The Oregon Zoo (formerly known as the Portland Zoo) holds many happy memories for our clan, and we had the joy of introducing the newest members of our family, our three-year-old and one-year-old, to its pleasures.
The wooded switchbacks, friendly layout, and diverse habitats make the zoo engaging for all ages.
We went right after Christmas, and it was a perfect trip. (It helped that we had a ratio of nine adults to our two kids and an uncle who was more than happy to supply his shoulders for riding).
The weather was lovely for a heavy walking day. Cool, but not raining. Many of the animals were active and awake.
Our son (three years old) had an amazing first-time zoo experience. We could not have asked for more.
The Oregon Zoo exhibits
The Oregon Zoo sprawls over 64 acres and boasts 165 species and subspecies of animals.
The map takes you in a circle, starting with the mountain goats at the entrance and ending with harbor seals and sea otters.
We knew it would be a good trip when our three-year-old noticed the goats and gleefully cheered, “Hi, goats!”
The route is almost 100% ADA-friendly – which means parents can take advantage of that and bring a stroller.
We brought a grandpa, a dad, and two uncles instead of a stroller – that worked out well – but in general, we highly recommend bringing a stroller.
Our one-year-old happily bounced along in the backpack on Dad’s back and ended up sleeping through the second half of the zoo. We also saw parents with shoulder carriers that allow older children to sit supported and see at the same time.
The Great Northwest
The map starts you out in the great northwest – featuring owls, bears, condors, the family farm, river otters, and more.
This area is wooded, very green, and almost mysterious.
You have to peer through the trees to catch a glimpse of the bears and other animals. Something the Oregon Zoo has done very well is to build the habitat around the animals. You feel like you’re catching a glimpse of a great snowy owl right there in the middle of the woods.
Pacific Shores
The Pacific Shores, which host two magnificent, golden-white polar bears, are next.
We watched one of the bears open a Christmas gift – just across the glass from our son! He found this quite exciting.
The trail keeps you trekking, eventually swinging back around to see the seals and otters.
Primate Forest
Up next, the Primate Forest has a sweet little family of orangutans. We learned from an exhibit guide that orangutan babies will stay with their mothers for up to ten years after birth.
The orangutan baby was a year old when we were there, and the mom was still hanging onto her, keeping her safe.
The movements reminded us of a game we play with our littles where they crawl away from us, cackling, and we drag them back by their ankles.
Elephants
Finally, we met the elephants.
Their habitat is very large and has different sections.
Don’t worry if they aren’t immediately visible – they have an indoor area they seem to prefer if it’s a little rainy (which is often in Portland).
Africa Habitat
The final section we spent time in was Africa.
The lions, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes, and many more animals were delightful.
The lions actually opened their eyes—just for our three-year-old. They sleep 20 hours a day, so it’s hard to catch them moving.
The male eastern black rhino was a highlight as well.
The zoo just welcomed a baby rhino. Jozi and her calf were on maternity leave when we visited, but you can see what a baby rhino looks like on the webcam. Not what I expected.
The red panda received some physical therapy when we walked by, which was cool to watch.
By the time we finished, we had spent four packed hours!
Zoo habitat information and docents
The zoo website is well-designed and has a lot to offer. Each animal has its own information page, and there are also interesting news articles about happenings at the zoo, such as new babies, recently added animals, and updates on endangered animal programs.
As you walk through the zoo, helpful volunteers will be present at different habitats to answer questions.
There are also keeper talks, activities, and feedings at different times throughout the day. The zoo has a daily schedule you can look up beforehand on their website.
If you have older kids, there is a scavenger hunt on the website you can print out and bring with you.
If you want a complete directory of all the animals at the Oregon Zoo, check out the animal directory.
Pro Tip: Never promise your kids (or yourself) that you’ll see a particular animal. Every zoo in the world seems to be in a constant state of construction. There will always be an exhibit that’s closed for rehab.
Animals sleep, get taken off exhibit for their mental health, have appointments with the veterinarian, have babies, and take maternity leave…if you go with an attitude of discovery and adventure, you won’t be disappointed because you’ll see what you see.
Plan your visit
Tickets
Tickets to the Oregon Zoo must be purchased in advance through their online system.
Be aware that tickets are not refundable, and the website states they will not make date or timed entry changes after purchase.
Although this is annoying, especially if you don’t know and show up ticketless, the system ensures a streamlined entry process and helps manage the number of visitors in the zoo at any given time.
Pre-purchasing tickets is becoming the norm at tourist attractions, so I think we will have to get used to planning ahead.
All guests, including babies, need to reserve a ticket.
| Age | Ticket Price |
| Adult 12+ | $24 |
| Children 2-11 years | $19 |
| Infants 0-1 year | Free (still need a ticket) |
Discounts
The Oregon Zoo offers discounts.
Check here to see if you qualify.
If you are:
- Military
- A member of any zoo or aquarium
- Oregon Trail card
- Washington Quest card
- Medicaid and CHIP (OHP or Apple Health)
- WIC – eWIC card
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- Are visiting with 20 or more people
Check here to see if you qualify.
How to get there
Walk
Technically, you can walk to the zoo. And it is a beautiful walk.
But it will be a long walk – and you still have to navigate hours on your feet in the zoo.
Here’s a link to the 4T Trail if you’re interested.
Bike
For cycling enthusiasts, why not bike your way to the zoo?
You can cycle to a nearby MAX station (light rail) or bus stop and then enjoy a relaxing ride up the hill to the zoo.
Like walking, riding a bike to the zoo is unrealistic for families with young children.
Public Transit
If you prefer to skip driving, let TriMet simplify your journey.
Catch a bus or hop on the MAX to Washington Park station.
Plan your route effortlessly with the Trip Planner.
I would skip public transit if you have tiny children and all the gear that comes with them.
However, with older children, taking public transportation can be part of the fun. I suggest the MAX light rail.
Drive
If you’re traveling with little ones, driving is your best bet.
The Oregon Zoo has made parking hassle-free with its pay stations and a handy mobile app. Parking rates are reasonable.
Parking
You will pay for parking at the Oregon Zoo.
We first bought three hours of parking but had to get time added. Paying for a full day’s worth of parking would have been cheaper. Next time we’ll pay for the whole day.
Parking is handled with an app and a credit card via your phone. When parking time ran out in the Lion habitat, we had to open the app and plug the meter virtually—no more running back to the car to buy more time.
Pro Tip: Aim to arrive early to secure a parking spot in the main lot. If it’s full, as indicated by signs at the entrance, there’s overflow parking available with a complimentary shuttle service to the zoo.
If you follow our advice and avoid summer afternoons and holidays you shouldn’t have any problem parking.
When to go
The best time NOT to go to the zoo? Hot summer afternoons!
Everyone will be cranky, and the animals will all be inside sleeping.
The best times to go:
Middle of the week
The week after Christmas
During a school day
First thing in the morning – as soon as they open
Any day that’s NOT raining
Any day that’s moderate temperature-wise
We went on December 28th. It was not raining – a major plus in the Pacific Northwest. The temperature hovered around 45-50F, which is chilly, but the animals were active and visible.
Pro Tip: If you do happen to go on a busy day, instead of taking the usual route past the goats and clockwise around the zoo, go the opposite direction and visit Africa and the elephants first. If it’s early in the day, you’ll have the first half of your zoo visit almost to yourself.
Then, walk back through the center to the entrance and start again at the goats. At this point, the masses and late-sleepers will be heading toward the elephants, and you should experience fewer crowds.
Weather
The biggest weather challenge in Portland is not getting rained on. There are only a few places to get out of the rain at the zoo, and you must walk a fair distance between them.
Also, once the temperature reaches 80F, the animals tend to hide out and sleep in cool, shady spots, making them hard to see.
Even though it was not raining on the day we went, we had our kids in their muddy buddies (one-piece rain gear), and we were so grateful we did.
Most of the benches and picnic tables were wet, but our kids could sit anywhere and stay dry.
We could not recommend one-piece rain gear more, especially in the Pacific Northwest.
Membership
The membership is a good deal if you plan to go to the zoo more than 2 times a year.
There are added perks and discounts, including discounts to zoos and aquariums in other cities.
A membership is also a great gift idea to give or request.
Oregon Zoo Membership Information
Accessibility
As mentioned before, the zoo is fully accessible.
Here’s an interesting resource – sensory bags to check out:
Oregon Zoo Website
Eating and drinking at the Oregon Zoo
In the off-season, there aren’t a plethora of options.
We saw a few food trucks scattered throughout the grounds, but they weren’t open.
There is the Aviary Café, Growlers Pizza and Beer, and a place to get Elephant Ears. We thought we’d get some coffee, but all the Aviary Café had to offer was a cup of drip coffee and a very long line to get it. Not our ideal.
Our advice, stop on the way and buy coffee before you get to the zoo.
You can bring in your food and beverage. We highly recommend going that route!
We were there on a slow day, and the line was too long for a (likely) mediocre food item or drink at the end of it. We have food allergies and sensitivities—not to mention picky kids.
It made more sense for us to bring food we knew that they would eat and would keep their blood sugar stable. No one needs a meltdown at the zoo, so bring lots of snacks!
There are lots of spaces throughout the zoo property to sit and eat. It is a very kid-friendly place.
All the food venues will be open on busy weekends and during the summer.
You can choose from a wide selection of snack food: loaded French fries, pizza, pretzels, popcorn, ice cream, and the like.
If you are a regular reader of Jaunty Everywhere, you know we are pretty frugal and probably food snobs (and coffee snobs)🤪so you do you! Eat whatever you fancy!
Best places to picnic:
The lawn near the elephants (closed off in winter because it’s soggy).
The sandbox area – this is also the worst place if you want to keep your kiddos out of the sand – so parents beware.
The sculpture garden between the bat habitat and the insect zoo.
Picnic tables are scattered around the grounds.
Photo Opps
The zoo has so many great animal statues for photos.
Our son really loves hippos right now – and while there is no hippo at the Oregon Zoo, there is a statue he got to get his picture with.
Events and programs at the zoo
There’s a calendar with events throughout the year
Zoo Lights
Zoolights is a separate ticketed event during the holidays, and you aren’t likely to see the animals, so we opted for a standard entry.
As the sun sets, the Oregon Zoo transforms into an enchanting wonderland with over a million colorful lights. There are also plenty of activities and live entertainment to make your evening unforgettable.
Grandma Cheri’s note: We took the family to ZooLights when the kids were young, and it was a hit. The trick is to pick an evening that’s not too cold or rainy (again, with the PNW rain!) and bundle up. It’s truly magical.
The Carousel
For an additional $2.50, children can take a turn on the carousel.
An adult can ride for free with each paying child.
The Zoo Train
All aboard the zoo train for a scenic journey around the zoo!
The train offers a unique perspective on the zoo’s landscapes and exhibits.
The train ride is a gentle and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages. The train operates depending on the weather, so it’s a good idea to check its availability when you visit.
Pro Tip: Use the carousel and/or zoo train strategically to get off your feet for a bit and take a breather.
The carousel is near the exit and can be helpful to get a last burst of energy out of your kids.
You can purchase train and carousel tickets online when you buy admission. Grandma almost bought carousel tickets but decided to wait and see how things were going.
Our one-year-old was fast asleep when we got to the carousel, and the rest of us were beat. Our three-year-old had so many firsts and epic animal sightings it would have just been overkill four hours into the visit.
Tips and tricks by age group
Ages 1-3
For Families with Toddlers (Ages 1-3)
- Stroller Accessibility: The zoo is stroller-friendly, with plenty of paths and ramps. Consider renting a stroller if you don’t bring your own.
- Engaging Exhibits: Focus on visually stimulating exhibits like the elephants and polar bears. Probably skip the aviary and bug zoo.
- Scheduled Breaks: Plan for regular breaks and snacks. The zoo has several rest areas perfect for a bit of downtime.
- Interactive Play Areas: Utilize play areas designed for young children to let them burn off energy.
- Safety Measures: Keep a close eye on your toddlers and consider using wristbands with your contact information for safety.
Ages 4-7
For Families with Young Children (Ages 4-7)
- Educational Activities: Engage in educational activities like keeper talks.
- Animal Feeding Times: Plan your visit around animal feeding times, which can be a thrilling experience for young children.
- Hands-On Experiences: Look for hands-on experiences like the Family Farm, where children can interact with farm animals.
- Restroom Breaks: Know the locations of restrooms in advance, as young kids often need frequent bathroom breaks. The Zoo has a lot of convenient restrooms.
- Zoo Train and Carousel: Don’t miss the zoo train and carousel rides, which are a big hit with this age group.
Ages 8 – 12
For Families with School-Aged Children (Ages 8-12)
- Educational Tours: Prioritize keeper talks and animal feedings. Children this age have the attention span to sit through presentations, learn something new, and remember the experience.
- Photography Challenge: Give them a camera or smartphone and challenge them to take photos of their favorite animals.
- Participation in Conservation: Discuss the zoo’s conservation efforts and how they can contribute to animal welfare.
- Interactive Exhibits: Direct them to interactive exhibits where they can learn through engagement and observation.
Overall, it’s a great trip for littles over 2. Our son had just turned 3 and really loved the whole experience.
What would we do differently?
I would bring coffee or stop and get some before arriving at the zoo.
We also left our water bottles in the car because we weren’t sure if adults could bring them in. It turns out we could have, and we got pretty thirsty by the end.
If we didn’t have so many strong arms and shoulders to help carry the kids, we would have definitely needed a stroller for our three-year-old.
We give the Oregon Zoo a 9.5 out of 10.
