Taking a Road Trip to a Texas Zoo

Spring break is now underway, and the kids are wanting to do something fun before they go back to school. Why not go to the zoo? All over the great state of Texas there are wildlife zoos and aquariums for Texans to enjoy, and some of the closest parks and zoos near San Angelo are less than 3.5 hours away. The Abilene Zoo, San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, Cameron Park Zoo, and Fort Worth Zoo are all places within that radius.

[[{"fid":"19298","view_mode":"default","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Abilene Zoo","class":"media-element file-default imgbody"}}]]

The Abilene Zoo, located at 2070 Zoo Lane, is 1.5 hours away from San Angelo. This zoo opened its doors in 1966, and includes over 1,000 animals with a variety of 250 animal species. Kelly Thompson, the marketing and development coordinator for the Abilene Zoo said that “Spring break is always special at the zoo.”

Everything that was closed for the winter will now be open, she said. The zoo now has two new baby jaguars that are the center of attraction this week. Thompson said, “They are starting to come out and be really entertaining. When they first moved in, they were very cautious and getting used to their space, but now they are really coming out and entertaining people.”

The Abilene Zoo is open every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the last admittance is at 4 p.m.

The price of General Admission tickets include the following:

• Adults: $7.00
• Children: $4.50
• Seniors are $6.00
• Parking: Free

[[{"fid":"19312","view_mode":"default","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Courtesy of San Antonio Zoo website","title":"Courtesy of San Antonio Zoo website","class":"media-element file-default imgbody"}}]]

The San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium is located at 3903 N St Mary's Street, and from San Angelo, the drive is about three hours away. Debbie Vanskike, director of Marketing/Public Relations said, “The greatest attraction at the Zoo and Aquarium is the giraffe exhibit, as well as the Africa Live underwater viewing of hippos. During spring break, the San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium has a giraffe feeding experience. It is a giraffe feeding station in the Savanna habitat. “

The Zoo and Aquarium sits on about 52 acres of land, and 35 acres are used as public pathways. The remaining acres are off-site holding areas.

The Zoo and Aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for spring break.

General Admission ticket prices are as follows:

• Adults (12⁺): $14.25
• Children (3-11): $11.25
• Seniors (62⁺): $11.25

[[{"fid":"19300","view_mode":"default","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Naural Bridge Wildlife Ranch","class":"media-element file-default imgbody"}}]]

The Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is located at 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd. in San Antonio. This ranch is a little pricier than most zoos because it is a drive-through wildlife ranch. It stretches over 450 acres of land in the scenic Texas Hill Country. The drive through ranch is four miles long, so make sure the tank is full of gas.

Tiffany Soechting, Public Relations/Marketing director, said, “We are Texas’ longest running and most visited safari park. We are blessed with the honor of being listed on USA Today’s top 10 safari parks in the nation.”

From March 13-20, the ranch will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

General Admission for tickets:

• Adults (12⁺): $22.00
• Children (3-11): $13.50
• Children (under 3): Free
• Seniors (65⁺): $20.00

[[{"fid":"19301","view_mode":"default","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Cameron Park Zoo","class":"media-element file-default imgbody"}}]]

The Cameron Park Zoo is located at 1701 N 4th St. in Waco, and is about a 3.5-hour drive from San Angelo. Duane McGregor, the Marketing/Public Relations Manager, said, “We feel that all of our animals at Cameron Park Zoo are great attractions. We currently have a baby gibbon that is 9 months old and her name is Lucy. She is a real cutie! Cameron Park Zoo rests on 52 acres adjacent to the Brazos River in Waco, Texas, [and has] lush native vegetation surrounds splashing waterfalls, a picturesque lake and ponds. And in the midst of all this beauty, visitors see that the wild ones not only survive in their natural habitat, [but they also] flourish.”

Monday through Saturday the Cameron Park Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, the zoo opens from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

General Admission for tickets are as follows:

• Adults (13+): $10
• Children (4–12): $7
• Children (3 and under): Free
• Sr. Citizens (60+): $9
• Military discount is accepted

[[{"fid":"19302","view_mode":"default","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Fort Worth Zoo","class":"media-element file-default imgbody"}}]]

The Fort Worth Zoo is located at 1989 Colonial Pkwy in Fort Worth., and is approximately a 3.5-hour drive. The Fort Worth Zoo has many new hot attraction baby animals. There are two baby elephants, three young baby giraffes, three young lion cubs and one baby gorilla. The zoo sits on 64 acres, which accommodate over 7,000 animals.

Avery Elander, public relations manager at the Fort Worth Zoo, said, “In addition, with over 7,000 animals at the zoo, we have a train that takes you to and from opposite ends of the zoo, as well as a rock wall and carousels that you can ride. There are many other smaller attractions within the zoo such as play barn and a petting zoo.”

This zoo's hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week.

General Admission of tickets are as follows:

• Adults (13⁺): $14.00
• Children (3-12): $10.00
• Toddlers (2 and under): Free
• Seniors (65⁺): $10.00
• Parking (per vehicle): $5.00
• Admission is half-price every Wednesday

San Angelo, unfortunately, has yet to open its own zoo, so in the meantime, San Angeloans have to travel to make fun-filled memories.