Would you imagine us if we mentioned you may see polar bears, penguins, camels, lions, lemurs and giraffes in Calgary? Effectively, imagine us! They’re all on the Calgary Zoo and visiting is considered one of our favorite issues to do in Calgary.
The zoo is residence to over 4,000 animals and over 100 completely different species from around the globe. One of many fundamental causes we love this zoo a lot is that they’re dedicated to actively contributing to the preservation of wildlife and wild locations. Their purpose is to encourage their guests to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the pure world and people animals we share it with.
A Full Information to the Calgary Zoo
In regards to the Zoo
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is among the greatest issues to do in Calgary. Crammed with a whole lot of zoo animals throughout 125 acres of land – together with lions and tigers and bears, oh my – the zoo is a incredible place for households, vacationers, and anybody who needs to be taught extra about our planet and its inhabitants. Specializing in conservation analysis, endangered animals, and defending and preserving the lives of as many animals as attainable, the Calgary Zoo is dedicated to offering the very best high quality of animal care attainable.
Not solely that, the Calgary Zoo’s conservation analysis is devoted to 2 areas of experience: group conservation (serving to native communities profit from and shield wildlife) and conservation translocations (returning endangered animals and at-risk species to their pure surroundings so as to fight extinction).
Historical past
The primary assortment of animals appeared on St. George’s Island in Calgary in 1917; by 1929, the Calgary Zoological Society was fashioned, and the Calgary Zoo was established that very same yr. Internationally acknowledged for the standard of care and conservation offered for all the zoo animals dwelling on the Calgary Zoo, the zoo now leads vital wildlife conservation throughout Canada and around the globe.
Becoming a member of forces with The Wilder Institute, the zoo is devoted to creating the world a greater – and wilder – place for all animals. Actually, the science journal Nature ranks the Calgary Zoo as one of many high 5 zoos on this planet in relation to conservation analysis.
Location and Parking
The Calgary Zoo is situated at 210 St. George’s Drive NE, simply off of the Deerfoot Path and Memorial Drive. It’s discovered simply east of downtown Calgary within the Bridgeland neighbourhood. Fortunately, there are quite a lot of methods to get to the Calgary Zoo, together with the CTrain mild rail system.
In case you’re taking public transportation to the Calgary Zoo, the best approach is by the Northeast Line on the CTrain. That is often known as Route 202 or the “Blue Line”. You’ll disembark on the cease “Zoo” after which stroll for about 5 minutes to the North Gate Entrance.
Calgary Zoo is situated simply off of the favored Bow River Pathway, so these strolling or biking will discover the situation extraordinarily handy.
In case you’re coming to the zoo by automobile, you’ll see quite a lot of indicators for the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo as you method. Entry to St. George’s Drive is off Memorial Drive from both route.
You’ll most certainly park within the North Lot, which is between the zoo’s north entrance and Telus Spark Science Centre. If that lot is full throughout peak summer season season, the secondary car parking zone is the West Lot, which is situated on the west finish of St. George’s Island, off Zoo Street NE. The West Lot is barely open from June to August of yearly.
The Calgary Parking Authority (ParkPlus) manages parking charges. At present, the payment for parking on the Calgary Zoo is $13 a day.
Calgary Zoo Hours
At present, the Calgary Zoo’s admission hours are 9 am to five pm every single day of the week, though the zoo grounds stay open till 6 pm. Please notice that the majority concessions and retail outlets shut by 4 pm. For the time being, solely the North Gate Entrance is open for admission.
It’s additionally essential to notice that sure buildings and/or reveals shut at completely different hours, shut for sure seasons, or are presently closed on account of renovation. All the time test the zoo’s web site for the newest closure data.
Calgary Zoo Admission and Tickets
The present worth of admission to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo fluctuates relying on the day. The present lowest each day charges are:
- Adults: $30.45 + GST
- Seniors (60+): $28.95 + GST
- Little one/Youth (ages 3-15): $21.95 + GST
- Toddler (below 3): Free
There are additionally a number of varieties of zoo memberships on supply. In case you plan on visiting the Calgary Zoo just a few instances a yr, a membership could take advantage of sense.
Consuming on the Calgary Zoo
There are many locations to eat on the Calgary Zoo! From snacks and light-weight concessions to an even bigger meal, there are fairly just a few selections.
Kitamba Café has the biggest menu choice, with gadgets resembling burgers, soups, sandwiches and a lot extra, together with fairly just a few wholesome choices. There’s a youngsters’ menu in addition to gluten-free and vegan choices, too. Kitamba Java, on the far finish of the café, presents espresso, tea, sandwiches, and ice cream.
Penguin Café is an alternative choice, as they serve espresso in addition to cold and warm snacks (together with ice cream). Penguin Café is discovered beside the primary reward store. As well as, there are a number of seasonal concession stands, together with Grazers, Dairy Bar, Camel Canteen, Safari Snacks, Dinny’s Diner, Tigers Den, and Watering Gap.
For a novel eating expertise on the zoo, reserve your spot on the Sunday Safari Brunch, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a variety of breakfast meals. There’s a Belgian waffle bar, cooked-to-order omelettes, and even a free-flowing chocolate fountain with recent fruit, amongst others! Get your tickets right here.
Accessibility
Fortunately, the Calgary Zoo has pretty good accessibility. Wheelchairs can be found to hire for $20 on the North Reward Store close to the North Entrance (that payment features a refundable $10 deposit). There are additionally just a few energy wheelchairs out there to hire for $25. All leases are on a first-come, first-served foundation.
Additionally out there on the North Reward Store are sensory baggage for friends who could discover the surroundings overwhelming. The luggage embody issues like fidget spinners and noise-cancelling headphones.
For disabled friends who require a help particular person, certified help individuals have complimentary zoo entry. Please have your correct identification out there to point out on the entrance gate (such because the Entry 2 Leisure card).
Authorised information canine and repair canine are welcome on the Calgary Zoo, offered they’re completely wholesome on the time of entrance.
All washrooms have wheelchair accessibility in addition to diaper-changing stations. There’s a nursing room out there on the Kitamba Café.
There are additionally wagons out there to hire for teenagers on the North Reward Store for $10, however these are on a first-come, first-served foundation and will be rented out shortly, particularly within the busiest summer season months.
Issues to Do on the Calgary Zoo
See the Animals
It ought to go with out saying, however the primary purpose to go to Calgary Zoo is to see all the many unimaginable animals. By dozens of fastidiously constructed reveals, you’ll be able to see the zoo animals in landscapes as just like their environments as attainable; discover reveals resembling Vacation spot Africa, Canadian Wilds, Exploration Asia, Penguin Plunge, Land of Lemurs, and extra.
A number of the standout areas embody Vacation spot Africa, the place you’ll be able to safari by the African savannah to search out hippos, giraffes, meerkats, and extra, whereas the African rainforest means that you can get acquainted with the crops and animals of the jungle.
In Exploration Asia, the tigers and leopards are the celebrities of the present; whereas the visiting big pandas are now not on the Calgary Zoo, there are some very cute crimson pandas to see. In Canadian Wilds, stand up shut and private with each black, grizzly bears and polar bears. And you may’t miss the Penguin Plunge, the place the playful penguins are assured to make you smile!
Be taught About Dinosaurs
Whereas dinosaurs haven’t roamed the earth in tens of millions of years, on the Calgary Zoo, you’ll be able to discover the Prehistoric Park, the place animatronic dinosaurs each educate and entertain. Contemplating that Alberta has an excessive abundance of dinosaur fossils, it’s enjoyable to see what the province would have been like again within the Cretaceous Interval. This dinosaur park is certain to be an enormous hit with the children.
Stroll By the Gardens
Though many people assume we’ll go to the Calgary Zoo for the zoo animals, it seems the botanical gardens are simply as worthy of a wander. Make your technique to the Conservatory Gardens the place you’ll encounter a whole lot of butterflies in addition to dozens of species of crops and flowers, together with banana bushes and pineapple crops. It’s an incredible technique to transport your self to a different local weather with out ever leaving Calgary!
Store for Souvenirs
Need slightly memento to convey residence after your time on the Calgary Zoo? There are just a few choices for you. The principle memento store is simply subsequent to the Penguin Plunge on the north entrance, the place you’ll discover tons of knick-knacks, toys, video games, puzzles, and a lot extra.
There are additionally small kiosks and outlets situated across the zoo, although they might be seasonal; these embody Wild Treats and the Bugtopia Kiosk. Lastly, head to Exploration Asia for The Bamboo-tique, the place you’ll discover many toys and souvenirs devoted to the attractive snow leopard!
For the Youngsters
Unsurprisingly, the Calgary Zoo is a incredible place to convey youngsters. With tons of applications out there, one other spotlight of the zoo is all of the alternatives to be taught and play on the similar time.
Head to the Calgary Co-Op Youngsters Zone for a toddler playground and a wildlife carousel, whereas the Brawn Household Basis has launched Bugtopia, a play house designed for teenagers ages 7-12.
Calgary Zoo Occasions
Whether or not it’s a Harvest Dinner or a “ZooDunnit” homicide thriller dinner, there are tons of occasions held on the Calgary Zoo all year long. Many occasions are for all ages – such because the Halloween-themed “ZooBoo” – whereas others are for 18+ (considered one of our latest favourites is the Wild After Hours, the place you’ve got a four-course meal alongside displays and particular viewings of specific animals – an ideal Calgary date night time thought). There’s additionally a really enjoyable Mad Hatter Social gathering each summer season within the Dorothy Harvie Botanical Gardens, which is an extremely enjoyable occasion crammed with music, video games, meals, and drinks. Keep on high of all the zoo’s occasions right here.
Calgary ZooLights
In the course of the winter, the Calgary Zoo will get into the festive vacation spirit with the magic of ZooLights. Rated as the most effective shows of Christmas Lights in Alberta, hundreds of Christmas lights twinkle all through the zoo. There are a selection of enjoyable occasions occurring all through the winter months as effectively so keep watch over the calendar. It’s the right time to seize a sizzling chocolate and produce the household all the way down to get into the festive spirit.
Calgary Zoo Excursions
What higher technique to be taught in regards to the zoo than with a tour? Make sure you preserve a watch out on the zoo’s occasions for upcoming excursions, together with the favored Wildscapes Gardener’s Tour; led by an skilled horticulturist, you ca uncover the secrets and techniques of gardening in any local weather (even Calgary’s).
Begin your break day proper by testing considered one of these superior Calgary breakfast spots.
When you’re executed exploring the Calgary Zoo, why not take a look at one of many Finest Calgary Excursions? Or take a look at our favorite spots for craft beer in Calgary
If you wish to get out and discover the remainder of the town, take a look at our full information to visiting Calgary.
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