What does a typical visit to your local zoo look like?

Someokapinextdoor

Someokapinextdoor

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
Since I've now been accusotmed to regularly visiting my local zoos for two years I've started to from habits. I'm interested in how typical those habits are and what different things other people are dong.

So here are my questions (and answers):

How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
About four or five times per year for each.

What triggers a visit?
Either an interesting new arrival, an unusual breeding success, opening of new areas or simply the fact that I haven't been in 3 months and the weather is good. In the last year, the easing of Covid restrictions also played a part.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
I hate getting up early, so I usually leave the house at 10:00 at the earliest. Since I live closer to Berlin zoo than to Tierpark I can even sleep until 11:00 when I visit the Zoo and still get a good visit.

How long do you usually stay?
3-4 hours. Tends to be a bit longer for Tierpark due to the amount of walking

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
Usually something around 70-80%, I guess. In Tierpark I'm limited by my legs being tired and in the Zoo I often skip areas that are very full on that particular day. I generally try to go different paths through the zoo every visit for which the Berlin zoos are very well suited

How many photos do you take?
Almost none. Maybe some when I see something new, but even that only if I have the area to myself. I don't like photographing when standing in a crowd of people.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
No. I often buy something at a bakery along the way.

Your turn now!
 
How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
I moved to Miami less then a year ago and have visited Zoo Miami twice already (once alone and again with visiting family). Will probably visit again in the next couple of months; with AZA membership its inexpensive and really worth it.

What triggers a visit?
When I'm sick of humanity and need a break. Seeing wild animals and going on nature walks/hikes are a must for me.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
Usually pretty early, especially if I'm traveling for an hour or longer. Its usually cooler in the morning then afternoon and the animals are fed then so they tend to be more active and easy to see.

How long do you usually stay?
For a large zoo like Miami, probably at least 5 hours. I do take a nice lunch break though.

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
All of it (hopefully). But if I can actually see more then 75% of the animals on exhibit its a really lucky day.

How many photos do you take?
Many. I love taking photos of natural beauty so I can have memories of it. Plus, I usually take pictures of signage so can always go back and see which rare animals I had the privilege of seeing.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
Usually I do. The larger zoos tend to have pretty good dining establishments and its enjoyable getting the full experience so to say. But sometimes when I'm feeling iffy on the place I'll bring food or eat afterwards. I always bring my own water bottles and a small snack, though.
 
This is about the zoo closest to me, burgers zoo, as there aren't many zoos close to me.

How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
I would say around 2 to 5 times a year, but it really depends.

What triggers a visit?
When the animal collection changed, new part has been added, or just simply because i feel like it, i'll never get tired of burgers zoo.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
I usually go into the zoo around 11:00, so i wake up around 09:00 for it.

How long do you usually stay?
This also depends with who i go, how active the animals are and such, but typically around 5/6 hours

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
Pretty much everything, but sometimes i do skip the safari part, as this does not interest me as much as the other parts.

How many photos do you take?
Not allot, but that's more because i have a pretty bad camera, when i'm with somebody i just ask to use their camera.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
Always, burgers zoo defintly in my opinion has the best restaurant of any zoo ive been to.
 
How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
2-3 times a year.

What triggers a visit?
When one of my kids wants to go or if there’s something new at the zoo I want to see. I recently went to Auckland Zoo to see the new tiger exhibits and flamingo chick and to see the elephants before they left; and I recently went to Hamilton Zoo to see the new chimpanzee and cheetah exhibits.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
I like to get there early. Aside from avoiding the crowds and the midday sun, a lot of animals are kept inside overnight and are most active in the first half an hour after they’re let out.

How long do you usually stay?
Depends on who I go with. Anywhere from a couple of hours to the whole day.

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
Everything - though if short on time, I usually skip New Zealand native stuff.

How many photos do you take?
Not a huge amount, especially if I’m with friends or my kids and talking to them.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
Not at their prices. A pot of chips at a NZ zoo is a down payment on a house.
 
My list. My home zoo is the NEW Zoo, which actually isn't the closest zoo to me or the zoo I visit most often, but it is the zoo closest to my heart - it feels like my home zoo, so I consider it to be.

How often do you visit your home zoo?:
Usually 4-6 times per year.

What triggers a visit?
"I haven't been to the NEW Zoo in a couple months, I should go back."

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
I usually go in the afternoon, because I already got up early and was birding all morning.

How long do you usually stay?
Usually a little over an hour.

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
100%. Always.

How many photos do you take?
Some, but not that many.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
No. I'll buy beverages (usually hot chocolate in winter or lemonade in summer) but never food.
 
I'll also do a list for the zoo I visit most often, which is Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.

How often do you visit this zoo?
1-2 times per month.

What triggers a visit?
I visit Bay Beach as much a birding location as I do a zoo. Sometimes these visits are triggered by interesting sighting in eBird, but often I just feel like going to see what I can find, especially during spring and fall migrations.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
I like to start birding at sunrise, whenever that is. Bay Beach isn't always the first place I hit when I'm in the area but it occasionally is. That means I often try to get there at 5 AM, and usually have to get up around 4:30 AM to do that.

How long do you usually stay.
Depends on the amount of birds. 1-2.5 hours.

What amount of the zoo do you cover?
Assuming I arrive late enough that the exhibits are actually open (usually but not always), I usually try to see everything (except the nature center, which I often skip).

How many photos do you take?
Of the captive animals specifically, usually none. I take lots of photos of the wildlife.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
Bay Beach doesn't sell food, so no. :p
 
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Whipsnade is our ‘local’.

How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
2-4 times a month

What triggers a visit?
Feeling like a zoo day - often meeting some friends or just hanging out.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
Get there around opening so about 0700hrs.

How long do you usually stay?
All day but sometimes leave a bit earlier if the weather is atrocious or everything is hiding.

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
Sections. Tend to focus on particular areas or animals for photography and will spend all day at an enclosure watching particular animals if the weather is nice and the benches are free.

How many photos do you take?
Far far too many. But it’s primarily why I visit any zoo so without the fun of photography I probably would visit less.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
No. Do have the odd coffee but will usually take food particularly if meeting up with friends and as the season get busier and the zoo fills up with the fair weather folk.
 
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Cairns Aquarium is my 'local'

How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
Whenever I'm in the area and I have the opportunity, which ends up being about 3-5 times a year

What triggers a visit?
Nothing in particular

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
I hate getting up early, but that's not a massive deal as the aquarium opens at 10am. Usually I get there 11 or 12ish

How long do you usually stay?
1-2 hours. Cairns Aquarium is not a big place and this time is sufficient to see everything

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
All of it. Cairns Aquarium is a one way path and you have to go past everything to get to the exit. I do spend less time on the reptile/amphibian/insect exhibits as I'm not particularly interested in those animals.

How many photos do you take?
Way too many :p

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
No.
 
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Detroit is the closest zoo to me.

How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
3-4 times per year

What triggers a visit?
Nothing specific, I usually try to go whenever I can.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
I prefer to get to the zoo when it opens, so I'll wake up at 7 or 8am in order to do so.

How long do you usually stay?
I'll stay for about 5-6 hours on most days.

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
Everything except the farm. Never been interested in this area.

How many photos do you take?
About 100.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
Yes, I'll usually stop at Buddy's Pizza and grab a couple slices. Sometimes in the summer, I'll grab some Dippin dots as well.
 
Ran into this article and found it interesting. Local zoos are Detroit and Toledo (I'm farther from Toledo than Detroit, but I still consider it my local zoo).

How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
At least a few times a year, usually in the spring or summer. Sometimes in the fall. I try to go when I can.

What triggers a visit?
Something new opens up, I want to hang with friends, and/or I'm bored. Or if someone offers me a free trip.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
Typically I'm at the zoo by like 12-2ish, it depends.

How long do you usually stay?
A couple hours.

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
The entire zoo if I can.

How many photos do you take?
Too many.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
Depends, usually not.
 
How often do you visit your local zoo(s)
Every couple of weeks-every few months-once every few years depending on zoo and location

What triggers a visit?
Coming back after not going for many years,

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
Around an hour after the zoo opens

How long do you usually stay
A few hours.

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
On a good day, I cover the whole zoo at least twice. Three when alone.

How many photos do you take
As many as I can.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
Most of the time.
 
What triggers a visit?
Tolerable weather, and a full day off of work or school. I'm a photographer, so lighting is a big factor too. I prefer somewhat overcast days, although its hard to know in advance if the forecast means cloudy as in diffused sunlight or so dark you can barely see anything.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
I hate getting up early but I'll wake up as early as I have to for a zoo trip. I normally wake up about 2 hours from the opening time so I can arrive there as soon as they open the gates.

How long do you usually stay?
I stay the entire day. If I can't be there open-close, I'm not interested. I end up spending to much time with the animals trying to make sure I get the perfect shot that even a full 8 hour day feels too short.

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
I used to try to see as much as I can, but I've shifted more into focusing on just a few species that for whatever reason make great subjects on that particular day.

How many photos do you take?
Literal thousands. I rarely leave a zoo trip with any less than 4000 photos. Not an exaggeration. I usually edit it down to a few hundred, I just take so many to ensure I get the perfect moment.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
Yeah. Honestly, I know zoos aren't known for food quality but there's something about zoo food that makes it a guilty pleasure for me. For whatever reason the St. Louis Zoo's chicken quesadillas specifically have a hold on me and I make sure to get them every time.
 
How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
Recently I decided to visit every 2 months for photography practice

What triggers a visit?
Cleveland has been making more and more updates to exhibits (Rhinos, Tigers, Snow Leopards, and soon bears and primates) and my most recent trip was to see everything new since 2017.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
I live 20 mins from Cleveland and can usually go about 30 mins past open before it gets nuts

How long do you usually stay?
2-3 hours.

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
Main zoo + The RainForest. I'll only do Primates (Up a loooonng hill) if the trams aren't swamped.

How many photos do you take?
Probably about 50 since I'm getting into photography

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
Not really. We have a tiny food court that usually overflows
 
.
How often do you visit your local zoo?

1-5 times a month, I envy all of you who have the privilege to live near a large zoo that often makes updates.The Arctic fox is the first update in like three years at Skansen.But it's still very relaxing to just stroll around and watch some animals.

What triggers a visit?

Usually, it's my boxing practice which is about 10 minutes away from Skansen,and it being on Mondays and Thursdays makes the visit an extra nice experience, since there's pretty few visitors.I also sometimes visit Skansen on the weekends, then often accompanied by my younger sister.I also really like to visit on clear,crisp,cold winter days, skansen showcasing almost only eurasian animals makes weather like that a wonderful addition to the feel of the zoo and shows the animal in a natural climate.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?

As already mentioned above, most of my visits are after my boxing practice and since it takes place on the weekdays, it doesn't matter when I wake up.When I visit in the weekend i wake up at the same time as other weekends, which is around 9-10.

How long do you usually stay? About 3-4 hours on the weekdays and around 5-8 on the weekends and semesters.

What amount of the zoo do you cover?

Skansen is like half zoo and half open-air museum. The open historical houses which showcase life back in the day.I skip the majority of the cultural and historical stuff of skansen and always take time to see all the animals, including the skansen aquarium which has tropical species (even though they are a separate facility located on skansen grounds).

How many photos do you take?

I don't have a camera and therefore I'm limited to my cellphone, which isn't really that good, so most of my pictures are limited to the animals at the skansen-akvarium, since they are close enough to get good shots,and for the rest of skansen i often have to stick to enclosure photos.

Do you eat at the resturant?

No, the food on skansen is absolutely horrid,overpriced,small portions,unpleasant tasting,and sometimes even inedible.When i visit on the weekends and therefore have to bring lunch, I take my own and sit at one of the many places with beautiful scenery Skansen offers, especially on the cliffside by the water where i often see white-tailed eagles
 
Relating to my closest zoo, Port Lympne Reserve.

How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
On average about once a year, though a greater frequency would be preferable. This is down to the hour or two of driving through difficult country lanes to reach it, and the fact that I myself cannot drive so rely on the willingness of other people to be able to visit. Visiting used to be more frequent, twice a year or so.

What triggers a visit?
Often simply the nice weather in the summer, usually July, and the fact that I insist on visiting at least once a year, so it’s simply the designated time.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
06:00 AM is the time I am willing to get up for any zoo visit, no matter how close, which gives sufficient time for both travel (accounting for traffic) and getting ready before anyone else.

How long do you usually stay?
Anywhere between three and five hours is usual, though there are of course occasions it may be longer or shorter.

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
The incredibly simple layout makes it easy to cover 60% of the park, and up to 85-90% if we chose to take the African Experience vehicle tour as well.

How many photos do you take?
Between 50 and 100 photos initially is typical, but up to a quarter are likely to be deleted due to low quality and even fewer edited and uploaded, around 20 to 40 by this point.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
Given the annual nature of the visits it has become usual to eat at the restaurant as it’s more of an event than a routine visit.
 
Local Zoo: Saint Louis Zoo

How often do you visit your local zoo?
Besides work, I try to visit at least 2 times during the summer months. That’s very hard to do during the school year, though.

What triggers a visit?
Usually when I just want a break from people or I just need somewhere to cool off and get my mind off of something. Sometimes I go with my friends but that has very little animal impact.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
8:00 A.M. is the earliest I’ll get up for something that isn’t mandatory. It doesn’t usually take me that long anyway.

How long do you usually stay?
Usually 4-5 hours, it’s a big zoo but it usually doesn’t take me long since I’m a very swift person between exhibits, except for my personal favorites like the penguins and bird house.

Which amount of the zoo do you cover?
As much as possible, there will be days where I try to get to all the major attractions. I do miss a few areas every now and then.

How many photos do you take?
Whenever I find a good angle and my camera is cooperating, which is maybe like 6 times:rolleyes:.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
I usually do since I don’t make my food the night before and I don’t want to carry it around. Their food is also somewhat decent even with the prices.
 
How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
Local zoo is Detroit and I usually go once a month or so.

What triggers a visit?
Pretty much, "I feel like going to the zoo today."

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
In summer I try to get there when they open up, before the crowds come. Otherwise, I may get up early or not; no pattern.

How long do you usually stay?
A couple of hours but since I go so often I don't feel any need to see everything on a visit. If I'm with someone, especially an out of town guest, it's three to four hours.
Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
It depends. As I say above, since I go a lot I don't feel the need to see everything this trip. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't.

Visiting other zoos, I try to see everything. My last visit to San Diego I opened the place and at five p.m. they had to kick me out.

How many photos do you take?
Almost none.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
If I'm with someone, again especially when I'm showing the zoo to company, we may eat there. Otherwise I don't; the prices are very high. There are several fast food joints in the vicinity so if I think I might want something to eat I just bring something in.
 
Going to use both the North Carolina Zoo, Greensboro Science Center, and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (NCMNS) as these are the closest I have to local zoos. I am not including the Durham Museum of Life and Sciences (even though it's accredited) because I don't visit it often or regularly enough.

How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
For the NC Zoo and GSC, 1-2 times per year. For the NCMNS, 3-4 times per year.

What triggers a visit?
Nothing specific other than a desire to visit said facilities regularly. The NCMNS does run special exhibits that change out 1-2 times per year. If it's something interesting (currently, they're running an exhibit on James Cameron's career in ocean exploration). New/current developments may influence my decisions.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
For the NC Zoo and GSC, however early I need to arrive prior to opening time. Can be as early as 6am for the NC Zoo if I am driving from home (it's about 2 hours from my residence). For NCMNS, I have no set time for visiting it, as I have been there plenty of times and it's not a big facility, so I have no need to arrive prior to opening.

How long do you usually stay?
For NCZ and GSC, all day, open to close. For NCMNS, usually about 2-4 hours, depending on crowd sizes and how much I spend in whatever special exhibit is running.

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
ALL of it.

How many photos do you take?
For the NCZ and GSC, anywhere from 500-1400 photos. Due note that only a fraction of my photos actually come out great, which is to be expected. For NCMNS, usually around 100-200 photos. Nowadays, I only tend to take photos for the special exhibits or if the museum's lineup has changed.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
For NC Zoo, yes without exception. For GSC, I have alternated between eating there and leaving temporarily to grab food (their Meerkat Cafe just sucks). For NCMNS, I have always eaten elsewhere as their cafes have very limited options.
 
How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
About once a month, more frequently if there’s a new species or breeding success.

What triggers a visit?
Usually just the boredom of a typical Sunday morning. Of course new species and births can also trigger a visit. But mostly I just like to go chill out a the zoo for a while because I have nothing better to do.

How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
I’ll up at 6:00-7:00 but usually 8:00 is enough to get there by the opening (10:00).

How long do you usually stay?
1,5-2 hours is my usual but I’ll stay longer if I’m taking pictures or spending time watching a new species. Helsinki zoo is pretty small so it’s easy to do in that time.

Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
I always do 100%. As I mentioned before Helsinki zoo is quite small and it’s very easy to plan a route that takes you through everything with minimal backtracking.

How many photos do you take?
Usually none, but sometimes I’ll take some on my phone if I feel like it. I’m trying to get into photography and I have a good camera to use, but I haven’t had the motivation in a while.

Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
No, everything is way to expensive and because of my short time there I’ll just wait until I’m out and grab a snack on the way home if I’m hungry.
 
How often do you visit your local zoo(s)?
Probably about 5 or 6 visits a year in total across several zoos.

I prefer going when zoos are quiet, so in the week when I have some time off during term time.

What triggers a visit?
When I have time to go. There are several zoos I visit semi-regularly within about an hour and a half drive. I get to most of them most years.

I tend to probably go to the smaller zoos more often as I can fit them in if I have a spare half day. Larger zoos need a full day.


How early are you willing to get up for a visit like this?
When visiting one of the larger zoos I will try to get there for opening or shortly afterwards (which is typically 10am). When visiting smaller zoos the time can vary.


How long do you usually stay?
Depends on the size of the zoo but it varies between 2 and 5-6 hours.


Which amount of the zoo(s) do you cover?
Whenever I go I will always take in the whole zoo. You don't know what surprises there might be.


How many photos do you take?
I very rarely take photos but if there is an unusually good opportunity to take a picture I will.


Do you eat at the zoo restaurant?
Yes to the larger zoos where I spend the whole day. With the smaller ones it depends. Sometimes I will, sometimes not.
 
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