Reviews of Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium (Zoo)

Katie Williams

Loved it! All the animal exhibits were fairly close and we got to see so many things. Very easy to navigate the exhibits/grounds. Really enjoyable way to spend an afternoon with my little one.

Margaret Burns

My son has down syndrome I love to watch how excited he gets to see animals he will never get to see anywhere else. He loves to go there and identify the animals. Easy parking the escalator is a favorite of my son as well. There is food and drinks and rides for the kids. There are special events on certain days and is handicap accessible.

Daniel DiBattiste

The guy at the ticket booth complained and said "I guess nobody works anymore..." Since he had a line of people and actually had to work. Also if you have a latex allergy you can't eat or go inside any indoor exhibits. Not that we'd go back after the customer service, such ashame for a nice zoo.

Smitty Werbenjaegermanjensen

I know it is irrational, because it's a zoo, but there were too many misbehaved children around. Children were crawling around on fencing and getting too close for comfort to the animals. They need to increase security. A couple times I openly gasped at children who were 3/4 over fences, and barriers, and my boyfriend and I were run in to several times by miscreants. I am a big fan of zoos, and I have never seen this low level of control from the zoo. I am only taking a star off because it is of limited blame of the zoo. The zoo itself was pretty, and all but the penguins, rhinos, and tigers were noticeably unhappy. But it might have been the tiger's nap times. It is not a bad trip, just prepare yourself for Jurassic Park.

Kat Kealy

A decent zoo that's always expanding. I'm surprised I hadn't reviewed it before. Glad I checked. We were bummed to hear the dinosaur exhibit is gone for good, since my nephews missed it last year, but they do a good job and encourage reusing and recycling with their reusable plastic cups (with lids and straws), recycling cans, compost cans, etc. I recommend going early before it gets too crowded - especially since some of the animals are nocturnal and more likely to be a bit more active in the morning.

Don T

We love taking our son here. If you’re active duty military admission is free. Could be nicer, been to better organized and kept zoo’s but a 2 year old doesn’t know the difference and he loves it!

Mike Volpe

Zoo was great, however there are zero places to privately feed a baby. My wife had to hide in the bushes to feed our 6 month old even though we asked multiple associates.

Julie Kelley

Our zoo is great, but we need to get some bears back to the zoo. Lots of new attractions, but I'm disappointed to see a beer garden at the old bear location. Also wish we would get a second polar bear. The bears were always my favorite. Columbus Zoo seems to put more into the animal exhibits instead of the Jambo Grille, zip lines, beer gardens. They have tons of bears, animal shows with hyenas, cheetahs, etc.

Bill Ellis

Ran the Zoozilla event with charming wife. Delightful event, with encouraging and helpful staff. Zoo gardens were still flowering and beautiful.

Derek Nicewonger

My girlfriend and I had a wonderful time looking at the various animals. It was hot that day but luckily there were indoor areas and mist fans to keep us cool. It was a great way to spend our anniversary!

T Wenzig

The Pittsburgh zoo has come a long way. Only complaints would be, most of the concession stand workers dont care and the one worker who was getting out drink had a big open cut on his knuckle that was bleeding and kept wiping it on the back of his pants, well he decided to put that hand in the ice and scoop up the ice with our cup, then proceeded to put the lid on with that hand and you have to drink from the lid since you cant have straws I the park. As for the park exhibits, I wish there was an exit at the end of the islands exhibit instead of having to walk all the way back to the entrance of it to get out of it. And the bear exhibits, why did they just fill them in with dirt and let weeds just grow there? Other than that, I love this zoo.

Kevin Byrnes

Staff is very friendly!!!! It's a nice size zoo. Can be done in 3 hours including the aquarium. Went on a Monday wasn't crazy busy and we got to have our picture taken with a giraffe.. really cool

Heather Haskie

A family favorite. There are 2 parts to the zoo. It's a lot to do in one day. We like to ride the tram to the top of one side and take our time on that side. Then the next time we visit the other side. The tram is worth it but make sure you get your band at the gift shop area when you first get there.

Andrew Impellitteri

A bit expensive but a decent zoo. Would not recommend the winter time to visit. Good aquarium for its size. Not too big to walk either

Brent Roberts

Awesome zoo. Great petting area for the little kiddos including an awesome log ride. Lots of cool spots to dive into if heating up. Overall super fun and just get a membership.

Tricia Hill

It was nice. But stoping at a food area or quick snack stop. They had no popcorn or fountain drinks. It was only 2 in the afternoon. Then found a spot with popcorn and they stated they were closed.

John W. Sheldon

The zoo is a fantastic spot to visit, with such a good variety of animals and exhibits that I wouldn't try to hit it all in one day. It is pretty hilly, though, and water fountains can be scarce, so it can be tough to stay hydrated and difficult for less mobile folks to navigate.

Rodolfo Mangual

Great place to visit for the whole family. Kids will specially enjoy the petting zone and how close the viewing areas are from the animals. Arrive early to enjoy a cool stroll and avoid the heat. Restrooms are very well kept and restaurants have a variety of food for snacking. Overall a very good experience with a variety of animals to see from all over the world.

Dennis Galbraith

The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is a great family outing. We have been going for years and typically get annual passes as we tend to go at leadt 5 or 6 times. A lot of the animals were out and there were some cute moments with a seal. The ither fun thing this day was that I got to share the experience of SCUBA diving with my daughter...and she loved it. There was a try SCUBA event and it was a great experience.

Shannon wood

A nice place to spend the day with a grandchild. Pet the Ray's, crawl under the tunnels, walk thru the llamas and see all the beautiful animals. Thanks Thomas for going to the zoo. #beachsideselling

Sirena

Great place. Very inexpensive when we went in the summer, especially for having a zoo and an aquarium at the same location. You could go twice for the same price in admissions as once day at an aquarium elsewhere and you may need the full two days to explore and take your time with everything. I love how eco- friendly they are with water fountains everywhere to fill your water bottle for free, bamboo straws and lack of plastic bags. They are doing their part to help the environment and for that I don't mind spending a little extra in their gift shop.

Jaymes Matteson

We love the zoo! Always so clean and everyone is always so helpful

The Informative Droid

One of the most beautiful places to be when one is at Pittsburgh. The zoo takes exceedingly beautiful care of the animals in the zoo. Animals there include giraffes, all sorts of wild cats, deadly reptiles and fish, some polar bears, and much more. The zoo also gives free days and holds an annual public penguin parade during the final weeks of December. This is a must-go-to place!

Terry Moore

Very nice zoo. Little hilly. Mature park, great landscaping. Showing its age a little, don't change just fix up some infrastructure. Didn't see several key animals, was a little surprised by that...bears, kangaroo, reptiles.

Austin Coleman

Overall a great experience. Compared to larger zoos it has more of a natural feels because of the surrounding Forest. Being smaller there were less exhibits and some of the enclosures we're a bit small but definitely worth the trip!

Danielle Taylor

Really nice zoo. Lots of animals to see and nice kids area. My only complaint is it’s very spread out and the zoo is on the side of a large hill so you are either walking up or down some big inclines. A lot to see in one day.

Haunani Fisher

Aside from all the family activities they had when we visited, we enjoyed being able to take our time observing and learning about all the animals at our own pace. Eating lunch with the giraffe was quite a surprise as well.

Katie Williams

Loved it! All the animal exhibits were fairly close and we got to see so many things. Very easy to navigate the exhibits/grounds. Really enjoyable way to spend an afternoon with my little one.

Michelle Newman

I really enjoy this zoo. I love the fact they have an aquarium too. All of the animals seem to be really taken care of. Alot of them were active well I was there. The snack bar prices seem reasonable. I expected prices to be higher. I did not see any child size portions offered. The snack bar staff was not friendly or welcoming. They could at least look like they enjoyed having a job. The bathroom I went in was trashed. I did not notice any family bathrooms. There may have been but not many if there were. The grounds seemed well kept as well as the animal exhibits. The one aquarium was full of algae. I'm no animal expert so it may be food to them. All in all this is an enjoyable zoo.

lori mellish

Beautiful grounds. Even when crowded, didn't feel overwhelming. Lots of walking but well worth it. Kids had a blast!

Zachary Worth

This was my second time to this zoo and aquarium. I love this place. There is so much diversity in the animal life and aquatic creatures. Well worth the price of admission.

Johnell Lewis

Friendly staff. All the animals looked well taken care of and happy. It was pretty clean considering how busy it was. Food and the gift shop are way over priced though. 10 dollars for a plastic car is crazy and almost 20 for a stuffed animal is just unnecessary.

Christopher Thorn

Kids had a blast. Can't wait to get back

Margaret Burns

My son has down syndrome I love to watch how excited he gets to see animals he will never get to see anywhere else. He loves to go there and identify the animals. Easy parking the escalator is a favorite of my son as well. There is food and drinks and rides for the kids. There are special events on certain days and is handicap accessible.

Rev. Scott A. Gray

One of the best public zoos I've visited with a vast range of diverse exhibitions that feature African wildlife, a tropical forest full of animals, the islands with reptiles, a jungle odyssey that includes ziplining, the PPG Aquarium that features fish, coral reefs, and other aquatic life, a kid's kingdom that allows children to play, an education amphitheater, an education complex, kiddie rides, restaurant, and much more! Admission is not expensive, but food and drink is a little pricey. The Zoo allows you to bring in your own food and drink. Parking is free. Lots of sights! I highly recommend this family-friendly place to you!

Stefania M. Facaros

Great place to visit! Very clean, food options, loads of different things to do and see! Prices are good, kids under two get in for free and they have military discounts too!

Lauren Russell

Who doesn't love the zoo? The animals have been lively the last few times we've gone. Its only $10 for the family to take a pic with an elephant and pet it! I really appreciate their $5 kiosk upon exit - everyone can get a piece of the zoo to take home. A membership was a wonderful investment.

john lanier

This time of the year is a great time to go. With it being a little cooler so many animals were out like us enjoying the day.

Harry White III

I've always loved this zoo and they are always trying to improve so it is pretty good. My only complaint is not getting to pet the kangaroos only because they are my favorite. But still 5 stars.

Mel Fra

I give this four stars for the interesting animals and their caretakers. Animals looked well cared for. I would give it one star for directions through the paths. Definitely need more signs on where to walk to exit. We kept walking in circles, and one of us had an anxiety attack ;).

Lena Reigleman

Really fun but large and all up hill. Awesome chicken strip and Fry's basket, at the front of the park. Also there is a big restaurant by the zebra meadow,with a really good view :-)

Edwin Wiancko

Excellent workout. Thank you. And...nice job making it a very kid-friendly place. (P.S. please air out the monkey house a bit more.)

jason gilliland

Fun day at the zoo... went about a month and a half ago as well .. staff was very nice on both occasions.. only complaint is I think it's a bit over priced for a 3yr old to have to pay 15.00... and the lack of some exhibits and animals... also apparently in the fall all the food and drink vendors are shut down so be sure to bring your own drinks. I like that they allow you to bring in your own food and drink as long as its plastic and no glass...

Daniel Cashdollar

My favorite place is definitely the aquarium. So many cool and unigues underwater exhibits for everyone to learn. The staff is friendly and answers questions. The one large tank is the main display with Soo many fish and a few sharks. There is also a jungle exhibit with a large environment.

TrinityW VlogsYT

Pittsburgh Zoo is a great place if you want to see animals and learn more about them. There are boards near each animal to tell you about the specific animal. Pittsburgh Zoo is a fantastic experience! I enjoyed visiting it!

Andy Smith

Really neat place with lots to do and see, great place for the kiddos. Pricey drinks and food but overall worth it. Clean facilities

Alyce Paul

I was very pleased with the: changes, renovations, additions since I last was here. Thank Goodness, the zoo use to be very pathetic in comparison to many other zoos. Kudos to you!!!! Now if only walking paths for bus riders were made....!

Tiffany Fabry

Great place with lots to see. Myself and my nephew got to see the elephants getting a bath. They are his favorite animal it was a great moment.

Charles Carter

An older zoo that is well on its way to the modern natural environmental style of display areas. The aquarium is fairly new. The rest of the zoo is a mix of old and new. Be prepared for a lot of walking. It is a hilly location, like most of Pittsburgh.

Michelle Gumina

I love this zoo. The variety of animals as well as the aquarium makes it a great outing. They recently built a new area with nice new exhibits. My only complaint was the price of food but you can bring your own in so if you're on a budget I would definitely recommend that.

Jillian Fields

Needs a thorough cleaning especially in the bathrooms. Also, exhibits close too early. Need more time slots for animal encounters. Also missing the fun they had when I was a kid: peacocks, snakes and iguanas, kangaroos and deer, and other animals to pet or take pics with.

Darlene Costantino

Love the Zoo it's got the best animals ❤

Rhonda Detrow

Hadn't been in years. Staff pleasant and informative. Extremely hot , day of my visit. Indoor exhibits, intermittent misting arbors and shaded walk ways gave good relief from direct sun. Would like to have had shuttle to parking lots. Like you have inside the zoo. After a long day of zip lining, watching animals, eating and walking . Overall great day. Would recommend to family and friends

Elaina Mcreynolds

Beautiful walk. Animals are wonderful. Ice cream delicious

William Egan

Nice zoo. Decent diverse group of animals. Especially in the aquarium. Playgrounds for the kids to burn some energy.

Nick McAndrews

Zoo has a really nice set up and lots of room. A great variety of animals. The aquarium is not the biggest but they did a great job displaying all different kinds of freshwater and saltwater. Some of the animals you can actually feed and take pictures with for a price they have info on there website about that. The zoo is also kid friendly with lots of things for young ones to do if mom and dad need a rest.

Sandi Amburgy

The "boardwalk, double-door" area into the woods surrounding the Kids Kingdom was amazing! Very well done! We were very disappointed in the amount of TLC the entire park needed. Many of the habitats were in desperate need of cleaning (I realize it is an outdoor area for animals) but some places really needed help). I hope they can get more funding and volunteers to help. We were also very sad that many of the animals were at their hatch door by 4 pm (closes at 5), so we could not see them. Worst of all, we arrived shortly after opening and went immediately to the Village to get a scooter. Being in PA, we knew it would be serious hills all day. They had dozens of electric scooters sitting there. Cool. I asked to rent one. The young man told me all were reserved online on the website so none were available. Being from out of state and my first time there, how would I know to go online and reserve one! We were on vacation, so I did not have my computer with me, either. I was not happy!! I walk with a cane (Rheumatoid arthritis and Fibromyalgia) so walking all day and hills would be horrible. Whatever happened to first come, first served!! At least hold back a number of them for out of state, first-time visitors that do not know about this horrible plan! There were rarely any benches for me (and others) to use to gather ourselves with so much walking, standing and hills. Severely disappointed!! A manual wheelchair would have been available; however, did I mention it is PA and the massive amounts of steep hills? My son would not have been able to push me in it, so what would be the point of it. Sad... P.S. Please go visit the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. It is amazing!!

john barkus

love this place. the polar bear is on if the coolest things to see play when he is out. the layout is great as it is one giant circle so you would have to go out of you way to ship anything. the newest thing is now they serve beer there. i can see where this can easy go very wrong but at least the beer choices are good. I cant say it enough that the ugh have some neat animals to see.

Krista Mccumber

Absolutely fun!! So much to see we didn't make it all in one day with 5 kiddos in tow. The aquarium's are very cool! We rented a stroller type deal & that helped. Packing food wood be ideal as was super expensive but it was delicious.

ALEX COLE

Best zoo I've been to by far, the prices are fare and the employees are nice. The exhibits are very nice and the animals seem happy. The layout of the zoo is great. Take one path and see all the animals and you dont get confused. Fun for the whole family.

Candice Couturiaux

Was very disappointed.. Because of a wedding the best parts of the aquarium were closed off. I feel money should have been refunded or offer another visit on the zoo.

John Buterbaugh Sr.

The Pittsburgh Zoo has been completely redone since I last visited in the 1970s . If you haven't been there in awhile it's vastly improved with more of a nature type setting with trails around enclosures .No cages like the old zoo. Put on your walking shoes because there are 3 levels now with open settings for the larger animals . If you haven't been there I'd suggest visiting again ! There's also a really nice aquarium building and monkey house!

Janine Davies

Really enjoyed seeing all the animals. Easy to get there with lots of parking available. Easy walking except for all the large strollers and wagons people use for carrying all their stuff. Need more food options.

Katy Miller

Parking is pretty good, unless you go on really busy days. The aquarium is nice. Not too many food options. Most places were closed when we went.

Aditya Lotia

Amazing place to spend the day. We were here for almost 5 hours. Although it was hot, we enjoyed our day thoroughly. Some of the animals I saw here were ones I have never seen in other zoos. A good place for kids too.

Vanessa Torres

I always recommend this zoo because it’s smaller and very doable in one morning. It allows to see animals while they sleep or play and it’s mostly outdoors. The chimps and aquarium have an indoor building. The train feature is a life saver. My kids were moody that day and decided they did not want to finish seeing the animals and the train took us to the exit. I recommend this zoo. I was a bit disappointed of seeing a lot of white claw and maybe beer stands this year. Not sure how beer and aa children’s activity mix. I’d rather have no beer. Bring your own food since the consignment shops are very expensive. I bought my kids 2 beverages and one water and I paid over 15 dollars.

Sarah Cicero

We enjoyed our day at the zoo last weekend. Most of the animals were very active, including the lynx which we almost never see active. We also caught a feeding and checkup of the sea lions. That was a lot of fun.

Mike Dunn

Amazing zoo. Its especially great for kids. So many different experiences for them to have with different animals from all over world. Only advice for parents is get ready to walk alot and if you are not familiar with Pittsburgh its hilly so be prepared. Its worth it though.

Krishna Kishore

Combo! Zoo and Aquarium in same premise, well maintained and you can get some really close views of most of the animals. I really liked the way it has been set up, they have a great variety of aquatic life, and polar bear is the really attraction.

Sandi Amburgy

The "boardwalk, double-door" area into the woods surrounding the Kids Kingdom was amazing! Very well done! We were very disappointed in the amount of TLC the entire park needed. Many of the habitats were in desperate need of cleaning (I realize it is an outdoor area for animals) but some places really needed help). I hope they can get more funding and volunteers to help. We were also very sad that many of the animals were at their hatch door by 4 pm (closes at 5), so we could not see them. Worst of all, we arrived shortly after opening and went immediately to the Village to get a scooter. Being in PA, we knew it would be serious hills all day. They had dozens of electric scooters sitting there. Cool. I asked to rent one. The young man told me all were reserved online on the website so none were available. Being from out of state and my first time there, how would I know to go online and reserve one! We were on vacation, so I did not have my computer with me, either. I was not happy!! I walk with a cane (Rheumatoid arthritis and Fibromyalgia) so walking all day and hills would be horrible. Whatever happened to first come, first served!! At least hold back a number of them for out of state, first-time visitors that do not know about this horrible plan! There were rarely any benches for me (and others) to use to gather ourselves with so much walking, standing and hills. Severely disappointed!! A manual wheelchair would have been available; however, did I mention it is PA and the massive amounts of steep hills? My son would not have been able to push me in it, so what would be the point of it. Sad... P.S. Please go visit the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. It is amazing!!

john barkus

love this place. the polar bear is on if the coolest things to see play when he is out. the layout is great as it is one giant circle so you would have to go out of you way to ship anything. the newest thing is now they serve beer there. i can see where this can easy go very wrong but at least the beer choices are good. I cant say it enough that the ugh have some neat animals to see.

Nick Holley

Good place to visit on a Sunday, wasn't too crowded but animals were less than thrilled looking.

Chris Conroy

Well laid out venue. Has area for private parties. Wide range of animals. Nice to visit outside of summertime.

DJ Wyandt

A well maintained park and widely diverse number of animals makes this zoo a blast to visit any time. With a variety of events throughout the year you can plan on a simple visit or adding to the fun with one of their events or experiences.

Ashlee Lombardi

We came from Ohio, so 2 hour drive. Age group of 14-53.. finished in 4 hours. It's a clean and nice zoo. Didn't eat there since we seen a cookie is almost $4 dollars. The rest is of it was neat though. I'd go again.

Michelle Swanson

Zoo animals were great, I feel the surroundings of everything were kind of let go and not taken care of well.. The sea lion show was great, seems like the guy and lady really cared for these 4 sea lions

richard pokrivka

An absolutely wonderful place to visit. Came on a Tuesday at 1 and worried about not being able to see the entire seeing and aquarium but we were able to finish seeing everything by 5. Every animal and exhibit is clean and well maintained along with the park looking exquisite. Highly recommend stopping by and seeing the baby leopards who are absolutely adorable. Overall a great day and we'll worth the visit

VaultdwellingJackal X

Lots of animals, good exercise, and nice way to spend a day. There were a few little educational shows going on when we there. Some exhibits are interactive giving you an opportunity to touch the animals. Admission for an adult was $17.95, children were not much cheaper. While there we also had the opportunity to get a picture taken with an elephant for an additional $10. Concessions weren't too outrageous compared to something like kennywood. I would recommend bringing a little pocket cash as there are vending machines. Overall we spent about 3 and a half hours there. Quite an enjoyable afternoon.

Alisha Zanath

The zoo is pretty and well maintained. The new updates like the Zipline can make it more fun, though you have to pay extra for that. Don't go on the weekend unless you want to be pushed around by selfish parents. It's better to go when it's less crowded so that you actually have time to look at the exhibits.

Tiffany K

I always have an amazing time at the zoo. The elephant baths are enjoyable to watch and a must see on your visit. The animals are out more if you attend in the morning when it's cooler and parking was fairly open. The zoo is always having deals on tickets and group events and we got our tickets discounted and we spent four hours so we definitely got our money's worth. They also added a zip line which is short but definitely worth the money for the experience. Staff is very friendly and helpful so don't be afraid to ask if needed.

Laura Stone

Yup, It's the off-season, no one cares. The staff was downright rude, there was trash everywhere and the bathrooms were disgusting! Everything was super expensive. I gave it two stars instead of only one because the animals are great and look very well cared for.

Brandie Danowski

The zoo was great, lots to see and do. The food at the cafe was expensive but was actually really tasty. Bring your own drinks and snacks to save some cash, but get a souvenir from the gift shop!

Marcelle Benbrahim

We took the kids their today for the first time. Our little guy loved it on his special day( birthday). He really enoyed the fish and the turtle the most. But he did enjoy the rest of the Zoo too.

Eileen Pease

Love it always a good time. Grandchildren always have fun. Enjoy the new animal's as well as the old ones.

Benjamin Duncan

Great place for people of all ages! Beautiful, well maintained plants all through the zoo.

Scott Kleber

Our family has had season passes for over 5 years. Always a pleasure to visit. Staff is very nice and helpful. A great place for parties, events, family memories or to just take a walk in the park on a nice day. Highly recommended!!

Lisa Bellus

I love zoos and I have been visiting this zoo for a long time. Over the years it has declined and it makes me sad. I recently went to the Cincinnati zoo and would love for our zoo to be the same way. With botanical gardens throughout and brightly painted buildings.

Megan Longo

This place is always clean and the way you go through the park is very smooth. I would recommend bringing in your own food instead of eating there, although their food has gotten better over the years.

Lauren Newell

Very clean and lots of options for food. Great exhibits and plenty of animals to see! There definitely needs to be more signs, because we never really knew where we were going unless we were looking at the map.

Jason Lesher

This place mixes a healthy walking work out with all the fun of seeing animals at a safe distance. I have to give a big thumbs up for a great day out for the family.

ragan protzman

the atmosphere is great, but i suppose we came at a bad time; apparently quite a few of the animals recently died, so there are fewer exhibits than there used to be. the bears are gone entirely. quick note: pack a lunch. the food is not made fresh and it's really expensive. even the water bottles are expensive.

Lauren Capp

Love my zoo visit every year. Sad one of the Male lions just passed this summer but there is a baby gorilla whom is so adorable. In the winter they have a few free days while some animals aren't out most are and they get close so close and so awesome. They even do a penguin parade how awesome is that?

Thomas Colvin

I love animals and learning more about them. What better place than the zoo. I love the penguins they bring out the kid in me!

Jaimi Mullholand

This is a great zoo and easily accessible for all ages. The aquarium is a bit of a hike to the back of the zoo, but it’s the perfect cherry on top of a fun filled day. The zoo is a perfect size, beautiful and easy to navigate.

Cecil King

The staff didn't like answering questions for children ...like 5-7 yrs..very rude..drove 150+ never again on the weekend...try one more time through week hope it's better...this zoo use to be very good don't know what happened..not good experience for the little ones...

ShyZombie

I haven’t been to this zoo in YEARS. I took my son there on the 4th of July and it was stupid hot. They should have way more air conditioned places there. We didn’t go through the whole place it was so hot. We stopped after visiting the aquarium. Had a little fun there. It was nice being at a zoo again after so many years. Food could be better also. And maybe a little more lively workers.

Barbara K

Great day, seen most of the animals. They was out.my grandsons enjoyed being there

Hadeezle IT

Good times there as usual. The kids loved it plus they added a new feature called "alcohol" and it makes the experience of the zoo much more enjoyable!

Krystyne Harris

Absolutely disappointing. Drove 2 hrs to take our 2 year old to the Pittsburgh Zoo today Friday September 13 2019. The landscape is too tall to see some of the exhibits. It felt like you were walking in wooded trails to get to the next exhibit. All of the water in EVERY exhibit was unbelievably dirty to the point you couldn't see the animals. The glass on all of the exhibits were so dirty you couldn't see anything but your own reflection. Lastly, none of the vendors were open to get a drink or even a small snack. Luckily we packed our own drinks and snacks. We spent less than 2 hours here today. My family and I will NEVER RETURN. The Cleveland Zoo is wayyy better than this. If I could give NO stars I would have.

Tyler Hamelink

Beautiful landscaping helps accentuate magnificent animals. Easily a whole day of activity. Amenities were beyond what I was expecting, especially the cafe where my partner and I ate lunch while watching giraffe and zebras play. Only qualm I have is the aquarium tanks are not terribly well labeled, they are however very beautiful so they get a pass.

Bill Snoddy

A great place for kids and adults. Lots of fun activities and interesting animals. Super admission price for veterans. Be sure to bring proof of service.

Andrew S

This is one of the best zoos ever, and I've been to quite a few. Well designed, you essentially walk in a giant circle. No criss crossing every which way like most zoos( talking about you Toledo.) Very few dead ends. The animals are in view, at every exhibit. None of the nonsense that others zoos talk about in keeping the animals in their natural environment with places to hide, etc. I go to a zoo to see the animals, not fake made rock walls, terrain, and flora.

Ebonie Phillips

Love the new addition behind the food court. Wanted to fees anteaters but not for a pricey $60 when it's already $17 to get in.

Cass Brian

The zoo was awesome. It was easy to navigate to see all the animals the zoo has to offer. There is plenty of rest benches along the long walk it takes to get around the zoo. The exhibits have really good viewing points along the trails leading to them. The food buildings are located in the right places to accommodate the time it takes to get there if arriving at the time the zoo opens. The only down side is the aquarium can be over crowded really quickly. The souvenir shops are nice. A must see in Pittsburgh.

Marshall Brandt

Well laid out. Many places can get a close up view. Animal habitats are well done. The aquarium was a real surprise didn't expect something so nice and large.

Lori Zorn

We love the zoo! Family friendly, nicely spaced out, a lot of animals to see! It's a zoo with lots of hilly walking, so be prepared! (Great exercise if you ask me, especially when I'm pushing the stroller). They do have a tram, for a fee, for summer months, and a place to rent electric scooters if you need one. The kids kingdom area is THE best! With a nice animal collection, petting zoo with goats and sheep, 2 playground areas. Definitely one of our favorite places!

Krista Mccumber

Absolutely fun!! So much to see we didn't make it all in one day with 5 kiddos in tow. The aquarium's are very cool! We rented a stroller type deal & that helped. Packing food wood be ideal as was super expensive but it was delicious.

Frankie Si

Great place to take my daughter. So many beautiful animals to see and also some play areas for the kids. Definitely a fun place to visit

Joshua Elliott

Nice family outing location but don't go on the weekend when the weather is nice as the crowds are ridiculously big. With no limit on attendance the place becomes a nightmare. Wouldn't be bad if everyone took their turn and demonstrated basic social etiquette, but that doesn't happen with the biggest offenders being adults. I can't count the number of times my kids have been pushed out of the way. Overall great place to visit but be careful when you choose to go.

Teo Padilla

A fantastic place to visit. Parking is free and ample. Arrive early to get opportunity to meet and greet some animals. Bring a bottle to refill with water. Several places to get drinks or food but may be a bit pricey. Overall a must visit.

Brennan Lee

This is a really cool zoo with an aquarium too. Its not a huge zoo but it has great animals and is laid out really nice. Its really cool to have the aquarium part also. It took us about 2 and half hours to walk through. They have a souvenir cup that you can refilled for 1 dollar. Worth a visit if you are in the area

Logan Jean

Visited for the first time in over a year and are extremely disappointed. Sure, they added updates to the enclosures and the island. But the animals are so skinny and sickly. The enclosures are covered in feces and the aquarium is full of algae and sludge. Beyond normal amounts. Animals losing fur and feathers. The bathrooms have been absolutey disgusting. To the point where we wouldn't even use them, not to even wash our hands. It seems like they've been so preoccupied with updating the island that they completely neglected the rest of the zoo. It's amazing to me that no one sees anything wrong with this..

Charissa Daman

It's nice and big and a full day adventure. Bring your energy, you're gonna need it.

Skye Brown

I took my son there for the first time today and we had a blast I just wish they were open longer so we could have made it to the aquarium too

Kristen Davis

I love animals and this zoo has a good amount and a nice variety. I just wish they would update it and spice things up a bit with more hands on, close up experiences and opportunities with wild animals. I Also think they should get some bigger sharks in the aquarium and dolphins would be super cool. The play area is really dope. My three boys love it!

Donna Gornick

I love our zoo. It's a top notch place where the natural habitat of the animals is as closely replicated as possible and we have a pretty successful breeding program. One thing that could use improving is cleanliness. The glass in some exhibits is so dirty from handprints that you cant see good, some bathrooms were pretty bad also. Otherwise I highly recommend visiting the Pittsburgh zoo.

Timothy Kelley

I love the zoo! I haven’t been here in ages and things have changed so much. The exhibits have really progressed. The admission price is also very reasonable. I will definitely go back. It’s a lot of walking, but they have options for people who can’t walk well.

ValJean DuVall

I stopped by today to purchase a family membership for my twin grandbabies 1st birthday. There was a young employee, Alexandra, who was above and beyond helpful. She was friendly and professional. It was really a pleasure to meet her and see an employee so capable and engaging in their job!

Elias Zehr

This Zoo is great, has a large variety of animals for the kids to watch. There is an app that has a map that helps navigate the park and interact with some of the displays. There is a trolley that carries those I need of or wanting to ride to specific locations of the zoo so that you don't have to walk through the whole zoo if you don't want. This Zoo has a lot of great animals and amenities.

Mind Warriors

Nice exhibits. But not worth the price they charge. St Louis Zoo is free and is more clean and open

Epic Ethan

Other than the polar bear, the zoo has more than enough animals to keep you interested for hours.

Jamie Oswalt

Money well spent especially if you have young kids. It is a well designed layout. Not much has changed since I was there years ago. However I was kinda disappointed are no longer bears there.

elston perry

Great place to take the family really alot to do took us almost 3 hours to go through it all my son loved it. The prices for food are a little high just be prepared. Same with gift shop.

James Whalen

Zoos are inherently built for children and this is no exception. I have been w my kids each time and as they get older we move through faster with less excitement. The zoo also seems to be going through some changes right now as many exhibits seem gone or much smaller. A good practice is to go very early or much later as many of the bigger cats sleep during the heat of the day. We did see the tigers and lynx playing after 3pm while they fast asleep at noon. Take it for what it's worth and take some small children and you'll have a fine time.

Michael LaSalvia

Great zoo. A lot of animals in very natural looking habitats. The zoo had lots to do for the kids as well with 2 nice play areas and a sand pit. The zoo is a bit hilly so be prepared for that.

kari goerman

I LOVE it. My grandson had such a wonderful time seeing the different animals. It was wonderful to see his face light up in amazement.

Lincoln Jeffery

It was awesome to see the snow leopards here. And the staff is good.

Staci Kittle

Visited this zoo while raveling to West Virginia and loved it! It wasn’t over crowded and there were so many animals to see. If we’re ever in the area again we would visit!

Lilithe Aislin

This zoo gives the animals a good amount of space and the Aquarium has so many interesting animals I have never seen before. It's a decent size so you will need a whole day or more if you are like me and read everything or spend a lot of time at certain exhibits.

bojo jr

Complete outdoor zoo. Natural habitats. Aquarium very fascinating. Many different tanks to enjoy.

Dana Shick

Great place to see the animals! However, there were not enough benches for as much walking as there was. No where to sit at the end of the aquarium where the restrooms were located even though there was a very large wasted AC area. There was also no benches at the Merry Go Round while waiting in the heat for the grandkids.There were various other places where there were no benches.

Patrick Simmons

A decent zoo that's always expanding. I'm surprised I hadn't reviewed it before. Glad I checked. We were bummed to hear the dinosaur exhibit is gone for good, since my nephews missed it last year, but they do a good job and encourage reusing and recycling with their reusable plastic cups (with lids and straws), recycling cans, compost cans, etc. I recommend going early before it gets too crowded - especially since some of the animals are nocturnal and more likely to be a bit more active in the morning.

Lori m

Pittsburgh Zoo is a family friendly place that has a sense of direction, you wont miss a exhibit if you follow the directions. Clean, well kept zoo, even though I dont care to see animals in cages, this zoo is definitely up to Standard.

Jasmine Griffin

We had a great time here! They were closing early the day we went so we got to do everything but the enclosure the tropical forest habits that houses the lemur, primates, western lowland gorilla and bornean orangutan. We enjoyed everything. The Aquarium was very nice too. We would visit here again.

Jerry Patterson

I love it. I'm not capable of getting around so I rented a schooner. It got around great. Had no trouble getting up and down hills with my size. And people are so polite they let us get up to see the animals close. It was a wonderful experience.

Jennifer Price

More crowded than I expected in the middle of the week, a ton of toddlers screaming and running all over the place. Exhibits were great, staff is friendly, and they have good food options (not just snack machines) - worth a visit!

Kimberly Schleig

Very beautiful place and loved see all of the animals. Was visiting to kill time before a football in the evening. Would definitely come back with friends.

Jessica Myers

Pittsburgh zoo is a great day trip with friends and family visiting. It's not so large that you feel like you've missed something and not so small that you leave unimpressed. The animals are all well taken care of and the exhibits are excellent. We've heard the cheetahs meow, played games with the sea lions, and waved at Harbour, the turtle in recovery for bubble butt syndrome.

Eric Easley

I haven't been here for over ten years so it was great getting to reminisce. The newer attractions are also very neat too. Great for all ages!

Benjamin Lowry

My family and I had an amazing time at this zoo. They have a pretty cool park for kids to climb around on, an alpaca petting area and an all around good selection of animals to admire. (Little advice make sure it's not to hot when you go otherwise the animals aren't very lively)

Rebecca Smouse

It's very clean, the staff is very nice. However, the animal enclosures are so small. They don't have much room to stretch their legs. They had an infant gorilla, which was absolutely beautiful. And it rained like the gates of hell opened. But that is not the zoo's fault.

Brennan Lee

This is a really cool zoo with an aquarium too. Its not a huge zoo but it has great animals and is laid out really nice. Its really cool to have the aquarium part also. It took us about 2 and half hours to walk through. They have a souvenir cup that you can refilled for 1 dollar. Worth a visit if you are in the area

Robert Vasko

Such a beautiful time coming to see all the animals very clean and well laid out and the staff is courteous

Kris Snow

Beautiful zoo. Bigger than I imagined. Lots of new and different exhibits. More animals than other zoos..the variety is great. Great places to eat. Cleaner than most zoos!!!

N.J. Cox

The zoo is always fun. Bring your own refreshments, though, or be prepared to pay though the nose like you're at a professional sporting event. Always clean and well maintained.

Adrian Colon

Hadn't been in years. Staff pleasant and informative. Extremely hot , day of my visit. Indoor exhibits, intermittent misting arbors and shaded walk ways gave good relief from direct sun. Would like to have had shuttle to parking lots. Like you have inside the zoo. After a long day of zip lining, watching animals, eating and walking . Overall great day. Would recommend to family and friends

Kaitlyn Yang

Well kept and nice zoo. The cart that gives rides up or down the hill is a very nice amenity. The animals look healthy and you can get pretty close to some of them. Most of the animals were being lazy/sleeping but that makes sense for such a hot day haha. Great for kids and adults and there is so much to see, you could easily spend most of a day there.

Jeffrey Rollison

It seems that each time we go to the zoo it gets better. The animals look great and their areas are really nice. We also liked the food. The plants and flowers throughout the zoo and aquarium are beautiful.

Brent B.

This zoo is surprisingly good. Its literally right at the top of the Highland Park neighborhood, nestled in like its just another house on the block. On a nice sunny day in Pittsburgh (those do happen periodically), you cant beat an afternoon walking through the exhibits. Animals are close up and interactive, especially the elephants, lions, giraffes and zebras. Best part for us was the red panda exhibit, they are amazing creatures, for an additional fee, you can go in and feed them, same with some of the other animals in the zoo (penguins, giraffes, etc).

Zach Locks

Decent zoo, but you were far away from a lot of the animals. The layout also made it tough if you wanted to go back and revisit an animal without walking through the entire zoo again. I also did not like having to use escalator/elevator to enter and leave the zoo. There was a long line with people like us who had strollers. Our kids enjoyed the zoo though.

Tabatha Brunswick

Very clean, nice , cheap prices, very informant!! I personally feel bad for the caged animals and , feel guilty every time I go!! But I love to be able to see all of them in one place!! They gorgeous the park is gorgeous!! Nice place to get a lot of home grown good old fashion exercise!! Train available for the handicap accessible!! Which gets you as up close and personal as is safely can!! It can be used by every one not just the handicap!! Very nice place over all

Judith Lutz

Nice collection of animals. Have kids? Don't skip the children's zoo. Complaint _very few food booths open

Marat Safin

The worst experience for my family. That’s not an ANIMAL PARK for the most of the animals. That’s prison for them, especially for primates, bear, sea seal, leopards, tigers. We have been to zoos and national parks of Indonesia, Bolivia, New Zealand, etc. Seriously, this is one of the best zoos of the US???

Queen Gauge

Great experience while we lived up north. The dinosaurs are cool

Dalin Manuval

All the animals look charming and. Mesmerizing. Great place to take kids and family to.

Zach Locks

Decent zoo, but you were far away from a lot of the animals. The layout also made it tough if you wanted to go back and revisit an animal without walking through the entire zoo again. I also did not like having to use escalator/elevator to enter and leave the zoo. There was a long line with people like us who had strollers. Our kids enjoyed the zoo though.

Michael Santucci

Great for kids of all ages, the enclosures provide great view of the animals and the aquarium is second to none. The "Kids Kingdom" provides a bunch of activities suitable for kids under 10, and playground area where the parents can take a break as well.

Aaron Floyd

Lovely zoo that has a lot of exhibits for families, groups, couples, etc. There's the Kids Kingdom, geared for children, that has a cafe, and play area. The walk around the zoo is time consuming, but in a great way!

S G

We love this zoo! I go there pretty often with my 2 little boys (3 and 4 yo) and we absolutely love it. It feels like a walk in the forest with some animals right and left - they are not typically caged but often in very open areas. Also the aquarium is great, the only complaint I can make is that we never spotted the polar bear and that some signs indicating the direction to the exit would be helpful - after the aquarium many people stand in front of the map as it is unclear which way is best to exit. And there are not too many options for healthy food, in our case we always bring our food with us and eat it at the pavillon. We highly recommend this zoo.

Molly Carroll

I love it here! I am a zoo teen and every day I amazed how everyone there, staff and docents. Are just so happy about working here! It is an environment for all ages!

Kathy Fuentes

Not a bad zoo, but coming from Chicago it's no comparison. Be prepared to walk up and down hills. We only found 1 water filling station, in the aquarium. Staff was friendly, facility was clean. I think $18 a person is a bit steep for the number of attractions, we finished in 2 1/2 hours. But overall, it was a nice day.

phil martino

love love the zoo... I've been to a few zoo's, this one seems to have more than most and it's big. about 2 hours will get you through here walking with just seeing the animals/exhibits but add some time to spend in the gift shops and there is a petting zoo. also stopping to eat is generally a must!!

Sidow Sobrino

We enjoyed the layout and easy access to all of the exhibits. We felt immersed in each of the animals habitats. Its cleanliness and friendly staff added to our visit in the most positive way

Robin Jacobs

The Pittsburgh zoo was pretty nice. It was low 70's and rainy when we went but most of the animals were out and active. The zoo is very clean and well kept. Not sure if I would visit again but it was nice to visit one time.

Sarah Zontek

We love sleeping over at the zoo with Girl Scouts! We learned a lot about animals and enjoyed behind-the-scenes tours, an after dark scavenger hunt, crafts, and more! Would highly recommend an overnight event to families with school age children!

Nashwa Ahmed

It was a great experience. The animals seem comfortable and it looks like they're well taken care of. The aquarium is stunning, but the baby clouded leopards are to die for.

Amy Smith

This was my first time there. What a great little zoo! Got there when they opened, so not crowded and cool out still. Lots of the animals were out and about. A very pleasurable day! :-)

Jean Westcott

A beautiful zoo with an all-star assortment of animals. I recommend paying the $2 per person fee for the tram on a hot day. Lots of shade.

Cindy Redfoot

Well maintained. Natural setting , large variety and aquarium just wish we send ride more. And it did not cost for seniors

BB SLAER

Lots of animals to see. And very kid friendly. A great place to spend the day with the family

Gregg

I was there the other day and had a great time. However I wish I would’ve known before going that they got rid of all of the bears. Only bear I saw was the Polar Bear. One of the old bear exhibits has been transformed into a Beer Garden.

Wendi Saunders

Amazing as always.... we get great use out of our family membership every year.

Tyler Gaylik

It was very clean and staff was great. I had memories as a kid of the zoo and brought my 6 month old to relieve some of those memories. Some exhibits were closed or animals not on display like the polar bears. The best part was the aquarium, if there was just aquarium pass, I think I would have just paid that

Brian Westfall

Really nice zoo. We visit a lot of zoos around the country and this one was in the top 4 forsure. Well kept and great variety of animals.

Gloria Jarrett

Spent yesterday at the Pittsburgh Zoo with family from out-of-town. We were a little disappointed. I had thought that with a city the size of Pittsburgh this would have been a "destination" zoo. Yes, they do have quality animals and most of the habitats were well done, but the Pittsburgh Zoo is smaller than I anticipated and does not have the quantity of animals and species that I expect. First of all you should know that to get from the parking lot to the zoo you must take a very long and steep escalator (or elevator), to get to the plateau where the zoo is located. Once there the paths to the exhibits are usually sloping up and down as it winds the "not flat" terrain. This is fine as long as you know you will be getting a level of exercise with you zoo experience. In my opinion, the Pittsburgh Zoo is fine for a little family outing. If you are looking for a "destination" zoo, I recommend the Cincinnati Zoo, Columbus Zoo and Cleveland Zoo.

Loki

Staff is very friendly and has a nice selection of Animals. A little bit hilly if you have difficulty with walking. However, there is a tram service as well as motorized scooters that can be booked in advance. You are probably best off bringing your own food to eat in the park, but the admission lasts all day so you can leave for lunch and come back. All in all an awesome experience!

Kevin Edler

I love this place. There is so much to see and do. I was lucky and happened to be there when a zookeeper fed the ocelot and the foussa. I also got to see the snow leopard cubs playing. I would say the only downside is walking uphill but it’s well worth it.

Richard Christian

Great time, be prepared to hike. We ride the tram up the hill walk downhill. Makes for a good time even in 90 degree heat/humidity.

Sarah Reeder

A great little local zoo. Clean public areas, good programs, reasonable membership rates, and free parking, which is rare in Pittsburgh. I'd like to see improvement in the landscaping, with more labels and info about the plants. And my kids miss the interactive "zoo keys" as they found them engaging. They can't read the signs yet & would like something they control to get information (rather than have me read everything for them). When we catch a free animal program (I gather volunteers do these), their eyes light up & they are ready to learn... it's very cool. More of these, please! For the most part the animals seem happy, and the elephants especially get a lot of attention and engagement during baths etc, which is also fun to watch. The polar bears tend to pace, but I know little about their behavior.

Jamison Fennel

It's a lot of walking. I repeat it's alot of walking... But other than that it's a great place to visit. Prices are high like any where else you pay to go. But it's a fun adventure for the family.

Tabatha Brunswick

Very clean, nice , cheap prices, very informant!! I personally feel bad for the caged animals and , feel guilty every time I go!! But I love to be able to see all of them in one place!! They gorgeous the park is gorgeous!! Nice place to get a lot of home grown good old fashion exercise!! Train available for the handicap accessible!! Which gets you as up close and personal as is safely can!! It can be used by every one not just the handicap!! Very nice place over all

Gina Morelli

The Most wonderful event experience with the Red Pandas. The informative fun facts by HENRY were interesting, Terri was so friendly,both completely made us feel welcome. We fed the delightful Red Pandas, interaction was awesome. Highly recommend this. Great day,so worth it!!

Shane Frasier

Great zoo and aquarium. Great place for families. The $2 wristbands that let you ride the trams are highly recommended, especially with young children.

Kathy Joseph

My family and I had an awesome time. Loved all the animal exhibits. Would recommend to anyone.

Andrew Cates

This is a great zoo and aquarium for families. There's lots of animals and different areas of the park to explore. It's mostly in a forested area and there's lots of shade and benches. We went 3 times before finding all the different areas with animals and playgrounds. Multiple restaurants and lots of snack shacks and shops. You can see most of the animals without trouble because the enclosures aren't extremely large and the layout of the facility was well thought out. They have special events for different things including getting to meet to touch animals. It was a great experience to get our pictures taken with an elephant. Recommended.

Dhanshree Patel

The main attraction is a Tiger and other animals, staff is cooperative, walking path is easy and self guided. Admission fees is affordable.Mini aquarium is also present withing a zoo. Plenty of parking is available

Naebovi4

Another good review. Don’t know what to add. It’s always fun

Leanne Schwab

Such a nice zoo! Wonderful layout. So enjoyable walking around here!

Katy Picchi

This zoo used to be an excellent place to take the family in the summer. Not anymore. Half the exhibits are empty, and the animals that are left look sad. The staff in the first gift shop were very rude. I was renting a motorized wheelchair. I was asking some questions and they just couldn't be bothered. When I finally did get one rented it was so slow. Slower than slow up the hills. After asking 3 separate employees and each time getting told they are all like that.(One of whom was in charge of the place they were rented from.) I saw 3 different motorized wheelchairs during the day, all going much faster than I was. We finally gave up and left early. It ruined the day because it took forever to get anywhere. I did notice the Giant food area, it seems that's where our donations go. Maybe they should allocate some money to the animals, or new scooters instead.

Vaibhav

This was a nice zoo in comparison to all the other places. Some of the animals are kept in very picturesque landscapes, giving you a chance to click great pictures. The aquarium was decent.

Allie Zottola

The Pittsburgh Zoo has always been our go-to place for a fun day! There’s a lot to do and see, from animal exhibits, to the zip line, the lovely aquarium, play areas for children, a petting zoo, and a few areas to purchase and eat food. The staff is professional and knowledgeable and the grounds and animals are very well cared for and clean! There is ample parking, too!

Danielle Rupert

We really enjoyed all the exhibits but when we stopped at the Jamba Grill the workers were really rude, the one waiting on us told another worker she couldn’t even deal with people anymore. We also stopped at the dip & dots stand the the worker was rude there too. They all had zero customer service skills.......the park will definitely give you a workout.

Simion Korbra

Not overly large zoo but a nice size. Loved the aquarium. Good family fun.

Andrea Martin

Nice zoo, small enclosures for many animals, fun areas for kids and adults. The polar bear was not to be found. We got to hear the lion Roar which was awesome.

Erin Dixon

The animals were very active. Really clean & enjoyable zoo. Awesome aquarium!

Nicole Carson

What a beautiful zoo with a large assortment of animals. The food at the Grille is good too with veggie options