





Zoos
Peoria Zoo
📍 2320 N Prospect Rd, Peoria, IL 61603🕐 Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–5 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–5 PM |
About Peoria Zoo
Historic park-district animal center. Historic park with 100+ global species (some endangered), giraffe feeding & African installations. Peoria Zoo features over 100 global species, including endangered animals, with specialized exhibits like African savanna, Asian Trail, and Australia Walk-About showcasing species from multiple continents. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,175 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Zoo
- Best For
- All ages
- Highlights
- Giraffe feeding, Mexican spider monkeys, African savanna, Asian Trail
- Special Events
- Glow Wild (April), Spring Market in the Garden (May)
- Mission Focus
- Wildlife conservation and education
💡 Did You Know?
- Peoria Zoo features over 100 global species, including endangered animals, with specialized exhibits like African savanna, Asian Trail, and Australia Walk-About showcasing species from multiple continents
- The zoo offers interactive giraffe feeding experiences, a popular hands-on attraction mentioned in 27 reviews, allowing visitors direct contact with these large mammals
- The Australia Walk-About exhibit uniquely confines visitors to a path while allowing emu and wallabies to roam freely, inverting the traditional zoo viewing model
- The zoo operates as a historic park-district animal center with membership programs and regularly adds new events and expansions, demonstrating ongoing community investment and growth
💬 What Visitors 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
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