Franklin Park Zoo Hours Information

Located in the northeast part of Boston Franklin Park, Franklin Park Zoo was opened in 1912 and covers 72 acres with over 220 species of animals. It is really worth a visit for being neither expensive nor crowded. As the Zoo is not vast, one day is enough to make the most of it. Highlight of the Zoo is its various exhibit areas, among which the most featured ones include The Tropical Forest, Serengeti Crossing and Kalahari Kingdom.

The Tropical Forest is a kind of 3-acre building with cloth dome. For animals inside, it creates the natural environment with streams, faux-rock structures, hidden fences, moats and even free-flight birds. Serengeti Crossing was opened to the public in 1997, one of the newest exhibit areas in the Zoo. It offers exhibits with ostriches, zebras, ibex, and wildebeest. Kalahari Kingdom is of American Africa theme, and its main exhibit is a male lion. Here you can get a face-to-face observation of the majestic lion which perches atop rocky throne.

In fact, Franklin Park Zoo provides a diversity of exhibits and activities for tourists of all ages. Do you have the intention to visit this animal world? Before your departure, you need to know some basic info about it.

Homepage for Franklin Park Zoo

http://www.zoonewengland.org/Page.aspx?pid=233

Where is the Zoo and how to get there? Nested in Franklin Park, Franklin Park Zoo can be found at One Franklin Park Road in Boston. There is a lot of transportation options to help you get there. Let's take the MBTA for example.

Take the Orange Line or Commuter Rail to Forest Hills Station and then change to the bus16. This bus will take you to the Zoo. Or get off the train at Ruggles Station and take bus 22, 28, 29, 44 or 45. The Red Line is also possible. Take this line to Andrew Station and then take the bus 16 too.

If you prefer self driving, five routes are available for you to choose. They are respectively Storrow Drive, Route 128 North or South, 193 North of Boston, 193 South of Boston, and last Route 9. Detailed driving directions are indicated on Frank Park Zoo's official website.

Maps & Directions for Automobile to Frank Park Zoo

http://www.zoonewengland.org/Page.aspx?pid=232

What about hours and admission? As for summer days (April 1 to September 30), the Zoo is opened from 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays while to 6 pm for weekends and holidays. 10 am to 4 pm daily is applied to winter days, stretching from October 1 to March 31. PS: you are permitted to enter the Zoo one half hour before closing.

Concerning the admission, it is $14 for adult, $11 for for senior visitors (62 and over), and $8 for children aged 2 -12. The entry of child under 2 is free.

There is another point worth noting. The Zoo offers special price for visitors at 10 am - noon on the first Saturday of every month. You will be charged the children's admission price, $8!

When it comes to the train and carousel hours, you should pay attention. They are only opened to the public at weekends from 10:30 am to 5 pm in September. The rides will be available at weekends from 10:30 am to 3 pm in October and be closed for the season starting from November 1st. All the hours mentioned above are for fine days. Under inclement weather, you can call the Zoo office at 617-541-LION (5466).

Here is a link. Click it and you can find the listing of all free special events in Franklin Park Zoo, for example, submit a name for a female baby gorilla, or visit the Tropics in cold winter days.

Franklin Park Zoo Special Events

http://www.zoonewengland.org/Page.aspx?pid=330