The Birmingham Zoo has been rated Alabama’s Number One Tourist Attraction by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism. This Alabama zoo receives over half a million guests each year. The zoo is home to over 750 animals with over 250 species from 6 continents. The animals include lions, wallabies, snakes, flamingos, birds, tortoises, rhinos, monkeys and giraffes.
The Birmingham Zoo has a Butterfly Encounter in the spring as well as other events such as a summer camp and a zoo run. Daily activities include the Red Diamond Sea Lion Splash Show, Predator Zone, Pelican and Giraffe feeding, camel rides and wildlife show. The Birmingham Zoo Fountains are available for children from March to October.
The Birmingham Zoo opened Trails of Africa in the spring of 2011. This is one of the first mixed species exhibit that features a bachelor elephant herd, red river hogs, giraffes, rhinos and antelopes together. Visitors will be able to view the animals in the open environment from the ground or the air. This exhibit will be using a new way to care for elephant.
Other areas of the zoo include Fine Feathered Friends, Sensational Sea Lions, Gentle Giants, Savannah Safari, Cold Hearted Snakes, Ferocious Felines, Monkey Business, Wild in Your Backyard and Child’s Play.
Where Can I Find Coupons & Discounts for Birmingham Zoo?
Every Tuesday the zoo offers half price admission on regular zoo ticket price.
Birminghamal.org, which is the website for the Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, sometimes has printable zoo coupons on its website.
The Birmingham Zoo offers a group discount to groups of 15 or more. Non-education groups can save $2 - $3 a ticket and educational and non-profit groups can save over half-off the regular zoo ticket price. Reservations required.
A Senior rate of $9 is offered at all those 65 and over.
In the past on the July 4th weekend, all retired and active military as well as their dependents receive FREE zoo admission with a valid military ID.
You can sign up for the Zoonews email to be sent to you. This will keep you up-to-date on Birmingham Zoo deals and specials as well as other special events at the zoo.
If you have a membership to another zoo, you may qualify for a discounted or FREE admission. You must show membership card and valid ID.
If you plan on visiting Birmingham Zoo often or a few different zoos throughout the year, you will find that a zoo membership can help you save money. Zoo memberships offer free unlimited visits to the Birmingham Zoo as well as free or discounted admission to other zoos and aquariums throughout the U.S. for one year. Other benefits include free admission to 17 nights of ZooLight Safari and discounts on gift shop merchandise, zoo classes, camps, events and birthday parties.
The zoo has a Twitter and Facebook page. Zoo deals, specials, news and special events can be found on these pages.
In the past, Birmingham Zoo has offered FREE admission on Veteran's Day weekend to those in the Military.
Birmingham Zoo Details
Regular admission to the zoo is Adults $14, Children from 2-12 $9, Children under 2 are FREE.
Zoo hours are 9am - 5pm everyday.
The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It is open Christmas Eve from 9am - 1pm.
The zoo offers some activities that cost extra. They are the Train Ride and Carousel Ride for $2.50. You can save a bit of money if you need three Train Rides. Three Train Rides cost $6. Tokens for these rides can be bought at the front gate and at ride location. Other activities that cost a small fee are feeding the Lorikeets and the Foam Zone.
Food and drink are not allowed in the zoo. However, there are picnic tables offered just outside the zoo for guests that bring their own food.
Trails of Africa is a new area in the Birmingham Zoo. It is a large, open exhibit area for many of the African animals including elephants, giraffes and rhinos.