Mesker Park Zoo
Mesker Park Zoo things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Went to our first trip to Mesker. The zoo is quite lovely with strolling paths dotted with exibits and encounters. As you enter, you can go ahead and buy an annual pass that's good for 365 days. from purchase. Once you have your annual pass, you already have perks. Like a free tran excursion during tram season. So now that you are going to come back a few times, you can stroll the areas. Look and read and take in. Cause well you will want to come back. Along with your pass, you may want to ask about a sensory bag. You can get the entire bag. Or if you just need a part, ask for what you need. The staff is happy to help. They will also give you a schedule of animal feedings, and you can get tokens then as well. So now that you are set, you stroll in. And if you have a 5 year old, this is when they tell you they are hungry. Even if they just said no to the resent meal. No worries, to your right, there is a cafe. And if you got your membership, you can pick up a snack and get a discount on said healthy or treat. With everyone now set, it's a great time for a walk. If you love penguins, then you're in luck as they are right up front to the left of the entrance. And they are adorable. Now, if you got a look at the feeding schedule, you may have bought some tokens for an up close experience with said lovelies. But say you are more of a Red Panda fan. Mo worries its a little further walk with plenty to see, but they are a cute red pair. And on the plus side, it's a nice cool building for you to relax in while smiling at the red panda. Along with the red pandas, there is an exhibit of naucternal animals. Incuding a cat with such an adorible face, you just want to snuggle. There is so much more in the zoo. Animals from all over the earths biomes. I dont want to take away by telling you everything. Go enjoy... and if you like zoos, get the pass. Not only is it good there, but it can get you discouts and even free entries into other participating zoos and aquariums. The list is a long list and nationwide. Have a great year at the zoo. Tell them Kat sent you! Na you nore I won't get anything, but Im curious what would happen if suddenly 10, 50, 100, 1000 people say o yea Kat sent me. lol
MisfitKat HMisfitKat H
20
The zoo for the most part was an enjoyable experience. Most of the bad reviews Iâve read have been of people complaining that there are ânot enough exhibitsâand less of the well being of the animals. There are more than enough animals that are not used to our climate that shouldnât have been there. The penguin exhibit was pathetic. An animal in the wild has so much space to discover and the space that the penguins were kept in was not only dirty, but excessively small for the species. Zoos are understandable but I feel like each exhibit should be modified to meet each animals needs that they were accustomed to in which they originated from. That leads me to the birds. I walked past multiple bird exhibits and the birds had very small cages that they were confined to. Imagine having wings and not ever being able to use them and soar in the sky. Thatâs all that these birds will ever know, a small confinement. What was heartbreaking was walking past a beautiful red bird that was perching on a single branch. I noticed its wings were clipped and it was unable to fly. It would sit there all day long as people came by, looked, and gawked at it. The monkeys space was also exceptionally sad. Lastly I will be attaching a photo of two boxes of glove cases that were just sitting in an armadillo exhibit which I find extremely unprofessional. I would like to add Iâm not surprised considering all of the so call âzoo staffâ were teenage kids with bad attitudes.
Addison HornAddison Horn
20
It's a really cute small zoo. Took around 2 hours and got through the entire zoo. I don't like how you can only get mobile maps. It's hard to see them on your phone in the sun, and the kids love to help navigate. Maybe having paper ones upon request and maybe laminated to save from having to make new so often. I know mobile is the way to go, but not everything needs to be. Three kids enjoyed the zoo, as did my husband and I. It broke up our trip home from Louisville, KY. It is off the path with some country roads, but overall, it's a great stop. We are members of the St. Louis Zoo, so we were able to get into this zoo for free. Parking is also free. The only place to get food is at the entry point. There are coke machines here and there around. We stopped to eat on the way out. It was okay. Nothing great. Do not recommend the salad for the price. The Hot Ham & Cheese was okay, and my son enjoyed his pizza. The fries came out hot, and I thought they were good. Prices were a bit higher than normal prices at the zoos we frequently go to. The gift shop prices were really reasonable. It is a small shop. There are extras you can do. You must buy tokens. $5 =5 tokens. Their website is easy to navigate, and if you email with questions, they seem to get back quickly.
Kristie LeaphartKristie Leaphart
20
The employees here need more inclusivity training. Our oldest son has cerebral palsy and cannot walk. He was denied entry into the budgie exhibit as staff called his wheelchair a stroller. It's a special wheelchair used to be compact for school, not a stroller, his leg braces were also clearly visible. We tried to explain that he literally cannot walk and were told "no wheels at all" but the sign says wheelchairs are welcome. Our son was very upset about not getting to see the birds and we were disappointed in this interaction. I got the impression that they didn't believe he was disabled, and we were just trying to work a stroller in, but we had our able bodied child out of their stroller, we literally were following the rules and we were not allowed in. Edit: My husband later went to guest services, just to let them know about this incident and tell them they should request more inclusivity training. They said "they ask that if people who are in wheelchairs or strollers can get up and walk, then they should" our son was never asked to get up and while he can stand with support, he cannot walk. He was denied access immediately. We will not be coming back. The park, or the staff, are very unfamiliar with how disabilities and mobility aids work
Taylor KendallTaylor Kendall
80
First time to this zoo. Read several reviews before going. There was several negative reviews about having to wait in line for an hour. We bought outlet tickets online but was not able to print them off in hotel. However the zoo can look them up by your order number. So I recommend buying tickets online. When you go the entrance gates, there is 2 lines (membership/online tickets and purchase tickets). So pay attention to sign above gate to see what line you need to be in. We didnt notice the sign until employee was announcing the lines, which helps speed up line. We got there 10 minutes before the zoo opened and was in gate within 15 minutes. There were only a few animal exhibits that were closed. It was really pretty and the signs were clear on animal locations, etc. However, I will say that some of the paths are uneven and there are some steep hills leading to exhibits. It may be hard for people with strollers or wheelchairs. There is token machines throughout zoo but didnt really know what they was for either. One suggestion for zoo would be a penny smusher. That would be cheap and fun for the kids. A lot of zoos and museums have them. But I think the zoo was worth the price compared to how expensive other zoos are.
Shawnna McmichaelShawnna Mcmichael
20
We're from Illinois so we visit the FREE St. Louis Zoo often. Once you have been to the St. Louis zoo, no other zoo you go to can compare. The price to get in was not bad. But I would not pay to go back there. It is an okay place to take young kids to let them run around and play. The animals all look miserable. They have super tiny habitats/enclosures for a lot of the animals. The animals are not in very good shape... This place broke our hearts seeing the condition of the animals. We definitely will not be back. One employee was carrying around the tail of the giraffe that had been bitten off by a zebra(they keep giraffes and zebras enclosed together, even though they obviously do not get along). She informed us this poor giraffe will not grow its tail back. Overall, our one year old and two year old had fun running around, but they would only enjoy it a couple more years. The place is just depressing. One other thing, the parrots were definitely stressed out. Pictured below are of them. You can see bones and inside one's rib cage. The other one was eating one of its feathers. This place is just sad.
Carissa MorrisonCarissa Morrison
110
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
1545 Mesker Park Dr, Evansville, IN 47720
Map
Phone
(812) 435-6143
Call
Website
meskerparkzoo.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.3
(1.5K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
outdoor
family friendly
Description
The Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden is a zoo that opened in 1928 in Evansville, Indiana, United States. It is located in Mesker Park on Evansville's northwest side and is run by the City of Evansville. The Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
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