Would you consider us if we mentioned you could possibly see polar bears, penguins, camels, lions, lemurs and giraffes in Calgary? Nicely, consider us! They’re all on the Calgary Zoo and visiting is one in all our favorite issues to do in Calgary.
The zoo is house to over 4,000 animals and over 100 totally different species from world wide. 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 aim 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 likely one of the finest issues to do in Calgary. Stuffed with lots of of zoo animals throughout 125 acres of land – together with lions and tigers and bears, oh my – the zoo is a unbelievable place for households, vacationers, and anybody who desires 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 potential, the Calgary Zoo is dedicated to offering the best high quality of animal care potential.
Not solely that, the Calgary Zoo’s conservation analysis is devoted to 2 areas of experience: neighborhood conservation (serving to native communities profit from and defend wildlife) and conservation translocations (returning endangered animals and at-risk species to their pure surroundings to be able 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 shaped, and the Calgary Zoo was established that very same 12 months. Internationally acknowledged for the standard of care and conservation supplied for all the zoo animals dwelling on the Calgary Zoo, the zoo now leads crucial wildlife conservation throughout Canada and world wide.
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. In reality, the science journal Nature ranks the Calgary Zoo as one of many high 5 zoos on the earth in terms of conservation analysis.
Location and Parking
The Calgary Zoo is positioned 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 a number of methods to get to the Calgary Zoo, together with the CTrain mild rail system.
When you’re taking public transportation to the Calgary Zoo, the best method 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 positioned simply off of the favored Bow River Pathway, so these strolling or biking will discover the situation extraordinarily handy.
When you’re coming to the zoo by automotive, you’ll see a number of indicators for the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo as you method. Entry to St. George’s Drive is off Memorial Drive from both course.
You’ll almost definitely 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 time season, the secondary car parking zone is the West Lot, which is positioned on the west finish of St. George’s Island, off Zoo Highway NE. The West Lot is simply open from June to August of yearly.
The Calgary Parking Authority (ParkPlus) manages parking charges. Presently, the payment for parking on the Calgary Zoo is $13 a day.
Calgary Zoo Hours
Presently, the Calgary Zoo’s admission hours are 9 am to five pm each day of the week, though the zoo grounds stay open till 6 pm. Please be aware that almost all concessions and retail retailers shut by 4 pm. In the intervening time, solely the North Gate Entrance is open for admission.
It’s additionally vital to notice that sure buildings and/or displays shut at totally different hours, shut for sure seasons, or are at present closed resulting from renovation. All the time verify the zoo’s web site for the most recent closure data.
Calgary Zoo Admission and Tickets
The present value of admission to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo fluctuates relying on the day. The present lowest day by 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 forms of zoo memberships on provide. When you plan on visiting the Calgary Zoo a couple of instances a 12 months, 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 a couple of decisions.
Kitamba Café has the most important menu choice, with objects equivalent to burgers, soups, sandwiches and a lot extra, together with fairly a couple of 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, provides 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 principle 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 singular eating expertise on the zoo, reserve your spot on the Sunday Safari Brunch, the place you may get pleasure from 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 lease for $20 on the North Present Store close to the North Entrance (that payment features a refundable $10 deposit). There are additionally a couple of energy wheelchairs obtainable to lease for $25. All leases are on a first-come, first-served foundation.
Additionally obtainable on the North Present Store are sensory luggage for visitors who could discover the surroundings overwhelming. The luggage embody issues like fidget spinners and noise-cancelling headphones.
For disabled visitors who require a assist particular person, certified assist individuals have complimentary zoo entry. Please have your correct identification obtainable to point out on the entrance gate (such because the Entry 2 Leisure card).
Accepted information canines and repair canines are welcome on the Calgary Zoo, supplied 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 obtainable on the Kitamba Café.
There are additionally wagons obtainable to lease for teenagers on the North Present Store for $10, however these are on a first-come, first-served foundation and could be rented out shortly, particularly within the busiest summer time months.
Issues to Do on the Calgary Zoo
See the Animals
It ought to go with out saying, however the principle cause to go to Calgary Zoo is to see all the many unbelievable animals. By way of dozens of rigorously constructed displays, you may see the zoo animals in landscapes as just like their environments as potential; discover displays equivalent to 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 may safari by the African savannah to search out hippos, giraffes, meerkats, and extra, whereas the African rainforest lets you get accustomed to the crops and animals of the jungle.
In Exploration Asia, the tigers and leopards are the celebs 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 may 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 youngsters.
Stroll By way of 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 method to the Conservatory Gardens the place you’ll encounter lots of of butterflies in addition to dozens of species of crops and flowers, together with banana bushes and pineapple crops. It’s an incredible method to transport your self to a different local weather with out ever leaving Calgary!
Store for Souvenirs
Need a bit of memento to carry house after your time on the Calgary Zoo? There are a couple of 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 retailers positioned 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 Children
Unsurprisingly, the Calgary Zoo is a unbelievable place to carry youngsters. With tons of packages obtainable, one other spotlight of the zoo is all of the alternatives to be taught and play on the identical time.
Head to the Calgary Co-Op Children Zone for a toddler playground and a wildlife carousel, whereas the Brawn Household Basis has launched Bugtopia, a play area 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+ (one in all our latest favourites is the Wild After Hours, the place you will have a four-course meal alongside displays and particular viewings of specific animals – an ideal Calgary date night time concept). There’s additionally a really enjoyable Mad Hatter Celebration each summer time 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
Throughout the winter, the Calgary Zoo will get into the festive vacation spirit with the magic of ZooLights. Rated as among the best shows of Christmas Lights in Alberta, hundreds of Christmas lights twinkle all through the zoo. There are a variety of enjoyable occasions occurring all through the winter months as nicely so keep watch over the calendar. It’s the right time to seize a scorching chocolate and convey the household all the way down to get into the festive spirit.
Calgary Zoo Excursions
What higher method to be taught in regards to the zoo than with a tour? You’ll want to maintain an eye fixed 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 time without work proper by testing one in all these superior Calgary breakfast spots.
When you’re achieved 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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