Abilene Zoo, Abilene

This zoo is a very small zoo with about 20 animals. I would recommend this zoo for little kids. We used a coupon we found at the hotel for buy one get one so the whole trip only cost $4.00 admissions. The zoo offers kids the ability to feed the animals including bears, giraffes, fish, and ducks. The snake house was interesting because it showed snakes, spiders, and scorpions native to texas. The male lion was the best part of the trip. He was hilarious. He roared and roared. The zoo is in the middle of expanding so they will probably be added several new animals soon.

I too visited for the first time about two years ago. It is about half way between my house and my daughter's house so the families met there for a get together/outing. The zoo was a positive delight. We went today for another "outing" but was dismayed at the last review but read it too late to change plans. I enjoyed it thouroughly, especially after reading the negative review. Didn't get to see many animals, mostly giraffes, bison, some birds, jaguars, lions, and tigers, and bears. Feeding the ducks, geese, swans and the ginormous carp from the dock on the lake was a favorite of the kids. The giraffe bridge and snake house were hits. It was morning and about 50-58 degrees while we were there so the alligators, etc were lethargic, the black bear was asleep, the jaguars were lazy, and the two monikey cages and the lemure were just beginning to stir. The most active critters were the bobcats and cranes being used by the construction crews apparently improving the grounds. The elephant and rhino enclosures were being mucked out ( they were in their houses and not visable) so the zebras got the last of our wafers. The fish house was being renovated as were a couple of other exhibits. Might give them 4-6 weeks to finish, but it looks like the zoo is being renovated in some fashion. Try again about in Aug or Sep and I think you will be somewhat more pleased. Really a fun, inexpensive day.

WE were there about 2 years ago visiting and saw the new sanke house. The zoo looked clean and organized. We stopped by while in town again to spend a couple of hours and were really dismayed to see the place has fallen in to disrepair and chaos. the snake house that had looked so nice just 2 years ago is already looking haggard and empty. The resto of the zoo is dirty, unkemt and empty. What a shame. They have signs up aboput new exhibits coming but the old ones are literally falling down around the zoo. We won't be going back.

The Abilene Zoo was the biggest surprise of our weekend road trip! It was clean, inexpensive, and allowed my children an up close experience they do not get at larger zoos. When we got home, the kids said that this was their favorite stop on our weekend. I would never go to Abilene just to go to the zoo, but if you are there for another reason or just passing through, this is a must!

The zoo is very affordable and we had a good time. It is not very big, but they have a nice setup. I thoroughly enjoyed feeding the giraffes, and from what I witnessed so did everyone else. The bird exhibit was very nice, as was the rest of the zoo. It was a nice change of pace.

I recently moved to Abilene and finally had time to visit the zoo. What a treat!!! First off, it's less expensive than a matinee movie ticket, and a whole lot more fun! There is a wide variety of animals and they appear content and well cared-for. You can buy food at the entrance for just $1.50 and feed most of them! We had a ball feeding the elephants and giraffes! It's exciting to be just 4 feet away from the wonderful animals! The zoo is clean and attractive, with wide pathways, shaded benches and a picnic pavilion by the lake. We had a lovely time and I plan to go back soon, maybe even sign up to volunteer! This zoo is a treasure!

We loved everything about it. We had so much fun and we can't wait to go back. We really enjoyed the lake and seeing all the big fish it had. It is a very fun place to go with the whole family. I would recommend that anyone who hasn't gone should diffently go check it out.

You have to appreciate that they have a great giraffe area that lets you get close enough to feed them. The elephant area is pretty good too. In the spring and summer the landscaping is pretty and appropriate for the climate. They have been doing some minor renovations, but none have been offputting.

I feel sorry for the animals I have seen during my two visits. Some of them, particularly the black bear are in tiny pins. SMALLER ANIMALS HAVE BIGGER PENS THAN IT. The zoo just needs a major overhaul, being run down.

This zoo has an excellent setup...parking was located right by the entrance and the zoo layout was easy to navigate. As soon as you pass through the entrance you are greeted by the exhibits. The zoo has expanded its exhibits and has updated the look of the zoo recently. There are several exceptional areas here...the very large pond, the giraffe bridge, alligator alley (they stare hungrily at the nearby avian exhibit). The entrance fee is less than a fast food meal deal. The exhibits are clean and well maintained and they are presented in such a way where you are almost face to face with the animals...like the bear (bad breath!) I can say that my wife and I were pleasantly surprised at the quality of this zoo. We enjoyed our visits and believe you will too.