San Antonio Zoo is an exotic adventure that began 90 years ago and has created an experience of incredible fun and friendliness for all its visitors who travel to San Antonio every year. Consisting of over 3,500 kinds of animals and 600 species in total in a span of 56-acres, it’s one of those places in San Antonio which families love to visit and spend their holiday in the most.
An initiative by Colonel W. Brackenridge back in 1914 of keeping a few animals in the Brackenridge Park and which later was presented to the city with the rights to continue the project has now turned into an extravagant home for hundreds of animals of various kinds – amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles.
Detailed information on the San Antonio Zoo can be easily found in the San Antonio travel guide you can get from anywhere in the city. More than just a holiday destination, the San Antonio zoo has strived to be a powerful learning platform for both adults and children alike.
One of the first tourist attractions we visited was the San Antonio Zoo after moving to San Antonio. More formally known as the San Antonio Zoological Gardens And Aquarium, it is located in Brackenridge Park at 3903 N. St. Mary’s Street.
My kids loved it and they still do.
Many are in natural habitats. From snakes and frogs to birds to fish to beautiful mammals, our zoo has something to please everyone in your family. There is a cool exhibit of Komodo Dragons, my son’s (Matthew) favorite. They had babies last year!
Bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera. You will do a lot of walking and you will spend a good deal of time in the sun. Some exhibits are indoors, but most are outside. Plan to take your time and have a relaxing visit.
Above is my son, Matthew, with his favorite animal, the Komodo Dragon. There are many lizards, iguanas, snakes, and other reptiles, along with bugs and birds, fish, and other animals who live in water.
I enjoy seeing the rhinos. Several years ago, there was a brand new baby rhino and I loved watching the little guy move around.
The whole family will find animals they enjoy watching at the zoo. True, this is definitely not in the same class with the San Diego Zoo, the Bronx zoo, or even the zoo in Colorado Springs, but it is a much better zoo than most cities have. I have visited zoos across the country and this one is better than most.
Our zoo has 750 different types of animals. The actual number count of animals is more than 3,800.
Construction begun in September 2008 has finished on the new Africa Live. It is like being on an African safari. What could be more adventurous for children? My son and daughter went in July of 2011, this summer, and they loved it. In fact, they took all of the photos on this page. Thank you to Matthew and Tiffany Schulze for the great pictures!
The San Antonio Zoo is open 365 days a year, selling tickets from 9am to 5pm. Guests must leave by 6pm each day. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, and $8 for children, ages 3 to 11. Consider buying a season pass if you plan to go several times a year. Parking is free here so you don’t have to worry about that.
The first year we moved to San Antonio, we bought a season pass and went to visit the animals two to three times a month. The zoo is educational, fun, and always changing. The animals are fascinating to watch and provide entertainment for the most fidgety child. Trust me–I had three of them!
San Antonio Zoo Address
3903 N. St. Mary’s Street
San Antonio, TX 78212-7183
Contact:
Tel: (210) 734-7184 Fax: (210) 734-7291
Email: information@sazoo-aq.org
San Antonio Zoo Hours:
Open Daily:9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ticket Information for the San Antonio Zoo:
Members: Free
Adults: $10
Seniors: $8
Children: $8
Children: Free(ages 2 and under)