Which Zoo Should I Visit: Philadelphia or Elmwood Park?

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Well-Known Member
Hi Everyone,

In a few weeks I'll be going to the Philadelphia area, and it looks like I may only have time to see one of these two zoos. Originally, Philadelphia Zoo seemed like the obvious choice, but due to bird flu closures I'm not sure if that's the case anymore. Philadelphia looks like it has a pretty good reptile house, but is there much notable other than that? I know the mhorr Gazelle is a rarity, but how easy is it to see? Other than that, Elephant shrews are the only real rarity I know of.

Meanwhile, Elmwood Park Zoo seems smaller, but lists Lowland paca, white-throated wood rat, and black-footed ferret. They also have birds on exhibit (birds are my favorite), and have at least two species I've never seen before, Burrowing Owl and Greater Rhea.

I'm open to any and all suggestions or advice about which of these two zoos I should visit, or am open for suggestions of a different zoo instead.
 
Neil chace said:
Hi Everyone,

In a few weeks I'll be going to the Philadelphia area, and it looks like I may only have time to see one of these two zoos. Originally, Philadelphia Zoo seemed like the obvious choice, but due to bird flu closures I'm not sure if that's the case anymore. Philadelphia looks like it has a pretty good reptile house, but is there much notable other than that? I know the mhorr Gazelle is a rarity, but how easy is it to see? Other than that, Elephant shrews are the only real rarity I know of.

Meanwhile, Elmwood Park Zoo seems smaller, but lists Lowland paca, white-throated wood rat, and black-footed ferret. They also have birds on exhibit (birds are my favorite), and have at least two species I've never seen before, Burrowing Owl and Greater Rhea.

I'm open to any and all suggestions or advice about which of these two zoos I should visit, or am open for suggestions of a different zoo instead.
Click to expand...
I understand your concern. When I went to Philly last August, the McNeil Avian Center was closed as well and that was my most anticipated part of the zoo I wanted to see since I hadn't been in the building since 2005, before it was even renovated, but I still had a great time much more so than I was expecting! If you like primates, I'd definitely go with Philly. They have several unique species in their collection including Storm the Red Capped Mangabey, Francois Langurs, Bolivian Grey Titi Monkeys, White Faced Saki's, Sumatran Orangutans, Western Lowland Gorillas and the Aye Aye's! Also I was lucky. The Spectacled & Sloth Bears were out and moving around. Overall, it was a good way to spend a day. Make sure to see the big animals first before they get tired while they're eating they're breakfast. The Reptile house is great, but I skipped it since there were so many people inside and COVID was still getting Delta cases and I didn't want to risk catching it. You should still enjoy your time there regardless.

Philadelphia Zoo 2021 [4K 60fps] - YouTube

A visit to America's first zoo! Filmed on 8-2-21.

Other than Philly Zoo, Elmwood is subpar at best. I only went once in elementary school in fall 2001 on a school field trip. Other than spending way too much time in a classroom it was pretty much bison, elk and a few NA native species. I know it's grown since then, but if I had to pick an alternative, I'd choose seeing the Adventure Aquarium right across the river in Camden, NJ. It's the only aquarium with hippos and they also have Hammerhead Sharks! If you are unable to visit the aquarium and will be downtown I'd suggest visiting the Academy of Natural Sciences. You can see the dinosaurs and the dioramas. They just refurbished the gorilla and takin ones and the results are spectacular.

Academy of Natural Sciences 2017 - YouTube

A tour of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Filmed on 7-27-17. Visit the...

If you like art, the Philly Museum of Art is a great place to visit as well. If you have time during your visit, make sure to visit Independence Hall but go early in the day before lines get too long. Hope this helps and enjoy your visit to the Philly area! Its a fun city with so many options.
 
Sarus Crane said:
I understand your concern. When I went to Philly last August, the McNeil Avian Center was closed as well and that was my most anticipated part of the zoo I wanted to see since I hadn't been in the building since 2005, before it was even renovated, but I still had a great time much more so than I was expecting! If you like primates, I'd definitely go with Philly. They have several unique species in their collection including Storm the Red Capped Mangabey, Francois Langurs, Bolivian Grey Titi Monkeys, White Faced Saki's, Sumatran Orangutans, Western Lowland Gorillas and the Aye Aye's! Also I was lucky. The Spectacled & Sloth Bears were out and moving around. Overall, it was a good way to spend a day. Make sure to see the big animals first before they get tired while they're eating they're breakfast. The Reptile house is great, but I skipped it since there were so many people inside and COVID was still getting Delta cases and I didn't want to risk catching it. You should still enjoy your time there regardless.

Philadelphia Zoo 2021 [4K 60fps] - YouTube

A visit to America's first zoo! Filmed on 8-2-21.

Other than Philly Zoo, Elmwood is subpar at best. I only went once in elementary school in fall 2001 on a school field trip. Other than spending way too much time in a classroom it was pretty much bison, elk and a few NA native species. I know it's grown since then, but if I had to pick an alternative, I'd choose seeing the Adventure Aquarium right across the river in Camden, NJ. It's the only aquarium with hippos and they also have Hammerhead Sharks! If you are unable to visit the aquarium and will be downtown I'd suggest visiting the Academy of Natural Sciences. You can see the dinosaurs and the dioramas. They just refurbished the gorilla and takin ones and the results are spectacular.

Academy of Natural Sciences 2017 - YouTube

A tour of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Filmed on 7-27-17. Visit the...

If you like art, the Philly Museum of Art is a great place to visit as well. If you have time during your visit, make sure to visit Independence Hall but go early in the day before lines get too long. Hope this helps and enjoy your visit to the Philly area! Its a fun city with so many options.
Click to expand...
Independence Hall is definitely on the list. We'll be spending a whole day doing the historical stuff, spend a day with the Franklin Institute, and are heading out to Valley Forge as well. Plus at least one of the zoos.
 
Neil chace said:
Independence Hall is definitely on the list. We'll be spending a whole day doing the historical stuff, spend a day with the Franklin Institute, and are heading out to Valley Forge as well. Plus at least one of the zoos.
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Valley Forge is great! Make sure to check out Washington's HQ's and the al- new Visitor's Center. If you want to get lunch check out the Cabin Shop behind Washington Memorial Chapel. They have the BEST TASTING HOTDOGS!!! I'm not a hotdog person but these were out of this world when tasted them in 2017. In terms of aesthetics, the Dogwoods should be in bloom so it'll be a photogenic time to visit. Also, when at Independence Hall check out Biddle's 2nd Bank. It's now a portrait gallery that features paintings of the founders and other important people from Federal-era Philly such as Lewis & Clark, Andrew Jackson, Nicholas Biddle, and more. Congress Hall right next to Independence Hall is where the first peaceful transfer of power took place in the presidency from George Washington to John Adams. The American Philosophical Society next door puts on exhibits every year. In 2017 they had one on the Peales. Really good and even featured some mementos of the time including several bird skins that were displayed in it. If you're into history you'll want to come back! Peter Wentz Farmstead in Lansdale is great as well and have heritage breeds of livestock.
 
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At Elmwood you won't be able to see the paca (it's inside the new bird exhibit), the black-footed ferrets are never visible, and the rats are hit-or-miss (they like to sleep under big piles of wood shavings). Since you like birds, though, I highly suggest doing Elmwood and combining it with John James Audubon Center Museum, 7 miles away (Visit). After that you could go up the road a few more miles to Upper Schuylkill Valley Park, which has a bunch of native species.
 
TinoPup said:
At Elmwood you won't be able to see the paca (it's inside the new bird exhibit), the black-footed ferrets are never visible, and the rats are hit-or-miss (they like to sleep under big piles of wood shavings). Since you like birds, though, I highly suggest doing Elmwood and combining it with John James Audubon Center Museum, 7 miles away (Visit). After that you could go up the road a few more miles to Upper Schuylkill Valley Park, which has a bunch of native species.
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I was looking into the Audubon Center the other day. There's a chance we might combine that with Valley Forge on the same day. Good to know about the paca and ferret. The Audubon Center does look really nice, definitely somewhere I want to visit.
 
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Neil chace said:
I was looking into the Audubon Center the other day. There's a chance we might combine that with Valley Forge on the same day. Good to know about the paca and ferret. The Audubon Center does look really nice, definitely somewhere I want to visit.
Click to expand...

Geography-wise that makes sense, it just depends on how much time you spend on the history stuff.
 
TinoPup said:
Geography-wise that makes sense, it just depends on how much time you spend on the history stuff.
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If you like lobster, subs and other fun food, Chickies & Pete's is only a 2 mile drive away. Best crab fries EVER!!!!!!
 
TinoPup said:
They're supposed to be in the new south american exhibit.
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That makes sense, it was a little strange seeing them outside in December lol. Hoping to get back down there when the building is open, going to a college that is partnered with them
 
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