Where is the one place you can find a lion, a tiger and a bear (oh my!)? No, not a child's room. You can actually see all those things and more at the Reid Park Zoo. If you haven't heard it before, we're here to tell you that Reid Park Zoo is the best little adventure for your family. There, you can play in the splash area, ride a camel, chase after peacocks and watch birds fly around your head. And that only scratches the surface ...

REID PARK ZOO

Location: 3400 Zoo Court

Hours: September to May, opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. and June to August, opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m.

Prices: $10.50 for adults (15-61), $8.50 for seniors (62+), $6.50 for children (2-14) and children age 0-1 get in for free. You can purchase your tickets online here or at the admission gate.

Parking: There is plenty of parking just outside of the main entrance.

Check out the zoo map here.

5 REASONS TO GO

1. One word: Nandi

Nandi is the cutest elephant at the Reid Park Zoo, so go see her and the rest of her elephant friends. 

2. Just as much as it is fun, it's educational

Your child can purchase a key shaped like an elephant ($2.50 at the front gate) that unlocks information only people with the key can get. The Conservation Learning Center inside offers hands-on learning, and there are also volunteers and employees around to tell you something interesting about the animals in their enclosures.

3. There's more than just looking at the animals

You can ride a camel, feed a giraffe, cool off in the splash area, and ride the carousel or train. 

4. Adults will actually enjoy it, too

No one ever said a visit to the zoo is only fun for a child.

5. There are so many photo opportunities

Sit your child on a tiny elephant, have them pop out of an egg or take them to the peacock at the entrance. Check out where you can take a photo worthy of posting on Instagram below.

INSIDER SECRETS

Avoid huge crowds and long lines on a weekday

Sure, this could be said about literally everything, but you have no idea how much more fun the zoo is on a Monday morning until you actually go experience it. Get there early enough and you could be the first one to ride the camels or the carousel. That's not even the best part. The animals are awake and most likely roaming their enclosures. It's more likely that you'll see the elephants roaming around and the tiger on the prowl. 

The activities will cost you extra

This isn't actually a secret because you can find this information on the Reid Park Zoo's website, but if you haven't been to the zoo in years, you might not know about the added fun. Let's break them down:

Giraffe Encounter

     • Location: Africa, near the white rhino enclosure

     • Hours: Check specific hours here

     • Cost: $2 per person

     • Additional information: You can pay at the admission gate or at Giraffe Encounter platform

Camel rides

     • Location: Near the giraffe enclosure 

     • Hours: 8:30 a.m. to noon, Sunday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturdays and holidays 

     • Cost: $7 per person

     • Additional information: Children must be 2 years old to ride, children between the ages 2 and 5 must ride with a paying adults and the maximum weight per person is 250 lbs

Zoo train

     • Location: Near the entrance gates, outside of the zoo

     • Hours: Runs during most business hours

     • Cost: $2 per ride

     • Additional information: Multi-ride tickets are available

Kenya Get Wet

     • Location: Near the otter enclosure

     • Hours: Closed during cold weather, thunderstorms, and peak school field trip hours

     • Cost: Free

     • Additional information: Best place to cool off

Wildlife carousel

     • Location: Near the tiger enclosure, it's the first thing you see

     • Hours: Open during zoo hours

     • Cost: $3 per ride

     • Additional information: Rider must be at least 42 inches to ride alone. Parents can ride for free with children under 42 inches.

ZOO-IT-ALL Daily Pass

Instead of spending on the activities separately, you can purchase a pass to make things cheaper. The only bummer is that the giraffe encounter is not included. The pass gets you unlimited carousel rides, one train ride, one camel ride, and includes admission. You can purchase the pass at the gate before going into the zoo. 

     • Cost: $20 per adult, $17 per child, and $12 for Zoo members (this only includes the rides because members get in for free).

Moms don't have to be the only ones that change a diaper

Each restroom has a changing station and there are restrooms located throughout the zoo.

There are so many places to take a fussy baby

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Get another view of the brown bear by following the pathway to what seems like an underground hiding spot, or watch the turtles and huge fish swim (near the macaw exhibit). Both of these places are shaded and — usually — quiet. Your fussy baby will be mesmerized by the fish swimming only a few inches away from their face. Or they'll love trying to play "I Spy" the brown bear. 

It should only take you an hour to two to get through the whole zoo

That doesn't mean you have to spend that much time there. Get the most out of your money by going through the zoo three or four times. Here's an idea: Find something that you didn't see before each time you go around, or maybe do all of the activities.

Bring all the necessities 

That means wear comfortable shoes, clothes you can move around in, bring lots of water, and wear plenty of sunscreen when the sun is out. But also bring your own stroller because single strollers cost $6 and double strollers cost $8. Ain't nobody got time to pay extra for a used stroller. 

You can also rent a wheelchair for $7 (plus tax) at the Discover the Wild gift shop.

The best souvenirs are the crushed pennies

Get a pressed penny for 51 cents at any of the three penny pressers at the zoo. 

Save the gift shop for last

You and your child are going to want to buy everything in sight because this gift shop resembles a Disneyland gift shop with all of the plush, toys, t-shirts and snacks, and who can resist a cute tiger plush. Avoid it altogether if you don't want to spend any more money.  

New things are coming

There are new exhibits in the works: One is a meerkat habitat opening near the carousel, and a new gibbon habitat opening to the left of the carousel in a couple of months.

You can also meet, touch and play with ferrets Dimitri and Nadia. Read more about them here.

MAKE IT INSTA-WORTHY 📸

Besides the many trees, rock benches and animals roaming in the background, there are plenty of places to take an Insta-worthy pic. 

• Sit on the peacock at the entrance

• Literally anywhere in Expedition Tanzania (elephant exhibit)

• Compare your size to the bears near the brown bear enclosure

• Pose inside of the hatched egg in the aviary

• Give a big smile in the turtle shell in the play area near the Conservation Learning Center

WHERE TO FIND FOOD

You just spent two hours running around the zoo, so it's probably time to eat. You're in luck. There are plenty of food options inside and outside of the zoo. 

Reid Park Zoo food options

Unfortunately the Zoofari Cafe, located near the main entrance, is closed for renovations. (But Zoo employees hope for a speedy turnaround.) There is, however, another option in South America. The Jaguar Junction Cafe has seating outside, drinks, water and snacks to hold you over. You can also find eegees and other snacks at the pop-up locations throughout the zoo.

Outside the Reid Park Zoo food options

Eat before or eat after your trip to the zoo because you're only allowed to bring in water, which means no outside snacks or beverages.

El Con Mall is just about a mile north and there are plenty of fast-food options there, like In-N-Out Burger, Chick-Fil-A, Panda Express, Starbucks (one in Target and one near Rubios), Rubios, Smashburger, Subway and Bruegger's Bagels. There's also full service restaurants like Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Claim Jumper and Azian.

There's also a McDonald's less than a half mile south of the zoo. 

We suggest having a picnic at the park. You can either pack something, or buy stuff at Walmart, Target, Walgreens or Fry's.

EVENTS COMING UP

The Reid Park Zoo is always doing something extra, and the two most popular events are just around the corner. Celebrate Halloween — or Howl-o-Ween — and get in the Christmas spirit with Zoo Lights at the Zoo. Besides already celebrating some of the best holidays, you get to see the zoo after hours and while it's dark — something you wouldn't normally do.

There's no better place to trick or treat than the Reid Park Zoo. Go dressed up in your best costume and be hungry for treats. 

What: Howl-o-Ween 2016

When: Friday, October 28 through Sunday October 30, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court

Cost: $9.50 for all ages, $7.50 for members and free for infants who are not trick or treating

Pro tip: Buy the tickets online to avoid the long lines at the ticket booth

Remind yourself later:

Later in the year, you'll get to see the zoo transform into a magical winter wonderland with Christmas lights everywhere. More information coming soon.

CONSIDER THE MEMBERSHIP...

What's so great about the membership?

• Free admission to the zoo

• 10 percent off on items purchased in the Reid Park Zoo gift shop and Zoofari Market Cafe

• Discounts on zoo classes, programs and camps

• Discounts to special events and advanced viewings of new exhibits

So, if you're planning on spending days or weekends at the Reid Park Zoo, this might be the best thing you read today. But let's break it down. Memberships are split up into four groups with options for one year or three years (prices listed below are for the year):

1. Gold ($110) includes two named adults, up to eight children/grandchildren under 18 years of age and three guest passes

2. Family ($70) includes two named adults and up to eight children/grandchildren under 18 years of age

3. Individual ($35) includes one adult between 18 and 61

4. Senior ($25) includes one adult 62 and older

Check out the zoo's list of frequently asked questions about the memberships here.

Worth it? Yes!

Here's why: For a family of four (two adults and two children), one day at the park costs $34, which means you would have to go to the zoo about two times on normal days to make the family membership worth it. Sounds pretty great right? This means you can go to the zoo as many times as you want and you'll get the discounts.