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The Buffalo Zoo

300 Parkside Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214
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Ranked #15 of 84 attractions in Buffalo
Type: Zoos, Gardens
Owner description: Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest zoo in the United States. Each year, the Zoo welcomes approximately 400,000 visitors and is the... more » Owner description: Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest zoo in the United States. Each year, the Zoo welcomes approximately 400,000 visitors and is the second largest tourist attraction in Western New York, second only to Niagara Falls.Located on 23.5 acres of Buffalo’s beautiful Delaware Park, the Zoo exhibits a diverse collection of wild and exotic animals and more than 320 different species of plants. Open year-round, the Zoo is a constant source of conservation, education and recreation for Western New York. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Activities for young children
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125 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Toronto, Canada
Top Contributor
247 reviews 247 reviews
53 attraction reviews
Reviews in 37 cities Reviews in 37 cities
143 helpful votes 143 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 May 2013 NEW

Always a great place to spend the day or afternoon. We hadn't visited the Buffalo Zoo in almost a decade and it was well worth revisiting. The zoo is always well maintained, services quick and place always nice and clean. Staff very friendly and courteous and always ready to answer any questions about displays, attractions or anything else posed to... More

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Toronto, Canada
Senior Contributor
34 reviews 34 reviews
22 attraction reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2013 NEW

My first impressions of this zoo were poor at first entering the gates. We arrived at opening and had to stand in a long line to get in, as there were only 2 cashiers working. We used the bathroom right inside the front gates and it was filthy, it had obviously not been cleaned from the day before. At this... More

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Lyons, New York
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 May 2013

We went to the Buffalo zoo on a Saturday afternoon and found it to be very nice. Parking is difficult and the Polar Bears were not there but that is the only bad thing we have to say. The animals have room to move in the enclosure's and the majority of them were out for us to see. The polar... More

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Ormond Beach, Florida
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 May 2013

There are huge zoos in some cities that literally sell themselves as a destination. Buffalo is not one of those but sometimes that can be a good thing. Lions and other animals are closer than in most of the larger zoos and the rainforest is really unique with dozens of species from South America. It's not the best zoo in... More

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See 4 more reviews by InsiderPerks for Buffalo
mpowerszoo, Manager at The Buffalo Zoo, responded to this review
22 May 2013

Thanks for your kind words. We know we aren't a destination zoo. You can see all the offerings in a couple of hours as opposed to needing the whole day. We know we aren't Columbus or San Diego or a Zoo on that scale. We try to make up for it by a more up close experience. It's not perfect... More

Buffalo, New York
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 May 2013

the zoo which was not great is constantly evolving with new exhibits and rehabbed facilities. A great place to take kids.

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See 8 more reviews by anniexyz53 for Buffalo
Cleveland, Ohio
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 April 2013

Our zoo is the Cleveland Zoo and we tend to compare every other zoo to this one. Compared to the Cleveland zoo, the Buffalo zoo is pretty small and more run down. HOWEVER, we found each zoo employee to be extremely friendly and willing to help. And the best part? If you are going to the Buffalo zoo any time... More

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Niagara Falls, Canada
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 April 2013

I went to the zoo during the fall and the experience was ok... there wasn't many animals out.. such as bears, etc. The Bird sanctuary was the best part of the entire visit and the otters. Wouldn't go back but it would be fun for small kids.

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mpowerszoo, Manager at The Buffalo Zoo, responded to this review
19 April 2013

Thanks for your thoughts. Our bear exhibit has been closed down in anticipation of construction, which is set to begin finally this summer. One of the things we've tried for our animals benefit is to give them a little space is to give them some more access and room to roam. Often species will rotate in spaces, so wait a... More

Fort Wayne, Indiana
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 April 2013

We liked the bigger animals that some smaller municipal zoos do not offer and we liked that it is open all year round. We were charged full price even though there were many animals not on display. There is a parking fee at is zoo. You get a parking token to get out of the lot when you pay to... More

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See 2 more reviews by HockeyFamilyFive for Buffalo
mpowerszoo, Manager at The Buffalo Zoo, responded to this review
22 May 2013

Thank you for your kind thoughts. Our lot is just one spot for parking. We do have the park and other streets surrounding the property for parking options. One thing you noted, about the animals, that they do have the freedom to move around from on to off exhibit and back and forth. They might not be there one moment,... More

Dunkirk, New York
Senior Contributor
41 reviews 41 reviews
11 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 April 2013

I have been to many zoo's and I was very disappointed. Not much for kids to do but one little ride. They loved seeing the animals, but won't go back for a while. you have to walk all the way around the building from the parking lot, and with 2 kids it's crazy.

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See 2 more reviews by Tammywinder53 for Buffalo
mpowerszoo, Manager at The Buffalo Zoo, responded to this review
6 May 2013

Thanks for your comments. We're a pretty small footprint compared to a large number of Zoos, but the focus is on animals first and foremost. Our entrance is changing. We are working on a brand new entryway into the Zoo, right off of our parking lot, so any visitors utlizing the lot will be come right in, without involving that... More

Oakville, Canada
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 March 2013 via mobile

Remarkably situated in a residential area, not much square footage. But as a result, the animals are close and it is easy to see the zoo in 2 to 3 hours. Very worthwhile and great value for the money. The polar cub is adorable. The rainforest exhibit is excellent, as is the gorilla habitat.

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mpowerszoo, Manager at The Buffalo Zoo, responded to this review
2 April 2013

Thanks for your thoughts, we might be small, but we are mighty. We try to make the most out of the space we have. The upside is that you do get an up close view of our animals that might not be possible at some of the larger institutions around the country. You hit the most important takeaway points. Thanks... More

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