Are you looking for a kid-friendly Seattle activity? As a local Seattle mom, I’ll share my personal tips for visiting the Woodland Park Zoo with kids!
This guide to visiting the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle with kids was written by Seattle family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
For those who are planning a trip to Seattle with kids, the Woodland Park Zoo is a wonderful stop.
It’s a mid-size zoo that is easy to do in one day (or a fabulous morning adventure if you focus on just a few areas.)
I’ve been coming here since I was a kid and I’ve brought my own kids dozens of times. We even had a zoo membership when they were really little.
Woodland Park Zoo just launched its new temporary exhibit A Bug’s Eye View which runs from May 1 through Labor Day. I’ve got all the details below!
Don’t have time to read a bunch of Seattle blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Seattle with kids.
Popular Seattle Tours/Activities
- Seattle Harbor Cruise (it’s the best way to see the Seattle skyline)
- Pike Place Market Food Tour (it’s the easiest way to hit all the tasty highlights)
- Space Needle and Chihuly Glass Museum (this combo ticket is the cheapest option)
- Seattle Underground Walking Tour (this is perfect for older kids)
- Flytographer photo shoot (they are easy to book and really affordable)
Kid-Friendly Seattle Hotels
- Fairmont Olympic Hotel (an amazing luxury hotel that is perfect for families)
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco (convenient location with tons of family amenities)
- Inn at the Market (really cool location INSIDE Pike Place Market)
- Mayflower Park Hotel (easy to walk to tons of Seattle attractions)
What to See at Woodland Park Zoo
Woodland Park Zoo features animals from around the world. The main exhibits include African Savanna, Australasia, Historic Carousel, Humboldt Penguins, Northern Trail, Temperate Forest, Tropical Rain Forest, and Tropical Asia.
We’ve done all these areas during the past few years and have narrowed it down to our current must-see areas.
African Savanna
Something that sets apart the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle from other area zoos is its African Village. It’s a faithful reproduction of a modern rural village in East Africa. I’m impressed with it each time we visit.
It also has an open-air viewing area of the African Savanna that will make you feel like you are in The Lion King, as you watch giraffes and zebra roaming together.
Komodo Dragon
Do your kids love lizards? Komodo dragons are the largest lizards in the world. But your kids will probably be more impressed that they are called “dragons.” Their names are Nakal and Berani.
While the komodo dragon area has always been interesting for kids, the exhibit was renovated and re-opened in 2021 cooler than ever.
My kids like seeing the replica eggs and claws. And it’s always neat to get up close to the window and see what they are up to.
Assam Rhino Reserve
This area is home to two greater one-horned rhinoceroses, Taj and Glenn. The exhibit is designed to mimic the rhinos’ natural habitat in the Assam region of India.
I was SUPER excited when this exhibit area opened a couple of years ago because not many zoos have rhinos.
The exhibit features a large enclosure with plenty of space for the rhinos to roam, as well as a variety of enrichment features, such as mud wallows, pools, and climbing structures.
There are also several educational displays about the rhinos and their conservation.
Sloth Bear
We LOVE seeing the sloth bear because it’s an animal that always comes close to the glass and we can all get a great view.
I’m not sure how many other zoos have a sloth bear, but it seems like a great opportunity to learn about a less popular animal.
This exhibit also includes the tiger area, but the sloth bear rarely has a large crowd.
Molbak’s Butterfly Garden
This is a smaller butterfly garden than the one at Pacific Science Center. It’s also seasonal and usually opens near Memorial Day.
What I appreciated about the Molbak’s Butterfly Garden is that it has fresh air. We didn’t have to peel off layers of clothes to explore it. Like many butterfly gardens, we were asked to leave our stroller and diaper bag outside.
One interesting thing is the Microsoft Pollinator Patio, which is open all year round. It features a Silverspot Butterfly Lab where volunteers and zookeepers hatch and raise endangered Oregon silverspot butterflies. They will later be released into protected wild habitats.
Family Farm
Another one of our favorite parts of the Woodland Park Zoo is its petting zoo and animal farm. The Family Farm is presented by Smith Brothers, who deliver fresh local milk, eggs, and sour cream every week to our home.
My son isn’t big on actually petting the animals, so we usually just go close to them and then move on. They have chickens, goats, pigs, sheep and cows. They also feature a little worm play area for little kids and a farmers market area.
Local Mom tip: Bring paper and crayons to do a fun imprint activity at a statue near the cows.
Zoomazium
This indoor play area is perfect for kids ages 8 years old and younger. The play area features a variety of climbing structures, slides, and other activities.
There are usually staff members there who help kids do cool animal-related activities.
It’s great for getting out of the rain or sun or if your kids need a break from walking around outside.
A Bug’s Eye View: Temporary Exhibit from May 1 through Labor Day
One of the newest exhibits at Woodland Park Zoo is A Bug’s Eye View located where the temporary dinosaur exhibit used to be.
I took my 6-year-old there and he LOVED it! There are a bunch of oversized animatronic bugs that slowly move. They do NOT make loud noises or do anything scary (except that one bug does spray water).
It’s in a quiet, shady area of the zoo (which is great for summertime) and you’ll walk along a path where you can see tons of these bug attractions. There are NO actual bugs on display in this area.
There are little signs set up along the way that talk about each bug’s “superpower”, what they eat, and even show the actual sizes of each bug.
It’s an extra $5 per ticket and kids ages 0-2 are free. We think it’s totally worth the extra money because it’s such a cool way to learn more about these bugs. And my 6-year-old thought it was way cooler than the dinosaur exhibit (but I think both are super awesome).
Best Photo Ops at Woodland Park Zoo
Since I’m a blogger, I’m always looking for cute photo ops wherever we go. Here are the ones I like best at the Woodland Park Zoo.
- Hippo sculpture near the hippo exhibit
- African Village
- Monkey statues
- Boat near the penguin exhibit
- Komodo dragon statue
- Historic Carousel
Woodland Park Zoo Parking Lot
There are actually several parking lots at the Woodland Park Zoo. Parking is $6 for the first 2 hours, then $2/hour for a maximum of $12/day.
Access to the West Entrance (aka the main entrance) is available through the Otter and Penguin parking lots. The Otter parking lot can be accessed through the Penguin lot on Phinney Ave N., or the Bear parking lot on N. 59th Street.
The South Entrance is located on N. 50th Street and can be accessed by the Hippo parking lot.
There’s also street parking available in the nearby neighborhoods. Just make sure you don’t block anyone’s driveway.
5 Tips for Visiting Woodland Park Zoo
Zoo Parking
Arrive early and get the coveted street parking to avoid paying for the lot. Otherwise, we like to park near the West Entrance because it feels more centrally located than the South Entrance in case kids are melting down and need to go home.
Food
Bring your own lunch and splurge on a fun treat like kettle corn or cotton candy. Coffee drinks are available and should be your first stop if you don’t bring your own.
They do sell lunch items in several locations, however, the lines can get really long.
Rainy Day Fun
The Zoomazium is an awesome place to stay dry while the kids learn about animals and play. There are also several covered exhibit areas like the komodo dragons, gorillas, meerkats, Savannah animals, and sloths.
Stroller vs. Carrier
I personally liked to bring both with me when my kids were babies and toddlers. We tended to last a bit longer when I could push my 3-year-old and carry my baby from the Zoo to our car.
Carousel
This is located in a corner of the Zoo so it’s easy to avoid if you don’t want your kids to see it. It’s $3 for a ride (standing adults are free) and is undercover.
Woodland Park Zoo in the Pacific Northwest FAQs
How long does it take to walk through Woodland Park Zoo?
It really depends on your family and how much stamina they have for walking and their interest in animals. We typically spend 2-3 hours, but we focus on just a few areas of the zoo. You could definitely spend 4-5 hours if you wanted to see everything and take some time to eat lunch.
What are the new Woodland Park Zoo hours?
Beginning May 1, 2023 the Woodland Park Zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
What are the top attractions at Woodland Park Zoo?
A few popular zoo attractions include the African Savanna, Zoomazium, Tropical Rain Forest, Northern Trail, Penguin Exhibits, Willawong Station, and the Gorillas.
Are there any playgrounds at Woodland Park Zoo?
One of the most popular playgrounds is the Zoomazium, which is an indoor nature-themed play space designed for children ages 8 and under. It includes climbing structures, a treehouse, a water play area, and other interactive exhibits. There are a few smaller climbing areas for kids throughout the zoo. There’s also a large playground just outside the West Entrance.
Why did Woodland Park Zoo get rid of the elephants?
Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington got rid of its elephants in 2015 after a long and controversial debate. The zoo had been criticized for its elephant care practices, and some animal rights groups had called for the elephants to be sent to a sanctuary. In the end, the zoo decided to close its elephant exhibit and send the two remaining elephants to another zoo with a larger and more naturalistic habitat.
Can you take food to Woodland Park Zoo?
Yes, you can definitely bring food and drinks into the zoo.
Is a Woodland Park Zoo membership worth it?
If you’ll be visiting more than once in a year, it can definitely be worth it, especially if you have a baby or toddler (since kids ages 0-2 are free). Individual adult memberships are $70 and family memberships are $250.
What animals are at the Woodland Park Zoo?
Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington is home to over 1,000 animals from all over the world. Some of the most popular animals at the zoo include lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, hippos, orangutans, kangaroos, and gorillas.
How much does it cost to visit the Woodland Park Zoo?
Adult tickets (ages 13-64) are $29, children ages 3-12 are $18, seniors ages 65+ are $27, and children ages 0-2 are free.
Is the Woodland Park Zoo open year-round?
Yes, it’s open every day except for Christmas Day.
What is the best time to visit the Woodland Park Zoo?
If you want to avoid the crowds, go on a mid-week morning when the weather is overcast. The zoo is most crowded on sunny days (especially during the weekend or school breaks). Early morning is best for seeing the animals moving around. Families with young children tend to head home after lunch, so that can be a lull in the crowds.
Are there any discounts available for admission to the Woodland Park Zoo?
Yes, you can purchase tickets online for a 10% discount (as long as it’s at least 4 days in advance). People with disabilities can get $2 off regular admission, and their aides get complimentary admission. There are also military discounts and discounts for people receiving EBT/Washington Quest, P-EBT, or WIC assistance.
Are strollers and wheelchairs available for rent at the Woodland Park Zoo?
Yes, you can rent items at the Guest Services locations inside the West Entrance and near the ZooStore at the South Entrance.
- Wagon $11.00
- Single stroller $8.00
- Double stroller $10.00
- Wheelchair (non-electric) $10.00
- Electric mobility scooter or ECV $25.00
Is there a gift shop at the Woodland Park Zoo?
Yes, there’s the main gift shop near the entrances as well as a pop up gift shop by the Bug’s Eye View temporary exhibit. The zoo has a variety of souvenirs available for purchase, including t-shirts, hats, stuffed animals, and more.
Are there any special events or activities at the Woodland Park Zoo?
Yes, the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle offers a variety of special events and activities throughout the year including ZooTunes, WildLights, Jungle Party, Whiskey & WildBites, Brew at the Zoo, and Animal Feedings and Encounters.
Looking for other zoos to take your preschooler? Check out my review of Oregon Zoo!
Visiting the Seattle Zoo Wrap Up
A visit to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is a great experience for visitors of all ages. With a variety of indoor and outdoor attractions, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
For first-time visitors, we recommend starting with the African Savanna, Northern Trail, and Tropical Rain Forest exhibits, which showcase a variety of animals from around the world.
Whether you’re interested in animal encounters, special events, or just enjoying a day out with family and friends, the Woodland Park Zoo has something for everyone.
I think Lulu is such a lovely name for that baby giraffe. I also have never heard about sloth bears. Where are their natural habitats?
It’s such a cute name for a lovely little giraffe! I hadn’t heard of sloth bears, either. They move much more quickly than sloths and I believe they are from India.
It’s great that kids can get educated about wildlife and conservation through good zoos like this. I like that there is room for them to play as well. Looks like everyone had a good time:)
We’re big fans of learning through play and I love that Woodland Park Zoo offers many opportunities for my kids to learn about animals!
What fun! Seattle is a place I really want to visit with the kids. Getting to see a baby giraffe must have been a real highlight. She is just so cute!! I like to give mine the map so they can practice using those map skills with no real consequence for making mistakes!
It’s so fun to let kids feel like they are in charge and can lead the way!
I love it when places like this have little areas where the kids can run around and play. I was actually just at a zoo last night for a company party and was amazed at how many families didn’t take advantage of the little “secret” playgrounds! Better believe that my friends and I played in them!
What a small world that you were just at a zoo, too! YES! Why don’t more families utilize the playgrounds!?!
Woodland Zoo is really a nice outdoor picnic for children. There are all those animals which are rarely seen like Giraffe, Gorilla, and also a look alike of African Savannah. Loved the picture of your son enjoying on farm tractor and rhino sculpture.
It’s the perfect spot for picnics! We love watching the animals eat, too!
That hippo sculpture is so cool. This place is the perfect way to spend a day with family. Such parks can brighten up any day. I could spend hours watching lulu and the sloth bear. Cheers!!
It’s a really fun family outing! And yes, I could also spend hours watching them!
A day at Woodland Zoo looks so much fun! It’s so nice that this place has a place ground so kids can play as well. I would like to bring my little brother to here. I think he will love this!
Yes, the playground is fantastic! There’s also a large playground just outside the Zoo that many families do before/after they visit.
Not very fond of zoos but I guess it is good for kids as a starting point. Later in life, I am sure it will inspire them to get closer to nature and be more compassionate towards other animals. I liked the fact that there is a family farm clubbed with the zoo. That too should teach a lot of things to the kids.
I know where you are coming from and I’ve definitely had experiences elsewhere that left me with a bad feeling. I think the Woodland Park Zoo staff does a good job of being advocates for their animals. There’s lots of docents available to educate families about each animal and answer repeated questions from little kids!
I love giraffes too! They’re also my favourite animal! You are so fortunate to have been able to see the baby Lulu! I also love the fact there’s a butterfly section – I do believe these are such educational insects that can teach kids lots about the cycle of life. Sounds like a great family trip – my nieces and nephews love going to the zoo.
Aren’t giraffes the best? The butterfly garden is a great opportunity to see butterflies up close. We don’t see them that often in nature here in the Seattle-area, so it’s a special treat!
We just love Woodland Park Zoo – this post reminds me that it’s been a few years since we’ve been there, though! It sounds like there are some new exhibits now, too, like the Butterfly Garden! So fun!
Go back! They have a few new things you might not have experienced, yet! Plus, I think they might have changed food vendors.
That sounds like such a great zoo. My kids love it when we take them to the zoo. It’s such a fun day.
It’s really well laid-out!
Gorillas are one of my favorite animals as well. Ever since I saw them in the wild in Uganda, I’ve been drawn to them.
Whoa! You got to see gorillas in the wild!?! What a crazy cool experience, I bet!
I love zoos! I think they are one of the best things to explore when going to a new city. That is so awesome that they have so many baby animals and that they are interactive to a degree!!
This zoo looks awesome. I love giraffes and that little baby one is so adorable!!! If we ever find ourselves in Seattle again I will definitely have to plan a visit
What a beautiful zoo! Thanks for your Local Mom’s Guide to Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo! I love visiting Seattle! I will try to stop by there next time we are in town!
Isn’t Seattle such a fun city to explore! I really love our zoo!
My husband worked for the Philadelphia Zoo when he was just out of college. And he always talks about the sloth bear. I’d never seen one before. They are cute. I’m so glad to finally have a visual.
Awe a baby giraffe! How cool!! The zoo is definitely a great place for children to learn and burn off energy at the same time lol. I’m sure your kiddos slept really well after their zoo adventure 🙂
Yes, they napped very well on the car ride home!
I love zoos and this one in particular looks very exciting. I love your photographs. Thanks for sharing this, I have bookmarked it for future reference.
I love taking Madison to the zoo because it makes her appreciate animals more. I love that there’s plenty to see here and there’s a butterfly garden as well, that’s a huge plus for me! Thanks for sharing this guide!
My son has so many “aha” moments at the zoo! He also appreciates them more after seeing them!
What a well designed zoo. It’s so great when zoos give you the opportunity to learn about animals while also offering places for kids to play and get out some of their energy.
This looks like a lovely zoo! We went to a zoo near where we live a couple of weeks ago and it’s so much fun to watch the animals. You took some great pictures, it’s my favourite thing to take photos of animals!
It’s super fun to take photos of animals!
I haven’t been to a zoo in a while… I am one of the very few people in the world that don’t like visiting zoos. Of course, I have 2 little ones that love to visit the zoo. I don’t like the smell nor seeing the animals in cages. I understand totally why we have them, but not a big fan. Your guide is very informative however.
Thrifting Diva
This is such a great post! Looks like such a great activity and I’m always for hanging out with giraffes. I haven’t been to a zoo in forever but perhaps I should give them more chances. They can be really amazing when done right!
Yes, the key is they have to be done right. I love what Woodland Park Zoo has done.
Oh how I love trips to the zoo! These photos are gorgeous and Woodland Park Zoo looks just incredible, would love to visit!
This looks like a lovely day out for the family. That baby giraffe is so cute! Thanks for sharing helpful tips too.
This zoo looks like it is spectacular. My kids are so in love with seeing animals and would love this.
It’s really well done! In fact, I just completed a survey they sent me and it looks like they are thinking about the next phase of the Zoo.
I love going to the zoo! It has been at least a year since I’ve been to one. This one looks fantastic.