Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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🌍🐾 Calgary Zoo: Where Animals Tell the World’s Story! 🦁❄️
Audrey ParkerAudrey Parker
352
My 3 days holiday in Calgary
Keven Keven
280
The zoo lights are very beautiful and well done. I’ve only been there twice. the first time was the first year to put them on. I do remember there were very spread out and they had little cars that drove around. I also remember it was extremely cold so we didn’t really enjoy them. As much as I did this time . Now I noticed that zoo lights are more concentrated in a section of the zoo, well, that’s great for walking and you can see most of them in the sections, I think we would’ve been nice to have certain sections of other parts of the zoo even if you have to be driven to it to view. Now this year the weather was fantastic, and because of that there were lots of people there. Maybe the zoo should look into creating more of the indoor section in case bad weather. First positives of the zoo lights. The lights are beautiful . There are lots of places where you can take selfies or family pictures. The, overall treats and goodies are overall priced fairly. I do think, that the zoo really has to review their gift shops, and have more reasonable priced items in a way to promote the zoo. there were a few things that I know I would love to get for the little guys, but the price was too out of reach. second the negative. the total cost for a party of two with parking is 60 dollars. 22 dollars each for admission and 14 dollars for parking. we were there for an 1 1/2 hour. the admission i have no issue but the parking cost i have an issue. why is there a minimal cost ? it should be the hour and let’s be honest 2 bucks an hour would be sufficient, or free? would have been better. iI would love to have seen more lights on the pathway as some were very slippery but overall very nice. Also, there a chance to see Santa Claus while I didn’t go in there I believe it was included with your price. the Calgary zoo is one of the most beautiful places and most amazing zoo in all of Canada. My younger days I used to live around the zoo and I remember how much fun it was to go around while the cost is becoming more and more expensive I can understand the reason behind it. What I do recommend that the Zoo should do is create a wall called friends of the zoo. or maybe adopt an animal or something, so that way people can actually donate to specific sections of the zoo, and let’s be honest people love seeing their name posted. I believe they will get more donations maybe they can reduce the price of an admission, so regular family could go. Otherwise it becomes very unaffordable for family of four. but that’s something for another day. lastly, and I don’t know if this is possible, but it would be great if in the middle of summer the Zoo puts together a section of the park where they can have a late night zoo lights. maybe even have some nice music or something of that nature maybe inside one the huge indoor section maybe that is not possible but it would sure attracted people during the holiday and you can charge premier price if you want or donation rally that would be something to get more funds. Anyway make sure you check it out if you can afford it as it is very nice. P.S. i did not check into this but i am wondering if you had the year pass if the zoo lights would be included because that would be a great way to get yearly passes sold.
TheFoodietravelers V&KTheFoodietravelers V&K
20
The Calgary Zoo is a must-visit destination for anyone in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Spanning over 120 acres on St. George's Island in the Bow River, the zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals representing over 200 species. Its layout is thoughtfully designed, with themed areas such as Destination Africa, the Canadian Wilds, and the Prehistoric Park, each offering unique and immersive experiences. The exhibits are well-maintained and spacious, allowing the animals to thrive in environments that closely mimic their natural habitats. The Penguin Plunge and the Land of Lemurs are particularly popular, offering close-up views of these fascinating creatures. Beyond the animals, the zoo features beautiful botanical gardens and a conservatory, adding to its appeal. The gardens are a peaceful retreat, showcasing a wide variety of plant species and providing a lovely backdrop for a leisurely stroll. The Calgary Zoo is also a leader in conservation and education. It participates in numerous conservation programs and Species Survival Plans, and offers a variety of educational programs and interactive exhibits that are both fun and informative. The zoo's dedication to sustainability is evident in its eco-friendly practices and initiatives. Facilities at the zoo are top-notch, with multiple dining options and well-stocked gift shops. Accessibility is also a priority, with wheelchair rentals and accessible paths available throughout the zoo. In summary, the Calgary Zoo offers a rich and rewarding experience for visitors of all ages. Its well-designed exhibits, commitment to conservation, and engaging educational programs make it a standout attraction in the city. Whether you're a local or a tourist, a visit to the Calgary Zoo is sure to be a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Cole irwinCole irwin
00
Soooooo much walking for just a few animals. I actually wasn't very happy with my experience. For one, they do offer wagon rentals BUT the sign that advertises them? Is only visible when you are LEAVING. There was no signs for us to see on our way in. That definitely would have been great because then we would have stayed longer if we would have been able to put the kid in a wagon. The animals are very far apart. They designed it so you have to walk through these buildings, just following the path thinking you're going to finally get to see animals when there were no animals, just plants and trees. And you go through the other building and there's one animal in there and at the end, a gift shop. I have only seen 2 animals and then the gift shop, like I went there to see animals and I feel like I didn't get to see anything really great because we didn't go to the Africa side either because when we were done at the prehistoric side, (which was closed, but again, no sign that it's closed until you get there) by the time we got back from that side, the kid was tired of walking! So we decided to leave and THAT'S when we saw the big sign for the wagon rentals. Kind of disappointed because I took 4 adults and one child and it was almost 200.00 just to get through the gate! I really feel like that money could have been spent elsewhere. Somewhere that delivers what it advertises. And I'm not complaining about the animals. It's the lack of animals meaning there would be one animal here in this pen or cage then you dont see another animal unless you walk another 15 minutes. Then you will see one animal. Then walk another 15 minutes to see another one. Lack of signage is the issue. Why do you only want people to see the wagon rental sign as they are leaving
S MorningchildS Morningchild
30
We went to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on a Sunday afternoon in August. It was fairly hot and sunny so not surprisingly, many animals were sleeping or keeping cool in the shade. But we did get to see lots of animals up close, including giraffes, camels, marsupials, birds, insects and more. We caught the penguin feeding time which was fantastic! The zoo itself is easy to navigate and paths are destinations are clearly marked. I would like to see better signage for bathrooms! Food options are available throughout the park and we tried hot dogs and loaded pierogies which were both tasty. Alcoholic beverages are available and we tried a cocktail and some coolers, both of which were delicious. I do think there could be more shaded seating throughout the zoo and just more seating in general. Finding a place to stop and sit around the zoo wasn't that easy. The Canada loop is very large, almost too large - we went to see it as our last stop of the day and it was a lot of walking when we were pretty tired. I recommend planning to do this loop earlier in the day to see the polar bears when they're active and when you/your family have more energy. They should put in short cuts to get back to the main zoo easier, although that would be a challenge given the exhibit is already built. Once you're on this loop, at a certain point, theres no point turning back because of how far you go. The greenhouse where the butterflies are is on the smaller side and was quite crowded and hot, ended up being too much for me so I promptly left. Overall a good zoo that you can spend the day at, bring water and walking shoes and you'll have a blast!
Lisa CopelandLisa Copeland
00
Nearby Attractions Of Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
TELUS Spark Science Centre
Pearce Estate Park
Tom Campbell's Hill Natural Park
Calgary Zoo
Bow Habitat Station & Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery
MOWGLI'S
Harvie Passage Lookout
Mills Park
Genuine Design Luxury Consignment
Calgary Zoo Prehistoric Park Bridge

TELUS Spark Science Centre
4.2
(2.9K)Click for details

Pearce Estate Park
4.7
(1.2K)Click for details

Tom Campbell's Hill Natural Park
4.6
(307)Click for details

Calgary Zoo
4.7
(296)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
Mumbai Bites
Monki Breakfast Club & Bistro Inglewood
The Potion Room Bar
Spolumbo's Fine Foods & Deli
Vegan Street
Madison's 12|12
Inglewood Drive In
Rosso Coffee Roasters
Ironwood Stage & Grill
Tori Bar

Mumbai Bites
4.7
(1.2K)Click for details

Monki Breakfast Club & Bistro Inglewood
4.6
(878)Click for details

The Potion Room Bar
4.0
(893)$
Click for details

Spolumbo's Fine Foods & Deli
4.6
(707)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
210 St. George's Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7V6, Canada
Map
Phone
+1 403-232-9300
Call
Website
calgaryzoo.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.6
(7.8K reviews)
Ratings & Description
outdoor
family friendly
attractions: TELUS Spark Science Centre, Pearce Estate Park, Tom Campbell's Hill Natural Park, Calgary Zoo, Bow Habitat Station & Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery, MOWGLI'S, Harvie Passage Lookout, Mills Park, Genuine Design Luxury Consignment, Calgary Zoo Prehistoric Park Bridge, restaurants: Mumbai Bites, Monki Breakfast Club & Bistro Inglewood, The Potion Room Bar, Spolumbo's Fine Foods & Deli, Vegan Street, Madison's 12|12, Inglewood Drive In, Rosso Coffee Roasters, Ironwood Stage & Grill, Tori Bar

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