Zoo Boise
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Zoo Boise offers an affordable and educational animal encounter, particularly on discount days. Despite its smaller size and ongoing construction, it provides a clean, well-organized experience with friendly, knowledgeable staff, making it a valuable stop for families.
Key Highlights
- ✓Friendly, knowledgeable, and patient staff who actively answer questions.
- ✓Good variety of animals for a 'little zoo', with some unique observations like hyenas eating rabbits.
- ✓Very clean and well-organized facility.
- ✓Visible ongoing improvements and expansion projects, promising future upgrades.
- ✓Ability to see giraffes through glass even when they are inside their barn due to cold weather.
- ✓Educational opportunities, as staff contribute to learning about the animals and zoo.
Standout Features
- ⭐Dedicated park with picnic tables located directly before the zoo entrance, ideal for lunch.
- ⭐Consistently friendly and knowledgeable staff who engage with visitors.
- ⭐Ongoing expansion efforts and upgrades suggest a commitment to future enhancements.
- ⭐High standards of cleanliness and organization throughout the zoo.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Visit on Thursdays:** Admission is significantly reduced to $3 per person, offering excellent value.
- →**Check weather conditions:** Animals are more active and visible outdoors in warmer weather. Plan for Spring or warmer days for optimal viewing, as giraffes and other animals are indoors when it's cold.
- →**Arrive early:** Reviewers mention arriving 'as soon as they open' for a good start to the visit.
- →**Bring your own lunch:** Utilize the park with picnic tables located just before the entrance.
- →**Be prepared for construction:** Expect some exhibits to be closed due to ongoing expansion and improvement work.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Significant ongoing construction means some exhibits may be closed and areas inaccessible.
- ⚠Animals, especially giraffes, are less active or remain indoors during cold weather, limiting viewing opportunities.
- ⚠The zoo is described as 'not a big zoo' or a 'little zoo', suggesting it might not be a full-day attraction on its own.
Price & Value
Excellent value, especially on Thursdays when admission drops to $3 per person. This discount is frequently highlighted as a significant positive. No hidden costs were mentioned.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations (e.g., for wheelchairs, sensory needs) were mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside food is implicitly allowed, as there's a park with picnic tables available right before the entrance for lunch. No explicit rules about internal food options or restrictions were mentioned.
🚗Parking Info
- •A 'nice park right before the entrance with picnic tables' implies easy access and potentially nearby parking, but no specific details about dedicated parking spots, cost, or availability were provided.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No explicit crowd levels were mentioned, but one reviewer noted arriving 'as soon as they open' for a good start, suggesting potential for busier times later in the day or on specific days.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features were mentioned in the reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • **Cold weather:** To avoid less active animals and indoor viewing, which might disappoint some visitors.
- • **Expecting a large, comprehensive zoo:** It's a 'little zoo', so manage expectations regarding size and number of exhibits.
- • **If you need all exhibits open:** Due to current construction, some exhibits will likely be closed.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Adopt An Animal (3 levels)
Starts at $30Symbolically add a member of our family to yours!
Includes:
- •Plaque to decorate and hang at the zoo
- •Plush
- •More benefits depending on level
Annual Memberships (Individual)
$70Duration: 1 year
Free admission for a year and many other exciting benefits. Part of every membership supports wildlife conservation.
Includes:
- •Free admission for a year
- •Many other exciting benefits
Annual Memberships (Household)
$155Duration: 1 year
Free admission for a year and many other exciting benefits. Part of every membership supports wildlife conservation.
Includes:
- •Free admission for a year
- •Many other exciting benefits
Non-Profit Group Admission
$5.50 per personRequires reservations and one payment for the entire group.
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Boo at the Zoo
Saturday, October 25 AND Sunday, October 26
Two days of family-friendly, daytime Halloween fun! Presented by Delta Dental of Idaho. (Note: Dates are from provided content, likely referring to a past event year.)
Fall Education Programs
Registration open
Keep your animal-loving kids engaged with lots of fun exploration!
Easter EGGstravaganza
Saturday, April 19
Returns to Zoo Boise. (Note: Date is from provided content, likely referring to a past event year.)
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Children twelve (12) years of age and younger must be supervised at all times by an adult/guardian/caregiver (guardian must be at least 16 years of age).
📅Booking Policy
- • Nonprofit groups require reservations and one payment for the entire group.
- • Online tickets can be purchased.
🚗Parking Information
- • Parking Changes Inside Julia Davis Park (implies parking is available but may have alterations).
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
V. Mel Griffen
2 months agoThe zoo was nice walking through it! It looks like they are in the much needed process of improving different areas of the zoo! It’s not a big zoo but enough too see quite a few animals! Overall is was a nice experience. There is a nice park right before the entrance with picnic tables to eat lunch at.
Martha Burke
3 months agoIt’s Jan. 2nd and we just wanted something fun yet cheap to do while still in town. Looked online and the Zoo only charges $3 admission on Thursdays, perfect! We get there as soon as they open and right from the start know we made a good choice. Staff friendly even though it’s chilly and icy out. She answered all our questions and we set off to see the animals. It was a great visit, and we plan to go back when the weather is better so the Giraffes are out (still got to see them through the glass). Each staff we encountered was friendly, knowledgeable, and patient as we asked lots of questions. It’s how we get educated about the zoo and the animals. Can’t wait for a Spring Thursday to return.
Karie Howard
a month agoI wish it wasn't under construction, but you have to put up with some down time to get new and exciting things. Great animals. Was super shocked to see hyenas eating rabbits, but that is what they do and it was interesting and educational.
Chris Curtin
5 months agoGreat little zoo for being downtown Boise. There was a lot of construction going on so a lot of our exhibits were closed. It was a very clean zoo and well organized. Unfortunately, the warthog died prior to us going. It seems like they are expanding the zoo, which is great to see. We also went when it was cold so the animals weren't really active and the giraffes were inside their barn. I didn't try any of the food but on Thursdays everyone was $3 which is great!! It's worth checking out, our kids were running around loving the animals. Hopefully when we go back some of the construction will be done.
Tommy Hepner
3 weeks agoI have been coming here since the 70’s. I miss the fun spot, and paddle boating through the Zoo, but I still love the cost and the animals. I see lots of construction so perhaps more upgrades for the future, however great place for children.