1 / 2Austin Zoo
📍 Austin, TX
Austin Zoo is a non-profit wildlife rescue sanctuary housing animals with individual rescue backstories. The compact layout covers the entire site in about three hours including a train ride and picnic. Animal feeding is a hands-on highlight.
My husband and I took our two granddaughters (8 and 5) to the Austin Zoo today, and we all had a wonderful time. A big plus is the small size of the zoo which allows you to thoroughly cover the entire area in about three hours, train ride and picnic included. Everything was "up close and personal", with lots of animals everywhere. There was so much to see and discover, the kids had not one dull minute, they weren't bored at all. Our favorite animals were the many free-roaming peacocks, of course, the majestic Galapagos tortoises, and the two armadillos. The girls were especially fascinated by them. What a wonderful adventure for all of us! Some advice for riding the train: don't sit in the first row right behind the engine. The exhaust fumes are very strong! We will be back!
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with children ages 3–10 and grandparent groups. The small, walkable size prevents fatigue in young children. The rescue-focused story resonates with kids who respond to animal welfare narratives. Animal feeding sessions deliver genuine close-contact moments.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →5,070 Google reviews
Ute Roesner
“My husband and I took our two granddaughters (8 and 5) to the Austin Zoo today, and we all had a wonderful time. A big plus is the small size of the zoo which allows you to thoroughly cover the entire area in about three hours, train ride and picnic included. Everything was "up close and personal", with lots of animals everywhere. There was so much to see and discover, the kids had not one dull minute, they weren't bored at all. Our favorite animals were the many free-roaming peacocks, of course, the majestic Galapagos tortoises, and the two armadillos. The girls were especially fascinated by them. What a wonderful adventure for all of us! Some advice for riding the train: don't sit in the first row right behind the engine. The exhaust fumes are very strong! We will be back!”
Simón Piñeiro
“I took my son there with not much expectations and to be honest it was a lot better experience than what I was expecting and the fact that most of these animals are rescued gave me a more pleasant feeling about the place. I hoped more people go there with an open mind rather than trying to judge it out of entertainment value. If you want to be entertained by animals then go to seaworld or some other place that exploits animals but if you want to see rescue animals have a better chance at life then come here and admire it for yourself”
Sharon
“There are so many peacocks during mating season! I went last weekend, and it was great! There were so many different animals, each with their own backstory. I believe this place is actually a non-profit wildlife sanctuary(shelter), and it might be helpful if they renamed it to reflect that. Otherwise, people may assume it’s a traditional zoo, come in with different expectations, and end up disappointed, which could lead to negative reviews. I did some research before going, so I knew what to expect. I think it’s a really nice place to visit and support the animals. I spent about two hours there, and it was definitely worth it. I took one star off is the restroom condition could be better.”
Rebecca Duran
“Been coming here since I was a little girl, it’s definitely not flashy but very wholesome and it’s extremely fun feeding the animals”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Austin Zoo operates as a non-profit wildlife rescue sanctuary rather than a conventional zoo, housing animals that cannot be returned to the wild. Each animal has an individual backstory shared through signage, giving visits an educational and emotional dimension beyond standard zoo formats. The compact footprint makes it manageable for young children and allows thorough exploration in around three hours. A train ride is included in the visit.
