed so lonely ! As there was only 1 of each kind. The train is $10 per person and it doesn't even loop around the whole park. And the drive there was dreadful! You have to drive through some pretty rough neighborhoods to get to the zoo. Better pray you don't need to stop for gas or have a flat tire or something. Overall, my experience was not great. I will not return or recommend it to anyone.

Rosa Garcia

My family and I visited the Baltimore Zoo today and had a fantastic time. My son uses a power wheelchair and he was able to participate in everything. He rode the carousel, the train, the tram and had a blast. Thanks Baltimore Zoo for being an inclusive family destination. Your employees were very accommodating too!!! Both my kids were able to enjoy a fun day. Means a lot!

Feng L

Very polite staff....zoo is very clean...animals seem very happy an well taken care of...they have a lot of educational seminars for the kids....they have a train ride for part of the park which my 3yr old loved an a carousel as well. He also liked the tree slide which also has a spiral staircase that goes down underground into a cave under the tree which houses the reptiles. Get there early for a good parking spot ....keep up the great job Maryland zoo staffers !

Josh Peine

My family and I went and had a great time. It was easy to get to from Central Maryland. Parking was easy. We pre purchased tickets through AAA and saved several dollars per ticket and walked right. We got a double stroller and walked to the African Exhibit. The Lions and Rhino were asleep but otherwise we could see all the other animals. The giraffes and elephants were a hit with my 2 year old twins. We visited the penguin exhibit, bears and chimpanzees. Off to the farm animals which were also a hit with the kids before we stopped for a break to eat before we left. You could do it all in about 3.5 hours at a comfortable pace. I read they had renovated recently and it showed. I recommend a visit

Kate Cullen

They have fewer animals than I remember and there's not as much interaction between the animals. The polar bear exhibit used to be bigger and the bears played ball and were so much more active, now one bear. They have taken away a lot of benches where you could just sit and relax and enjoy.

Daniel Gill

Incredible zoo in the most unlikely area. Staff are great. So kid friendly. Food is good and all prices are reasonable. If you live locally and have kids, definitely get a membership. 2 visits and its paid for itself.

Ashley Elizabeth

Wondeful zoo. Wondeful staff. Wonderful day!

Douglas Mayton

It's a long walk to the exhibits, but you can take the tram if you would like to avoid the exercise. We found the animals to be in environments that gave them freedom to move around. Some areas had multiple animals in the same space to give the impression of herd mentality. The zebras, ostrichs and rhinoceros were in the same space as were other exhibits. We liked it so much we became members.

Toya Hamlin

It was freaking phenomenal this time!! I had such an amazing experience! We had our company picnic catered and tour of the Baltimore Zoo! You need to visit. They've added some upgrades and working on more projects.

Judy Thomas

A great day with grandson and granddaughters and great granddaughter the two were super excited to see melvin in their eye the gerrafe and marry the zebra. Crazy fun.

Jenn Gingerich

Fairly small zoo, but their enclosures are nice, open, and clean. It feels like you are very close to the animals. The giraffe house is super fun and unique, and there are several other activities to busy your time with. The animals seem well kept and active, which makes for a great day of family fun and pictures!

Melissa M

It was a very big place fun family day!

Emily Kuzmiw

Fun experience. Animals were out and being playful.

VT Al

Feeding a giraffe named Nuliya, was so cool. The penguin colony were super cute they waddle and swim like little kids. The African exhibit was by far the best with lions, assortment of birds and elephants too. Food was not expensive and tastes fresh. Volunteer staff available for questions and information throughout the park. Expect 10000 steps that day, and can be walked in a few hours.

Shannon G

Family friendly, good variety of animals, lots of extra activities

Kim Holland

My daughter was married @ the Mansion House. Beautiful setting, great staff & Lilly the penguin was delightful!

Esther Goldfeiz

Beautiful, clean zoo. A great place to spend the day with family.

Ken Frazier

We came here for the penguin experience and I was shocked at how nice this zoo was considering the state of Baltimore. Another advantage of doing the penguin experience was we were able to walk around the zoo before the masses arrived. This is the only way I'd go to the zoo. But again the zoo was quite nice. Would recommend the penguin experience

Tito DH

Amazing Zoo. Giving the fact that I go the San Antonio Zoo, in Texas

Chris Tappan

Probably one of the best places in Baltimore for kids and one of the few that are actually improving. Kids loved the goat interaction area and the polar bear. Some exhibits need some updating, but I'm sure they're getting to it! Staff was friendly and helpful!

Tires 4 Less

Was amazing even though it was raining my son said.

C Bing

Wonderful time! Pay the extra to do the penguin exhibit! It's a touch pricey, but worth it!

Agye Danso

Updated 07/29/2019: Thank you for replying. I did not see the alerts page on the website. Changed review to 5 starts. Original Post: Over all good, but we came for the train ride and unfortunately it is out of service and no one told us until we walked up to it to find it not working. Obviously I should have called in first, but they could have advertised it on their website.

Bowl and Spoon Bakery

This zoo is an amazing adventure. There's incredible animals at each turn, and knowledgeable keepers! I love the new lion and elephant areas. Food here is pricey ! If you will visit often or live in the area get the membership it's worth it.

Andy Harris

Great fun for kids. Great children area exhibits with lots of hands on activities including caves, tunnel, tree slide, fossil area, turtle shells, farm section and more. Ape exhibit is also very neat.

Joe Jackson

Since taking over from the Baltimore zoo, the folks from the Maryland zoo have done an extraordinary job of eliminating the number of the old wrought-iron cages and providing more of a habitat experience for both the visitors and the animals. VERY impressive.

Becky Harding

This is a pretty nice zoo, although they don't have wolves :( The whole family went for a fun run/walk and then toured the zoo. I enjoyed all of the animal exhibits.

Cornelia V

It was disappointing...no feeding

duffy Laws

I had a wonderful afternoon at the Maryland zoo with my 4 Year old grandson. Encountering the beautiful healthy and exotic animals through his eyes was a joy not easily rivaled. When was the last time you walked on your knuckles like a chimpanzee?

Jerry Chorba

Very busy day but plenty of space did not feel crowded at all. Lots of trees providing shade for walking. Pretty easy walk. Actual zoo exhibits are quite a distance from the zoo entrance. Trams are provided between the entrance and the exhibits. The zoo is not huge but a good assortment of animals and will probably take a 2 hours or so to tour without seeing any of the zoo keeper presentations. Highlights include Penguins, giraffes, polar bears, arctic fox, lions, white rhino, cheetah, and more. Nice zoo.

terry pitts

A quiet walk for the family. Not much else. Don't think they'll be around much longer. Sad actually... shoulda went to DC

Brandon Deitch

Excellent exhibits. Friendly staff. Reasonable prices. The kids had a blast. Exceptionally clean. I highly recommend the additional penguin experience. Make sure to make reservations online ahead of time to get a slot.

Greg Olsen

Daughter's favorite place on Earth. We've been members for the last four years and they're constantly changing/modifying to make it a better experience. The new Africa setup is really immersive.

Michael Creel

LOVE THIS ZOO!!!! I have traveled from Virginia on several occasions to visit this zoo. Great layout, beautiful animals and a very helpful staff. My only complaint is I wish I lived closer.

ian smalley

Currently a zoo member. Came here all the time with my parents as a child, and now come here frequently with my girlfriend. Lot has changed over the years but still thoroughly enjoy it. Food is a bit pricey, but love the animals and atmosphere

Josh Peine

My family and I went and had a great time. It was easy to get to from Central Maryland. Parking was easy. We pre purchased tickets through AAA and saved several dollars per ticket and walked right. We got a double stroller and walked to the African Exhibit. The Lions and Rhino were asleep but otherwise we could see all the other animals. The giraffes and elephants were a hit with my 2 year old twins. We visited the penguin exhibit, bears and chimpanzees. Off to the farm animals which were also a hit with the kids before we stopped for a break to eat before we left. You could do it all in about 3.5 hours at a comfortable pace. I read they had renovated recently and it showed. I recommend a visit

Nicole Neal

One of the best zoo's around. Great variety of animals and fun interactive programs. The zoo snooze and the penguin encounters are fantastic and fun.

Darlene Mosley

Don't miss this extraordinary place! Immaculately clean, parking is very close so you don't have to book a flight to get to the gate, very accommodating. I probably will never visit National Zoo again! I but tricky to get to it, but follow the easy Google directions and your day will be one you will never regret! Not to many animals so that you don't know what to watch next! A few of the most desired animals that you would generally want to see. They are visible, easy to see, enclosures are clean, and staff is friendly. A bit pricey in the food and drink items, so take essentials for the kids. Most drinks you don't get a top or a straw, and I don't understand that for the price you pay, so take containers and be prepared for yourself! Overall, I loved it and will go back again and again!

J C

What a nice place for a leisurely stroll with the family. There's all sorts of activities and a lot of ways to keep the little ones interested. If you're looking for an outdoor activity for the family, it's a nice place to visit.

Chrisa TS

I couldn’t believe this place was in Baltimore. State of the art! The animals seemed healthy and happy and the staff and volunteers were doing an excellent job! Loved the elephants and the penguins!

Cathy Hickman

Fabulous way to enjoy a summer day. Opportunities to see animals in a natural environment, not small cages. Grounds are lovely. Zoo staff is top notch.

Christy W

Absolutely fantastic. The exhibits showed off the animals beautifully. We also took part in a Penguin Experience in which we were able to get up close with some of the African penguins. That was not only the highlight of the day but also the whole trip.

Aaron Hottenstein

Nice zoo to take the kids. Check the keeper talks ahead of time to learn more about animals.

Anna Nizovtsova

Great place for a quick day trip. Parking lot is close by and easy to get to the zoo... We enjoyed watching animals. Always fun to see how they interact with each other. Easy access to bathroom through out of the zoo and they sell snacks and pizza..

Mich Gorleski

If you have never been to this zoo, or haven't been here for a while, it definitely merits a trip. While the penguins are still my favorite (in their spanking-new, top-notch habitat) they also have a very nice African Savannah area as well as an impressive chimpanzee house and polar bear exhibit, and of course the usual assortment of zoo animals.

Ameya Amritwar

Great place for weekend visit. Well maintained, animals look happy and cared for ! Great place for kids.

Jason Henson SKULLKANDY Vapor

Excellent place for a family or couples weekend. They have a wide selection of exotic animals and the park is nice and tidy as well as all the enclosures. We usually make a trip 1-2 times a year and never disappoints.

KC Miller

Informative and interactive. The volunteers and staff do a great job working with adult and child visitors. I appreciate the layout in having lots of indoor exhibit breaks throughout for those hot days. The restaurants were surprisingly good quality when so often these parks don't offer anything good and it's high cost for low quality and quantity. They also let you bring in your own food and drink, which we did for kid drinks and snacks throughout. The polar bears have long been my favorite there.

Augusta Spandler

We love this zoo! A companion membership, penguin adoption, and penguin encounter... we're definitely hoping to visit multiple times this year! The penguin encounter was awesome!! It's so nice to just walk around here too even when most animals are off exhibit. Cant wait to go back when they're back on exhibit!

Marco Ciavolino

Great State zoo. Hadn't been there for years forgot how much we enjoyed it. All natural environments in great ways to see these beautiful animals

Connie Green

We went with six children ages 8-2 and six adults ages 36-66. Even though part of the zoo was closed because of construction, it was a great trip. All employees were very friendly and accommodating. Polar bears were amazing, penguins were a lot of fun, monkeys were playful and lions were beautiful. We spent the same amount of money per person, as we did on much smaller exhibits in other cities. Prices inside the zoo were reasonable. At a recent trip for the same price in a Vermont science center, we stayed for an hour and ten minutes. We stayed at the Maryland Zoo for six hours. Kids and adults were equally entertained! Wonderful day!

Michael Kadjeski

Very nice place. Only 4 stars because there is so much construction underway that you really can't see some animals. I'm returning next year and I'll venture they'll be 5 stars. The volunteers are fantastic. Very friendly and informative. Plenty of shade. If the zoo reads this... More benches please. Most of the seating is focused at the food vendors. You need more scattered around. Easy to get to off I-83.

Joseph Miller

The new Africa is exhibit is really great. This was the first time in a few years big going to on the zoo that we actually saw animals up and moving.

Timothy Rudisill

The Maryland Zoo is always a fun time. The staff are helpful and pleasant to deal with. Their are plenty of animals and a large variety. The exhibit are set up so that visitors can see the whole area. Very nice zoo. One of the best

Laura Boonchaisri (Bailey)

Great zoo! A little pricey to get in, but we really enjoyed the children's areas and the food was pretty good, reasonable prices for food at a zoo. Clean and generally well maintained.

Tanya Gunn

Beautiful zoo. Better discount when you get a membership. They need to stay open longer in the warmer months.

Dee Jay

On a nice day it's great to take a stroll through the zoo. 3 stars only because most exhibits were empty. Zoo needs more interaction and activities.

Donya Brown

Quiet, clean, informative and fun! All of my children from age 16 yr to 8 yrs old had so much fun. Would highly recommend.

Jerome Murray III

My family and I go to a lot of different zoos. This was the first time to this one. It was nearly a perfect visit. The zoo is very clean. It has speakers at the various exhibits at various time that were posted online so you could plan your visit based on what you wanted to learn about. There is a long walk from the main gate to the first exhibit. The way in is downhill which isn't bad if you didn't expect to walk that far but I recommend that you take the free shuttle back out as it will be uphill and after a long day of walking I wiulnt have made it with two sleepy children. I wouldn't pay for the extra two things to do (the little carousel and something else). The one thing that I was disappointed in was that part of the animals in the African exhibit were closed off so we only got to see 3/4 of the zoo. All in all I was satisfied and probably would have given 5 stars if we were able to see the whole zoo.

Nandu Menon

zoo is spacious 135 some acres of land. Lots of birds and many different kinds of animals. Definitely far better than DC zoo. The only zoo I have visited larger was the one in Atlanta. Lot of parking and friendly people.

Kay Mitchell

This was a great zoo. My son loved it will definitely go again!

Zunaib Ali

A good place to visit. Well managed and organised. Enjoyed a lot.

Jennifer Baker

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is an excellent updated zoo to visit with all ages. The penguin exhibit is world class and one can easily spend an hour watching the penguins. It is great to see the efforts made over the past 15 years to improve the animal and visitor experience. I prefer the experience at this mid sized zoo that focus on doing a great job with a smaller number of animals. Their increased focus on conservation is also visible around the zoo, which is great to see.

Bob Mello

It was a very hot day. My son and I took my grandson to the zoo. It has been awhile that I visited the zoo. The exhibits have changed for the better. Many of the animals were sheltered because of the heat. But what we saw was great. Easy to see. The workers were all knowledgable and very kind. We will definitely go again on a cooler day.

Hoovy

A very nice zoo. Plenty of space to roam around, with playgrounds sprinkled in for the children. We really enjoyed our day there.

April Wagner

This is a really great place to come out for a date or a day with family. The parking is really easy, the zoo clean and nice. The ducks that have pretty much taken over most of the habitats are hilarious. Great place to visit in Baltimore.

Aaron Jones

Wasn’t planning on going to the Maryland Zoo but glad we did. Unlike some zoos the animals at the Maryland Zoo are easily seen. Not a lot of hiding places when they are outside. My wife and I relaxed and watched the animals roam about. I would go again.

Chuck Johnson

Affordable and fun! The zoo is a good size; not too small and (more importantly) not too big. Admission prices are fair, and you can find discounts easily. The food was a bit more pricey; and the train ride was expensive ($5) compared to the ride time. It’s a nice route with a high bridge, but the journey is fairly short. Note this is a “ride” only, not a way to see the animals. The exhibits were informative and fun. I wish they would re-open the historic central path (that contains old cages) with signage and historical markers... that would greatly enhance the importance of the newer designs of modern enclosures. A great day trip!

Jules F.

I had a great time with a friend here. The place was clean, and the animal seemed well kept for. Just before the zoo closes, around 3:30, they have penguin feeding, and it was very cute. The petting zoo was wonderful too.

Ed Hodges

Easy to walk around, plenty of parking. Some animal spaces too small, but the animals appear to be well cared for. Surprisingly good pizza.

Barry Tiggemann

Best zoo in the DMV area, and it's never busy! Perfect size for a half day with the kids.

James Rogers

Such a great zoo and improving with construction almost completed on the African experience. Favorite part is the Penguins which is right at the entrance. They also have a very nice children’s zoo which our 2.5 year old nephew really enjoyed especially the otter exhibit. In my opinion best zoo in the mid-Atlantic area.

Bryan P Johnson

It's been a few years since I've been to the zoo. Had an amazing time. Nice to see upgrades to the exhibits and excited to see the continuous improvements.

Kishore Bitra

Not a big zoo but it's suitable for Kids, not many exhibits. Three elephants, 2 Giraffe, 2 Lions, and 2 Cheetah. Penguin feeding is an excellent attraction. Goat farm is good for kids.

Vernon Spriggs

Awesome! WAYYYY better than expected.

AJ Ayenson

OCTOBEARFEST Fest is always a great time in the zoo.

Ally Salb

Love it here. I wish they would have more reptiles but the African adventure makes up for that.

Elizabeth Heerdt

We always love our trips to the zoo! The Keepers are friendly and knowledgeable, and the layout is easy to follow. It can be pretty crowded on mornings when the weather is fine, but we've found if you go after 12 it's a little quieter, and a quiet afternoon at the zoo can't be beat!! We really enjoy the wonderful diversity of animals, and my boys never want to leave the slides, carousel, the train..... We've been going here since they were just a couple months old, and our membership has been well worth it every year!! For an educational field trip or just a fun day outside, there hasn't been another place my boys loved more!

Emily Wasnock

I have visited the Zoo bi-weekly for the last 9 years. I maintain a membership and it is worth every penny. Currently (as of early May 2019) there is some pretty serious construction happening on the back side of the zoo. Wonderful improvements in the works. While it does make it a bit trickier to get around all of the animals are still visible except for the elephants during this time. Also, the food at the zoo is really great. My favorite chicken tenders anywhere. Some days I come here just because I am craving them. If it's not too hot, definitely walk rather than waiting for the tram, and actually the walk is cooler even when it is hot because it is nearly all shaded. Be advised there isn't much shelter if it happens to be a rainy day.

April Wagner

This is a really great place to come out for a date or a day with family. The parking is really easy, the zoo clean and nice. The ducks that have pretty much taken over most of the habitats are hilarious. Great place to visit in Baltimore.

Casey Fisher

Great day for the zoo! Membership is definitely worth it

Tabby Joy

Great time. Food was good too.

Miranda Varner

Wanted to do something with the family at the last minute and was came across this place. I will start off by saying you get your money’s worth!! Good price and so much to see and do. We loved it and seeing all the animals. I liked that they had lots of bathrooms around and food/ drink stations while walking. It was a fun time and my children loved it. Definitely go here if you want something fun to do!

Miranda Benetti

So lovely, lots of things to do and see - and fun stuff for children, including petting goats, and sliding down an awesome slide that looks like a giant tree stump! Loved it and highly recommend it!

Ezra Yaakov van Messel

I'm sure there are many animals to see, only I was a bit busy when I was there, (as a Camp Staff) and only saw about 3 the entire day. Amazing, polite, helpfull security staff, as for the Zoo staff, I'm sure they were trying, but for all our questions they just asked their manager who told us straight up no. In addition, I perfectly well understand policy and protocols, nonetheless we were treated no more than preschoolers, rudely, inconsiderate, and may I say quite obnoxious.

Kathy Graham

Enjoyed a beautiful day at the zoo with family. It was a little disconcerting when the female Lion wanted to get to a dog. Fortunately she couldn't.

Cheryl Bower

Loved it very clean and well taken care of. Loved the penguin feeding.

Matthew Somogyi

A must-see if you are spending a few days in the Baltimore area. The zoo features a great and diverse collection of animals sure to please any animal lover. With behind-the-scenes and other animal experiences available, the zoo makes for a great day trip for all ages. You can easily do the entire zoo in one day but I do recommend arriving in the morning and grabbing a schedule of the keeper chats since these are great opportunities to learn more about the animals and conservation efforts of the zoo. Food is nothing to write home about but there is a selection of beer available for adults. Overall the zoo makes for a great outdoor activity for families and animal enthusiasts.

Lekhashree Sivasankar

Good but most of the animals like bear,rhino,cheetah we didn't see.

Christopher Swader

The Maryland Zoo is well maintained and the Keeper Chats are informative and educational. Getting there using navigation can lead you through some sketchy neighborhoods though.

Phyllis Finch

Please do your research. Too many events one day. Comfortable shoes a must Lots of construction

Diana Bauer

I've been a Zoo member for years. However, I've never seen the lions being trained! Now we can watch the trainers interact with the lions every Wednesday at 10:30! It was awesome. Just head for the new exhibit.

Jonathan Spencer

Pretty nice zoo with several animals. Just make sure you take the taxi service from the entrance once you enter, the walk is longer than you think it will be.

Navaira Fida

I love the Baltimore Zoo, Its huge and have every animal you can think of. My four year old son enjoyed a lot especially the Penguin Feeding and the Polar Bear Watch. We also had a Carousel and train ride.

Kelley Giles

Very family friendly and we go here frequently. Wishing for better food options, but we just bring our own. Staff is super helpful and knowledgeable.

Michael Vogeler

It's a good enough zoo in a horrible location. The National Zoo has a bigger variety, but there are some animals here that you won't find there, like the polar bears or penguins.

T Clark

Nice zoo. Well laid out. Active animals. Pleasant and helpful volunteer staff.

Patrick Breen

We got married at the zoo so it's always great to bring our little one back to annoyingly show her where we got married. Plus the new African journey is incredible!

Thoma Riviegravere

Visited the the night of the members only preview of the new African Journey exhibit. Although still putting some finishing touches on the new exhibit, you won't be disappointed. On the other side of the lion exhibit, opposite the three small viewing windows, is a wide open viewing area where you can see the entire lion enclosure. Just opposite the lion exhibit is the giraffe yard with excellent viewing of the giraffes. The new and much improved elephant exhibit is a can't miss, literally. It is so much larger with ample room for the elephants to roam that comes with additional viewing areas for guests at different levels. I highly recommend a visit to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. You will not be disappointed.

C Hewitt

It’s a nice zoo. I like Philly, Columbus and the National zoos better but this is still a nice zoo with some cool animals like chimpanzees and a type of antelope called the sitatunga. The petting zoo is really nice and a ambassador penguin sat in my lap. The reason I think other zoos are nicer is because the exhibits there are not as spaced out, and you need to take a tram car from the central plaza to the exhibits. I would like to see more animals and more exhibits. It is a nice place and is a great place for kids.

Carine Nouboussi

I think I liked this zoo just as much as the National Zoo in DC, but the entrance fee is a deal breaker for me.

Aaron Jones

Wasn’t planning on going to the Maryland Zoo but glad we did. Unlike some zoos the animals at the Maryland Zoo are easily seen. Not a lot of hiding places when they are outside. My wife and I relaxed and watched the animals roam about. I would go again.

G W

A spectacular zoo which to spend the day out with the family, or just to do photography with the animals. I would highly recommend sing the zoo, which was over all clean and easily accessible and laid out for visitor use. The prices of food and souvenirs was the usual tourist destination prices.

Thomas Farkas

Very hot day, very helpful employees with loads of information and answers to all your questions. Affordable and clean. Get their early for good parking and to see the penguin feeding!

Renee Mack

I have not been there in years. However, it clean exciting, interesting and full of great information. I cannot comment on the concession stands. I was there for a 2yr old birthday party. Which the pavilions are spacious clean. Then we toured the zoo as part of a birthday package. So much fun.

Joe Mathis

This is my favorite zoo for anyone with kids.I remember coming here as a kid and always having a great time. They have upgraded many of the exhibits over the years, which has kept this as a top notch zoo with many great exhibits and activities.

Naomi Maman

Great zoo for young ages. Pricey but you can get discounts by getting tickets online or through AAA. Kids under 2 are free. Best kid exhibits are the barn area, the Lilly pads, caroael, train ride( extra $$ for basic price tickets). Depending on your frequency of visits, a Membership may be worthwhile. Definitely bring your own food. Best time to bring little ones is during the week and fall time. Best A tram is available to take you to the main exhibit area. Do bring a smaller stroller as you will have to fold it up for the tram ride. Wheelchairs are available for $9 a day and there are places to sit along the way.

TheLjones82

Everything nicely setup. Free guided parking to your parking space, clean bathrooms, plenty to see. The playground at the exit is a nice way to end the adventure; has picnic tables by it so the family can enjoy a nice meal.

Rochel Gewirtz

Well designed, well maintained, handicap accessible, and VERY child friendly! Decent assortment of animals in each exhibit, displayed in very natural looking habitats. Keepers are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Added bonuses throughout the zoo, aside from a sizeable gift shop, include keeper chats, animal ambassadors, a mini train ride, carousel, face painting booths, and giraffe feeding.

Adam

Wish the price was not as high but good cause to keep animals safe. Enjoyed improvements.

Jeremy Lucier

Excellent place for kids! The kids section is amazing with lots of caves and such to go through. The penguin exhibit was a personal favorite (they're bred here), and the staff was readily available at all the prime exhibits. My family enjoyed paying a little bit more to have an encounter with the penguins, which will definitely be unforgettable. I highly recommend visiting!

Brenda Kovacs

Maps were hard to maneuver. Glad to see many many cool (temp.) bathrooms. Staff was very kind throughout the whole zoo.

Jayaprakash Annappa

Good place for a visit with kids... good part is there is not much area to cover and kids enjoyed without getting tired.

Andrew Pelletier

Such a beautiful zoo! So many animals you can't see at other zoos. Enjoyed the different enclosures and trails.

Amy Lebo

I generally am turned off by zoos to some extent...end up feeling sorry for the animals, but this place had a nice feel to it -- not too much. Felt inclusive and a great way to spend the day.

Micah Lebowitz

Tons of fun! Super informative and friendly workers with great animal facts!

Zack Schneiderman

Really love this zoo and its very affordable especially for students considering you can get a two person membership for fifty dollars. There's a wonderful variety of animals and they seem to be expanding all the time and making great improvements. I hope they continue to do so and continue to create the best possible environment for these animals.

Glitter Girls TV

The Maryland Zoo has come a long way. As a Baltimore native I can think back to when this place was not in the best shape. These days you can take the family here and truly be astonished at the work that has gone into restoring this landmark. The exhibits are gorgeous and the animals are new and energetic! Even take the kids for the petting zoo, riding the train, and face painting. Give it a chance and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Kelly Mosmiller

We recently went to the Maryland Zoo on a school field trip and it was great! They were renovating some of the areas and it looks like they are fixing it up a lot. The construction did not interfere with our experience at all and we got to see so many animals. The employees were super nice and informative! And they have the BEST soft pretzels I have EVER tasted!! We will definitely be going more often and I highly recommend a visit, especially if you havent been in a while.

Kinna Love

lots of fun to be with the kids. great place to visit.

Cama Wilson

The Maryland Zoo was a fantastic place to take the entire family. The paths are wide and accessible for strollers, wagons, or wheelchairs. There is plenty of shade and seats along the exhibit paths. Families can bring their own food or purchase from vendors. Shaded seating is available. Plenty of parking is available for free onsite. In addition, lots of feeding and keeper chats occurring at various times during the day. Overall awesome family day trip.