I picked the wrong time of year to go.. not many animals out. I will definitely go back later on in the summer
Amber C.
Me and a couple of friends decided to go to the Birmingham zoo to see the lights at night. When we first got there, we arrived around 7 PM and the weather wasn't too cold. It had rained earlier, but that is pretty much it upon arriving; and there was no line. Basically all we had to do was scan our tickets, and we walked in freely. Once we got in, it was slightly confusing trying to figure out where to go first because there are multiple entrances. Also, there were some places that were blocked off which is understandable. The light show was honestly very underwhelming as it was more walking than lights. I appreciate the exercise, but it was not visually appealing at all. Overall, I don't think that the price the overall experience, and I will not be returning.
Erica P.
When I was in Birmingham for a conference, a colleague and I had a break in sessions and were able to get away for a short visit to the zoo. We went on a Wednesday in mid-September at 3:30 p.m. and the Zoo was fairly quiet. Birmingham Zoo is accredited, which is very important as they prioritize animal welfare and species management that helps fight the extinction of endangered species. All the animals we observed seemed well cared for, and the keepers we met were very kind. It was wonderful watching an endangered red panda with her little cubs! The Pallas's cats and sand cats were super cute. The elephants and giraffes had awesome habitats with lots of space - which is wonderful to see. The aviaries were neat, and had a good selection of birds, many of which I hadn't seen before - like the Kori Bustard! In the bayou section near the crocodiles we had to make a run for it because the mosquitoes were ginormous! Even with No Natz spray on we each got a bite or two. Be sure to wear some bug spray! Admission was only $20 and it was a good investment. Definitely take your kids and teach them to be polite and kind while observing these majestic creatures.
Leah T.
We have been wanting to go for a while now and today we went.if you have a heart for animals and don't want to see them in misery do not go nor waste your money and go so many animals just looked so miserable most have no water or little to none it makes me sad that I had to see helpless animals today without proper care.I am no expert but I know they need water that's a first .I am very disappointed in our trip today
Elizabeth G.
We loved the Birmingham Zoo. Some of these reviews are harsh. The zoo was clean, the animals look as if they are well-cared for. There is construction in some areas, but that means growth and improvements. We drove four hours to see our child's favorite animal in pure cuteness. I was very pleased and thought it was a better zoo experience than many we have had at some of the premier zoos in the country.
James Sports
It was better than most zoo cafes! Very friendly and polite staff. Could of been a little cleaner but I can understand so many children in and out all day. Overall great place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Cindy M.
They have a beautiful Zoo but not many animals! I was very disappointed I came on a Wednesday and was waiting on Alligators for the 11:00 feeding. They never showed up. I spent more time playing with the Goats than anything.
Russell H.
Spending a wonderful day with my girlfriend at Birmingham Zoo in Birmingham, Alabama was truly delightful! Despite some exhibits being shut down and a few animals not being present, we had a great time exploring the diverse range of creatures this zoo has to offer. The impressive array of bird species soaring gracefully in their habitats fascinated both of us, and the two playful seals brought smiles to our faces as we watched them interact with each other. While we were a bit disappointed that some exhibits were closed for maintenance and we couldn't find a few animals we were eager to see, including the monkeys and my girlfriend's favorite red pandas, being together made the experience all the more enjoyable. The staff's friendliness and knowledge added to our visit, and we appreciated the effort they put into maintaining the exhibits and ensuring the animals' well-being. Moreover, we discovered an added gem just a walk away from the zoo - a free botanical garden that is an absolute must-visit! The beauty of the garden's flora left us mesmerized, and we enjoyed a leisurely stroll, appreciating the tranquil atmosphere. Although our visit had a few setbacks, spending quality time with my girlfriend amidst the wonders of the animal kingdom and exploring the nearby botanical garden made it a special day. We couldn't have asked for a better way to create lasting memories together. We might consider giving Birmingham Zoo another chance in the future, hoping to witness its full splendor together once again.
Reel Deal S.
We got there about 1hour and 45 minutes before closing and there were barley any animals. It was also about 100 degrees outside so that combined with them having no animals was definitely NOT worth it. I know they can't control the temperature but it was still not worth it.
Jody S.
We were in Birmingham for a family get together during the winter and we heard that this zoo was great so decided to stay close by and make a day trip with all the little ones. I was pleasantly surprised by how much the little ones not only enjoyed the zoo but the areas and open fields to run around. They had a pretty decent amount of animals in which again the children enjoyed. The added options of ridding the carrousel and train was also a great experience. The adults enjoyed the stroll and the fact that everything wasn't super overpriced!
I would give ZERO stars if I could. Spent over $200 for my family to get in to walk around a zoo with NO AMIMALS!!! We visited on a beautiful sunny day with a few clouds and the temp was 78. Here's a list of all the empty exhibits on our visit: Lions Elephants Rhinos Red Pandas Flamingos Otters Komodo Dragon California Sea Lion The ENTIRE Alabama Exhibit This was our first and last trip to this zoo. There were signs posted throughout the zoo that said "Turn your ticket into a membership!" We found those pretty hilarious! We've been to other zoos and we know to expect some exhibits to be empty but not ALL of the biggest attractions! Save your money! There's nothing to see here!
Cindy H.
I guess this is the first review for 2023, we was very disappointed. There was more animals they didn't have , rather than animals they had. All the water was dirty, couldnt see in the water..overgrown around the fences.could not see much.. all the glass needed to be cleaned. The lion looked like skin and bones.... The GOATS were the cleanest and the best display of all animals. The flamingo we're great too. Very disappointed
Hunter W.
We had such a great time at the zoo! We were especially surprised at the number of different animals we got to see in just the morning alone. Of course you could tell they were doing some winter renovations and didn't help that some of the birds were away due to bird flu, still got to see a great majority of the animals and you can tell the staff really cares about them!
Brady B.
I have lived in Birmingham for my entire life and I have been to the zoo many times but I finally decided I would review it. To start things off the environment on the outside is very eye popping and intriguing and the parking is good as-well. Once you get inside you can see a beautiful field, fountains, and other little attractions. The zoo is organized very well giving the tourist a great pathway to see every animal. The exhibits for the most part, are big and well designed and they allow the viewer to see the animals fairly easily. The zoo has a new electric train which is a very neat attraction and in addition there are some pop up food and drink stands and one big restaurant where you can order decent food. In my opinion this zoo is great but it's lacking a couple of big name animals to bring it up to five star status.
Niki A.
The Birmingham Zoo was an absolutely delightful trip. We got in tons of steps and exercise without even realizing how much fun we were having. For my husband, 3 kids, and myself, it was $93 to get in. Ouch. There are maps everywhere telling you where each attraction/exhibit is in case you want to see specific animals. We wanted to see everything, so we did. There were A LOT of habitats that were empty with signs saying "Out of Habitat" which was disappointing, considering the price we paid. We feel like they could've discounted the prices due to this. Specifically the bears. They are in their own area in which you have to take a long trail to. We had to ask how to get there to see them, and the girl didn't mention that they weren't even there. She just told us how to get there and we arrived to yet another big "Out of Habitat" sign. Bummer. That said, all the things we did get to see were awesome. The animals were all beautiful and you could tell they were very well cared for. Their areas were clean and they were active. Several animals posed for pictures! There were no shortage of restrooms, and they even had several areas with family restrooms and "mother rooms" with rocking chairs and partitions for breastfeeding or pumping. They also had water stations everywhere to fill your water bottles or get a quick sip from the fountains. We will definitely go back in spring when all the animals are in their habitats, according to the staff.
I picked the wrong time of year to go.. not many animals out. I will definitely go back later on in the summer
Me and a couple of friends decided to go to the Birmingham zoo to see the lights at night. When we first got there, we arrived around 7 PM and the weather wasn't too cold. It had rained earlier, but that is pretty much it upon arriving; and there was no line. Basically all we had to do was scan our tickets, and we walked in freely. Once we got in, it was slightly confusing trying to figure out where to go first because there are multiple entrances. Also, there were some places that were blocked off which is understandable. The light show was honestly very underwhelming as it was more walking than lights. I appreciate the exercise, but it was not visually appealing at all. Overall, I don't think that the price the overall experience, and I will not be returning.
When I was in Birmingham for a conference, a colleague and I had a break in sessions and were able to get away for a short visit to the zoo. We went on a Wednesday in mid-September at 3:30 p.m. and the Zoo was fairly quiet. Birmingham Zoo is accredited, which is very important as they prioritize animal welfare and species management that helps fight the extinction of endangered species. All the animals we observed seemed well cared for, and the keepers we met were very kind. It was wonderful watching an endangered red panda with her little cubs! The Pallas's cats and sand cats were super cute. The elephants and giraffes had awesome habitats with lots of space - which is wonderful to see. The aviaries were neat, and had a good selection of birds, many of which I hadn't seen before - like the Kori Bustard! In the bayou section near the crocodiles we had to make a run for it because the mosquitoes were ginormous! Even with No Natz spray on we each got a bite or two. Be sure to wear some bug spray! Admission was only $20 and it was a good investment. Definitely take your kids and teach them to be polite and kind while observing these majestic creatures.
We have been wanting to go for a while now and today we went.if you have a heart for animals and don't want to see them in misery do not go nor waste your money and go so many animals just looked so miserable most have no water or little to none it makes me sad that I had to see helpless animals today without proper care.I am no expert but I know they need water that's a first .I am very disappointed in our trip today
We loved the Birmingham Zoo. Some of these reviews are harsh. The zoo was clean, the animals look as if they are well-cared for. There is construction in some areas, but that means growth and improvements. We drove four hours to see our child's favorite animal in pure cuteness. I was very pleased and thought it was a better zoo experience than many we have had at some of the premier zoos in the country.
It was better than most zoo cafes! Very friendly and polite staff. Could of been a little cleaner but I can understand so many children in and out all day. Overall great place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
They have a beautiful Zoo but not many animals! I was very disappointed I came on a Wednesday and was waiting on Alligators for the 11:00 feeding. They never showed up. I spent more time playing with the Goats than anything.
Spending a wonderful day with my girlfriend at Birmingham Zoo in Birmingham, Alabama was truly delightful! Despite some exhibits being shut down and a few animals not being present, we had a great time exploring the diverse range of creatures this zoo has to offer. The impressive array of bird species soaring gracefully in their habitats fascinated both of us, and the two playful seals brought smiles to our faces as we watched them interact with each other. While we were a bit disappointed that some exhibits were closed for maintenance and we couldn't find a few animals we were eager to see, including the monkeys and my girlfriend's favorite red pandas, being together made the experience all the more enjoyable. The staff's friendliness and knowledge added to our visit, and we appreciated the effort they put into maintaining the exhibits and ensuring the animals' well-being. Moreover, we discovered an added gem just a walk away from the zoo - a free botanical garden that is an absolute must-visit! The beauty of the garden's flora left us mesmerized, and we enjoyed a leisurely stroll, appreciating the tranquil atmosphere. Although our visit had a few setbacks, spending quality time with my girlfriend amidst the wonders of the animal kingdom and exploring the nearby botanical garden made it a special day. We couldn't have asked for a better way to create lasting memories together. We might consider giving Birmingham Zoo another chance in the future, hoping to witness its full splendor together once again.
We got there about 1hour and 45 minutes before closing and there were barley any animals. It was also about 100 degrees outside so that combined with them having no animals was definitely NOT worth it. I know they can't control the temperature but it was still not worth it.
We were in Birmingham for a family get together during the winter and we heard that this zoo was great so decided to stay close by and make a day trip with all the little ones. I was pleasantly surprised by how much the little ones not only enjoyed the zoo but the areas and open fields to run around. They had a pretty decent amount of animals in which again the children enjoyed. The added options of ridding the carrousel and train was also a great experience. The adults enjoyed the stroll and the fact that everything wasn't super overpriced!
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I would give ZERO stars if I could. Spent over $200 for my family to get in to walk around a zoo with NO AMIMALS!!! We visited on a beautiful sunny day with a few clouds and the temp was 78. Here's a list of all the empty exhibits on our visit: Lions Elephants Rhinos Red Pandas Flamingos Otters Komodo Dragon California Sea Lion The ENTIRE Alabama Exhibit This was our first and last trip to this zoo. There were signs posted throughout the zoo that said "Turn your ticket into a membership!" We found those pretty hilarious! We've been to other zoos and we know to expect some exhibits to be empty but not ALL of the biggest attractions! Save your money! There's nothing to see here!
I guess this is the first review for 2023, we was very disappointed. There was more animals they didn't have , rather than animals they had. All the water was dirty, couldnt see in the water..overgrown around the fences.could not see much.. all the glass needed to be cleaned. The lion looked like skin and bones.... The GOATS were the cleanest and the best display of all animals. The flamingo we're great too. Very disappointed
We had such a great time at the zoo! We were especially surprised at the number of different animals we got to see in just the morning alone. Of course you could tell they were doing some winter renovations and didn't help that some of the birds were away due to bird flu, still got to see a great majority of the animals and you can tell the staff really cares about them!
I have lived in Birmingham for my entire life and I have been to the zoo many times but I finally decided I would review it. To start things off the environment on the outside is very eye popping and intriguing and the parking is good as-well. Once you get inside you can see a beautiful field, fountains, and other little attractions. The zoo is organized very well giving the tourist a great pathway to see every animal. The exhibits for the most part, are big and well designed and they allow the viewer to see the animals fairly easily. The zoo has a new electric train which is a very neat attraction and in addition there are some pop up food and drink stands and one big restaurant where you can order decent food. In my opinion this zoo is great but it's lacking a couple of big name animals to bring it up to five star status.
The Birmingham Zoo was an absolutely delightful trip. We got in tons of steps and exercise without even realizing how much fun we were having. For my husband, 3 kids, and myself, it was $93 to get in. Ouch. There are maps everywhere telling you where each attraction/exhibit is in case you want to see specific animals. We wanted to see everything, so we did. There were A LOT of habitats that were empty with signs saying "Out of Habitat" which was disappointing, considering the price we paid. We feel like they could've discounted the prices due to this. Specifically the bears. They are in their own area in which you have to take a long trail to. We had to ask how to get there to see them, and the girl didn't mention that they weren't even there. She just told us how to get there and we arrived to yet another big "Out of Habitat" sign. Bummer. That said, all the things we did get to see were awesome. The animals were all beautiful and you could tell they were very well cared for. Their areas were clean and they were active. Several animals posed for pictures! There were no shortage of restrooms, and they even had several areas with family restrooms and "mother rooms" with rocking chairs and partitions for breastfeeding or pumping. They also had water stations everywhere to fill your water bottles or get a quick sip from the fountains. We will definitely go back in spring when all the animals are in their habitats, according to the staff.