Hi folks, I’m so glad you’re here for this week’s Froggy Take.
Zoos are always a family favorite — my kids love the adventure, and I love seeing their excitement when an animal comes right up to the glass. On our recent trip to the Toronto Zoo, we spent the day exploring exhibits, learning a little, and testing how family-friendly the experience really is. Here’s my froggy take.
A few weeks ago, I decided to take the family to the Toronto Zoo — it had been a while since our last visit, and I figured it would be a fun day out for all of us.
Before we went, I did a bit of research on admission, parking, and whether any discounts were available. According to the Toronto Zoo website, they’re the only authorized ticket seller and recommend avoiding third-party sites to steer clear of scams. That said, you can get a discount just by purchasing your tickets online and in advance.
From what I found, ticket prices vary depending on when you go and how far ahead you book. On the lower end, tickets were around $21 for kids and $30 for adults, and on the higher end, $25 for kids and $36 for adults. It looks like the closer you are to your visit date, the higher the price.
You can also buy tickets at the gate on the day of your visit. From what I read, gate prices are about $45 for adults and $32 for kids, but apparently, there’s a discount at the gate for Presto cardholders. I didn’t use that option myself, so I can’t confirm for sure — but it might be worth looking into!
If you're driving, you’ll also need to purchase a parking pass for $20, which I didn’t mind too much since the money goes toward feeding the over 3,000 animals that call the zoo home. If you're taking public transit, there are several bus routes that stop right outside the front gate, which is super convenient.
Another thing to know: they offer three different yearly membership tiers, which can be a great option if you think you’ll visit more than once. You actually have 14 days after your visit to upgrade your ticket to a yearly membership — which is great if you want to "test drive" the zoo before committing. The Platinum membership even allows you to bring a guest with you every time you visit, which is perfect if you like to include a grandparent or another relative.
Now onto our actual visit!
At the time of our visit there was some construction happening near the front gates, we heard some noise or noticed a bit of dust, but honestly, it didn’t take away from the experience at all.
Right after entering, we saw the main Zoomobile station, and nearby there’s a spot where you can rent strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, or lockers for the day, which is super handy if you’re visiting with kids or just don’t want to carry everything around.
We started our day by heading to the Indo-Malaya Pavilion — one of my favourite areas. We saw the Sumatran orangutans and White-handed gibbons, and the newer outdoor orangutan habitat was really impressive. Definitely worth checking out!
One thing I appreciated throughout the day was how many water fountains and bottle refill stations there were. It made it really easy to stay hydrated, especially with all the walking.
We took our time at each stop, watching the animals and reading the signs to learn more about them. At a few exhibits, we came across zoo volunteers who were sharing extra info, showing replica skulls, and answering questions. They were so kind and patient with the kids, and if they didn’t know something, they made an effort to find the answer. You could tell they really cared.
I was also really happy that we all wore comfortable clothes and shoes — the zoo is spread out over about 500 acres, so you’re definitely going to get your steps in! We brought hats, water bottles, and sunscreen, but there were also little pop-up shops around in case you forgot anything (though, of course, prices were a bit higher).
Some animals are inside indoor pavilions, others are in outdoor habitats, and many — like the orangutans, gorillas, and otters — have access to both. So if you don’t spot them right away, it’s worth checking the other viewing area.
The zoo was open from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM the day we visited, and we got there right when they opened. You’re allowed to bring in your own food and non-alcoholic drinks, which is great. There are lots of picnic spots spread out along the paths between pavilions, and a few food stands on site, though what’s open seems to depend on the season and day of the week.
We brought our lunch and decided to take a break back at the car midday. It gave us a chance to cool off in the AC and relax for a bit, which was nice — especially not having to chase our little guy around for 30 minutes while trying to eat! And since the zoo allows re-entry, it worked out perfectly.
One of the highlights of our visit was getting to hear a few animal talks by the zookeepers and seeing the penguin feeding. It was such a cool experience! I also loved that we could use the Toronto Zoo app to see the day’s schedule of talks and where they were happening. Super helpful to plan our time
It was a warm day, but many of the outdoor enclosures had mist systems to keep the animals cool. In a few areas, they even had mist sprays for guests to walk through — the kids had a blast running through them!
Later in the day, we decided to ride the Zoomobile. You do need to buy a separate ticket, but it’s ride-all-day, and you can hop on and off at different stations. There’s an option to buy single tickets or a group pass for four, and Platinum and Gold membership holders get access included.
There are five Zoomobile stops: Main Station, Canadian Domain, African Savanna, Tundra Trek, and Eurasia. We got on at the Main Station near the entrance and rode it through the full loop, including a special area with animals you can only see from the Zoomobile. Just a heads-up — if you try to board at some of the other stops, there may not always be space, so some people had to wait or keep walking.
We ended up spending the whole day at the zoo and left just after 6pm. We had a little snack in the car, waited for the parking lot to clear out a bit, then scanned our parking pass and headed home.
According to my 6-year-old, the red pandas and giraffes were the best part of the day. For me, it was seeing the gorillas in their outdoor habitat and watching the penguins get fed.
All in all, it was a great day — and I’d absolutely recommend it if you’re looking for a family-friendly outing that’s both fun and educational!
If you would like more information on tickets/admission hop on over to https://www.torontozoo.com/tickets/admission/
For more information on season pass prices and perks leap on over to https://www.torontozoo.com/Membership/
And that’s a wrap on this week’s Froggy Take. Wishing you happy hopping until the next one!
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