Founded in 1888, the Dallas Zoo is the oldest zoo in Texas and its largest, spread across 106 acres in Oak Cliff about three miles south of downtown. Families come for the up-close animal encounters, a dedicated children’s zone, and classic rides that make a full day easy to fill (source: Dallas Zoo).
A towering giraffe statue, often cited as the tallest statue in Texas, marks the entrance. Inside, the zoo houses roughly 2,000 animals. The headline habitat is Giants of the Savanna, where elephants, giraffes, zebras and ostriches share open terrain. Visitors can also hand-feed lettuce to giraffes from an elevated deck. The Safari Monorail glides above the Wilds of Africa section, and the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo lets younger kids meet goats and other gentle animals. Keeper talks and the carousel round out the day (source: The Better Vacation).
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
The zoo is open every day except December 25 (source: Dallas Zoo). Ticket prices are date-based and start at $18. Children 2 and under get in free, and parking costs $15. Buying online ahead of time locks in your price (source: Dallas Zoo Tickets).
Arrive at opening, when animals are most active and Texas heat is lower. Weekday mornings outside of spring break and summer draw the smallest crowds. To skip the parking fee entirely, take DART’s Red Line to Dallas Zoo Station, which sits right beside the gate.
