Comments on: Five Zones Of Free Fun At The St. Louis Zoo

By: Jeff & Crystal

Jeff & Crystal — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 23:20:02 +0000

In reply to Ryan K Biddulph. We couldn't agree more. Jaguars are so sleek.

By: Ryan K Biddulph

Ryan K Biddulph — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 17:58:20 +0000

This looks like a fab time Jeff and Crystal. I dig the emphasis on preservation too. More zoos these days stress how making responsible decisions now gives many of these beautiful animals a future. I dig it. I love jaguars; fave big cat and fave animal too. So muscular, lithe and graceful.

By: Jeff & Crystal

Jeff & Crystal — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 04:02:27 +0000

In reply to Raleigh Muns. Thank you for these extremely handy tips.

By: Raleigh Muns

Raleigh Muns — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 18:14:38 +0000

Little known even to locals is that several of the features you pay extra for are free the first hour that the zoo is open. So the “Conservation Carousel” which is normally $3/person is free the first hour. That’s awesome if you have several kids who want to ride on it again, again, and again … and again. The Stingrays at Caribbean Cove (seasonal) is a $4 extra, except the first hour when it is … free! The Children’s Zoo is normally an extra $4 … but the first hour? You guessed it: free.

So here’s some handy hints if you’re coming on a hot summer day and you’re a morning person (or morning family!). Get there early, say about 7:30 am with the zoo opening at 8am. First, you can get on street parking very close (we’ve even parked right across from the entrance). The zoo entrance has always been open well in advance of official opening time (at least since I moved here in 1991) so you can walk around the grounds before opening. Second, there are almost no crowds that early. If it’s going to be in the 90’s and you spend three to four hours, you’ll be leaving right when the peak crowds are starting, and right when the classic St. Louis humidity is starting to make life miserable. Third, that first hour you can check out the Carousel as much as you want, play with the stingrays, and then head over to the Children’s Zoo, with all three being free. Empty nesters now, we did this routine for years with our two kids and sleepover friends and it was wonderful.

By: Jeff & Crystal

Jeff & Crystal — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 12:20:39 +0000

In reply to Sue Janicke. The sea lion exhibit was amazing. I wanted to grab some video of them swimming, but they are elusive creatures.

By: Sue Janicke

Sue Janicke — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 12:12:48 +0000

Just visited with family members from Latheop and Turney, MO. Had a great time, even though it was rainy. I don’t think I can just pick one favorite. The apes/orangutans were pretty entertaining and I could sit in Sea Lion Sound and watch them swim forever.