Hello friends! Somehow I’ve been running this blog for nearly 2 years, and I haven’t shared one of my favorite activities in Norfolk: The Virginia Zoo!
This awesome zoological park is one I’ve been to several times with my nieces and nephew, but last Saturday, I finally took Daniel for his first time. This ended up being a unique adventure for two reasons: 1) the zoo was still covered in snow from Thursday, and 2) we had to adjust for COVID procedures.
It was a bit chilly, but we still had a phenomenal time, which proves that this is a great activity year-round! I definitely recommend that you add it to your list of things to do in Norfolk, whether or not you have kids!
The zoo regularly runs fun events, including special tours, movie nights, virtual education days, and even virtual date nights (if that floats your boat).
Today, I’ll walk you through what to expect from a visit to The Virginia Zoo, including an overview of all the fun animals you can see!
Take a Virtual Tour of a Snow Day at the Virginia Zoo!
A Quick Note About Conservation at the Virginia Zoo
I absolutely adore zoos, aquariums, animal parks; you name it. Of course, I love going to see all the cute animals, but I also appreciate the vital role of conservation. Without organizations like these, many of us would have no idea half of these animals exist–much less that most of them are endangered species!
So one of the things I really appreciate about the Virginia Zoo is that every exhibit has a conservation sign. You’ll learn some cool facts about the animal, along with how endangered it is, why it’s endangered, and what you can realistically do to make a difference in its survival!
And of course, the zoo also has tons of educational programs to help spread the word and increase everyone’s interest in saving these wonderful creatures, which is really the most important thing.
Before You Visit the Virginia Zoo…
Plan Your Visit & Get your tickets!
Due to the pandemic, everyone must purchase their tickets online and choose a specific arrival time. You can do this up to 2 weeks before your visit.
You will have one hour from your selected time slot to enter the zoo, and then you can stay as long as you like until closing time. (For example, if you select 12 pm, you can enter the zoo anytime between 12 pm and 1 pm and stay as long as you want.) However, be aware that the zoo is currently only open until 4 pm, and the last reservation time is at 2 pm.
At this time, the zoo isn’t offering any extra discounts on admission, which is understandable considering limited capacity doesn’t reduce their upkeep costs.
- Adults (12+) $17.95
- Seniors (62+) $15.95
- Children (2-11) $14.95
Download Your Map
You’ll find maps scattered throughout the zoo, but you may appreciate a pocket version on your phone if it’s your first time. You can download one from the zoo website for free.
Dress Appropriately
The Virginia Zoo takes about 2 hours to tour, and it’s all currently outdoors. Outside of COVID, there are a couple of indoor exhibits, but you’ll still want to plan for the weather and plenty of walking (thank goodness for our mostly mild climate!).
The paths are all very well-kept and have minimal inclines, but I recommend good walking shoes at all times of the year.
What to Expect at the Virginia Zoo
The Virginia Zoo is made up of 6 different zones with a different theme of animals (and activities) in each.
- Asia-Trail of the Tiger
- Africa-Okavango Delta
- Australia Walkabout
- Run Wild Nature Play
- North America
- World of Reptiles
- ZooFarm
Due to COVID-19, you’ll have a bit of a different experience visiting right now than you would have a year ago, but it’s still fantastic! However, I do want to be clear of what you can and can’t do right now.
First of all, the Australia Walkabout, World of Reptiles, and ZooFarm are closed because of close quarters and high-touch points. These are the three smallest areas, but I know they’re fun for little kids.
Secondly, the zoo has a one-way policy in place right now, and they ask that your follow the directional arrows on the ground during your tour. This doesn’t make a huge difference, however, because the paths have a natural flow to them to begin with.
Finally, you’ll need to wear a mask when you’re indoors or within 6 feet of another party. Thankfully, the zoo is nice and spacious, so you shouldn’t have to deal with it too often.
Taking Your Tour of the Virginia Zoo
Asia-Trail of the Tiger
The very first section is filled with cool animals from all over Asia.
The featured animal (as you may have guessed) is the Malayan Tiger. You can actually view its exhibit from 3 sides, and it’s the first and last thing you’ll see on this loop.
This zone also has several kinds of monkeys, including Siamangs, Bornean Orangutans, and White-Cheeked Gibbons.
Another big feature of the Tiger Trail is birds! There are 15 different kinds of birds along the trail, from Sarus Cranes to Rhinoceros Hornbills.
The final animal group that you’ll see here is bears. You can see both sun and moon bears, as well as a red panda!
Last but not least, the Tiger Trail is home to some sleepy binturongs and adorable tapirs!
Africa-Okavango Delta
The next stop on your tour is the African-like plains of the Okavango Delta! This area is full of amazing creatures that are out year-round. I loved seeing these ones, in particular, trying to figure out the snow!
The first little savannah features a herd of Zebra and a couple of Watusi Cattle.
As you continue your tour, you’ll see Red River Hogs and Cheetahs on your left (the Cheetahs were exceptionally epic with snowy backdrops!) and a safari’s-worth of creatures on your right.
The second large, plain-like area is where giraffes, ostriches, a yellow-backed duiker, and white rhinos roam. There’s also a side enclosure that contains some brightly-colored bongos!
On this particular visit, it was too cold for the less-furry animals like the giraffes and rhinos to be outside. However, the zoo has a cool elevated viewing center where you can see these animals in their inside enclosures. (Don’t worry, these are only for nighttime and chilly days!)
In the final stretch of the Africa loop, you’ll wind through a rocky trail around the lion’s enclosure. In addition to awesome views of the resident lions, you’ll also be able to get up close to a Cape Porcupine, various lizards (White-Throated Monitor, Egyptian Spiny-Tailed Lizard, Meller’s Chameleon, Painted Agame), some gorgeous birds, a Rock Hyrax, Meerkats, and three kinds of tortoises!
Australia Walkabout
This large enclosure is usually open for visitors to stroll through, getting up close to wallabies, emus, and cassowaries. Right now, you can still stroll by and see the giant birds foraging along the pathway.
Run Wild Nature Play
The Run Wild section has no animals, but it’s a fun stop nonetheless. Kids can play in small gardens and learn about nature through several fun stations. Plus, there’s a gorgeous bamboo maze to meander through!
North America
At the end of the main loop, you’ll find three North-American creatures: bison, black-tailed prairie dogs, and a bald eagle. The prairie dogs go inside when it’s cold, but you can see the eagle and bison year-round.
Closing Thoughts on the Virginia Zoo
You probably noticed that the two biggest zones discussed were Africa and Asia. In size, they make up nearly half the zoo, but animal-wise, probably 65% of the creatures are here.
So, while it may be a bit disappointing to miss the goats, lizards, and cute rodents (think armadillos), the zoo is still running most of its main exhibits despite COVID!
We plan to return once the weather is a bit warmer. When we do, I’ll be sure to update this to let you know if any more animals and exhibits appear with the warmer weather (and hopefully a COVID-less society).
Do you have any questions about the zoo? Comments on animals you wish they had? Let me know below! I love hearing from you all!
Don’t forget to add the Virginia Zoo to your bucket list whether you live in Hampton Roads or plan to visit our beautiful beaches this spring and summer!
I know you’ll have an amazing time!
You can save and share this post using the social media icons on the side and bottom of the screen, and you can sign up for the blog for free in the form below!
Sign Up for Updates from Carried Away Travels
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you’ll be back next week! (Tip: Sign up for the email list so you get notified when the new post drops!)
Happy travels!
Ready for More? Check Out These Recent Posts!
- Everything You Need To Pack For A Week In Iceland
- How to Spend 3 Days in Dublin & Northern Ireland
- 11 Essential Things to Know Before Visiting Iceland
- My Top 12 Travel Tools For Saving Time & Money
- Dublin Exploration Hack: Big Bus Tours
- The Best 5-Day Colorado Itinerary
Make Vacation Planning Easier
Download my Vacation Planner or Travel Blogger’s Planner today!
