Zoo in Forest Park Education Center
A charming woodland zoo in Forest Park, featuring native & exotic animals, educational programs, and a fun playscape for kids.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Low crowds, easy ticket purchase
Zoo in Forest Park Education Center
Best Time
Low crowds, easy ticket purchase
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A charming woodland zoo in Forest Park, featuring native & exotic animals, educational programs, and a fun playscape for kids.
"A great smaller animal park for younger children, not too crowded and easy to keep your kids in sight."
🚗 Park Entry Fee
Remember to factor in the park entry fee when planning your visit. 🚗
🐐 Goat Feed Cones
Kids love feeding the goats! Grab a cone of feed for a fun interactive experience. 🐐
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.4 · 1,542 reviews
Type
Zoo
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Peacocks Roaming Free
Throughout Forest Park
Watch and listen for these vibrant birds strutting freely around the park grounds.
Interactive Animal Encounters
Education Area
Engage with knowledgeable staff during educational showings, sometimes with opportunities to touch animals.
Goat Feeding Fun
Petting Zoo Area
Purchase cones of feed to delight the goats in a hands-on, interactive experience for kids.
Adjacent Playscape
Outside Zoo Exit
A large playground offers a perfect spot for kids to burn off energy after exploring the zoo.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Park Entry & Zoo Tickets
Animal Welfare & Enclosures
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Park Entry Fee
Remember to factor in the park entry fee when planning your visit. 🚗
🐐 Goat Feed Cones
Kids love feeding the goats! Grab a cone of feed for a fun interactive experience. 🐐
Zoo in Forest Park
What do other people think about it? Some of the enclosures seemed really small to me, and not very entertaining for the animals. I’m not an anti-zoo person, especially when these animals are largely rescues or were surrendered to the zoo so they can’t be wild animals, but I…
Things to do in the Midwest?
Hi there! My boyfriend (M22) and I (F21) are freshly broke college students (I’m still in school for at least 1-3 more years) but he’s working. So we are right smack dab in the middle of the US, pretty much in the middle of the cornfield. Where do we get away for a mini vacay…
🐍 Educational Shows
Don't miss the educational programs; staff are engaging and informative. 🐍
👟 Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking in the park, so wear comfortable shoes. :athletic_shoe:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Park Entry Fee
Remember to factor in the park entry fee when planning your visit. 🚗
🐐 Goat Feed Cones
Kids love feeding the goats! Grab a cone of feed for a fun interactive experience. 🐐
🐍 Educational Shows
Don't miss the educational programs; staff are engaging and informative. 🐍
👟 Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking in the park, so wear comfortable shoes. :athletic_shoe:
🧺 Picnic Spots
Plenty of spots to picnic, especially near the playground. :sandwich:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors generally find the Zoo in Forest Park Education Center to be a pleasant and affordable outing, especially for families with young children. The staff are often praised for their helpfulness and engagement, and activities like goat feeding are a hit. However, some guests express concern over the size of certain animal enclosures, noting that the zoo is undergoing renovations.
"Great walk in the Zoo. Helpful staff, fair price, great selection of animals. Sad to see some of the animals showing signs of caged existence but they are cared for very well. My 6 yr old Grandson loved the day exploring at the Zoo and playing on the huge play scape."
Christopher Croteau
"Our family enjoyed a nice walk around this little zoo. The zoo is located in a beautiful park (cost $5 to drive in the park to get to the zoo). We stopped by a Sunday afternoon and bought tickets at the gate there was no line. There's a nice collection of animals and educational information posted. Many of the animals seem to be rescues and pet surrenders and the all look to be well cared for. They sell cones of feed for the goats, which was fun for the kids. There's also a little playground just outside the zoo that the kids enjoyed."
Sybil M
"Not only family oriented fun for all ages. It was beautifully maintained. The animals were all well cared for and cute as can be. The variety of animals is impressive and diverse. Peacocks roam free watch the roofs to see them but I bet you'll most likely hear them first. Staff is entertaining and educated. The only disappointment was the to happy to hiss "hissing" cockroaches in the education area. Otherwise a perfect place to spend a day ,a date or to be with those you love."
Damien Lamb
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The zoo is located within Forest Park. You'll need to pay a fee to drive into the park. GPS coordinates or 'Zoo in Forest Park Education Center' should guide you.
Yes, there is parking available within Forest Park, near the zoo entrance. It can get busy on weekends.
Information on public transport routes to Forest Park can be found on local transit authority websites. Check schedules in advance.
There is a fee to drive into Forest Park. The exact amount can vary, so it's best to check the park's official website or inquire upon arrival.
The park and zoo pathways are generally accessible, making it suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There's a fee for driving into Forest Park, and then separate admission for the zoo itself. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.
While tickets are available at the gate, it's always a good idea to check the zoo's official website for any online ticketing options or advance purchase recommendations.
Operating hours can vary seasonally. It's recommended to check the official Zoo in Forest Park Education Center website for the most up-to-date hours before your visit.
Information on discounts for seniors, children, or group rates is typically available on the zoo's official website or by contacting them directly.
Policies on re-entry can vary. It's best to inquire at the ticket booth or check the zoo's guidelines upon arrival if you plan to leave and return.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The zoo features a variety of native and exotic animals. Keep an eye out for peacocks roaming freely, and check the education center for specific exhibits.
Yes, there's a large playscape located just outside the zoo exit, perfect for kids to enjoy after their visit.
Absolutely! It's a great smaller animal park for younger children, not too crowded, and easy to supervise.
The zoo offers educational programs with engaging staff who are knowledgeable about the animals. Sometimes, there are opportunities for hands-on interaction.
You can purchase cones of feed to give to the goats in the petting zoo area, which is a popular activity for kids.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
While specific dining facilities might be limited, the park offers picnic areas. It's a good idea to pack your own snacks or a meal.
Generally, bringing your own food and drinks is permitted in parks. Check the zoo's specific policy, but picnic areas suggest it's allowed.
Forest Park is a large area, and you may find dining options in the surrounding Springfield neighborhoods. Research local eateries beforehand.
Information on on-site cafes or snack bars can be found on the zoo's official website. It's often a smaller zoo with limited concessions.
There are numerous scenic spots within Forest Park for picnics. The area near the playground outside the zoo is a convenient choice.
📸 📸 Photography
The roaming peacocks offer vibrant photo opportunities. Also, look for unique animal enclosures and educational displays.
Yes, photography is generally allowed for personal use. Be mindful of any specific signage regarding flash photography or restricted areas.
Drone usage is typically restricted in public parks and zoos for safety and privacy reasons. Check park regulations before flying.
A telephoto lens can be useful for capturing animal details. However, a standard zoom lens or even a smartphone camera will work well for most shots.
Early morning or late afternoon often provides softer light and potentially more active animals. Golden hour can create beautiful shots.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit