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We had such a wonderful time visiting The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore! If you haven’t been before, we highly recommend you check it out!
My kids were THRILLED with the wide variety of animals we got to see! The exhibits are designed in a way that allows you to get up close to most of the animals. The creative use of space also means less walking between exhibits. There is a long walk from the main entrance to most of the exhibits. You can take the shuttle, but keep in mind you have to fold up your stroller to do so. The line for the shuttle can get long during busy times as well. We find giving the kids a snack and pushing them in the stroller is sometimes a better option than the shuttle.
The Maryland Zoo is the 3rd oldest zoo in the country now operated by the The Maryland Zoological Society. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). We only visit AZA zoos because it assures excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors and a better future for all living things. The Maryland Zoo is divided up into geographic sections. Animals are displayed in natural settings replicating their native habitats including mesmerizing exhibit for African penguins, Penguin Coast. You can watch the penguins swim from below and also stay dry while standing under a glass waterfall! There are also penguin encounters available that we definitely want to try next time!
The Arctic The Polar Bear Watch had a Tundra Buggy to observe the bears from above, making you feel like a true explorer of the Arctic! The Bears were very active and the kids enjoyed seeing them up so close.
Our kids especially enjoyed the Children’s Zoo Area that not only had animals, but places for the kids to run, crawl, and climb. The Children’s Zoo is part of the Maryland Wilderness section which includes an Aviary, Cave, Giant Tree Slide, and Farm Yard exhibits.
The African Journey Section is the largest in terms of area and houses some of the animals most people are expecting to see at the zoo like Giraffes, Lions & Elephants. We really enjoyed stopping to chat with very knowledgeable staff along the way. They shared facts not only about the species we were observing, but also specifics about the particular animals and their personalities which was really interesting!
There is a large outdoor food court with lots of different food options and plentiful seating, plus the zoo also allows you to bring your own food and drink. There are shaded areas of the trails as well as bathrooms across the zoo which makes taking young ones a bit less stressful.
We had a really fantastic time at the Maryland Zoo! It was clean, easy to navigate, and most importantly the animals looked happy, healthy and were very active! We can’t wait to visit again!!
Know before you go:
Entry fees range from $15-$19, children under 2 are free
Parking is free and plentiful
Food is available for purchase or you can bring your own
Stroller friendly
Memberships are available, and include reciprocals to over 150 other zoo’s in the US
The Zoo also hosts birthday parties, school field trips, special events and more!
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