Information
Landmark: Peoria ZooCity: Peoria
Country: USA Illinois
Continent: North America
Peoria Zoo, Peoria, USA Illinois, North America
Overview
Peoria Zoo sits inside Glen Oak Park in Peoria, Illinois, where winding paths lead past tall oaks and shaded benches.Spanning roughly 14 acres, it’s home to everything from colorful parrots to playful otters, with hands-on activities that invite you to join the fun.First.The zoo welcomes visitors every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and gates close to new guests at 4:30 sharp.The zoo shuts its gates on big holidays-Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day-when the paths are quiet and the snack stands sit dark.Tickets cost $12.50 for adults 13 and up, $9.00 for kids ages 2–12, and $11.50 for seniors 65+ or active military.Children under two get in free.For quicker, touch-free entry, it’s best to buy your tickets online.Number two.At the Peoria Zoo, you can wander through themed exhibits-like the sunbaked savannas of Africa-home to more than 100 different animal species.Step inside the exhibit and you’ll find giraffes stretching their necks toward the rafters, lions lounging in the shade, zebras grazing, and ostriches striding past.The habitats are roomy, giving the animals space to roam while letting visitors watch them in comfort from shaded viewing spots.Australia Walk-About invites you to wander through an open-air path where wallabies hop past, emus stride by, black swans glide over the water, and bright budgerigars flit overhead.You get to watch animals roam in settings that feel like their true homes, with leaves rustling and sunlight filtering through the trees.Asian Trail is home to wildlife from across Asia, including the striped Siberian tiger, the sturdy Sichuan takin-a goat-antelope with a shaggy coat-and the small, quick-footed Reeves’s muntjac.Tropics Building houses an indoor rainforest alive with cotton-top tamarins-tiny monkeys darting through branches-alongside slow-moving sloths and a lively mix of lemurs.The space stays warm and damp, like the air after a summer rain, creating the perfect climate for tropical species.At the Conservation Center & Contact Barn, you can see rare reptiles and amphibians up close, then step outside to feed friendly goats or scratch a donkey’s ears.Here, the focus is on teaching people about conservation and getting them involved-maybe through hands-on activities, like planting native wildflowers.Three.Every day at the zoo, keepers share lively talks where you can watch an otter crunch its lunch, hear about fascinating animal behaviors, and discover the conservation work happening behind the scenes.You can feed a giraffe or watch a tiny green-and-yellow budgie hop onto your hand.Glow Wild Lantern Festival: Each spring, the zoo comes alive with glowing lanterns in every color, lively cultural performances, and hands-on activities for the whole family.All year long, you’ll find holiday-themed events popping up, from festive parades to hands-on workshops that bring the season to life.At the zoo, you’ll find shady benches under broad oaks, picnic tables, clean restrooms, and the Safari Gift Shop stocked with souvenirs, educational toys, and a few sweet treats.Number four.Membership comes with options: you can join as an individual, sign up the whole family, or become a supporting member.You’ll enjoy unlimited free admission all year long-walk in anytime, even on a crisp autumn afternoon.The Safari Gift Shop is offering discounts-think soft leather keychains and carved wooden animals at lower prices.Exclusive invites to members-only gatherings, plus early morning access-think quiet halls and fresh coffee before the crowds arrive.Through the AZA Reciprocal Program, you can enjoy free or discounted entry to more than 150 zoos and aquariums across the country-whether it’s watching penguins waddle in Chicago or strolling past coral reefs in Tampa.You can buy or renew your membership online, or take care of it right at the zoo’s front gate where the smell of popcorn drifts from the snack stand.Number five.Accessibility and visitor tips: The zoo welcomes guests with disabilities, offering smooth paths and easy access to every exhibit.The paths are smooth enough for wheelchairs, and you’re welcome to bring a service animal.You won’t find a whiff of smoke at the zoo-it’s strictly smoke‑free.Food & Beverage: You’re welcome to bring your own snacks and non‑alcoholic drinks, then settle into one of the shaded picnic spots to enjoy them.You’ll find food vendors inside the zoo, serving everything from sizzling hot dogs to sweet ice cream cones.Most visitors linger at the zoo for about an hour and a half to two hours, often pausing to watch the lions stretch in the sun.Glen Oak Park, home to the zoo, also offers family favorites like the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum and the fragrant Luthy Botanical Garden.The Peoria Zoo offers a full, family-friendly day filled with learning, wildlife conservation, and plenty of fun-like watching a giraffe stretch for leaves just out of reach.Home to creatures from every corner of the globe-think a parrot’s bright cry from South America or a lemur’s leap from Madagascar-it offers interactive exhibits, hosts special events, and runs community programs, making it one of Peoria’s top spots for culture and recreation.
