My home zoo is NZP, which as part of the Smithsonian is free to all. Yi Qi ,however, just posted the news that Lincoln Park would be free for all at least for the next 50 years! As someone always hoping and planning for zoo trips, this could make a big difference. I'm hoping we might compile a list of zoos without admission fees. Are there other facilities that are free?
Here is a list of free zoos I have visited that you didn't already mention: Henry Vilas Zoo Saint Louis Zoo Wildwood Zoo Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Zoo Menominee Park Zoo Manitowoc Lincoln Park Zoo Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary MacKensie Center Stevens Point Herptelogical Society Ochsner Park Zoo Como Park Zoo Gabbert Raptor Center (only a small part of this facility is free) Grant's Farm Lone Elk Park World Bird Sanctuary
Just a side note for clarification, Lincoln Park Zoo has always been free; that news was announcing that the zoo had reached an agreement with the parks district to remain that way for the next 50 years. I'm a big fan of zoos being free and subsidized by the government, as it allows much greater accessibility to a large group of lower-income people. I grew up visiting the Saint Louis Zoo, largely because it didn't cost my parents anything besides gas money to visit. That single fact may have contributed significantly to my current interests, career path, and presence on this site.
I was taken aback how this is probably true for me as well. I don't work in the field, but it's certainly responsible for my interest and presence on this site, and all three are true for my daughter. I wonder if there are studies done of the degree of influence these free institutions play in generating more vocational and avocational interest in animal conservation.
I have been to the free zoos at Golders Hill, Larnaca, Strasbourg and at the Manchester Museum. I have also been to the Bolton Aquarium. Lille Zoo is also free.
Most city zoos charge for parking. Perhaps we ought to make a partner list of any zoos with free parking? Here are those I remember: Phoenix San Diego and Safari Park LA Oregon? African Lion Safari Or should we make the list of those that DO charge for parking?
Tierpark Lange Erlen in Basel, Tierpark Olderdissen in Bielefeld, Mundenhof Zoo in Freiburg, Stare Zoo in Poznan, and the teeny-tiny Dyreparken NBV in Hjørring (Denmark) also come to mind. Ayamonte Zoo (Spain) is an example of one that has closed recently. I believe there's a whole lot of other smallish zoos/wildparks in Central Europe that are also free.
I lived in St. Louis for several years, 1979-82, and one of the great things about it was this wonderful zoo being free. At the time it was open every day. I have never been enthusiastic about wild, late night New Year's Eve parties, and my tradition was to get up New Year's Day and go to the zoo in the morning. It was like having my own private zoo. I was last there a few years ago and they seem to be maintain very high standards.
I can't wait to visit someday. And I've always loved going to zoos on holidays and middle-of-the-day, weekday winter days. I even took my daughter out of school on such days so she could ask keepers all her questions and get invaluable information. It's like getting 10 times worth what you'd get on a typical day!
