The zoo is home to over 5000 animals representing over 500 species. Zellers Discovery Zone featuring a kids zoo, 2 acre splash pad and water play area, and family entertainment at Waterside theatre. Tel: (416) 392-5929
Ages: All ages
Major Intersection: Sheppard Avenue East & Meadowvale Road
Address: 361a Old Finch Avenue, Toronto, ON
Good to Know
- The Zoo is included in the Toronto CityPASS which includes one-time admission to 5 of Toronto’s most famous attractions.
- Strollers, wagons and lockers available for rent ($).
If you make an inquiry, please mention that you saw this listing on the Melanie On-The-Go / Kids On-The-Go website. Thank you!
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Science with Toddlers: 2½ years‐4 years
Activities We Did:
walk around, look at the animals, meet the keepers, splash pad, children’s zoo
Good to Go!:
It is best to go early in the morning before the large crowds or near the end of the day on a slightly cooler day as these can be the best times to see the animals. Can easily visit weekly and children will not be bored
Quick Tips for Others:
Bring your own food as that which is available is pricy and not very good.
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 5/5
- Value: 5/5
Activities We Did:
Walked 3 trails: Indo-Malaya, African Savanna & African Painforest Pavilion. Had picnic on the grass and loved our day at the zoo!
Good to Go!:
The first thing that struck me was how EASY it was to get to the Zoo using the 401!!! Take the Meadowvale Rd Exit and go North. Follow the signs for the Zoo! It’s super easy to get to!
We saw lot’s of animals, some close up (like… hippo, giraffes, lions, zebras) and some far away (like… elephants, rhino, tiger). The trails are stroller friendly and the general look and feel of the zoo is really nice and picturesque. It’s changed ALOT if you haven’t been there for 8+ years (as was the case for me).
I, myself, loooooved the butterfly greenhouse Hundreds of beautiful butterflies all around you… I could have spent all day in there. It was magical for me since I had wanted to visit one my hole life! And to do that with my daughter was just amazing! Now I can check that off my bucket list!
I think the exhibit that my daughter enjoyed the most was the penguins. You can see them from above and there is a viewing window area down below water level so you can see them swim A close second was seeing the hippo swimming the pond – she loved that!
BIG parking lot, lot’s of space, just be sure to remember WHERE you parked! *lol* I almost forgot!
Not so Much/ Suggestions for Improvement:
The splash pad wasn’t open yet, and it was June 8th and really sunny and hot out (29 degrees!).
There where lot’s of school busses in the parking lot = lot’s of school groups with 50 to 100 kids per group, making it difficult for anyone else to see into glass displays, and even making it hard to walk down the path at times. (I’m wondering if most schools usually do outing on Fridays? I’ll try a different day next time and see if it makes a difference.)
Long lines to get in (see more about this in “Quick Tips” bellow.
Quick Tips for Others:
Get a yearly pass & parking pass if you think you’ll come 3 or more times a year (depending on the number of people). But if you plan on going even just once a month then it’s totally worth it to get the pass!
There can be long lines to get in, but if you have a membership pass the line is a bit quicker since there is no handling of money or pins to enter. Also, they sometimes open a gate at the right of the membership line. If you have a membership pass you can go through there as long as you already have a parking pass to exit without paying. This saved us from waiting in line at all!
Bring sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
Bring water bottles you WILL be thirsty from all the walking and pushing the stroller! You can re-fill your bottles at the various drinking fountains all along the zoo trails.
Be prepared to walk a lot, so wear comfy shoes.
There are some restaurants and food vending areas with picnic table seating, and indoor seating as well in some restaurants. You can just as well bring your own food (the food there is WAY overpriced) and a blanket and have a picnic under a tree. A great way to recharge and enjoy the nice fresh air. Don’t forget snacks along the way or your child will end up wanting to get an ice cream that will cost you $5+ !
Washrooms are frequent, and the lines aren’t very long. There are some family changing stations along the way too, but less frequent. Bring your own foldable potty seat if your child is potty training or trained but won’t sit on the big seat yet.
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 5/5
- Value: 5/5
Activities We Did:
Walk around the zoo, pavilions and kid’s zoo
Good to Go!:
open space for your kids to run-around and learn and see animals up close and personal.
Quick Tips for Others:
This is a perfect place to get a season’s pass for. You can easily come here once a week with your kids. Bring your own stroller or push-tricycle.
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 5/5
- Value: 5/5
Activities We Did:
Carousel, visited the animals.
Good to Go!:
I’ve been going here since my older daughter was able to sit up. She loved watching as I talked to her about the different animals. Now we go and my daughter asks to see the lions, giraffes and penguins. My son quite happily walks around and watches the animals. He loved the giraffes and monkeys when we went the other day.
The carousel is of course a BIG HIT. However it’s pricey. I think members should get a discount. I bought 4 tickets for $10. Single rides are $3 each. Adults don’t have to pay when accompanying a child who can’t ride by themselves. We go for one ride when we arrive (it’s right by the entrance) and one when we leave. My daughter and son both love it. It’s not too fast and the ride is smooth (some carousels are old and the up and down motion is very jerky).
I went to the splash pad last year with my kids and my son liked it (my daughter doesn’t like water in her face). There are some smaller water jets on the far side. There are change rooms but they’re on the small side.
Not so Much/ Suggestions for Improvement:
Last year when we went to the splash pad it was really hard taking the stroller around the edges and not get it wet.
Food of course is expensive and not many healthy choices (sandwiches are gross).
I didn’t think much of the Children’s Zoo.
Quick Tips for Others:
It’s worth it to get a membership if you’re going 4 or more times (regular admission is $25/ adult and a single adult membership is $77). Do look into getting a parking pass as well.
Kids 3 yrs and younger are free.
There are free children’s shows in the Waterside Theatre. Check the schedule before you go in case something interests you.
There’s a small family room for changing your child and breastfeeding. It’s around the corner from the penguin exhibit (check the map they give you when you enter the zoo). There are 3 small baby change tables and 2 chairs you can sit on and draw a curtain around you for private breastfeeding. There’s also a bigger change table for children older than a year and a hand washing station. You’ll need to leave your stroller outside.
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 3/5
- Value: 3.5/5
Activities We Did:
Saw the animals and took part in the halloween events
Good to Go!:
Def worth a trip.
Quick Tips for Others:
I would suggest getting the yearly pass along with the parking pass as they do have many events throughout the year.
Additional Ratings:
- Amenities: 4/5
- Value: 4/5