Zoo Atlanta — Attraction in Atlanta

Visited the zoo this past Monday @ 1 P.M. and it was an enjoyable visit given the lack of crowds. It was obvious that everyone was there for the pandas exhibit (as they are currently the only pandas remaining in the U.S. till their contract expires in 2024).

Buying tickets on the day of the visit costs slightly more compared to purchasing them a week in advance, so plan accordingly. We opted to buy tickets the day-of as we were driving in from NYC and we did not want to take any chances with the no-refund policy.

Parking was available at $3 per hour or $12 for the entire day (which is not a bad deal). Given the abundance of parking spaces in the Cherokee Avenue lot (they also have another lot) on the day I visited though, the fee seemed quite unnecessary. I read some reviews before my visit and learned that many visitors actually encounter parking issues on peak days, so it's understandable. We noticed many people bypassing the parking meters which suggests that they might have chosen to make their payments through the ParkMobile app. Reviews suggested we may end up spending 2-3 hours here. We were in a rush during the visit and though we breezed through all the exhibits, it still took us about 2.5 hours. We had paid $9 but if you plan to spend the entirety of the day there, the $12 is a better option. You can also opt to park outside on the streets as well.

At the entrance, they give you a memory pass (QR code) for photo experiences around the park. We only utilized the photo spot by the flamingos (one of four spots), but were still happy with the pictures we got with different backdrops.

There were many great exhibits (e.g. red pandas, gorillas, hippos, lions, bald eagles, etc.) and the employees we encountered were all very friendly.

You'll also find penny press machines here, though only 1 of the 3 machines I came across were working (luckily the one that was working also was the one with the panda engravings). The machines operate by inserting $1 bills so you don't have to worry about bringing in your own pennies and quarters. Outside the pandas exhibit as you are leaving, there are collectible medallion machines as well. 4 were for $15 and for each is $5. Had to get them too.

Albeit small, the petting zoo for the goats was a nice addition.

The animal statues and light displays around the park were very nice and is a plus for those that are looking for photo-ops.

Surprisingly, the majority of the food areas were not open during our visit. The only place opened was a small stand by the entrance that sold popcorn, pretzels and small snacks. We opted for popcorn ($6), though it wasn't even fully popped. This probably explains why you are able to bring in your own food and drinks into the facility, but since we came straight to Atlanta and were afraid the zoo would close if we stopped by to eat, we didn't have a chance to do so.

Overall, we had a decent experience thanks to the pandas and the variety of other animal exhibits, but it could've been better had there been more open food stalls.

P.S. If you are visiting in November of 2023, there's a poll right now up until Thanksgiving to vote for the names of 2 new baby binturongs!

P.P.S. We weren't able to inquire about this, but is there any reason why all 4 pandas are separated from each other? There are clear dividers...

Sorry for only four stars Atlanta, but I wanted to get some attention here and make a point. First off it’s been maybe 30 years since I’ve been to the zoo and my memories of that area of town or frankly pretty scary. It always felt like a part of town. I didn’t want to slow down and or roll down my windows, but I have to say bringing my family down With little kids changed my mind on that. That area has really turned around significantly and it felt like a very safe residential area. The zoo itself was in good condition and well laid out although more hills than I had remembered. That said there were so many families there with babies and strollers, these kids will never remember even being there, let alone seeing an animal. I feel like this place is better for adults than children, you really have to work at some of those displays to see the animals and there’s a lot to read and learn so that’s your thing. It’s definitely five stars plus but kids want immediate satisfaction and there were a lot of areas where they didn’t slow down long enough to try to find the animal. Also, I think they tried too hard in the reptile building and what I mean by that is the computer monitor displays, some weren’t working, and others were hard to read. They weren’t very bright, and then the signage worked too hard to be cute, sounding and artistic looking sacrificing readability And getting to the point. On the next redesign, they need to bring in an English teacher to work with the artist. I felt like it made me work way too hard for the information. What would be really cool is an app that would sense where you were at in the zoo and Pop up the information on your smart phone. Also, I understand you pay more for food and a venue and I was prepared for that but I wasn’t prepared for $30 for one basic hotdog and one order of three chicken strips with fries. That’s without a drink. That’s just punitive, definitely put a cooler in the back of your minivan and pack a nice lunch and a bunch of snacks And you’ll be better off for it. Also, if you can come early in the morning, you can really beat the crowds...

I recently visited Zoo Atlanta and had an experience that left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, the zoo itself is beautiful—it's clear that a lot of care goes into the animals' well-being, and it’s a great place for families or anyone who enjoys being around wildlife. The habitats are well-maintained, and the animals seem healthy, active, and engaging. It's always a joy to watch the gorillas, elephants, and pandas in particular. Plus, the educational signs and interactive exhibits throughout the park are top-notch.

The food at the zoo also deserves praise. I was honestly surprised by how good it was—often, you don't expect much from food stands in places like this, but Zoo Atlanta delivered. The variety was decent, everything we tried was fresh, and the staff working in the food service areas were friendly and helpful.

That being said, my visit was dampened by the behavior of one of the managers I witnessed interacting with staff—Elizabeth(Food). I understand that managing a large public space like a zoo comes with stress, but what I saw was truly disappointing. Elizabeth appeared to speak to her employees in an unprofessional and downright rude manner, and it created a visibly tense atmosphere. No one should have to work under someone who treats their team with disrespect or favoritism. A manager's job should be to support and uplift their staff, not belittle them or create unnecessary conflict. It really made me feel for the employees and left me questioning how staff morale is being handled behind the scenes.

It’s a shame, because so much about Zoo Atlanta is wonderful. With better leadership and a stronger commitment to treating all team members fairly and with respect, it could easily become one of the best attractions in the region.

I hope the higher-ups take staff concerns seriously and recognize that good management is just as important as good food or beautiful exhibits. Until then, I’m hesitant to fully recommend...