Toronto Zoo, Ontario, Canada

5Melissa B 5:00 PM Aug 10, 2022

Wonderful zoo
My son loves animals so we have been to many zoos, but I have to say this was one of the best. It was huge and it seemed like the animals had lots of room and appropriate habitats. The day we went was incredibly hot so we weren't sure how many would actually be out but were pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't have blamed them at all for doing what was needed to stay cool, but it was really cool to see so many different kinds of animals in one zoo. With the heat, a staff member reccomended skipping the Canada section because a lot of those animals wouldn't be out and it was a long uphill walk to get there and walk around it. We definitely appreciated her wisdom. We brought drinks with us but ran out quicker than I expected. One thing I would have changed was having the drinks and refreshments carts and cafes open once the zoo does. It felt like it took forever for them to open. I would recommend if you get there when they open (like we did) make sure you bring enough drinks and snacks. This really is an amazing zoo that we all thoroughly enjoyed.

3Stormflora 5:00 PM Jul 6, 2022

Zoo with massive potential squandered by COVID concerns
Overall, a decent zoo to visit, but not the greatest experience during COVID as many animals have been withdrawn from display, or are incredibly scarce. The experience was not to expectations. Many areas of the zoo were (figuratively) desolate wastelands with nothing to look at. The greatest disappointment was with the Canadian area, as it was a complete waste of time. It should've just been closed off to the public. You spend a significant amount of time and energy to walk all the way to the other end of the zoo, just to find nothing. Absolutely nothing. The food and drinks were a blatant ripoff ($5 for a soft drink or bottle of water?), and the food (which is only fast food) has been marked up significantly from street prices. Definitely bring your own food and water. The souvenirs are expensive as well (a small plushie costs $40+, and a big one $200+??) Maybe when the zoo isn't plagued by concerns of COVID, the experience might not be as lukewarm anymore, but for the time being, I find it difficult to recommend as a tourist destination in its current state. Consider it again in a year or two. As for duration, plan for about 6-7 hours after arrival to go through the entirety of the zoo on foot, including having lunch. If you are looking to enjoy the (few) rides offered, or to take your time with the displays, add an extra 1-2 hours on top of that. So arrive as early as 9-10 AM, so that you aren't pressured by time constraints.