Atlanta Zoo: Best Time to Visit, Tickets, Attractions & More

Zoo Atlanta is a must-see destination in the city and can be a wonderful day out for you and your family! You'll find some engaging exhibits in the space and a warm, family-friendly environment that turns every visit into a memorable adventure. You can marvel at everything from the adorable pandas that brighten up your mood to the majestic elephants that spark your imagination. It helps to plan ahead, so you should try to map out your day at the zoo.

For example, it's a good idea to go when there are fewer crowds or look for ticket deals that could make your outing cheaper. It also helps to take a little time to find out which exhibits look great and which you can pass on. It guarantees that you won't miss any of Zoo Atlanta's best attractions. It can help make your entire trip better.

Let's talk about how to have an unforgettable day at Zoo Atlanta!

Best Days For Crowd-Free Visits

The Atlanta Zoo can turn into a completely different kind of adventure depending on when you choose to visit. The general experience tends to change as you try to ford the heavy weekend crowds!

Most visitors, especially families without any work or school commitments, like to flood the zoo on weekends, especially on Saturdays. That means you might have some problems near the popular exhibits like the pandas and the gorillas.

The weekday mornings can allow you to try a much calmer visit to the zoo. The animals often like to be more active early in the day.

You can watch them play and interact in a peaceful and relaxed kind of setting that feels just right. Monday through Wednesday usually turn out to be some of the quietest times at the zoo. You can spend more time admiring the exhibits instead of waiting in those long lines. You'll find peaceful areas where you can take photos and read the educational displays without any rush at all.

If you can only make it on a weekend, there's still a trick you can use to stay away from the busiest times. Families usually head off to lunch sometime between one and two in the afternoon. This leaves a short window during which the crowds may thin out. Even though the afternoon heat might feel stronger, the fact that you might find some shorter lines often makes your visit worthwhile.

Early mornings work their magic at the zoo no matter which day you choose to visit. You can capture the animals at some of their liveliest moments as they kick off their day.

You also beat the infamous Atlanta heat and humidity that settle in by midday. The animals seem to relax during these less crowded times, too. You might even catch the gorillas playing or see the red pandas being extra active as visitors don't surround them. The zookeepers usually have some extra time to answer questions during these peaceful times.

Ticket Options And Discounts

When you plan ahead for your visit to Zoo Atlanta, it helps you to save some extra cash. You can learn how to stay away from paying the full price at the gate. You'll find that the zoo has different prices depending on the day you choose to visit. Weekends or holidays usually cost more than regular weekdays!

You can also find that buying tickets online is almost always a cheaper option than purchasing them at the entrance. The Atlanta Zoo uses a traffic-based pricing system, which means that ticket prices change based on how busy they expect to be. That means you can sometimes get the best deals when you book just a few days in advance. In some cases, a zoo membership could be the smartest choice for you if you like benefits like discounts on food, gift shop items, and animal encounters. Annual memberships start at $129 and give you unlimited visits for the whole year - it'll give you some more flexibility to stop by whenever you want.

You might not even know about some of the zoo's available discounts. Military service members qualify for free entry, and college students can get lower prices when they show a valid school ID. Senior citizens get deals, too, with discounted rates being available throughout the year.

One of the most fun hidden options is the Library Pass Program. If you hold a Georgia library card, you can get free admission for as many as four people. Local libraries partner with the zoo to make this possible for you and your family.

The Atlanta CityPASS is another great money-saving option if you want to learn more about parts of the city. It also has zoo admission and entry to four other popular Atlanta locations. You can save nearly half compared to buying each ticket separately - a perfect deal if you're planning to try local attractions.

Large group visits could also help you save money. If you come with 15 or more people, the zoo has rates customized for group gatherings. If you book your group visit early, it lets you increase your savings even more - a good choice for family reunions, school trips, or city tours.

You can also look forward to seasonal promotions that the zoo hosts during slower months. The zoo even has free admission days for residents of the City of Atlanta and Fulton County! Just remember to bring proof of your residency so you can take full benefit of these local deals.

Hours And Seasonal Closures

The Atlanta Zoo welcomes you almost every day of the year so you can take your time and experience the attractions at your own pace!

On weekdays, things get started at 10 AM, while on weekends, they open at 9 AM. Most of the time, the zoo closes at 5 PM. When you visit during peak times on weekends, you might find that it stays open until 6 PM as well.

Remember that the final event for visitors always happens at 3:30 PM, no matter what time the zoo is scheduled to close. You might even be surprised by just how big the space is. Give yourself at least three hours so you can wander around without hurrying.

You'll see that the weather plays a big part in your visit. Summers in Atlanta are usually hot and humid, so heading there in the morning makes the experience better for you.

You'll also find that animals might feel more active in the cooler parts of the year. The shorter days in winter often come with fewer crowds.

You should also look out for seasonal attractions to help make your trip even more fun. From November through January, IllumiNights changes the entire zoo with beautiful light shows.

In October, you can join Boo at the Zoo. On Halloween weekend, you'll find trick-or-treating and other festive activities waiting for you.

You should plan to arrive early because it can help you with your general experience. The parking lot fills up faster on the busier days - especially during school breaks and holidays. When you show up early, you'll be able to catch things like the feeding times and the keeper conversations.

Later visitors don't get to see these. Remember that the zoo stays closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Occasionally, it might also close early or not open in cases of extreme weather like ice storms or very high temperatures. Make sure to check their website or social media accounts before heading out - especially if the weather forecast seems uncertain.

The zoo itself spans across a few hills with winding paths that connect the different habitats. You might not realize just how much walking is involved to get between popular places like the panda exhibit and the African plains. So it's best to wear comfortable shoes to make it easier to walk around.

Top Animal Exhibits To Try

Make sure that you visit the Atlanta Zoo soon because you can still have one last chance to see the giant pandas in action! You'll want to check them out before they leave for China in late 2024. The zoo is planning some fun farewell celebrations, and they'll give you a visit to remember. Experience the African Savanna and feel like you have stepped onto the big plains of Africa.

You can watch the giraffes, zebras, and ostriches as they roam together in one large and open mixed-species space. The elephants - Kelly and Tara - make it all even more fun when they throw mud on themselves or tear bark off of the trees.

Visit the Ford African Rain Forest, where you can meet one of North America's largest groups of gorillas. You'll see them living across five different natural habitats in this area. You might even catch a look at monkeys swinging high up in the trees right above you.

Remember to check out some of the smaller exhibits around the zoo. You should visit the clouded leopards because they're a sight to watch.

The naked mole rats might look unusual. But you'll also see that they live together in these tough little groups like bees.

Join the Summer Wild Encounters program for a chance to get close to the animals. You can hand-feed the elephants and even meet the lemurs face-to-face.

These encounters happen on most of the days in the busy summer months. Remember that some of the popular exhibits can get crowded during peak hours. You'll find the panda viewing areas fill up faster since everyone is excited to catch their last look at them before they leave. The windows for watching the gorillas also get busy when they're being fed.

Find out about the Scaly Slimy Spectacular exhibit and check out the reptiles and amphibians. You'll see everything here, from the giant alligators to some small poison dart frogs. The zoo has set up a climate-controlled zone to help these creatures stay comfortable throughout the whole year.

When you bring your kids along, they'll also love the activity zones scattered throughout the zoo. They can cool off at the splash fountain on hot days or pet animals at the petting zoo in the Outback Station. The Treetop Trail also gives the little ones a wonderful chance to run around and burn off some energy in between the exhibits.

Special Encounters And Programs

At the Atlanta Zoo, you can experience some behind-the-scenes animal run-ins that let you see another side of the zoo's life. This opportunity exists to help you connect with the animals on a personal level. You can meet and feed elephants during the Wild See program. They make sure that you have lots of opportunities to join. They schedule these sessions on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

You might also want to get started with something a bit different if elephants aren't the right choice for you. The zoo also has friendly meetings with Aldabra Tortoises on chosen days at 1:45 PM. These gentle and massive giants welcome you up close. You can feed them and learn about how they're cared for by the zoo's experienced team members.

For those who are looking for a bit of adventure, the zoo has some fun night programs. They bring a whole new twist to your visit. The NightCrawler Overnight program invites families with kids over six to spend the night at the zoo. You can experience the magic of nocturnal life firsthand. You'll even get to use night vision scopes to see nocturnal animals in a way you might not have thought possible.

The Twilight Trek is another fun option if you're not ready for a full overnight stay. This trek can give you a three-hour evening tour. You get to use thermal cameras to search for animals in their nighttime habitats. It costs about $27 per person, and zoo members can get a discount, too. You might find this little adventure can add a spark of excitement to your evening.

The giraffe feeding station is one of the easiest and most fun experiences you can try out. You don't need a reservation for this one, which means you can just head over any day when the weather is favorable. A visit to the Twiga Terrace can give you a chance to grab some lettuce and feed these towering creatures with no problems. Remember to book any animal run-ins well in advance because the groups are small and like to fill up fast.

The sessions with elephants and rhinos are especially popular because they give you a chance to meet the animals. You don't want to miss these rare opportunities to connect. The second you feel an elephant's trunk gently take food from your hand, you'll know. This connection is a big part of the experience. These close-up run-ins open your eyes to new ways of appreciating the animals, and they give you a feeling that's hard to forget.

These sessions welcome kids as young as four. The zoo wants families of all sizes to get to try these experiences together. The animal care team works hard to help make sure that everyone feels comfortable. They share the stories about each animal's personality and how they're lovingly cared for.

Moving to Atlanta?

Plan ahead, and you can create some magical zoo memories because you get to try out every little detail. Make the most of your time! Leave some room for surprises, too, since your visit will sparkle with unexpected joy.

You'll find a quiet and peaceful bench to have your packed lunch while you're watching the sleepy lions gradually come to life. These unexpected moments usually turn out to be the most memorable parts of your day.

Make the most of your visit by thinking about the small items that keep you comfortable. When you bring along some sunscreen, wear shoes that feel just right, and bring water and snacks, you'll feel prepared all day long.

Use the interactive map as your guide to line up your stops with animal feedings and keeper conversations. You might also stumble upon some charming places between the main attractions. Those quiet breaks give you a chance to soak in the whole experience.

Experience Atlanta past its zoo because every neighborhood in this city shows a beauty with stories just waiting for you. If you're thinking about making Atlanta your home, we're here at the Justin Landis Group to help you find the home of your dreams!

Whether you're dreaming of a calm suburban retreat or a place close to the city's core, we can work with you. We'll find a match that works. Get in touch and start your Atlanta process!