Woodland Park Zoo

The Woodland Park Zoo is located on 92 acres just 20 minutes from downtown Seattle, Washington.  This unique zoo with it's unconventional exhibits features more than 1,000 animals representing 300 different animal species. It is one of Seattle's greatest tourist attractions. 

Zoo Exhibits

The African Savanna Exhibit is is an exhibit that showcases ions, giraffes, hippos, ostriches, zebras and more.  Twice a day from May to September, for an additional fee, you have the opportunity to feed the giraffes.  The Historic Carousel, a classic 1918 vintage carousel, transports you back in time and is enjoyed by "kids of all ages".  The Tropical Rain Forest mimics the forests of South America and Africa with gorilla, monkey, birds, snakes and jaguar exhibits.  The Humboldt Penguin Exhibit houses penguins from the coastal regions of Peru.  You will be able to watch these adorable animals through an awesome underwater viewing area.  Zoomanzium is a nature themed play space for children with presentations, performaces and fun exhibits.  Your kids will love to climb a mountain, and scale a giant tree.   The Australasia Zone is home to emus, wallabies and the raucous kookaburra as well as  small parrot species that will feed from your hand.  You will find elephants, orangutans and other animals from Asia in the Tropical Asia Zone.

Hours of Operation

The zoo is open everyday except for Christmas Day.  Winter hours are from 9:30am to 4pm from Oct 1 to April 30.  Summer hours, May1 - September 30,  are from 9:30am to 6pm.

Driving Directions

From the South / Downtown

Take I-5 north to N.E. 50th Street (Exit #169). Go west 1.3 miles to the South Entrance at N. 50th Street and Fremont Avenue N.

From the North

Take I-5 south to NE 50th Street (Exit #169). Go west 1.3 miles to the South Gate at N. 50th Street and Fremont Avenue North.

Note: Public Transportation is available see official website for details.

Parking lots and fees:

South Entrance at the intersection of N. 50th St. and Fremont Ave. N.

West Entrance (“Water Tower lot”) at the intersection of N. 50th St. and Phinney
Ave. N.

West Entrance at Phinney Ave. N. and N. 55th St.

North lot at N. 59th St. and Evanston Ave. The West Entrance is accessible from a pathway from the north parking lot.

An inner north lot located at 57th. Come to the Evanston and N. 59th Street entrance to the zoo, continue west and the entrance will be located on the left side of the road before you go under the Phinney Ave. overpass.

Pay for parking kiosks are located at each lot and fees are approximately $5.25 for cars and $15.25 for oversized vehicles, buses and RVs.

Zoo entrances are  located between 56th and 57th off Phinney Ave. North. (West Entrance); 750 N. 50th Street (South Entrance).

Insider Tips

Food is available to purchase or you can bring your own food and water.

Don't try and park in the first lot that you see most of the time it is full.

Pay attention to the times for exhibits and shows so that you will see everything.

Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Bring binoculars to locate animals in the larger areas.