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Dallas Zoo, Dallas, TX

Photo: Kevin1086, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

AttractionsFamily Favorite

Dallas Zoo

650 S R L Thornton Fwy · Dallas, TX

Why you should go…

Dallas Zoo sits on 106 acres in Marsalis Park, about three miles south of downtown, and dates to 1888, which makes it the oldest zoological park in Texas. You can see more than 2,000 animals from over 400 species. A Wild Pass adds premium attractions to a day visit, and fall Saturdays bring Safari Nights concerts with live cover bands. The zoo is certified Sensory Inclusive.

  • #zoo
  • #animals
  • #family day out
  • #dallas

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Dallas Zoo, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Reunion Tower

    Under $25

    The geodesic-domed GeO-Deck delivers 360-degree views of the Dallas skyline from 470 feet up.

    2.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    History Buff

    The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

    Under $25

    The former Texas School Book Depository preserves the exact site of the 1963 Kennedy assassination.

    2.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Dallas World Aquarium

    $25–$50

    A converted 1920s warehouse holds a walk-through rainforest, sharks, and free-flying birds.

    3.1 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Perot Museum of Nature and Science

    Under $25

    Five stories of hands-on science and dinosaur halls inside a striking Thom Mayne-designed cube.

    3.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Ripleys Believe It or Not Grand Prairie

    $25–$50

    Odditorium near Dallas-Fort Worth with bizarre artifacts, a wax museum, mirror maze and 7D moving theater.

    11 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark

    $25–$50

    Texas's largest indoor waterpark with 11 slides, a lazy river, a surf simulator and a retractable roof.

    13 mi awayMore like this