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Franklin Park Zoo

1 Franklin Park Rd, Boston, MA 02121 · Boston, MA

Why you should go…

Set inside Frederick Law Olmsted's Franklin Park, Zoo New England's 72-acre flagship brings western lowland gorillas, lions, Masai giraffes, zebras, and red pandas within a few miles of downtown. The Tropical Forest pavilion keeps things lively year-round, while the Outback Trail and its budgie aviary are reliable kid-pleasers. Dynamic Plan-Ahead pricing means booking online in advance usually beats gate rates, and the zoo's popular Boston Lights lantern festival glows across the grounds from late summer into fall.

  • #zoo
  • #animals
  • #gorillas
  • #family
  • #olmsted

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 Franklin Park Zoo, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Eat & Drink
    Local Gem

    Samuel Adams Boston Brewery

    $25–$50

    Sam Adams' working Jamaica Plain brewery, with tours, tastings, and a look at small-batch experimental beers.

    1.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink

  • Museums
    Local Gem

    Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

    Under $25

    A Venetian palace of art wrapped around a flowering courtyard, and home to the world's most famous art heist.

    2.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums
    Iconic

    Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

    $25–$50

    One of the world's great art museums, Monet, Sargent, ancient Egypt and 500,000 works under one roof.

    2.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

    $25–$50

    Board a full-scale tea ship, hurl tea into the harbor, and relive the night that sparked a revolution.

    3.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    New England Aquarium

    $25–$50

    Circle the four-story Giant Ocean Tank, meet playful penguins and sea turtles right on Boston's waterfront.

    4.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Date Night

    Level99

    $25–$50

    Adults-only arcade of 50+ life-sized physical and mental challenge games, plus a full bar and restaurant.

    13 mi awayMore like this