Houston Zoo At 6200 Hermann Park Dr.

[rsb320]

Went to the zoo briefly on Sunday morning (the membership is good for quick visits when you're in the area and have some time to kill).

One thing I believe our zoo needs is more parking. The zoo lot was completely full by 11 am on Sunday (and parking along Golf Course Drive was full as well), but once you got inside, the zoo didn't feel crowded at all (no line to get in, no line at concessions, no crowds at popular exhibits). The zoo holds a lot more folks than the parking lot can handle.

On a day where we'd have more time, I'd contemplate parking elsewhere and taking the train. Is there a good free place to park along the Red Line on weekends?

EDIT: because I can't spell

The Fannin South lot is only $2.50 on week days. I'm not sure about weekends.

[sarahiki]

<zips mouth and waits for someone else to say it>

Okay, okay... I'll bite...

We live pretty close. We COULD ride bikes. In fact I keep meaning to get our bikes outfitted with baby seats for that very purpose. I gotta say though, after the bike ride, and dragging the kids through the zoo, and riding home, especially if it's hot, I'm going to have to call you to take care of the kids all afternoon while I take a nap.

We COULD also ride the train. But we'd actually have to drive further to get to the Fannin South lot than we drive to get to the zoo. Add in the cost of parking, and the train tickets, and the time, and it gets kind of stupid.

Add a couple of toddlers to any equation and driving often makes more sense. But don't get me wrong, I heart the train and we do use it whenever feasible.

[KimberlySayWhat]

Are there any insiders here who have some information on this African Forest project that they can share? I had seen mentions of it but hadn't given it a lot of thought. Then I went to the zoo this weekend, saw the site on the map and was impressed with the size of it. On the map it says that it's opening in 2009. On Wikipedia it's fall of '08.

What exactly is the African Forest, since it covers such a large area? I'm really curious about it now.

Does anyone know why the fountain at Sarofim Court is still not finished? Or is it? It didn't have water in it, same as over two years ago. That's the last time I was there before this recent visit.

I love our zoo. I don't visit other zoos, so I can't compare. Almost went to the San Deigo Zoo once, but ended up not going. But this is the zoo I grew up visiting. And I just love the whole area surrounding the zoo. It's one of my favorite parts of Houston. It's beautiful.

[TxDave]

The Fort Worth Zoo is geneally recognized as the best in Texas (as well as many nearby states),

It's quality really diminishes zoos in neighboring cities (especially Dallas but also Houston, San Antonio, Oklahoma, etc.)

It makes me question the need to captivate wild animals, if not in a top quality setting.

[musicman]

Despite record crowds, officials with the Houston Zoo are looking for ways to attract more low-income families.

Starting Aug. 1, families that use the Lone Star card to receive food stamps and other benefits will have unlimited free admission for themselves and up to eight others.

"We're always trying to expand access," said Deborah Cannon, president and CEO of the Houston Zoo, which set an attendance record with 1.6 million visitors in 2007.

On July 1, ticket prices increased by 25 cents for senior citizens and by $1 for children over 2. Adult admission remains at $10.

full article

[heightslurker]

my favorite quote from the article:

To make matters worse, animals were getting sick after the summer free days because too many people were throwing cotton candy and other items into their pens, zoo officials said.

[silverartfox]

my favorite quote from the article:

To make matters worse, animals were getting sick after the summer free days because too many people were throwing cotton candy and other items into their pens, zoo officials said.

Well, the zoo officials might consider putting up lots of big, simply worded "don't feed the animals - here's why" signs in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, etc, throughout the zoo.

[citizen4rmptown]

ive always liked the houston zoo

when it was hot and steamy i didnt complain

when it was moist and raining i didnt complain

eh, maybe i just like animals enough not to care about the weather

back to topic:

im not sure about the columbus day freebie

i doubt most people even know when is it..

[dbigtex56]

Well, the zoo officials might consider putting up lots of big, simply worded "don't feed the animals - here's why" signs in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, etc, throughout the zoo.

Maybe those who have so much food that they can afford to throw it at animals should have their Lone Star cards revoked.

[Joke]

Maybe those who have so much food that they can afford to throw it at animals should have their Lone Star cards revoked.

Hey dbig, try to keep up -- the free admission to Lone Star Card-holders is a NEW program starting up in August. The "summer free days" with the food-throwing issue were days when the park was free to EVERYONE.

According to the article, zip code info combined with census data allowed them to estimate that "less than 9 percent of free-day visitors were from low-income areas".

At least try to get your facts straight before deriding the poor.

[RedScare]

Hey dbig, try to keep up -- the free admission to Lone Star Card-holders is a NEW program starting up in August. The "summer free days" with the food-throwing issue were days when the park was free to EVERYONE.

According to the article, zip code info combined with census data allowed them to estimate that "less than 9 percent of free-day visitors were from low-income areas".

At least try to get your facts straight before deriding the poor.

You'll have to forgive bigtex, Joke. He's normally one of our more compassionate posters, so he is somewhat inexperienced in the art of blaming the poor, as evidenced by your major league smackdown of his post.

Hang in there, Tex! Maybe some of our "libertarian" posters will help guide you through the minefield of effective welfare trash talk.

[Joke]

Yeah, after I finished my post I re-read his and noticed his sig. His sig quote seems to be quite inconsistent with (my reading of) his post.

It made me wonder if I'd completely misread his intent, but at that point I'd already replied.

[in fact, I'm now hoping dbig will come back and clarify that I somehow misunderstood; I'd happily edit my comment if that's the case. Yes, I'm a card-carrying starry-eyed optimist.

I'm also glad I decided against including a line about how a different vowel would seem much more appropriate in "dbig".]

[C2H]

Today me and my girlfriend went to the Houston zoo for the first time. It was a nicely kept zoo but there seemed to be alot missing from other zoo experiences i had in other cities. The animals seemed to be very miniscule and small. What do they feed these animals? slimfast? Colorado Springs, my hometown has larger animals than Houston in their zoo? Houston needs to step up a litttle

[LTAWACS]

Today me and my girlfriend went to the Houston zoo for the first time. It was a nicely kept zoo but there seemed to be alot missing from other zoo experiences i had in other cities. The animals seemed to be very miniscule and small. What do they feed these animals? slimfast? Colorado Springs, my hometown has larger animals than Houston in their zoo? Houston needs to step up a litttle

The animals are not allowed access to the plethora of local fast food joints.

[memebag]

They all seem to be regulation animal size to me.

[LTAWACS]

They all seem to be regulation animal size to me.

Do you want the top sirloin or the ribs?

[crunchtastic]

That's because in Colorado Springs they fatten up the animals with air force academy cadets.

[LTAWACS]

Maybe the air is thinner up there or something.

[editor]

Maybe the Houston animals don't need that extra layer of fat to make it through a Colorado winter.

[John Rich]

Today me and my girlfriend went to the Houston zoo for the first time. It was a nicely kept zoo but there seemed to be alot missing from other zoo experiences i had in other cities. The animals seemed to be very miniscule and small. What do they feed these animals? slimfast? Colorado Springs, my hometown has larger animals than Houston in their zoo? Houston needs to step up a litttle

Which ones do you believe to be "too small"?

Why is size so important to you?

[RedScare]

I am impressed with the scientific methods used in this comparison study.

ZOMG!!!!!! 6th Best Zoo In The Country!!!!!

Also listed as 4th best Children's zoo, one of 25 best zoos (Denver actually made the cut in this list), and various other lists of top US zoos.

Edited March 31, 2009 by RedScare

[foxmulder]

Wow, is all i can say! It is a MAJOR pain in the butt to get to it during the weekends! Not just traffic/construction but the lot fills up and they close it. In the past 4 years i have been turned away atleast 6 times. I know they say take the rail but everytime i do the lot is managable and open!

[houstonmacbro]

If you like to bike, park somewhere else and bike over. I did that last weekend and had a blast. Although I didn't got into the zoo, the park area is very nice.

[musicman]

Wow, is all i can say! It is a MAJOR pain in the butt to get to it during the weekends!

it's been this way for a while......that's one reason they moved the golf course parking over to almeda because the zoo patrons were parking in that lot.

[foxmulder]

it's been this way for a while......that's one reason they moved the golf course parking over to almeda because the zoo patrons were parking in that lot.

I found a solution...Since i'm off fridays...I bought a membership and visit fridays Only hot soccer moms and very few dads with there kids.

[worldlyman]

You ought to try and park at the Ben Taub Garage across the street on Taub Loop, but some people have the same idea.

It's easier to find parking off of Holman/Travis or Holman/San Jacinto's side streets and then use the HCC/Ensemble rail station.

I attend HCC and work at the Taub...it's not too bad.

[Jax]

The mini train in Hermann Park now picks people up near the Hermann park Metro Rail station and drops them off at the Zoo. Parking in the medical center or on the street somewhere for free and taking the Metro Rail in might work.

[KinkaidAlum]

The mini train in Hermann Park now picks people up near the Hermann park Metro Rail station and drops them off at the Zoo. Parking in the medical center or on the street somewhere for free and taking the Metro Rail in might work.

Seriously?

YOU ARE IN A BEAUTIFUL PARK. WALK!!!

I know, I know, the kiddies want to ride the train and mom and dad don't have to carry their traveling circus junk. I am just always amazed at how people in this city avoid walking at every turn.

[Jax]

Haha yeah well that's what I would do, especially with the awesome weather we've been having (Sunday was amazing) but I've learned to assume that not everybody in Houston is into walking as much as I am, and at least there's another option.

But I agree, walking from the Metro Rail stop is the best way to get there.

[rsb320]

The mini train in Hermann Park now picks people up near the Hermann park Metro Rail station and drops them off at the Zoo. Parking in the medical center or on the street somewhere for free and taking the Metro Rail in might work.

Wow, we now have another rail line with a connecting station!!

[fatesdisastr]

Wow, we now have another rail line with a connecting station!!

haha

[HtownWxBoy]

Wow, is all i can say! It is a MAJOR pain in the butt to get to it during the weekends! Not just traffic/construction but the lot fills up and they close it. In the past 4 years i have been turned away atleast 6 times. I know they say take the rail but everytime i do the lot is managable and open!

Here's something that bugged me. My family came to visit in the spring and they stayed Downtown on Main Street. We took the train to the zoo one weekday (mainly for my 2 year old niece) and got off at the "Houston Zoo" station and had to walk all the way around to the other side of the zoo to enter b/c the entrance closest to the train station is not open on weekdays. When we left we walked through Hermann Park and caught the train on the Hermann Park / Rice U station to get back to Downtown... shorter walk.

[HtownWxBoy]

The mini train in Hermann Park now picks people up near the Hermann park Metro Rail station and drops them off at the Zoo. Parking in the medical center or on the street somewhere for free and taking the Metro Rail in might work.

Most people aren't going to know that... if they take the light rail they are going to go to the "Houston Zoo" station since it says... "Houston Zoo"! They need to add "Houston Zoo weekday / alternative" to the name of the Hermann Park light rail station.

[citizen4rmptown]

It's a bit old, but i couldn't find it in the forum so i thought better late than never.

It was from the May 2009 Issue of Parents Magazine.

Below a press release from the Houston Zoo.

Families across the United States today are finding out what Houston families have known for decades – the Houston Zoo is one of the 10 best zoos in the nation for kids. In fact, Parents magazine today has ranked the Houston Zoo number nine in the nation for children.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by a publication of Parents stature as one of the ten best zoos in the nation for children,” said Houston Zoo President Deborah Cannon. “The Houston Zoo has been a treasured community resource for more than 86 years. It’s quite an honor to see the hard work of our dedicated staff recognized in this manner,” added Cannon.

In addition to the Top 10 Best Zoos for Kids featured in the magazine, fifteen runners-up are posted on www.parents.com/topzoos.

The San Antonio Zoo also made it (ahead of Houston). I only looked at the top 10, though, so i dont know about others like Dallas,Ft. Worth,etc.

Edited July 26, 2009 by citizen4rmptown

[NenaE]

I don't find this surprising, I recently visited the zoo, and was impressed. I've grown up going to it, and can't recall any other time when it looked so well-maintained. The landscaping was impressive. But it is a zoo, and I always get a little sad, seeing animals in cages. I'm looking forward to the new safari exhibit opening. Hated to see the little old trains disappear, many childhood memories associated with those, but was impressed with the newly designed station. That doesn't happen very often with me.

[RedScare]

It's a bit old, but i couldn't find it in the forum so i thought better late than never.

It was from the May 2009 Issue of Parents Magazine.

Below a press release from the Houston Zoo.

In addition to the Top 10 Best Zoos for Kids featured in the magazine, fifteen runners-up are posted on www.parents.com/topzoos.

The San Antonio Zoo also made it (ahead of Houston). I only looked at the top 10, though, so i dont know about others like Dallas,Ft. Worth,etc.

One more click might've done it.

[citykid09]

One more click might've done it.

Yeah, Dallas was #11

[UrbaNerd]

I'm surprised that the San Antonio zoo made the list! The last time I was there, in late 2006, it wasn't too impressive. It wasn't bad though; some of the enclosures just seemed kinda small.

[Fringe]

They list Dallas but not Fort Worth? The magazine just lost all credibitlity with me. 

[citizen4rmptown]

They list Dallas but not Fort Worth? The magazine just lost all credibitlity with me.

I know, that's why i listed both in my post as zoos that i thought were in the top 25.

[citizen4rmptown]

I'm surprised that the San Antonio zoo made the list! The last time I was there, in late 2006, it wasn't too impressive. It wasn't bad though; some of the enclosures just seemed kinda small.

We have to keep in mind that it's the Top10 for Kids, so kids might like it better than adults.

Also, that zoo has had new exhibits open since 2006.

[editor]

Saw this on the Visit Houston Facebook page: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/moms/6551657.html

Moving away from the concept of bars and cages, the Houston Zoo in September will break ground for a $50 million African Forest, a 6.5-acre exhibit designed to give patrons the illusion they are strolling through an open landscape populated with chimpanzees, giraffes and other equatorial animals, zoo officials said Tuesday.

If it ends up being anything like the African exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo, then it will be awesome. The plan sounds very similar.

[Pumapayam]

Saw this on the Visit Houston Facebook page: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/moms/6551657.html

If it ends up being anything like the African exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo, then it will be awesome. The plan sounds very similar.

I might have not been to the see in forever to not know that the chimpanzees were gone.

[JJVilla]

I might have not been to the see in forever to not know that the chimpanzees were gone.

Awesome! The diversity of furry, funny critters were good last time but I thought something was missing.

[citizen4rmptown]

Its good that were getting specialized exhibits, i look at other zoos and they have these big corporate-sponsored exhibits.

We deserve something along those lines, don't we?

Also according to the Chron...

The project — a first for the Hermann Park facility — will feature closed-circuit TV connections with area hospitals, allowing patients to view animal keeper presentations or simply to watch animals in their near-natural habitats.

Cannon said the programs first will be made available to children's hospitals, then expanded. Ultimately, they may be made available to local schools, she said.

Edited July 29, 2009 by citizen4rmptown

[editor]

Especially considering the Houston Zoo isn't free anymore.

[KimberlySayWhat]

I've been wondering when this was going to get off the ground since I first heard about it last year.

I haven't been to the zoo since spring '08. I love it there and that whole area, I just don't get around to going much.

Sounds great! Can't wait for it to open!

[silverartfox]

Some years ago the Houston zoo had an interesting hippopotamus exhibit with a large pool and several regular size hippos, not the pygmy ones. Wonder why they got rid of it?

[EMME]

Can we take some animals from the Boston Zoo? They are going to euthanize as many as 20% of their animals due to budget cuts.

[Talbot]

When I read this I was pretty excited! Sounds good for Houston.