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Location
Parking
Paid parking available; FanFest parking at Giraffe Lot (38th & Girard Ave) for daytime and Parking Garage (Girard Ave) for evening; spaces limited, first-come first-serve basis; free parking for members
Best time
Visit the Hippo Habitat during cooler morning or late afternoon hours when hippos are most active. They tend to be sleepy during the heat of the day, so you'll have better chances of seeing them splashing, swimming, and being interactive rather than resting.
Visitor tip
Book the Behind the Scenes Hippo Experience for a premium interactive encounter where you can stand at the enclosure edge and hand-feed the famous Nile hippo residents, Cindy and Unna. This transforms your visit from observation to direct interaction with these iconic animals.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Zoo
- Notable Feature
- America's First Zoo
- Recent Opening
- Francis J. Carey Bear Country with Zoo360 trail
- Hours
- Daily 9:30 AM to 5 PM (last entry 4 PM)
What visitors say
Behold the Hippo Habitat at the Philadelphia Zoo, a spectacular showcase of these mighty river giants! With a spacious landscape that includes both indoor and outdoor pools, the habitat is a testament to the zoo’s dedication to…
Hippos are a great thing to be able to see at the zoo. I like how they put two of the most bizarre looking animals next to each other: the giraffes and the hippos. Life doesn't get much more different than those two!
You can catch the hippos in action during the warmer months at the zoo! Looking forward to seeing them again.
From 12 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- The Hippo Habitat features two named Nile hippos, Cindy and Unna, with both indoor and outdoor pools allowing visitors to observe them swimming, lounging, and surfacing throughout the day
- Hippo Habitat offers a Behind the Scenes Hippo Experience where visitors can stand at the enclosure edge and hand-feed the hippos directly
- Zoo membership pays for itself in just two visits, with members receiving free parking and no need for advanced reservations
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