Albuquerque Zoo - Asia
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The Albuquerque Zoo offers a family-friendly, well-maintained environment with spacious, natural-mimicking habitats for a diverse range of animals including popular penguins and elephants. It focuses on interactive experiences like keeper talks and feeding demonstrations, complemented by practical amenities like shaded picnic areas and a BioPark train.
Key Highlights
- ✓Well-maintained, clean, and thoughtfully designed facilities.
- ✓Impressive variety of animals including lions, primates, reptiles, birds, a favorite penguin exhibit, and a popular elephant herd.
- ✓Spacious habitats designed to mimic animals' natural environments, promoting animal well-being.
- ✓Interactive programs for kids such as keeper talks and live feeding demonstrations (e.g., hippos being fed).
- ✓Plenty of shaded picnic areas available for families.
- ✓A train ride connects to other parts of the BioPark (Aquarium, Botanic Garden).
- ✓Affordable admission price, providing good value.
- ✓Animals are frequently visible and active (though seasonal variations exist).
Standout Features
- ⭐Clean, well-maintained facilities.
- ⭐Spacious and naturalistic animal habitats.
- ⭐Abundant shaded picnic areas.
- ⭐BioPark train ride for inter-park transport and enjoyment.
- ⭐Opportunities to see animal feedings and keeper talks.
- ⭐Overall affordable admission.
- ⭐Good value with a BioPark pass for multi-venue access.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Visit in the morning**: Especially during hotter months, animals are more likely to be active and visible.
- →**Consider a BioPark Pass**: If planning to visit the Aquarium or Botanic Garden, or for multiple zoo visits, a pass offers better overall value.
- →**Check ticket availability**: Confirm combo ticket availability for other BioPark attractions in advance, as they may not be sold during special events.
- →**Manage Asia exhibit expectations**: Be prepared for potentially limited animal sightings in the 'new Asia addition' to avoid disappointment after a long walk.
- →**Look for feeding schedules**: Inquire about animal feeding times upon arrival to catch popular events like the hippo feeding.
Things to Consider
- ⚠The 'new Asia addition' is reported to be disappointing with very few visible animals (only 3 monkeys and a chimp observed by one visitor).
- ⚠There's a long walk to the Asia exhibit, which can be frustrating if the animals are not out.
- ⚠Animals may be less active during hotter months; afternoons might yield fewer animal sightings.
- ⚠Combo tickets for the BioPark (Zoo + Aquarium/Botanical Garden) are not always available, potentially requiring separate, more expensive purchases, especially during special events at other BioPark venues.
- ⚠Reports of visitors mistreating animals (geese) with slow staff response times for intervention.
- ⚠Some areas of the zoo are noted to need further upgrades or expansion.
Price & Value
The admission is described as 'affordable'. A BioPark pass is highly recommended for significant value, offering access to the Zoo, Aquarium, and Botanic Garden. Be aware that combo tickets are not always available, which could lead to paying more for individual tickets if visiting multiple BioPark venues during an event.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations for special needs are mentioned. However, the presence of a train ride connecting different BioPark sections could be beneficial for covering long distances, and spacious habitats generally imply paved paths. Review 1 mentions a 'long walk' to the Asia exhibit, which might be a consideration for some.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Food concessions are available on-site.
- •The presence of 'shaded picnic areas' strongly implies that outside food is permitted for picnicking, though not explicitly stated.
🚗Parking Info
- •No explicit details about parking are mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No specific crowd level times are provided. The zoo is popular enough for the 'elephant herd to always draw a crowd'. One reviewer mentioned it as a place for 'peace', suggesting certain areas or times might be less crowded.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No explicit safety features are mentioned. A concern was raised regarding slow staff response to visitors mistreating animals (geese), which touches upon animal welfare and potentially visitor experience safety.
⏰When to Avoid
- • **The 'new Asia addition' if your main interest is seeing a large number of animals there**: Prioritize other exhibits due to reported low animal visibility.
- • **Afternoons during hot weather**: Animals may be less active, reducing viewing enjoyment.
- • **Expecting a combined ticket for all BioPark attractions**: Always confirm availability, especially if planning to visit other venues like the Aquarium on the same day.
- • **Ignoring visitor conduct**: Be aware that instances of visitor mistreatment of animals have occurred, and staff response can be slow.
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
cocinando con Odila Silva
a week agoLove the zoo it's one of my favorite places to visit. They recommend for us to go see the new asia addition to the zoo it was so disappointed we walked all the way there to see the chimp they only has 3 monkey out the other part of the zoo was great.
David
2 months agoThe ABQ Zoo in Albuquerque is a wonderful destination for animal lovers and families. Located in a scenic area near the Rio Grande, this zoo is well-maintained, clean, and thoughtfully designed. It offers a great mix of animal exhibits, interactive experiences, and educational opportunities. The variety of animals is impressive, with everything from majestic lions and playful primates to fascinating reptiles and colorful birds. The penguin exhibit is a favorite, and the elephant herd always draws a crowd. The habitats are spacious and designed to mimic the animals' natural environments, which is great to see. The zoo also offers amenities like shaded picnic areas, a train ride connecting to other parts of the BioPark, and food concessions. There are plenty of interactive programs for kids, such as keeper talks and feeding demonstrations. One downside is that during the hotter months, some animals may be less active, so it’s best to visit in the morning. Additionally, some areas of the zoo could benefit from further upgrades or expansion. Overall, the ABQ Zoo provides a fun and educational outing for all ages. It’s clear the staff care about the animals, and the experience is worth the affordable admission.
Diana Serrano
6 months agoThey only reason I am giving it 4 stars is because we were told they were not selling the combo tickets. Apparently there was an event at the aquarium and we had to pay extra for that , so 2 separate tickets. It was a good experience. Some adults who were there as visitors were mistreating the geese and it took a while before someone told them something. Plenty of shade for families to enjoy.
Amazing Papa
a month agoLove the zoo. So many different animals. We just happened to get to see the hippos being fed!
Quantum & Somatic Root Healing
6 months agoWas an amazing day at the Zoo. ALL the animals were alive and out. Memories made. But what a blessing. Get yourself a Biopark pass and enjoy all it has to offer. Work from home...take laptop and go work at the Zoo/Botanical gardens for a day of peace. Try to visit everytime we are in Abq.
Contact Information
898 12th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA
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