Zoo Atlanta: Animals, Attractions & Tips for Your Visit
Zoo Atlanta is one of Atlanta’s best-known attractions and a fun way to trade city streets for a few hours of gorillas, elephants, giraffes, red pandas, and other wildlife. Located in historic Grant Park, the zoo is home to hundreds of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians from around the world.
Whether you’re visiting Atlanta with kids or simply happen to be the kind of adult who will happily stand around watching a gorilla eat lunch for 20 minutes, here’s what you can expect when you visit Zoo Atlanta.
Zoo Atlanta History
Zoo Atlanta dates back to the late 1800s – 1889 to be exact, making it one of the oldest zoos in the United States. It began when a traveling carnival ended up going bankrupt while it was there en route to Marrietta, Georgia.
The animals, which were left in their cages to languish, were purchased by George Valentine Gress and donated to the city of Atlanta. They were relocated to Grant Park, and the zoo opened to the public in April of that year.
Through the years, the zoo has seen some additions and changes.
- In 1890, the zoo acquired its first elephant, Clio.
- In 1935, the park acquired elephants, leopards, water buffalo, elk, zebra, birds, a hyena, a sea lion, and its first tiger.
- In 1961, infant gorilla Willie B., named after Mayor William B. Hartsfield, arrived.
- In 1994, Willie’s first of five offspring, Kudzoo, was born at the zoo.
- In 1999, a pair of giant pandas arrived at the zoo, on loan from China.
And now there’s another chapter in Atlanta’s panda story—but more on that in a minute.
Animals at Zoo Atlanta
Situated on 40 acres of land in downtown Atlanta, the zoo is divided into four different areas: African Plains, The Ford American Rain Forest, Asian Forest, and Kid Zone.
Be prepared to do some walking.
One of the highlights is the African Savanna, where you can see animals including African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, warthogs, and other species.
As you make your way through the zoo, you’ll also encounter primates, birds, reptiles, and plenty of animals you probably don’t see on an average Tuesday.
One of Zoo Atlanta’s claims to fame is its population of western lowland gorillas. The zoo has a long history with gorillas that dates back to the arrival of Willie B. in 1961, and today visitors can see several gorilla social groups in the Ford African Rain Forest.
While walking through the zoo, take a moment to notice the landscaping, too. Bamboo and lush plants line many of the pathways and make parts of the zoo feel surprisingly removed from the surrounding city.
Elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, bongos, and warthogs are among the creatures there.
If you continue walking counter-clockwise, you will journey into The Ford African Rain Forest. It is here that you will see the Ford Willie B. Gorilla Conservation Center on your left.
On your right, there will be monkeys, lemurs, and the Living Treehouse which has beautiful birds that fly safely within the compound.
One thing you are sure to notice while there is the beautiful bamboo and plants that line the pathways.
Are There Giant Pandas at Zoo Atlanta?
This answer has changed—and is about to change again.
Zoo Atlanta’s original giant pandas arrived in 1999. For 25 years, the zoo’s giant panda program became one of its most popular attractions. During their 25 years at Zoo Atlanta, Lun Lun and Yang Yang became parents to seven cubs.
In October 2024, their time in Atlanta came to a close when the pair, along with their daughters Ya Lun and Xi Lun, made the journey back to China.
But Atlanta hasn’t seen the last of giant pandas.
In April 2026, Zoo Atlanta announced a new giant panda conservation agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. Two giant pandas—Ping Ping, a male, and Fu Shuang, a female—are expected to come to Atlanta from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
As of now, Zoo Atlanta has not announced when Ping Ping and Fu Shuang will arrive, so check the zoo’s website for the latest information before planning a trip specifically to see the pandas.
In the meantime, the zoo is working on an expansion of its giant panda complex in preparation for their arrival.
Informative and Educational
One of the things I enjoyed about Zoo Atlanta was discovering animals I knew very little about.
Take the binturong , for example. Also known as a bearcat—although it isn’t actually a bear or a cat—it’s one of those animals that might make you stop and read the sign because you have absolutely no idea what you’re looking at.
The one I saw apparently wasn’t interested in educating anyone that afternoon. I caught him taking a nap.
Throughout the zoo, signs and exhibits provide information about the animals, their habitats, and conservation. Depending on when you visit, you may also find animal presentations, keeper talks, and other educational activities happening throughout the day.
How Long Should You Spend at Zoo Atlanta?
Plan on spending about three hours at Zoo Atlanta for a typical visit.
You could certainly stay longer if you like watching animals, have children who want to explore the KidZone, stop for lunch, or attend presentations during the day.
If your Atlanta itinerary is packed, though, Zoo Atlanta is an attraction you can reasonably enjoy in half a day rather than committing an entire day to it.
My advice? Don’t rush from enclosure to enclosure just to check animals off a list. Some of the best zoo moments happen when you stop for a while and see what the animals are actually doing.
Best Time to Visit Zoo Atlanta
If you’re visiting during the warmer months, go early.
Atlanta can get downright hot and humid in summer, and an early visit means cooler temperatures for you and potentially more activity from some of the animals.
Arriving early can also help you get ahead of some of the day’s crowds.
Spring and fall are especially nice times to visit Atlanta because temperatures are generally more comfortable for spending several hours walking outdoors.
Regardless of the season, check the weather before you go. Much of your visit will be outside, and Mother Nature does not care that you already bought zoo tickets.
Dining at the Zoo
If you find yourself getting hungry or a little too hot, stop by Nourish Cafe (previously Wild Planet Cafe). Have a seat inside where it is air-conditioned and grab a bite to eat. The menu features chicken tenders, hot dogs, pizza, burgers, and salads.
KidZone
Families with younger children will want to leave some time for KidZone.
In addition to animals, this part of the zoo offers attractions geared toward younger visitors. Some experiences and rides may require an additional ticket or fee beyond regular zoo admission, so check current prices before promising the kids unlimited rides. That’s just sound financial planning.
Zoo Atlanta Parking
Zoo Atlanta is located at 800 Cherokee Avenue SE in Atlanta’s Grant Park neighborhood.
Parking is not free. The City of Atlanta operates the public parking facilities, and current rates are $3 per hour with a maximum of $12 per day.
If you use the Cherokee Avenue lot, you can pay at the machines or use the ParkMobile app. Because rates can change, check Zoo Atlanta’s current parking information before your visit.
Atlanta Zoo Map
Zoo Atlanta is located at 800 Cherokee Avenue SE in Atlanta.
Accessibility and Strollers
Zoo Atlanta involves quite a bit of walking, so keep that in mind when planning your visit with small children or anyone who has difficulty walking long distances.
Strollers and mobility equipment can make the day considerably easier. Check Zoo Atlanta’s accessibility information before visiting if you need wheelchair or mobility accommodations, and look at the zoo map ahead of time so you can plan a route that works for your group.
Zoo Atlanta Hours and Tickets
Zoo Atlanta is open throughout most of the year, although hours can vary by date and season.
Zoo Atlanta is open 363 days a year; closed only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Opening hours are at 9:00 daily. Be sure to check for closing hours for the day you plan on visiting..
The zoo now also offers an Any Day Ticket, which allows more flexibility if you don’t want to commit to a specific visit date.
- Adults (ages 12 and older) $39.95
- Children ages 3-11 $31.95
- Children 2 and younger Free
If you’re planning to visit several major Atlanta attractions, it’s also worth comparing individual admission prices with Atlanta CityPASS, which can include admission to Zoo Atlanta along with other popular Atlanta attractions.
Memberships are available which include free admission, discounts at Zoo Atlanta, as well as discounts on admission at select AZA zoos and aquariums nationwide.
Tips for Visiting Zoo Atlanta
A few things can make your visit easier:
- Go early during warm weather. You’ll appreciate the cooler temperatures.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Forty acres doesn’t sound enormous until you’ve walked across it a few times.
- Allow about three hours. Add more time if you’re visiting with younger children or want to attend presentations.
- Check the daily schedule. Keeper talks and animal activities can add a lot to your visit.
- Look at the map before you start walking. A little planning can save unnecessary backtracking.
- Check the panda status before visiting. Ping Ping and Fu Shuang are coming to Atlanta, but their arrival date has not yet been announced.
- Bring water and sun protection. Much of your visit will be outdoors.
- Check current hours and ticket prices directly with Zoo Atlanta. Those are exactly the kinds of details that change after a blogger hits “publish.”
Zoo Atlanta or Georgia Aquarium?
If you only have time for one, the choice really comes down to what you want to see.
Zoo Atlanta is largely an outdoor experience centered on land animals, with gorillas, elephants, giraffes, reptiles, birds, and many other species. The Georgia Aquarium is primarily indoors and focuses on marine life.
If the weather is beautiful and you’d rather spend a few hours walking outside, Zoo Atlanta is an easy choice. On a miserably hot or rainy Atlanta day, the air-conditioned aquarium suddenly becomes mighty attractive.
Better yet, if you have enough time in Atlanta, visit both. They’re completely different experiences.
Final Call
From gorillas and pandas to flamingos and rainforests, Zoo Atlanta gives you an unforgettable peek at wildlife right in the heart of the city. When you’re ready to rest your legs (and recharge), check into the iconic Atlanta Marriott Marquis for a stay that blends convenience and style. Looking to keep the aquatic magic going? Head over to the Georgia Aquarium next — it’s just a short ride away and absolutely worth saving time for. And if your travel style leans toward boutique charm, don’t miss our spotlight on The Hotel at Avalon as the perfect home base for exploring greater Atlanta in comfort.
Have you visited Zoo Atlanta? Tell me which animal you’d make a beeline for first—gorillas, elephants, giraffes, red pandas, or are you holding out for the return of the giant pandas?
