Dublin Zoo, Province of Leinster, Ireland

4Emily O 5:00 PM Sep 5, 2021

10000 steps: a lot for little legs!!!
My husband, toddler (2yrs10month), 10 month old and I set off for Dublin Zoo. I hadn't been in years and wanted to show my newly formed family & to tick it off my maternity leave bucket list before the inevitable return to work. We parked at the cricket club. We booked the 10.30 slot online and paid €17.75 per adult; our children were free in as they are both under 3. A good time to go with little ones as you're up early anyway ?‍♀️No queue when we arrived at 10.20 on a Sunday morning and staff scanned the barcode on my phone and waved us in. We sanitised our hands and off we went in the one way direction. We toileted before it got too busy and bought 2 coffees and croissants for €10. We brought a picnic/snacks though noted a burger hut, a chicken hut, hotdog place, coffee shop, ice-cream shop and various vending machines enroute. In fairness, I thought there was plenty of picnic benches here. I really liked the various water filling stations dotted enroute once you have a bottle with you! Coming from a farm, the family farm was disappointing in our eyes. We glimpsed the Asian elephants, orangutans, red panda, gorillas, tortoises, flamingos, wolves, rhinos & the rest but no sign of the snow leopard. We got fairly close to the humboldt penguins & giraffes in the African savanna which was my favourite area. The most action was with the sea lions: very entertaining. Understandably but sadly the play forest was closed. Ultimately, we felt we could safely socially distance for most of the zoo except for the viewing area watching the sea lions under the water as it was very busy but we could mask up. We took our time and were in no rush and had breaks for our toddler but despite this it is over 10000 steps when you are in the zoo excluding where you park (ie to & from your car to the zoo ): a lot for little legs so don't be in a rush!!! Needless to say we ended up shouldering the tired toddler towards the end. We enjoyed our family day out but personally I wouldn't be in a rush back on a yearly basis.

5MackieP777 5:00 PM Mar 26, 2022

Dublin Zoo- A sanctuary for animals, great day out and great staff
Dublin zoo is by far one of my favourites to have visited, I have been to quite a few around the globe and live next to Pairie Daiza- I would deem myself quite the zoo connoisseur. I felt implored to write this review after seeing a negative one below, which gave out about animals not being seen, bird flu and the zoo acting more like a sanctuary. Firstly, these are animals acting natural... they do not run around all day, likewise humans do not sun around all day. In many of my visits to DZ I will see the animals play fighting or “monkeying” about but there were other visits where animals were just lazing about, because, well that’s what they do in the wild too! But to say you seen on average 5 animals is a ridiculous exaggeration. Secondly, I would rather the penguins be kept away for good if it meant they didn’t get bird flu. It’s about the animal welfare. Thirdly, a zoo acting like a sanctuary? God forbid (sarcasm intended) ... isn’t that what every animal lover would want? Considering the horror stories regarding other “shady” so called zoos. Also, a zoo isn’t about enclosed wild exotic animals, it’s about conservation and education. The comments made by this reviewer just emphasise why you should completely ignore that review because that person doesn’t care about the true meaning of a zoo, only the entertainment that it can provide. Therefore, if you want a zoo that focuses on animal welfare, animal safety and animal conservation, all of which you too can enjoy and be part of... well then this is the place for you. There are playgrounds at the zoo and child friendly interactive stations throughout, however, if you go to a zoo for a playground, save yourself the money and go to the local park. Lastly, the zoo employs (mostly) local teenagers in its cafes and restaurants, which are widespread throughout the grounds. I’ve been in the Meerkat numerous times and they are a great bunch of kids, funny, chatty and outgoing. What else could you want?. So, if you’re expecting your double macchiato,grande, extra syrup, whipped cream whatever to be delivered in below 30 seconds then just ask for service without a smile and pleasantries. Maybe try a 2€ coffee machine in that case. In all, you’re looking at an establishment that focuses on its animals and puts their needs before that of the staring crowds. You’re looking at an establishment that employs the best of the local youth. I live abroad now and when I hear of people going to my home city, the first place I send them is to Dublin zoo. In fact, I’m going to make it my business to go next time I fly home.