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| Courtesy of Bing Images The third oldest zoo in America, the Buffalo Zoo was established in 1875. Originally, the space was intended to be a deer park on the corner of Delaware Park. As time progressed, people started donating animals to the space and permanent structures began being built to provide the animals with shelter. 300 Parkside Avenue in Buffalo is the address for the Buffalo Zoological Gardens. The telephone number is (716)837-3900. The zoo is open every day from 10:00am to 4:00pm. In January and February the zoo is closed on Monday and Tuesday. It also sits alongside Delaware Park. Delaware Park has golf and basketball. The park is a great place for a picnic or a stroll. Admission to the Buffalo Zoo is free for those 23 months and younger, children 2-14 are $7.00, students and seniors are $8.00 and adult tickets cost $10.00. Parking is $3.50 in the lot next to the zoo. A token from the cashier needs to be obtained to exit the lot, so mention that you need to pay for parking at the admission gate. Carousel and train rides are $2.00 each. The “Zootique” is the gift shop at the zoo. In case you forgot something like a sweatshirt or a hat stop by and peruse their wares. Stroller and wagon rental is also available at the Zootique in case the little ones are tired from the walk around the zoological gardens. Food is available daily at The Beastro. Stop by for lunch or a mid-day snack with treats like popcorn, ice cream, soda and cotton candy. Other items available for purchase are hot dogs, hamburgers and French fries. Over the years, this facility has changed hands from the City of Buffalo to a zoological preservation society. Since then, the primary focus is preservation and renewal. Improving structures and habitats aren’t the only things happening at the zoo. New exhibits, educational activities, a petting farm and an enclosed tropical rainforest exhibit taking visitors into the depths of the jungle. While the Buffalo Zoo is a smaller facility, it gives an unmatched intimacy with the animals, getting up close with the many different animals in their enclosures. It makes a day with smaller children more enjoyable because just about everything in the zoo isn’t far away from wherever you are. Bathroom access is conveniently located near the concession stand. A small playground is nearby the eating area and the carousel can be seen from many different angles of the zoo. An option to consider with the Buffalo Zoological Gardens is a membership. Different packages are available and a great article through the Buffalo Budget Travel Examiner has all the details. The zoo is a great place to walk and visit, watching the animals, enjoying the stone built walls from older exhibits put together in the 1930’s mixed with fresh new exhibits that bring the gardens into the present. A day at the Buffalo Zoo is fun for all ages. |
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