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The Virginia Zoo is a wonderful, family-friendly spot that truly feels like a sunny escape. The animals look well cared for, the paths are easy to walk, and the landscaping is beautiful. I loved how close you can get to many of the animals, and the staff was kind and helpful. It’s a happy, relaxing place to spend the day!
We are members of the NC Aquarium, so we were able to get discounted tickets to the Virginia Zoo, since they are AZA-accredited. I was impressed with the different types of discounted tickets they offer. We made our check-in time for Sunday at 12:30 pm, since we had some other plans beforehand to get lunch. We also brought a reusable water bottle in, so we did not get any food or drinks at the zoo. When we got to the gate, there was one party ahead of us, so we did not wait long. We checked in using the barcode and then verified our membership. The layout of the zoo is very intuitive and simple. The paths are easy to follow, allowing you to navigate through the entire zoo in one loop. The animals we encountered were very interactive, which I loved! I really enjoyed seeing the American bison, the armadillo, and the crocodile. The reptile area is way bigger than you would think, and all of the animals were so cool to see. They have a farm area with goats that you can pet. All of the exhibits were beautiful, with lots of space for the animals. When we went, it was not too busy, which we appreciated. Overall, this was one of the better zoo experiences that we have had on the East Coast! The gift shop has a lot of cool items, and we spent about $70 in there. Parking is free and spaces are plenty. I would definitely come back!
A lot of fun to check out the animals which looked well cared for.
The zoo had a great layout where everything connected back into the main pavilion which was nice and made it much easier to figure out what you had next.
They also have a nice area to pet cows and goats for the kids.
Not all heroes wear capes. First off Shout out to the Ticket Booth Administrative Clerk that was on the morning shift yesterday the 6th of October 2025 when my family and I came in yesterday around Noontime. He made our day super special just by being 1 hell of a worker and two a kind human being. Actions can be faked, but never emotions. Thank you very much for helping us make our family day extra special ????. The Zoo was fantastic only saw a quarter of the zoo. It's definitely a two or three day tripper. There is so much to do from collecting zoo coins, to riding the train, to getting photos. My family had fun, but we do intend on visiting again. The sun didn't help, but the zoo was super fun and enjoyable. I highly recommend this zoo as a place to visit, explore, and learn. The food was really great as well.
We love the zoo. It was a really nice day and even though it seemed busy in the parking lot it really wasn’t busy inside. I’m docking a star because the food and pricing at the restaurant in the zoo was way overpriced and not that great but the zoo itself was really good to have a lot there. It’s a nice walk around lots of benches lots of shade. It’s just an enjoyable day. Pro Tip if you have a Norfolk botanical gardens membership until the end of September, you can get in the zoo for free.
We were on a family vacation looking for something to please everyone and this was the best! The kids loved the animals and so did the adults. The layout is so easy to follow and there were people at slot of the exhibits talking about the animals which was really nice. Learning about them and their names was a great addition to just looking at an animal. Even with some construction going on it was really pretty.
This is one of the best zoos I’ve ever been to. My girlfriend and I have gone to many including the Toronto Zoo, which I felt as if this was a tiny version of it. (Still huge) We loved how open it was and the scenery was beautiful. All of the animals were great even though there was some construction. We LOVED how there is a petting zoo for the goats, which we stayed with them for 30 minutes since they were so cute. Next time I visit Virginia I will make sure to stop back here.
Amazing zoo! Animals are very well taken care of, with lots of room in their enclosures. They decorated enclosures for pride month! My favorite part was the mini pigs near the petting zoo. My brother enjoyed their friendly squirrels throughout the different paths! This zoo is 100% worth it if your visiting Norfolk or Virginia Beach to spend some of your day visiting this great place.
What a wonderful experience at the Virginia Zoo! I bought my tickets online—super convenient and easy to use. Once inside, everything was well-organized, clean, and inviting. I loved walking through the beautiful garden areas filled with colorful flowers—it really added to the peaceful vibe. Watching the animals up close was such a joy. Each exhibit was thoughtfully designed and gave a great view of the animals in a natural setting. One of the highlights was riding the zoo train for just $3—such a fun way to relax and take in the scenery. A perfect place for families, friends, or solo visitors. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a lovely day outdoors with nature and wildlife!
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