About Peoria Zoo

Historic park-district animal center. Historic park with 100+ global species (some endangered), giraffe feeding & African installations.

💬 What Parents Say

• 💡Don't miss the giraffe feeding experience and the Australian Walkabout exhibit where wallabies and emus roam freely while visitors stay on the path—these are consistently highlighted as must-do attractions
• 💡Consider purchasing a membership pass if you plan multiple visits; reviewers specifically praise it as 'wonderful' and note the zoo continuously adds new events and expansions, making it a good value for repeat visits
• 💡Plan to spend 2-3 hours exploring; the zoo is intentionally small and quaint compared to larger facilities, making it ideal for young children ages 2-10 without overwhelming them or requiring a full day commitment
• 💡Arrive during scheduled animal feeding times and keeper talks (especially the turtle education visits) to get the most educational value—staff are noted for being exceptionally knowledgeable and engaging, particularly with children
• 💡For families with young children, the staff excels at getting down to kids' level and making them comfortable; request the turtle education experience specifically, as reviewers highlighted one educator as 'beyond extraordinary' for her work with children

Hours