Information
Landmark: Buffalo ZooCity: Buffalo
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo, USA New York, North America
Overview
Opened in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo in Buffalo, New York stands as one of the nation’s oldest and most renowned zoos, where you can still hear the faint clang of its historic iron gates.Tucked inside Frederick Law Olmsted’s Delaware Park, the zoo spans about 23.5 acres and houses more than 1,200 animals, from tiny tree frogs to towering giraffes, representing over 320 species from across the globe.As the nation’s third-oldest zoo, the Buffalo Zoo carries a proud history and still shapes the region’s culture and education-its stone archways have welcomed visitors for generations.Tucked inside Delaware Park-a historic, tree-lined landscape crafted by Olmsted-the zoo enjoys a lush, natural backdrop that perfectly reflects its dedication to conservation and wildlife education.The zoo’s animal exhibits recreate wild habitats with care, drawing visitors into vivid scenes like Arctic Edge, where icy air brushes your face as polar bears, Arctic foxes, and lynxes roam in a winter landscape.It shows how animals have adapted to survive in brutal, icy conditions-like a fox curling into the snow to keep warm.Rainforest Falls is a lush indoor tropic where cool mist drifts from cascading waterfalls, and vivid flashes of color from birds, reptiles, and amphibians bring the rainforest to life for visitors.At Sea Lion Cove, California sea lions splash and bark in the open air, giving visitors a close-up look at their playful antics while sharing lessons on marine mammal ecology and conservation.Otter Creek, built for North American river otters, lets you watch these quick, playful swimmers dart through clear, rippling water in a setting that feels like their wild home.Vanishing Animals: This special exhibit spotlights endangered species, sharing the urgent challenges they face and the work being done to protect them-from quiet forest birds to great whales crossing icy seas.Rhino Yards showcases both black and Indian rhinos, offering a close look at their daily lives and the fight to protect them from shrinking habitats and poachers’ rifles.Giraffe Exhibit: During the warm months, visitors can watch these towering African herbivores up close and even hand them crisp leaves, making the encounter unforgettable.Kookaburra Corner brings you face-to-face with laughing kookaburras and other vivid wildlife from Australia, a lively showcase of the world’s rich biodiversity.EcoStation is a hands-on learning space where visitors can explore environmental issues and discover ways to live sustainably, from recycling a bottle to planting a tiny seed.Heritage Farm is a children’s zoo that recreates a 19th-century Erie Canal farmstead, where kids can pet a soft-eared goat and discover the traditions of farming.At the Buffalo Zoo, conservation comes first.They run breeding programs for endangered animals and work with partners around the world to protect wildlife, from tiny tree frogs to towering giraffes.They offer something for everyone-school field trips buzzing with curious kids, lively summer camps, and hands-on workshops that draw visitors into the world of animal biology, ecology, and caring for the environment.The zoo welcomes visitors all year, opening its gates each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.You’ll find wide, easy-to-navigate paths, shady picnic spots, a couple of gift shops, and food stands sizzling with fresh snacks.Seasonal events, like the much-loved Holiday Lights, turn the zoo into a lively winter wonderland, with glowing tunnels of color, music drifting through the air, and fun activities the whole family can enjoy.Admission and membership fees shift with the seasons, dropping to a friendlier price in the quieter off-season when the lobby smells faintly of fresh coffee.Seniors, kids, and families can get discounts, and on Tuesdays you’ll find off-season prices no matter the time of year-like paying winter rates in the middle of July.With a membership, you can drop in as often as you like, bring a friend with a guest pass, and snag discounts-perks that make it easy to feel part of the community and keep it thriving.The zoo offers special programs like “Zoo for All,” giving low-income families discounted tickets so more people can enjoy a day among the chatter of parrots and the roar of lions.Feeding a giraffe from your hand or stepping behind the scenes with a rhino draws visitors closer to the animals in a way that lingers.The Buffalo Zoo blends its rich history with vibrant wildlife exhibits and a deep commitment to education and conservation, all set amid the shade and quiet paths of a beautiful park.Families, teachers, and animal lovers across Western New York still flock to it, drawn by the sight of playful otters and the warm, familiar buzz of the place.
