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Houston Zoo

Zoos & aquariums ·Houston ·Open now
4.648.4K
#4Zoos & aquariums in the USMost reviewed in Houston
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About

Houston Zoo is a 55-acre zoological park in Hermann Park, Houston, Texas, with outdoor habitats arranged by geography to model natural environments.

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Houston Zoo

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What's on here

Zoo Ball 2026 Zoo Ball 2026 Friday, 17:001.50 USD November Member Morning November Member Morning Saturday · All day Zoo Lights Member Preview Nights Zoo Lights Member Preview Nights Tuesday, 05:3014.95 USD TXU Energy presents Zoo Lights TXU Energy presents Zoo Lights Thursday, 05:3014.95 USD Wine Fest at Zoo Lights Wine Fest at Zoo Lights Friday, 05:3010 USD Neighbors for Nature: Blackhawk Park Neighbors for Nature: Blackhawk Park Saturday · All day Zoolates: Pilates at the Zoo featuring a Giraffe Feeding Experience Zoolates: Pilates at the Zoo featuring a Giraffe Feeding Experience Saturday · All day30 USD

Why go

  • See bald eagles, American alligators and whooping cranes in Texas Wetlands, a self-sustaining ecosystem that filters exhibit water and supports local wildlife.
  • South American Wetlands is a walk-through free-flight aviary with Chilean flamingos, white-faced whistling ducks and lapwings.
  • African Forest houses chimpanzees and western lowland gorillas.

Opening hours

Today09:00 – 16:00Show all
Monday09:00 – 16:00
Tuesday09:00 – 16:00
Wednesday09:00 – 16:00
Thursday09:00 – 16:00
Friday09:00 – 16:00
Saturday09:00 – 16:00
Sunday09:00 – 16:00

Don't miss

  • Galápagos tortoisesThree tortoises received in 1928 still live at the zoo.Galápagos Islands exhibit
  • North American Woodlands aviaryEleven American songbird species rescued from the pet trade live here; they cannot be released.Fondren Foundation Birds of the World — North American Woodlands aviary
  • African Savanna aviarySee twelve species, including crowned cranes, vultures, storks and hamerkops.Fondren Foundation Birds of the World — African Savanna aviary

What's in season

  • FebBehind the scenes, staff pair Houston toads for breeding each February. A single egg string contains 4,000–10,000 eggs.

With kids

  • Explore Texas-themed environments in the Children's Zoo, home to river otters and red pandas.
  • Bug House, within the Children's Zoo, displays native and exotic insects and arachnids.

Know before you go

  • The white rhino habitat is closed through 2026 for renovation and expansion.

Tips for your visit

  • Check the daily keeper-chat schedule when you arrive.
  • Allow for Centennial Gardens Lot C’s three-hour parking limit when planning your visit.

Best time to visit

  • Most keeper talks take place before noon. Animals may hide when the day is hot.

Facilities

  • Goat yard In the Children’s Zoo.
  • Bat cave In the Children’s Zoo.
  • Wildlife carousel In the Children’s Zoo.

Shorts

History

The zoo's original grounds included a sea lion pool, a free-flight aviary and an arena for big cat shows. The tropical bird house added plants and water features in 1966. Later big cat displays replaced barred cages with larger moated enclosures and plantings. Since 1947, one of the zoo's cougars has served as Shasta, the University of Houston mascot. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

  1. 1921The federal government gave Houston a bison named Earl. Park superintendent Clarence Brock hired Hans Nagel as an animal handler.
  2. 1922Houston Zoo opened on April 30 with 40 animals.
  3. 1923Landscape architects Hare & Hare designed the zoo grounds as an oval.
  4. 1925The collection had grown to 300 birds, 100 reptiles and 400 other animals.
  5. 1927–1969A natural history museum stood on the zoo grounds.
Show all
  1. 1937A new lion house opened after a 600-pound lion fell through its rotted cage floor.
  2. 1948City leaders kept the zoo in Hermann Park and expanded its grounds from 34 to 43 acres.
  3. 1967The zoo formalized community support through the Houston Zoological Society.
  4. 1968The first children's zoo opened.
  5. 1972The zoo hatched the first St. Vincent amazon born in captivity.
  6. 1974The zoo was among the first institutions accredited under the AAZPA program.
  7. 1978The zoo joined a project to establish a protected wild population of Houston toads.
  8. 1981Kipp Aquarium opened.
  9. 1985A permanent on-site veterinary hospital and new big cat displays opened.
  10. 1988–1989Keeper Ricardo Tovar was killed by a Siberian tiger in 1988. The cat displays closed for safety changes and reopened in April 1989.
  11. 1993Wortham World of Primates opened with large outdoor displays designed around rainforest homes.
  12. 2000A new Children's Zoo organized around Texas environments opened.
  13. 2002The city transferred zoo operations to Houston Zoo Inc. under a 50-year lease, and the organization became a nonprofit.
  14. 2004The zoo established its first formal conservation program.
  15. 2005Natural Encounters opened with exhibit designs and ambassador animal interactions for close wildlife encounters.
  16. 2008The McNair Asian Elephant Habitat opened; it expanded in 2017.
  17. 2009The zoo began working with Baylor College of Medicine researchers on an elephant herpesvirus diagnostic test and vaccine.
  18. 2010African Forest opened.
  19. 2015Gorillas of the African Forest expanded the African Forest exhibit.
  20. 2019Texas Wetlands opened.
  21. 2022The zoo marked its centennial, and Houston's mayor declared April 30 Houston Zoo Day.
  22. April 7, 2023Galápagos Islands opened.
  23. 2024Fondren Foundation Birds of the World opened with three aviaries. As of 2024, the collection represented 575 species.
  24. June 2024Tess became the first Houston Zoo elephant to receive the new elephant herpesvirus vaccine.

How to get there

  • 10 minParkingThe zoo is at 6200 Hermann Park Drive and has no parking lot of its own. Free parking is available in Hermann Park lots G, F, E, H and I, a 5–10 minute walk from the entrance.
  • 20 minParkingCentennial Gardens Lot C allows three-hour parking and is a 15–20 minute walk from the entrance.
  • 10 minTrainFrom the METRORail Red Line’s Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo stop, walk through The Commons in Hermann Park to the zoo; about 10 minutes.
  • CarRideshare vehicles can drop off and pick up visitors at the main entrance.
  • CarIf heavy traffic makes Hermann Park Drive one-way, reach the park via Fannin or Main and turn right at the roundabout.

Sources: Houston Zoo - Wikipedia · Houston Zoo - Wikipedia (part 2) · Houston Zoo - Wikipedia (part 3) · Houston/South Inner Loop - Wikivoyage (see) · Houston Zoo | See them. Save them. · Parking & Directions - The Houston Zoo · Become a Houston Zoo Member | Unlimited Visits … · Houston Zoo - Wikipedia · Zoo de Houston - Wikipedia · checked 26 Sep 2026

Where
6200 Hermann Park Dr Hermann Park, TX, Houston

Plan from here: With kids →

Questions and answers

Which cats can I see at Houston Zoo?

Carnivores includes lions, cheetahs, leopards, a tiger and cougars.

What is in Houston Zoo’s Reptile and Amphibian House?

It displays snakes, frogs, lizards, newts, turtles and tortoises.

What is Shasta’s connection to Houston Zoo?

Since 1947, one of the zoo’s cougars has served as Shasta, the University of Houston mascot.

What is Natural Encounters at Houston Zoo?

Opened in 2005, it was designed to bring visitors closer to wildlife through exhibit design and ambassador animal interactions.

Where can I see giraffes at Houston Zoo?

African Forest houses giraffes; their habitat received a shade canopy and other upgrades in 2026.

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