Plan Your Visit

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Getting Around the Zoo

When you first arrive, pick up your Houston Zoo map at the gate - or open one now:

View and print a downloadable Zoo Map

More Meet the Keeper talks are on our YouTube channel.

Meet the Keeper Talks generously sponsored by

The Zoo is a big exciting place. There's so much to see and do that's it's often hard to decide on what to do first. Knowing where you're going before you start can lead to a far more enjoyable—and organized—zoo experience.

Check out the Plan Your Day kiosk located just inside the gates!

This kiosk lists every Meet the Keeper Talk for the day, as well as other special events and animal related news to help you plan your day accordingly.

iPhone App and the Zoo on Your Cell Phone

If you have an iphone, download the Houston Zoo's free iphone app. The app can help you meet up with friends - it displays guests’ location on Zoo grounds using real-time GPS coordinates. You can also see photos and videos of Zoo exhibits and animals and get the latest schedule of daily Meet the Keeper Talks and presentations.

If you don't have an iphone but do have web access on your cell, you can visit the zoo's mobile site to get Meet the Keeper talk times, a zoo map and even what menu items are at the concession. On your cell phone visit: http://www.houstonzoo.org/_mobile/

Meet the Keeper Talks

A "meet the keeper talk" is an opportunity to see zoo animals in action with their keepers. Talks include everything from red panda training, the tiger training window, sea lion shows to fruit bat feedings. Our YouTube channel includes many videos of Meet The Keeper talks, to give you an idea of what you might see.

Visit the Meet the Keeper Talks webpage to find out what animals have special feedings, showings, or enrichment activities today.

Plan your Day ahead of time

For short to medium visits, here are a few quick itinerary ideas:

1 Hour Visit
If you only have an hour, consider going left at the main entrance through Red Panda and Carruth Natural Encounters. Then check out Meerkats, Cheetahs & Dogs, Giraffes and Elephants, make a right at Vultures, see Malayan Tigers, Lions and the Wortham World of Primates, stroll back towards the Main Entrance via the Reflection Pool and, of course, leave a little time for the Gift Shop!

1.5 Hour Visit
If you have an hour and a half—and children—start at Macaws, take in Sea Lions and Fisher Bird Gardens, go past Birds of the World, then Hoofed Animals, the Butterfly Garden and down to the entrance of the Children's Zoo.

2-3 Hour Visit
For a two hour visit, consider a route that takes you to the Tropical Bird House, Wortham World of Primates, Lions and Tigers, Bears, Asian Elephants, Giraffes, the Reptile & Amphibian Building and Natural Encounters. To easily expand your visit to three hours, head on over to the Children's Zoo via Hoofed Animals.