I had solo blasting afternoon at the zoo to kill my time. I entered at 1.30 pm and I finished the trip at 5 pm on weekday and I covered most of it. Things to consider : —————————- - Book your tickets online in advance. They only accept cards every where no cash. - Get total experience ticket it’s worth every penny if you are visiting for the first time. It includes 1) feeding of - string rays , birds , Giraffe. 2) unlimited train rides. 3) 4D theatre experience. Along with Zoo entrance. - You are allowed get your own food ( better option I feel ) - Never miss 4D shows. Kids will love it . Go in advance if they say play is at 3 pm be there before 5 mins. —————————— I love the fact that gardens are really maintained well and with this crazy hot around I enjoyed walking in the afternoon too. I love the fact that volunteers are really very friendly. It’s above 5 star for their attitude and kind gesture. Overall it’s bit pricey but you will enjoy the trip with your total experience package.

We are still here everyone is having a good time there is children, the senior citizens there are plenty of families there are plenty of chairs to sit and eat plus there are booster seats for toddlers I didn't see any high chairs but that doesn't mean they don't have any I just don't see them you can rent a scooter for 27.00 all day and you can rent a stroller for your baby for 9.00 all day. The hamburger was thick and and delicious and the french fries were thick also and delicious.

Pleasantly surprised! Friendly staff, well maintained. Was surprised to find out they don't take cash, you have to order you tickets in advance,even the gift shop only takes plastic, 😏 The animals were all out, adequate romping room for all animals The staff were out on the grounds. Ready to answer any questions you have. Wear you're walking shoes place is huge. Expect to spend at least 3 plus hours. Pack your lunch, enjoy your day, bring your bugs spray. You may need it in certain areas. The time we went December wasn't cold, wasn't hot. It was just right. Was not overly crowded either. We had a very enjoyable day

Loved it! We saw so many animals The all experience pass was definitely worth it, rode the train, fed giraffes, and really enjoyed the 4D yeti movie! We spent the whole day there from 10 to 5 and felt like we just barely were able to do everything, can't imagine if we went in the summer with the splash pad open.

Nice zoo. Visited it on my way to Miami mostly because of the great giraffe overlook they have and wasn't disappointed. The "Colors of the Wild" exhibit is great, plants and animal figures are installed all over the Zoo and they look amazing! Unfortunately, I didn't have time to enjoy them in the dark, it must be spectacular.

My wife and I were looking for something to do this weekend and decided to give this a chance, and we were so glad we did . It was so beautiful the lights and all the different types of animals and bugs was just amazing they had a kids interactive area they had several concession stands and 102 restaurants open for food and snacks . The cost to get in was 25 dollars pre person and it was open from 5:30 to 9:30 pm but you can buy a early entry pass for additional fee and enter at 3:30 there is plenty of parking. And it was very crowded. But if you are looking for something to do this weekend or next give it a try you will be glad you did .

Beautiful place to go in the evening and see lights display. They really did a great job turning a Zoo into magic place. It's awesome for children any age,as well as adults,very pleasant walk throughout the place with all the light displays of animals, plants,trees along with background music. Price of the tickets are worth going. Plenty of parking available.

If you haven't been to the zoo lately, you should go! The newer habitats are amazing! The food at the Trout River Grill has had a makeover and my burger and fries were delicious! The bathroom facilities could use a little TLC and some of the older habitats could use some attention. Overall it was a great visit!

Colors of the wild was amazing. Way better than the normal zoo lights. Great for any age. The zoo signed a 3 year contract so its coming back the next 2 years. Its a separate ticket from the regular zoo ticket but worth it.

Great zoo. Went on a Monday. Staff is educated and friendly. The cafe is only open on weekends and we were looking forward to eating there. It's clean and plenty of places to sit if you need a rest. Could use newer signage on animals. Maps throughout the zoo would be great too.

Visited on a Saturday. We love the layout of this zoo. It has been nearly 15 years since we visited JZ & G. We live near Columbus, Ohio, so we know what a top of the line metropolitan zoo looks like. We love how the parking is close to the entrance...and that there is no charge for parking. Getting tickets online before was very convenient and easy. The fact that we got to see three Sumatran Tigers made the price of admission worth it alone. The Asian section of the zoo is a definite highlight. We also like that they offer multiple viewing areas for animals. The sculpture art is top-notch, especially the dragon. A special highlight was the tree full of wood stork babies crying to be fed and their mothers all doing so. Staff was very friendly. The food was good. Only negative was that the women's restrooms need cleaned on a tighter rotation. Overall, a wonderful experience.

We have a membership and go every month or two. The special events are always fun and we upgrade to the Total Experience about twice a year. The place is getting better and catering to a higher level of food and products but is still so friendly for all visitors.

Nice zoo with lots of exhibits. Most of the animals were just sleeping, which you can't really ding the zoo for. Food is fairly reasonably priced for a zoo, and it's actually fairly good. No bags at all in the gift shop, which was a bit odd. Seemingly can't pay for any of the special things like feeding giraffes at the actual exhibits, you have to buy some sort of enhanced ticket, which I didn't even know existed until we were already kind of deep into the zoo. So that's a bit annoying.

We went in October and had a great time checking out all of the exhibits. If you can wait to visit in the fall when it cools down, I would highly recommend doing so. The zoo has so much to offer and was very clean all around. Even if you don’t purchase the higher package to get the animal interactions, there’s still plenty of opportunity to view the animals closely and even a stingray petting exhibit.

The giraffes were beautiful. The tigers were beautiful when not pacing. The landscape is beautiful. Appreciate the flowers, the bamboo, can see the effort there. Otherwise, something sad, unfortunate, and dry was looming over the whole place in regards to the animals and empty exhibits. At least, we didn't see...No bald eagle, No turkeys, No wolf, No bear, No jaguar. Seems like so much was missing from past visits. No maps. In need of fresh paint & TLC in the exhibits, clean windows and doors. Saw more of what we thought were vultures than anything else and they were being sprayed to keep out of the flamingo exhibit when they were fighting as if they were waiting to scoop up the weak or dead ones. Just remember a different vibe when I was a kid here on field trips and visits with my children when they were little ones. They're adults now and they feel the difference too. Feels the animals need tire swings/toys or motivation to be happy. The animals that were there today are not giving off the vibe that they are happy.

This zoo is PERFECT! Just the right size for a day trip. It’s easy to get from one part to the next. I recommend taking the train as soon as you enter so you can start at the furthest part then work your way in. Everything is priced extremely well. The splash pad is so perfect to just get your feet wet or let the kiddos get full out soaked. The staff was very accommodating and the full experience was well worth it. The animals are well cared for and had great exhibits.

1000/10! The tickets that you purchase automatically include animal feedings which is incredible. Every single staff member we came into contact with was kind and genuinely seemed to enjoy their job. I absolutely love how when they designed this zoo they did so around the natural wildlife/world not the other way around. The animals were very well taken care of and also seemed to enjoy their habitats. They also did a great job of communicating if there was an animal not currently out for viewing why that was and when to expect them back. Great zoo!

Beautiful zoo. We enjoyed the train ride. The kids splash area was a wonderful perk. My kids enjoyed petting the sting rays, and feeding the giraffes. Wasn't overly crowded. Zoo keepers were all very friendly and pleasant.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Garden is an absolute delight for nature enthusiasts and animal lovers alike. Spread across a vast expanse, the zoo boasts an impressive collection of wildlife from around the globe. From majestic big cats to playful primates, the diversity of species is truly remarkable. The enclosures are spacious and well-maintained, providing a comfortable environment for the animals. The zoo's commitment to conservation and education is evident through their informative exhibits and interactive experiences. The botanical garden is a serene oasis, offering a picturesque setting for a leisurely stroll. The staff members are knowledgeable and passionate, always ready to answer questions and share fascinating insights. Additionally, the zoo offers various events and programs that cater to visitors of all ages. Whether you're a family looking for a fun day out or a nature enthusiast seeking tranquility, the Jacksonville Zoo and Garden is a must-visit destination.

Exceptional zoo to visit, where from Michigan and me and my daughter went in 2022 in April and you definitely get the full activity out of the animals then, Took the wife and kids this year in July and the heat sure takes a toll, animals hide the heat wave but one of the best Zoo's I've been too. Prepare to spend around 5 hrs there to enjoy it all.

We had never been here before, came here on vacation. It was amazing. The exhibits were impressive, there was lots of spaces for kids to get energy out and the animal feedings were so cool! The 4d show was okay, but that is the only thing we considered kind of take it or leave it about. The staff was helpful, knowledgeable and kind and we spent a full day here without feeling bored.

I absolutely loved the Jacksonville zoo! The animals were out and about and even the big hollow outs were very pretty to look at! The scenery was so beautiful in some areas I totally forgot I was at the zoo! The only thing I'm salty about is the fact that adults can't ride the animals on the Merry go round🙄other than that I'd definitely recommend going if you are around there!!

Great place for the kids, especially during pandemic! The shaved ice is awesome, great on a hot day. If you plan on going more than once or twice in a year then it’s usually worth getting the pass. It’s pretty expensive to pay each time especially if you have kids, but the annual pass is very reasonable.

First time visiting and it was a really great experience. Lots of animals with wide paths, easy loops to get around and only had to double back in the Asia loop. Great variety and the giraffe enclosure was awesome. However, even though we are coming up on Christmas and are in winter they had festive decorations out but they looked like they'd been out for 10 years. Dilapidated, dirty and only detracted from the visit rather than adding. The food was expensive but the taste was better than I imagined it'd be. Lots of hand sanitizer stations was appreciated and the restrooms were fairly clean Overall, I had a great time and would recommend visiting 😄

We went during our kid’s Spring Break. The zoo is a fun family day for any age. We were blessed with perfect weather. Got to the zoo just as they opened so no lines and very little crowds. The animals were just being fed so it was cool to see them all out active and playing. My kids loved petting the sting rays and seeing the 4D shows. 😎We have seven kids so we packed a picnic lunch instead of buying food there. The zoo allows you to bring picnics into the picnic area which is super nice. Call ahead and let them know and they’ll keep your coolers and lunches cold at Guest Services while you walk the zoo. When you’re ready to eat the staff will help you to the picnic area all free of charge. 🤩 So nice! Loved seeing the newborn monkeys. The gorillas are always fun. 🦍The otter and the penguin exhibit’s glass was cracked so we weren’t able to see them. 😕 But there were a ton of other animals out and about. Eagles, Gators, Coyotes, snakes, lizards, Tortoise, Tigers, Lions, Ostrich, Rhino, Bears, and more. The giraffes were a favorite for all the family. 🦒They were very active and came right up to us. I don’t have younger kids so we didn’t do the splash zone. We did ride the train which is perfect for taking a break and seeing the animals from the zoo keepers perspective. 🚂 Of course all the kids want to be zoo keepers when they grow up after that. 😅 Fun family day!! #springbreak2022

Tickets were $30 a person for general admission, and we bought ours in advance the night before. Had an absolutely amazing time and spent roughly 5 hours exploring. Got rained out once and it only added to the adventure. Everything here is so well organized and beautifully designed.

Great place to take kids! This is the first time I went to a reptile exhibit that did not smell. Animals looked healthy and well taken care of. The staff was friendly and super nice. They have a new baby jaguar that is so adorable.

You have to buy your tickets online. I don't know if that was just that day or that it is like that all the time. It was easy to pay online if you have a phone and enternet. Feeding the giraffe was the best part of the whole experience. The whole experience package is so worth the extra $10 bucks. You get the train, feedings, and so much more. Water was $5, but that's at any event really these days.

Incredible experience for the family and kids. The whole Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens lights up the night in the Colors of the Wild event. Buy your tickets in advice would be my only recommendation. There are cut-off times to buy tickets at the location, so it will save you the trouble and you'll be prepared. The best time of course is at night. Event times are 5:30pm - 9:30pm. Put on a good pair of walking shoes and prepare to be amazed. (Heads up, most animals are not out due to climate, but still a great time.) Definitely check out the interactive section over by the carousel, I was even amazed by this area, kids didn't want to leave. Hope you're able to make it!

I love animals, and my kids love going to see what new animal they have. Huge are to cover, so make sure your up fir the walk and have on some comfortable shoes. They have a little train, but you miss so much of the beauty when taking the train. Love this Zoo compared to others in Florida.

The kids had a wonderful time here. The staff were all very friendly, and even let the kids feed the stingrays and the giraffe, which my son LOVED! Nobody harassed us AT ALL about masks or socialism distancing, inside or outside, which made the experience MUCH more enjoyable for all of us. The price is WELL worth the experience, and we will definitely be back again.

Great zoo but they need to require people to wear masks, like Disney or other parks. Maybe 30% is wearing a mask. to many people too so hard to distance. Did not feel comfortable. Based on website it seems like they would do better on this. Would not have gone if I knew.

HIGHLY recommend this place! Very interactive and one of the most impressive zoos I have ever been to. There is TONS of stuff to do. You’ll need a good 3-4 hours to see everything and maybe longer to do some of the more interactive things. Also, it’s worth it to get the total experience, which is about $10-15 more pp. This will give you access to most of the animal feedings…which we loved! We’ll definitely be back!

Pleasant zoo with a variety of animals. Good information to read on the signs. Food: I ordered a hamburger from the cafe and got a burger made of cheap low-quality ingredients that almost made me vomit. For $9, I expected a real burger, not processed junk that tasted vile.

It's always nice to spend the day with my grandkids. Nice friendly staff and lots of animals to see. Tickets are purchased online only. I purchased the adult total experience for 32.95. Includes 4D Theater, Unlimited Train, Unlimited Carousel Rides, and Animal Feedings (limited). Zoo hours are 9am-5pm

Nice well kept zoo. We visited right before their holiday lights events so got to see some of them in the daylight. Staff was kind. The park was calm and relaxing. Music was delightful. I wish there was a two day ticket option at a discount.

This is a very nice zoo with a good layout. Nice easy walks along paved paths and boardwalks. Very clean. A wonderful assortment of animals, birds, reptiles, etc. most free to roam in large open areas. Restrooms are available in several areas. There were a few different places to grab either specific things like ice cream and sweets, or an order and take your meal to outside tables. Tickets seem a bit pricey and MUST BE ORDERED ONLINE so it’s best, and cheaper, to order in advance. If you buy on the day you go, they add on $5 per ticket. Also an additional $10 per ticket if you purchase the ‘total experience’ as opposed to ‘general admission’. Check out the benefits of that on the website. I purchased a senior total experience ticket the day I was going and it was 42.95. It is a great place that wasn’t too crowded and was wonderful to stroll the grounds and ride the train to the other end of the park and back at my leisure!!

A very nice clean zoo. Many exhibits to see. Plan for a lot of walking. There is quite a lot to see. Children would enjoy seeing the animals.

One of the best zoos I have been too. the staff first of all is Amazing 🤩🤩🤩 EVERYONE was very friendly, and helpful. The animals were all amazing to look at. Very clean and well fed animals. It's perfect to take your entire family for a fun filled amazing outing. My husband,Son and I had an amazing visit... Great for all ages and great prices worth every penny!!!

Beautiful zoo! Great spaces for all the amazing animals! We did the total experience. It was a little pricey, but it got us access to participate in all the animal feedings, the 4D 20-minute movie experience, and unlimited rides on the carousel and train that goes around the entire park. Would definitely recommend if traveling in the area! My wife and I loved it!

Great place to visit woth the family. They made some price changes, which I wasn't a fan of. For example, you used to be able to pay separately for feeding giraffes, birds, etc. Now they have the all access pass. Also, unless you like walking all day, get the train pass!

Amazing & Incredible! 🦁🐯🐻 We loved it! Total Experience tickets are the way to do it!

We had a great time at the zoo. Lots of animals viewing areas to see them. We were very impressed with the size of the exhibits and variety of animals. It was a shame we couldn't feed any animals without purchasing a higher ticket or just pay as you go but had a great time regardless. The sting ray tank was very cool to check out.

Go to this zoo if you want to catch covid . Kids running around with no mask very sad.

Nice place to spend the day. The animals are well cared for, the staff are friendly and helpful and there is a decent snack bar. Views along the Trout River are beautiful. The only thing that would improve the experience is better signage at the exhibits telling about the animals. If you have kids and wish to cool off there is a water play area.

Great place to take the family. Well laid out and plenty of shade as you walk through the park. Employees are nice and help you learn about the animals. Great job! They have earned the title of one of the best zoos in the country!

This place is AMAZING and I would say definitely worth the price. I would recommend this to everyone! The staff was so friendly and there was SO much to do. It may have been a hot sunny day but there was plenty of shaded rest areas to cool down.

Was a beautiful day, the temperature was awesome on Saturday. We rode the train, then we started our journey. The stingray's were amazing. We touched a couple. We seen a lot of animals. We worked our way to the childrens play area. The little ones had a great time in the water. Watch out for those tipping buckets, it stings when it reaches your skin. We had fun, I hope you do too.. enjoy the pictures.

Great time at the zoo. There is plenty of shade as you walk. Bonobos were interesting. Two Siamang did a call back and forth for about 15-20min. Never experienced that before. It was so cool!! Fed a giraffe. Stingray petting area was super cool, very social stingrays!!

Great place! We took our kids 13 and 10 and stayed all day. We bought the upgraded pass and it was way worth it. There wasn't allot of people so every feeding place we got right in and feed the animals. It was so great, the girls loved it! I highly recommend taking your kids and staying all day! We are there as well and the food was really good!

Pros: the employees are very nice and helpful. The scenery is beautiful. Cons: food isn't that great, especially for the price. Overall my family and I had a great time I recommend eating right before or bringing your own food and drinks.

It was a little more expensive than I thought it would be and even though it looked really crowded when we got there, it wasn’t an issue at all. We didn’t have to wait for anything and there were lots of active animals to see. It’s a great family activity. We’ll definitely be back!

“Zoo Light Nights of Christmas” brought us out on a Thursday evening. I suggest you buy your tickets online. It will speed park entry and parking for you. Just show the tickets on your phone and you will be scanned right in. Once you get in there are a kazillion Christmas lights and obviously the same walking during the daylight hour seems to be in place at night. You will not see many animals if any at all, but they don’t promote the evening that way. I have been told this is one of the bigger fund raisers of the year and we went to get out of the house and get on in some real Christmas spirit 🎄. The Carousel ride is included in your ticket price, however the want the kids under 12 on the seats of the ride. It’s fun though and you should do it. Embrace the evening and do the whole thing. Plan on a s’mores over in the rest area. Snacks, and fun for all , come on out and get in the Christmas spirit🎄

We went on a Sunday and enjoyed our visit. I would recommend to get there before 11am so you can explore all the exhibits. Highly recommended 👌

Jacksonville Zoo is a beautifully landscaped property with many well cared for animals. It is located right off Rt 95. We stopped on our way to the airport and enjoyed the afternoon, especially the giraffes. Be aware tickets must be bought in advance! We had to buy from the parking lot on our phones to present at the gate.

Membership is reasonable and pays for itself after one visit. They food is decent. The exhibits to animals are maintained good. It gets super busy. You have to purchase tickets online before you visit!

I love the zoo! Okay so first of all the staff is very friendly and the animals looked healthy. I lost my bank card and I was able to retrieve it at the lost and found. The 4D shows was an experience and a half my family and I appreciated. The giraffe feeding was great they are so cute! The goats were very calm and I mean calm with everyone. It's a great experience. Ps. It's a full day go early and enjoy.

We loved this zoo! Very family friendly with a wide range of food options. We easily spent almost five hours at the zoo but it was a perfect Saturday exploration spot. Hands down our favorite part included the giraffe feeding ! Can’t wait to see the new exhibits they will have in the future! Worth the trip!

We always enjoy this zoo! Most animals seem very happy and well fed. We enjoy the diversity of animals and all the landscaping and foliage to create shade. Do yourself a favor and upgrade to the Experience package - it's worth it for the train, 4D movie, carousel and feeding experiences.

Thank you Shawn and Emily for a wonderful experience at the Penguin feeding. The interaction with the kids was very wonderful to see. Little ones that were barely able to talk and they both waited with smiles and patience to answer the questions. It was hot and certainly they've done these over and over, but still treated it as a refreshing new experience. I very much enjoyed Chester in the window seemingly helping Shawn in the presentation. We love our zoo and the staff is always friendly and caring.

Highly recommend coming to the Jacksonville zoo if you’re seeking a day of great family fun. There are many diverse exhibits covering many animal and reptile species. I recommend arriving early as it can take a full day to see everything the Zoo has to offer. Some of my favorite activities included feeding the rainbow lorikeets and getting to pet the stingrays. The food here can definitely be on the pricey side, so be weary of that.

Fantastic family outing! With a diverse range of animals and engaging exhibits, it offers a fun and educational experience that keeps both kids and adults entertained. My family and I enjoyed our time!

I enjoyed this zoo. I would consider it a medium sized zoo. But the exhibits are all very immersive and well put together. Some animals were off exhibit, but that is always a possibility with wild animals. I didn't get the add on package. I think they should consider having add on options later even if a little more money. Would have been nice to ride the train.

Loved the zoo. Everywhere was so clean and no wait times. I bought the total experience tickets and got to do everything. They had all the colors of nights exhibits up around the whole park, I would recommend they keep.those up permanently. Even in the daytime, it made the whole zoo a more interactive place. Got to feed the giraffes, go on the train ride, and do the carousel. Very family friendly atmosphere. Do the junior explorer app with the compass bracelet, and you 5-8 year old will zoom around the park. Highly, highly recommend.

It was a great experience, we went for my wife's birthday and we're not disappointed. The animal exhibits were pretty impressive, and all the staff were friendly and helpful. For a small extra fee you can feed the stingrays, giraffes, and birds, also you get free access to the 4d theater, and unlimited rides on the train. The only negative comment I have is that a few of the bigger animals habitats could have been larger and nicer for the incredible creatures to live.

Family fun. Affordable yearly memberships.

It's very small for the price. Animals had injuries and every worker we talked to was very rude.

Always love going! Relaxed environment with reasonable, common sense precautions during this time with the freedom to choose what's best for your family. Animals are so very well taken care of.

(Translated by Google) It is beautiful but needs more animals and more variety. (Original) Está bonito pero necesita más animales y más variedad.

Its is a great place for people of all ages!! But there is on thing which made it 4 out of 5 The lions were literally trying to mate

The zoo is a great day trip. The staff around the zoo were very friendly and had some interesting things to share. The 4D show was so much fun. My 6 year old son throughly enjoyed it. I really recommend spending the couple extra dollars for the all included tickets. Feeding the animals was fun, riding the carousel, and the 4D show are worth it. Social distancing was in bbn place with plenty of hand sanitizer stations. The animal enclosures had many viewing areas and were well taken care of. The gardens were beautiful. Only thing that was an issue is the zoo and all the shops throughout are not taking cash at this time.

Amazing friendly service that's easy to work with and a great way to spend the day with those you love while learning and building memories

Not a bad zoo.

So beautiful, and always improving! My kids would be happy if we went every day! For a while we were going once a week, and it never got boring. The staff is very knowledgeable and happy to help, and they take great care of everything.

Nice zoo. Wasn't crowded. Plenty of parking. Great to see the animals!

I don't even know where to begin. Other than to say it was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING ! Everything there. You guys have done such a wonderful job ! From the design of the Zoo and all of its habitats to the amazing care that you take in each and everyone of your animals. They all look so happy and healthy. And not to mention the amazing variety of animals in your care. And all of your staff were so helpful and kind. I can't even begin to thank you all for your hard work and dedication to these amazing animals and to all of us. Keep up the fantastic work and we wish you all only best. And thank you again for one of the best Zoo days we have had you guys are AMAZING !

The zoo overall was nice. They have some really nice animals and enclosures. The lions and tigers are some of the most beautiful I've seen. When I visited, it was a little cold out so naturally some of the animals were not out in their exhibits. This was expected and not an issue at all. It was nice to see that their 1st concern was the welfare of the animals and not the viewing pleasure of the guest. The only thing I personally thought was a negative was the overall layout. The areas didn't really flow together well and it was a little confusing to navigate. Outside of that it was a very nice experience and I would recommend it to anyone.

Went on a winter weekend day so it was somewhat crowded. At most animal viewing spots there is very little room available so you have to wait. Since this is an inner-city zoo it is small but the grounds are nicely done. There is not a large variety of wild animals-not even a medium variety but a small variety. If you have been to good zoo this is not worth visiting but if you have never been to a zoo then it is okay.

I've been coming to this zoo since I was a baby/toddler and have lots of memories here. I love it here and even had a membership (which is worth it). I'll never forget my times here. There's so much to do and see. Between the shows/educational viewings, rides, bird, stingray and goat interactions.. IT'S AMAZING.

Great zoo for the family! Loved how we could feed the giraffes 🤗 very clean and friendly service. It was pricey but it is expensive to keep up with all the animals so I wasn’t to bothered.

Perfect place to get out and socially distance. Not too crowded. Most people were masked. We'll be back to feed the animals!

Very nice and staff is friendly and informative

A really great zoo. My grandson loves going to this zoo and so do I. The giraffe's eat out of your hands from behind a fence. None of the animals seem depressed which makes me happy. Very fun place.

It was awesome! It's quite large and lots of animals, even with some exhibits being closed. My 1 year old had a blast, he loved petting the goats. Unfortunately, due to covid, splash zone is closed. But we all still had a blast. The zoo light was fantastic, it was very pretty. And the snowflake glasses are definite plus!

Needs restoration badly. Completely ran down. Gardens are none existent. I just hope the animals aren't effected and are happy, healthy and well taken care of. Sad to see.

(Translated by Google) Quiet and beautiful place to walk (Original) Lugar tranquilo y bonito para caminar

Beautiful, clean, restful, fun family place. Great animal enrichment!

Not able to bring our small dog into the zoo

Cool

There were even signs reminding you when you were in a “high touch” area and ought to be extra careful. Besides all that, it was a really nice, well maintained zoo with friendly staff available to answer questions when we had them.

Lots of walking! The zoo was a wonderful family day for us 6. Ages 62 to 2. Everyone had fun! Most employees we encountered were very nice and smiled. The train was not worth the ride - most of it showed the 'behind the scenes' of where the animals are cared for.

If your looking for some quality time while avoiding COVID with family this is a Great place to visit. Whether by yourself or bringing a buddy. The experience will last a life time along with your pics. I suggest getting the plus tickets that include train ride, giraffe feeding, and bird feeding. Clean and COVID distancing can seen throughout. Gift shop open and a few snack cafes, bring your own food works best. Less crowds ensures easy access to view animals, awesome well planned out landscaping and koi ponds. Some animals are housed inside because of colder weather. Put this on your wish list for places to visit when in the Jacksonville area. Ample parking no charge, handicap accessible throughout and rental strollers available. Mask required.

Recommended

This was just an ok experience and here is why. We spent $120 for a family of 5, we had to buy the regular admission because the total experience tickets were sold out for the day. The Sting Ray tank was out of food for the day, the bird encounter also no food for the day. Several exhibits were clear of any animals. Hardly any staff around if you had a question. Went to get food and it really was just ok. They claim to have 2,000 animals we certainly didn't see anything close to that.

Great place

If you are concerned with social distancing, or the pandemic I do not recommend the Zoo. While the website highlights the precautions being taken none of these were being followed on our recent trip. It’s hard to believe that ticket sales were limited when there were no parking spaces available. Few masks were being worn including the staff who garnished chin straps in the place of mask. If your interested in herd immunity, or attending a super spreader event this is your place

Perfect weather for a Family Funday!!+

I LOVE the Jacksonville Zoo. I've been visiting the Jacksonville Zoo since I was a little kid, and I enjoy it just as much as an adult, maybe even more. One thing I appreciate about the zoo is that it's constantly looking for ways to update its facilities for visitors and especially the animals. You can tell the Jacksonville Zoo has a real heart for animals and ecological education. The animals always seem happy and healthy here. No kidding, I could probably spent 3 straight days at the zoo and not get bored. If you're in the Jacksonville area, don't miss out on visiting the best zoo in Florida.

My 2yr old had a blast and so did we!! We upgraded to season passes while we were there and will be going monthly now!

Nice place to take kids

Super disappointed. Showed up at 9:30 excited to see the animals. Walked through the park and found most of the animals not yet out and still being fed. The grounds were ok. Staff in the reptile department very friendly, knowledgeable. The answered questions and really tried to encourage learning. That part was awesome. Other staff members needed to be retrained to improve customer service. Overall felt, I was over charged for my experience. Normally, I would have considered a membership (as we are huge animal lovers) but some of staff left a bitter taste. Not sure I would return here again or even recommend it as a place to visit.

Absolutely amazing!

Took my son for his 2nd birthday. Had a great experience.

It's a zoo! Train ride is nice when you want a break from walking!

Nice family day. Zoo was a lot smaller than I thought but did have a fun day with the family. You should pay for the upgraded pass because it includes giraffe, stingray, and lorikeet feeding. Worth the price. We got there at 2 and we finished the zoo at 5pm.

Tiger exhibit is worth the walk to the back.

Limited animals compared to other Zoo's ive been to like wichita kansas it i also tryed to talk to 3 employee's and ask question and w of them just continued walking completely ignoring my questions poor experience will be trveling to experience other Zoo's instead.

0 enforcement of Covid protocol, even staff members go along unmasked. 0 capacity restriction even though they pretend there is. If Jacksonville needed to make up the deficit, just start fining non compliant mask wearers at the Zoo, the city would be in the green on day one.

Great zoo Dont let covid sto ppl you from enjoying the animals with your kids

Always a pleasant trip. My kids love the zoo

Awesome day

This was my son 1st time and we really enjoyed ourselves thank you for the Great Experience😍

It was ok. Seemed a little neglected and didn't offer much in the way of entertainment other than the animals.

Good experience. So glad the zoo is still open.

Had great time visiting the zoo.

I love the Jacksonville Zoo. I have since I was a kid. So sad to see how bad the pandemic has taken a toll on the zoo. Still a great place to take the littles to run loose for a while.

(Translated by Google) Very good 👌 (Original) Muy bueno 👌

Who doesn't love, like the zoo! COVID-19 protocol was apparent. Lots of families and everyone was considerate and very pleasant, guest and staff. We spent 4 hours which went by fast. And of course we made sure to buy souvenirs. Nice break in our routine. The weather was very cooperative. Take a break and go. I touched a stingray! The lion roar and growl when he got up to stretch from his nap. The komodo dragon was keeping warm under a lamp. The otters were running around eating and check out the Caribbean flamingos. They are orange.

Wonderful zoo and garden. Yearly pass holders and enjoy going all the time. Animal care and enclosures are well kept and beautiful. Wonderful landscape and layout. Some of the reptile building are my favorite. Even with all the covid stuff its a great place to spend the day.

It was a fun day for me to get outside and see what Florida’s Zoo had to offer. I was surprised to see as many people here as I did. Although some of the attractions were closed down due to maintenance or COVID, otherwise it was a great experience!

Some of the zoo is a little rough but it's tough times these days. It was a nice zoo with a ton of great viewing spots and extremely polite and helpful staff at nearly every exhibit. Could be done in a few hours or a whole day depends on you really. Id recommend if in the area

Wonderful experience, definitely a good day trip for the family. We can not wait to go again.

I have always loved the Jax zoo. It has always been laid back and fun. In the last 10 years they have really stepped up and made it much better. We try to take the kids when were in town and they never seem to get tired of it.

It's great, but buy your online tickets early(even if you plan on going later... because they "run out" of total experience tickets. So if you go later in the day... you don't get to ride the train, feed the animals or ride the carousel. The food is actually decent too. Stingray Bay was the favorite of the day, a must visit!

Boo to Jacksonville Zoo, for the price you pay nothing to see, and the train ride what a joke to look at the back of buildings and parking area! Sante Fe petting Zoo in Gainesville better. Can't understand all the good reviews.

Had a great time. If we asked questions, the keepers were knowledgeable and friendly.

Complete waste of MONEY 👎

We absolutely love coming to this zoo and now that our daughter will be going to UNF we just have another reason to come visit. If you love zoo's I highly recommend purchasing a yearly membership as you don't just gain access to this zoo but outstanding discounts to other zoo's all over the nation!

We love the Jacksonville Zoo! Always a blast!

One of the few places not requiring masks and can be actually enjoyable.

Went here for family night had fun

Well layed out zoo exhibiting the different continents. Lots to offer for kids. Train that starts at the beginning and goes thru all exhibits.

We visited here about 2 year's ago & we're just now getting the notification to write a review😳. Anyway, this zoo is amazing! The Japanese zen garden was the most tranquil part of the zoo. The train was awesome to ride around the facility for my family & myself because the zoo is HUGE & my kid's walking around all morning/afternoon gets tiring after a few miles. The bird garden was interesting to spot and identify various bird's. It stormed like crazy while we were there so we didn't get to visit the African part of the zoo 😔. That was a disappointment really. The sting ray petting area was very fun for my children & probably their favorite part of it all. I would highly recommend this zoo to my family & friends because it isn't only educational to visit, but fun to sight see while riding the train around the park as well. Hope this helps.

Always have a fun time when we go.

We bought the total experience tickets and really enjoyed the extra benefits. Train rides, animal feedings, etc. beautiful facility with plenty to keep you busy for the afternoon.

I Really Love this Place it is a fun time to hangout with Family Friends! I Really Enjoy Looking at the type of Animals that are in the Zoo!

My daughter and I always have a blast and the people who work there are the absolute best. Always friendly and the wonderful lady in the store is always so helpful and friendly! Love you guys and all you do!

Great zoo

It was great and fun, but the only things I would change are minor details, such as how much food they give you to feed the animals, and how much everything costed but besides that it was worth the $200 it costed for my family to go and have fun

Super fun zoo!!

It's come along way! The kids loved it!

while it was nice and staff were helpful and friendly. I didn't like the fact nobody would take cash

Amnimal

Amazing it takes 2 trips to see it all!

So amazing. Very clean. Followed covid 19 guidelines. My family had a blast.

So much fun with my grandkids.

Love all the different types of animals. I recommend getting the more expensive pass, feeding the sting rays was an awesome experience.

I loved it. definitely get the full experience.

Beautiful gardens, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and very clean.

One of the better zoo I have ever been to in my life. Very clean and unique.

Nice zoo with a large variety of animals.

Loved it,be back

One of the best zoo in Florida. Proper covid measures taken. My son wants to visit this again.

Nice spring day at the jacksonville zoo.

(Translated by Google) Worth the visit. Super organized, 4D cinema, merry-go-round, train ride, lots of animals and you can feed the giraffe, the camps and the parrots. (Original) Vale a visita. Super organizado, cinema 4D, carrossel, passeio de trem, muitos animais e você pode alimentar a girafa, as arraiais e os papagaios.

Great experience

Great time, staff was not too knowledgeable of the areas they were working.

Great place for a family day out!

Went to Valentine's day dinner last night with a meet and greet with our adopted flamingos. Amazing evening! Even in the rain!

Always a great time for all ages. I love that there are so many animals and more for the kiddos. Splash pad, feeding the birds and giraffes, playground, petting the stingrays and more!

Great exhibits! Had a good time on a cooler but sunny day today. Saw everything within 2.5 hours. I like how you walk around the exhibits and get to see the animals from multiple angles plus it's a loop so you don't have to back track. I would do the upgraded pass next time to go on the train, 4D show, carousel and feed the animals. Great value with kids free in November! Wish food service was open longer though. We needed water at 3:45pm and restaurants were closed so we were out of luck since water fountains are off.

The Zoo was decorated for Halloween which we enjoyed. We were excited before we got here and it did not let my 8yrs great-nephew down. He enjoyed himself. The best part for us was the train ride around the park which we went on twice and the feeding of the stingrays. It was well worth the visit.

Beautiful Zoo! I have been to many zoo's and many of which look similar with large concrete paths leading from exhibit to exhibit. However, this zoo very tastefully has vegetation and flora alike to really bring life and depth to the zoo. Nevertheless, this zoo offers a wide spectrum of animals, reptiles and birds alike. Take the day, pack a lunch, and take in the scenes.

Loved this zoo. There is soo much shade that you really don't get too overly hot. The view of the river is beautiful. Had a wonderful time with my boyfriend. The train ride is a nice way to relax and enjoy the animals. Drove 3 hours to get there and it was worth it.

It's a nice labyrinth layout around the entire zoo. Most decorated with lights, sounds and staff dressed children activities, food live music and so much more. It's recommended to get their 30 minutes before opening to get good parking. Overall for children recommended and families looking for adventurous time.

Pretty good for a day out but kinda odd as far as Zoo’s go. There’s not a huge amount there to see but it is a lovely walk. I was disappointed to find out that you had to purchase an additional wrist band in order to do anything other than look at the animals. We waited in line for the Zoo train for around 20 minutes only to find out that we weren’t allowed on without a wristband. The staff had no problem telling a 4 year old girl that she had to leave the platform.

A lot better than I thought. Had the general admission, couldn't feed the giraffes but feeding only lasts a second. Good snowballs too.

Wow, We were really impressed they had lots of Main animals like three hippopotamus various giraffes, monkeys galore, lions, tigers and black bears. The otters were very vocal and all the animals were up and about. I did not see any except 1 of the tigers lazing about. The best to me was the ape, he had his son and wife with him which was interesting too see the interactions. It was a great time. Even for the disabled. I avoided all inclines so the giraffes were hard for me to see but my husband did enjoy it.

Wonderful experience. Get the full experience not the regular ticket. It is worth the extra money. Not only were the animals very interesting. We loved the train, the 4D movie and my favorite was feeding the giraffes, birds and stingrays. However beware the squirrels. Lol they are cute but very pushy. Also another interesting thing was the variety of plant life!!! The staff is helpful, friendly and plentiful. No shortage of help here. I'd suggest you go early because it gets crowded.

I haven't been to the zoo in years. I thought it was kind of pricey at first. But the experience of buying the full experience ticket is way better than buying admission and then buying each attraction separate. I took my 2 year old daughter and she had a blast. Her favorite was the carousel and feeding the giraffes. Whole trip for the 2 of us including food,slushy and a stuff giraffe ran about 80. They no longer serve snacks except for muffins. I wish they still had the pretzels. It was not crowded at all. It was nice.

The zoo is such a great place to spend your day. We have the membership and go at least once a month if not more. My son loves to look at the animals and play in the play zone. Definitely money well spent.

The animals were woke and lying about, park workers were friendly. We went Super Bowl weekend, not too crowded and several interactive attractions (feeding the animals). A great place for families and staff was knowledgeable about the animals 💙 Beautiful gardens/foliage as well.

Nice zoo. Beautiful grounds and gardens. Friendly staff. Free parking. Visited on a Sunday and not overly crowded. Love the location. The catering was amazing. Blew my expectations out of the water. And catering staff was v very attentive. Now some cons: a smaller zoo as far as animals. That was slightly disappointing. The staff isn't very engaging or educational, unless you engage. We knew to ask questions, and most other patrons listened attentively to the responses. Not a lot of staff at most exhibits. Glass at most exhibits very dirty which made it difficult to see. Most inside exhibits were very small with few animals/insects/reptiles. This zoo has lots of potential and some great grounds and experiences for little ones.

I LOVE the zoo. One of 7 in the US with an animal health program. Worth every penny each time we go. Food is reasonably priced all things considered. Splashpad is wonderful in the summer and getting to interact with some of the animals is a great time!

Me and my family went down on memorial day weekend and we had the best time!!! Zoo is HUGE!! they have plenty of exhibits of the animals... dinosaurs even lol they have a park train and a restaurant to dine and look at the leopard... BBQ sandwich and fried chips are 💣... taking my family back again ending summer

This was one of the more put together zoos we have been too. This zoo is not so big you get swept in the crowds and just small enough to create your own personal experience. For a family with a strong foundation in our love for animals this was a great destination to stop while visiting family. The kids knocked a few things off their growing bucket lists such as feeding giraffes and petting sting rays. I personally love the fact they have a critical care section to give more information on the animals in need. The elephants were not able to be seen at the time we had went but after asking staff we discovered if was only because they were adding more eneichment to their enclosure and making adjustments. The staff was very informative when the kids had questions and it truly does add to the experience when they can see the animals and get the answers too. I really do wish there was more to their dino themed set up. Unfortunately the thearter was lacking a bit and not created with kids in mind. We had tall adults in the front wearing large hats that made seeing the movie impossible for the rows behind them. With how the seats are placed you can not see over anyone taller than you so if you are short or if you have small kids stick to the front. The animals and the natural wildlife and plant life seemed to be thriving. Its gardens provided a great burst of color another part of nature many tend to forget is just as important as the animals. Take your time through this magical garden. Its small but every bit worth seeing and taking in. Need color references? The beautiful plant life here can definitely provide.

It was fun but hot. There's plenty of shade walking around. The animals get hot too, so a lot of them were trying to stay out of the sun. The park wasn't packed and we went around 230pm on a Friday, just passing through and decided to stop by

Nice zoo, very hot so we couldn’t see some of the animals. The elephants were inside away from the heat. The 4d experience from the movie theater was really cool. The kids enjoyed feeding the stingrays and giraffes and petting the goats were fun too.

The Zoo is wonderful! We arrived at about 9:30am and left around 1:45pm and still had not seen everything. There is so much to see at the zoo and they have lots of activities and special attractions and events going all of the time for all ages! One of our favorite moments was feeding the rays. There are plenty of places to have a meal, grab some shade or go inside and cool off, as well as plenty of places to just have a quick snack if you don't want a full meal. The only issue we found was that they do not accept ANY cash at all! They only accept credit/debit cards. Other than that, we had a wonderful time and even left with an annual membership. It's worth it!

Our family loved it. It was pretty hot this summer. I would suggest water misting and drink stations or mobile carts throughout the park to reduce heat fatigue. Also, some interactive exhibits and zoo staff presentations - you could do quick live social media events in conjunction with those exhibits. More drink stations and live streaming can help generate additional revenue.

This is a really beautiful zoo, spread out very nicely with tons of beautiful trees and shade. We got to feed giraffes and pet stingrays, however we didn't see any elephants. We felt like we did a lot of walking for what we saw. It was still a nice day, just feel like they could have had more animals.

Highly recommended for visiting different animals. The train safari and 3D movie are awesome! You can get 5 bucks discount if you take ticket online! It is worth for a day spent with kids and adults!

Awesome experience! Would definitely recommend the total experience it was such a unique feeling feeding the rays and the whole family loved feeding the birds and the giraffe ! Also the staff is super friendly and helpful! Would definitely recommend this place!

Great day all around. Although the rain was messy, the showers were scattered so it left a fall like temperature and breeze behind. Not too hot. Plus, the animals had been inside mostly due to rain so they were all out moving and stretching their legs for us to enjoy.... quite nice ..... next time.... give a rainy day a try

Very nice zoo. Not San Diego nice but still a nice opportunity to spend the day. Seemed very child friendly. You did have to buy the tickets online even if you are there. There is a discount if you pre-purchase a day before.

Loved this zoo took so many photos. The experience was great, and walking through the various beautiful areas was a treat. Great are along the St John's. I can't wait to see what the zoo will look like after the upgrades. We could hear the lions roar as we passed through various parts of the zoo. Lots of tree coverage.

We had a good time at the zoo even though there was alot of people. Recommend to buy tickets online so you don't have to wait in line. The light is on around 4 something. It's pretty. Wish they open a little later so we can enjoy the light when it's dark

We drive from middle GA to visit this zoo often. Definitely one of our faves! We love the 4D theatre and train ride. The various events definitely enhance the attractions. I’ve done date nights, family outings and girls nights out here and all have been great!