Detroit Zoo

I have read all the other reviews and I agree with most of them. It is very expensive to get in (including parking, please ...) It is a very long walk from the parking deck and then between all the animal houses, if there are any animals at the particular exhibits. It is nice that it is there, but I do not believe I will be paying all that money to do it again any time soon.

Posted 05/28/07 | Report Abuse

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There was a time when I refused to go to the Detroit Zoo. It was dirty and didn't offer very much. One day we decided to go their with our kids because we didn't much feel like driving to Toledo, our regular zoo. We were very pleasantly surprised! The exhibits were very well done and we enjoyed our entire day. The chimp exhibit was one particular one that we enjoyed. The park is now very clean and pleasing to the eye. Warning though....it can be very expensive to go here if you eat your meals there. We've learned to take a cooler of food to save cash. It works out very well.

Posted 11/30/05 | Report Abuse

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The kids will love it, but a bit pricey. My son loved the reptile house and the polar bear exibit. I would go back, but not as often as i would if it was a little cheaper.

Posted 11/29/05 | Report Abuse

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This is a great zoo to take the family. The polar bear exhibit is really put together well. It is easy to navigate around the zoo. They have a huge playgroup for kids to play on and the train is a perfect way to end the day. I would however offer a few more places for food and drinks. Those seem to be a little sparse. The train could also be a little cheaper but overall a great experience. My family loves it.

Posted 11/28/05 | Report Abuse

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We get a membership every year and that allows us to enjoy the zoo a little bit at a time. We will go one day and only look at the butterflies and another day for the polar bears. It is a wonderful place for a toddler whose interests vary from week to week. They also have great activities throughout the year from charity events to cultural programs to the Halloween Zoo Boo (well worth it). The food is good as well... typical fare... chicken, hamburgers, with a few healther options thrown in.

Posted 11/21/05 | Report Abuse

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We had the best time when we took our kids to this zoo. Wonderful animal displays. The gift shop was a little pricey but aren't all gift shops? The animals looked very well taken care of . We especially liked the penguin house.

Posted 11/19/05 | Report Abuse

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Detroits zoo is not too bad. The zoo is kind of boring but does have a few stand out, excellent exhibits. The coolest exhibit by far is the polar bear exhibit, don't bother going if this one isn't open. They have a tunnel that goes underwater and you can see the polar bears swimming. It's pretty cool.

Whatever you do, don't pay to go on the moving ride/simulator thing. I have had more exciting times watching my bigscreen at home.

Posted 11/14/05 | Report Abuse

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There are some nice exhibits to go to at the Detroit Zoo. The polar bear exhibit for one really does live up to its hype. However, if you go there during the summer be prepared for a lot of the exhibits to be shut down. It's for the animals' safety however, so I completely understand. However, when those exhibits close, then all the indoor exhibits get packed and it's extremely uncomfortable. FInally, the cost of admission seems higher than necessary. Go here on a cool day with kids and it'll be okay, just a little costly but a good experience.

Posted 11/11/05 | Report Abuse

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I have been to my share of zoos and the Detroit Zoo is among the best I have been to. It is a great way to spend the day with family or friends, enjoying the nice summer or fall weather and the company of some spectacular animals. I especially enjoy the sprinklers scattered around the zoo which you can use to cool off in the intense heat.

Posted 11/08/05 | Report Abuse

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I've gone to many zoos throughout the country as I've got three young children. Some we like, some are okay, and some (like Detroit) aren't worth the money paid.

To start with, Detroit Zoo does not participate in the AZA zoo program in which buying a zoo membership at one zoo entitles you to get in free to most other zoos in the country. Strike one.

Strike two... the cost of the zoo is quite prohibitive. $11 for an adult and $7 for a child. And to park is an additional $5 per car. This is nearly double the cost of the next closest zoo, Toledo, OH.

And once we paid our fees, we were completely unimpressed by the exhibits. The zoo is long and narrow, with LOTS of walking in between houses. The only worthwhile exhibit is the polar bears. This truly was a great experience, but not worth the admission fee and all the other lackluster exhibits.

Also worth noting, the food kiosks were practically non-existent.

PROS: Great Polar Bears
CONS: Price, Lousy Exhibits

Posted 11/02/05 | Report Abuse

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