Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo occupies a hillside park at 5500 Phinney Avenue North in the Phinney Ridge neighbourhood of Seattle, Washington. The zoo is known for naturalistic habitats that group animals by geographic and ecological zones rather than by species. Major areas include the Northern Trail, with grizzly bears, wolves and mountain goats; the African Savanna, with giraffes, zebras and hippos; the Tropical Asia section, with orangutans and elephants; and the Humboldt penguin exhibit. Wildlife seen at the zoo ranges from red pandas and snow leopards to jaguars and gorillas. A typical visit takes three to four hours, and the grounds are large and hilly, so comfortable shoes are useful. Feeding times, keeper talks and animal encounters are posted daily near the entrance and add structure to the visit. The Rose Garden next to the zoo, with more than 5,000 rosebushes, is free and blooms best from late spring to early autumn. Animals tend to be most active in the morning and in cooler weather, so weekday mornings give the best viewing and thinner crowds. Summer weekends and school holidays draw the largest crowds, particularly around the penguin and gorilla exhibits. Admission costs roughly $27 to $30 (USD) for adults, with discounts for children and Washington residents. The zoo can be reached by King County Metro Route 5 to Phinney Avenue North or the RapidRide E Line to Aurora Avenue. Parking is available but fills up at peak times. Photography is allowed throughout, though flash is discouraged near the animals. A cafe and picnic areas are on the grounds.