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Getting Around the Zoo

Pick up your Houston Zoo map at the entrance -
or open one now:

Map of the Houston Zoo (Adobe PDF)

More Meet the Keeper talks are on our YouTube channel.

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.

The Zoo Mobile App on Your iPhone or Android Cell Phone

Put the Zoo's free Mobile App on your iPhone or Android. It features GPS-enabled 'Friend Finder', info, images about our animals, an active Zoo map locating you and the animal you want to see, the day's Meet the Keeper Talk schedule, concession stand and restroom locations, and a live Twitter feed of late-breaking Zoo news and events.

Don't have an iPhone/Android? If you can access the web on your cell phone, visit the Zoo's Mobile site for Zoo information: Hours, pricing, directions, Meet the Keeper Talk times, a Zoo map, and concession stand menus.

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 or tiger trainings and 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.

Keep Cool at the Zoo in Hot Weather

Even on the hottest day in Houston, you can visit the zoo and beat the heat. There are many ways to keep cool on your next visit: we have air-conditioned exhibits, lots of shade trees, covered walkways, misting fans and other features to keep you cool. Here are some of many ways to have a cool visit to the zoo in hot weather.