Fort Wayne Children's Zoo — Attraction in Fort Wayne

Father's Day was not as crowded as I would've expected for a Sunday holiday weekend. I purchased tickets in advance, including a ride pass and feeding pass.

Overall, I think this zoo deserves 5 stars for several reasons. It's cleanliness, shade, seating, staff, animals, education, and fun! My son said it was the best day ever.

Multiple staff members approached me with kindness. One offered to take a picture of me and my family, another overheard us at Matilda, the red tailed hawk's cage, and told us her backstory and name. We gushed with a couple ladies at the stingray morning feed about how awesome and cute they are, and more. I felt comfortable, welcome, and genuinely overjoyed in the presence of such amazing people.

The zoo itself had multiple exhibits nearby one another with plenty of seating and umbrellas to relax or cool off. It is beautifully maintained. My young child (4) never got bored! We rode the train, river ride, and carousel. Unfortunately, we had leftover punches on our ride pass, but considering the price per person per ride - we saved money. Same goes for the feeding pass. We had leftover punches, but fed goats, chickens, stingrays, and giraffes. My advice, feed the goats multiple times or be the first to feed the giraffes. We got to the giraffes later in the afternoon and they seemed full 😆

Plan ahead. Pack a change of socks/clothes if your child is going to play in the dirt at the Nature playground. Bring shoes with backs and laces if you plan to go on the Bamboo adventure course. There are water bottle refill stations. Stroller and wheelchair rentals.

Warning - the ride pass does NOT include the paddleboats ($10ea) or the Bamboo Adventure course ($10ea).

If you made it this far, then plan that trip to the zoo. This one blows Toledo and Detroit out...

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is an absolute gem and a must-visit for families. This fantastic zoo offers a delightful and educational experience that both children and adults will cherish. With a diverse array of animals and engaging exhibits, it's a place that manages to strike the perfect balance between entertainment and learning.

One of the standout features of this zoo is the remarkable diversity of species it houses. From playful penguins to majestic lions, the zoo covers a wide spectrum of wildlife. The exhibits are well-designed, providing animals with spacious and enriched environments, which is not only great for the creatures but also enhances the visitor's experience.

The staff at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo deserves special praise. They are not only knowledgeable but also passionate about the animals they care for. This enthusiasm is infectious and makes interactions with the animals more enjoyable. The zookeepers often provide fascinating insights during their feeding and enrichment sessions.

For families, the zoo offers an abundance of interactive opportunities. The Australian Adventure and African Journey exhibits, in particular, allow visitors to get up close and personal with animals. There are also playgrounds, a train ride, and a sky ride, all of which add to the fun.

Cleanliness and maintenance are top-notch, making the zoo a safe and pleasant environment for everyone. Additionally, the pricing is reasonable, and annual memberships are a great value.

In conclusion, the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is a place of wonder and discovery. It educates, entertains, and ignites a passion for wildlife in children and adults alike. If you're in the area, don't miss the opportunity to explore this...

I have reviewed over fifty zoos. What makes a five, an exceptional zoo. First it does not take over ten minutes to get in. The animals have outside and inside viewing. The zoo can be visited in good weather and bad weather. The animals are displayed in a way you can see them. Paddocks are not to deep. Well thought out hides for the animals that display the animals. The animals are healthy. Lines are kept short, good crowed management. Prices are kept reasonable on food and drink. It remembers it is a zoo not an amusement park. For a four the zoo meets almost all of the above. For a three, the zoo misses on several fronts. And of course to be a two or a one no animal care.

ALL THE ANIMALS LOOKED WELL CARED FOR AND HEALTHY. ONLY ONE WAS OF EXHIBIT FOR HEALTH CHECK. MAYBE THREE OR FOUR WERE GREAT HIDERS.

WHY I GAVE THE ZOO A THREE.

The zoo failures were ridiculous long entry time. Only two entry lines open on a Saturday. They forgot it is a zoo. Rock wall, train, flume ride, carousel. Adventure play. Really a two lane tethered climbing course. High entry day priced entry at $25 for a medium sized zoo. Overpriced drinks and souvenir cup. Small size, premium pricing. AND SOME OF YHE WORST PARKING I HAVE SCEEN.

The zoo is comfortably a three to four hour visit if you take your time.

Is the zoo worth going to? Sure. It is 50% reciprocal with 150 other zoo memberships. Other than alcohol you can bring in a small cooler.

Is it the best zoo day ever? NO. But being a zoo person, any day at a zoo...