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Compiled by the Road Trip Alberta team
Last updated on March 11, 2024
Would you believe us if we said you could see polar bears, penguins, camels, lions, lemurs and giraffes in Calgary? Well, believe us! They are all at the Calgary Zoo and visiting is one of our favourite things to do in Calgary.
The zoo is home to over 4,000 animals and over 100 different species from around the world. And one of the main reasons we love this zoo so much is that they are committed to actively contributing to the preservation of wildlife and wild places. Their goal is to inspire their visitors to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the natural world and those animals we share it with.
A Complete Guide to the Calgary Zoo
About the Zoo
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is one of the best things to do in Calgary. Filled with hundreds of zoo animals across 125 acres of land – including lions and tigers and bears, oh my – the zoo is a fantastic place for families, tourists, and anyone who wants to learn more about our planet and its inhabitants. Focusing on conservation research, endangered animals, and protecting and preserving the lives of as many animals as possible, the Calgary Zoo is committed to providing the highest quality of animal care possible.
Not only that, the Calgary Zoo’s conservation research is dedicated to two areas of expertise: community conservation (helping local communities benefit from and protect wildlife) and conservation translocations (returning endangered animals and at-risk species to their natural environment in order to combat extinction).
History
The first collection of animals appeared on St. George’s Island in Calgary in 1917; by 1929, the Calgary Zoological Society was formed, and the Calgary Zoo was established that same year. Internationally recognized for the quality of care and conservation provided for all of the zoo animals living at the Calgary Zoo, the zoo now leads critical wildlife conservation across Canada and around the world.
Joining forces with The Wilder Institute, the zoo is dedicated to making the world a better – and wilder – place for all animals. In fact, the science journal Nature ranks the Calgary Zoo as one of the top five zoos in the world when it comes to conservation research.
Location and Parking
The Calgary Zoo is located at 210 St. George’s Drive NE, just off of the Deerfoot Trail and Memorial Drive. It’s found just east of downtown Calgary in the Bridgeland neighbourhood. Thankfully, there are a lot of ways to get to the Calgary Zoo, including the CTrain light rail system.
If you’re taking public transportation to the Calgary Zoo, the easiest way is by the Northeast Line on the CTrain. This is also known as Route 202 or the “Blue Line”. You’ll disembark at the stop “Zoo” and then walk for about five minutes to the North Gate Entrance.
Calgary Zoo is located just off of the popular Bow River Pathway, so those walking or cycling will find the location extremely convenient.
If you’re coming to the zoo by car, you’ll see a lot of signs for the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo as you approach. Access to St. George’s Drive is off Memorial Drive from either direction.
You’ll most likely park in the North Lot, which is between the zoo’s north entrance and Telus Spark Science Centre. If that lot is full during peak summer season, the secondary parking lot is the West Lot, which is located at the west end of St. George’s Island, off Zoo Road NE. The West Lot is only open from June to August of every year.
The Calgary Parking Authority (ParkPlus) manages parking fees. Currently, the fee for parking at the Calgary Zoo is $13 a day.
Calgary Zoo Hours
Currently, the Calgary Zoo’s admission hours are 9 am to 5 pm every day of the week, although the zoo grounds remain open until 6 pm. Please note that most concessions and retail shops close by 4 pm. At the moment, only the North Gate Entrance is open for admission.
It’s also important to note that certain buildings and/or exhibits close at different hours, close for certain seasons, or are currently closed due to renovation. Always check the zoo’s website for the latest closure information.
Calgary Zoo Admission and Tickets
The current price of admission to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo are:
- Adults: $29.95 + GST
- Seniors (60+): $27.95 + GST
- Child/Youth (ages 3-15): $19.95 + GST
- Infant (under 3): Free
There are also multiple types of zoo memberships on offer. If you plan on visiting the Calgary Zoo a few times a year, a membership may make the most sense.
Eating at the Calgary Zoo
There are plenty of places to eat at the Calgary Zoo! From snacks and light concessions to a bigger meal, there are quite a few choices.
Kitamba Café has the largest menu selection, with items such as burgers, soups, sandwiches and so much more, including quite a few healthy options. There’s a kids’ menu as well as gluten-free and vegan options, too. Kitamba Java, at the far end of the café, offers coffee, tea, sandwiches, and ice cream.
Penguin Café is another option, as they serve coffee as well as hot and cold snacks (including ice cream). Penguin Café is found beside the main gift shop. In addition, there are multiple seasonal concession stands, including Grazers, Dairy Bar, Camel Canteen, Safari Snacks, Dinny’s Diner, Tigers Den, and Watering Hole.
For a unique dining experience at the zoo, reserve your spot at the Sunday Safari Brunch, where you can enjoy a wide range of breakfast foods. There’s a Belgian waffle bar, cooked-to-order omelettes, and even a free-flowing chocolate fountain with fresh fruit, among others! Get your tickets here.
Accessibility
Thankfully, the Calgary Zoo has fairly good accessibility. Wheelchairs are available to rent for $20 at the North Gift Shop near the North Entrance (that fee includes a refundable $10 deposit). There are also a few power wheelchairs available to rent for $25. All rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Also available at the North Gift Shop are sensory bags for guests who may find the environment overwhelming. The bags include things like fidget spinners and noise-cancelling headphones.
For disabled guests who require a support person, qualified support people have complimentary zoo access. Please have your proper identification available to show at the entrance gate (such as the Access 2 Entertainment card).
Approved guide dogs and service dogs are welcome at the Calgary Zoo, provided they are totally healthy at the time of entrance.
All washrooms have wheelchair accessibility as well as diaper-changing stations. There is a nursing room available at the Kitamba Café.
There are also wagons available to rent for kids at the North Gift Shop for $10, but these are on a first-come, first-served basis and can be rented out quickly, especially in the busiest summer months.
Things to Do at the Calgary Zoo
See the Animals
It should go without saying, but the main reason to visit Calgary Zoo is to see all of the many incredible animals. Through dozens of carefully built exhibits, you can see the zoo animals in landscapes as similar to their environments as possible; explore exhibits such as Destination Africa, Canadian Wilds, Exploration Asia, Penguin Plunge, Land of Lemurs, and more.
Some of the standout areas include Destination Africa, where you can safari through the African savannah to find hippos, giraffes, meerkats, and more, while the African rainforest allows you to get familiar with the plants and animals of the jungle.
In Exploration Asia, the tigers and leopards are the stars of the show; while the visiting giant pandas are no longer at the Calgary Zoo, there are some very adorable red pandas to see. In Canadian Wilds, get up close and personal with both black, grizzly bears and polar bears. And you can’t miss the Penguin Plunge, where the playful penguins are guaranteed to make you smile!
Learn About Dinosaurs
While dinosaurs haven’t roamed the earth in millions of years, at the Calgary Zoo, you can explore the Prehistoric Park, where animatronic dinosaurs both educate and entertain. Considering that Alberta has an extreme abundance of dinosaur fossils, it’s fun to see what the province would have been like back in the Cretaceous Period. This dinosaur park is sure to be a huge hit with the kids.
Walk Through the Gardens
Although many of us assume we’ll visit the Calgary Zoo for the zoo animals, it turns out the botanical gardens are just as worthy of a wander. Make your way to the Conservatory Gardens where you’ll encounter hundreds of butterflies as well as dozens of species of plants and flowers, including banana trees and pineapple plants. It’s an amazing way to transport yourself to another climate without ever leaving Calgary!
Shop for Souvenirs
Want a little souvenir to bring home after your time at the Calgary Zoo? There are a few options for you. The main souvenir shop is just next to the Penguin Plunge at the north entrance, where you’ll find tons of knick-knacks, toys, games, puzzles, and so much more.
There are also small kiosks and shops located around the zoo, though they may be seasonal; these include Wild Treats and the Bugtopia Kiosk. Finally, head to Exploration Asia for The Bamboo-tique, where you’ll find many toys and souvenirs dedicated to the beautiful snow leopard!
For the Kids
Unsurprisingly, the Calgary Zoo is a fantastic place to bring kids. With tons of programs available, another highlight of the zoo is all the opportunities to learn and play at the same time.
Head to the Calgary Co-Op Kids Zone for a toddler playground and a wildlife carousel, while the Brawn Family Foundation has launched Bugtopia, a play space designed for kids ages 7-12.
Calgary Zoo Events
Whether it’s a Harvest Dinner or a “ZooDunnit” murder mystery dinner, there are tons of events held at the Calgary Zoo throughout the year. Many events are for all ages – such as the Halloween-themed “ZooBoo” – while others are for 18+ (one of our recent favourites is the Wild After Hours, where you have a four-course meal alongside presentations and special viewings of particular animals – a perfect Calgary date night idea). There’s also a very fun Mad Hatter Party every summer in the Dorothy Harvie Botanical Gardens, which is an incredibly fun event filled with music, games, food, and drinks. Stay on top of all of the zoo’s events here.
Calgary ZooLights
During the winter, the Calgary Zoo gets into the festive holiday spirit with the magic of ZooLights. Rated as one of the best displays of Christmas Lights in Alberta, thousands of Christmas lights twinkle throughout the zoo. There are a number of fun events happening throughout the winter months as well so keep an eye on the calendar. It’s the perfect time to grab a hot chocolate and bring the family down to get into the festive spirit.
Calgary Zoo Tours
What better way to learn about the zoo than with a tour? Be sure to keep an eye out on the zoo’s events for upcoming tours, including the popular Wildscapes Gardener’s Tour; led by an experienced horticulturist, you ca discover the secrets of gardening in any climate (even Calgary’s).
Start your day off right by checking out one of these awesome Calgary breakfast spots.
Once you’re done exploring the Calgary Zoo, why not check out one of the Best Calgary Tours? Or check out our favourite spots for craft beer in Calgary
If you want to get out and explore the rest of the city, check out our complete guide to visiting Calgary.
Dalene Heck is a co-founder of Road Trip Alberta. She was born in Edmonton, grew up in the Peace Country, and has ventured to almost every corner of Alberta and the world (she’s travelled to 60 countries)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Marketing, co-creator of the Trip Chaser card game, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.