Hello everyone! During our July trip to Atlanta, Georgia, one of our stops was the Atlanta Zoo. It’s been on my radar for a while, but I have postponed a visit because it seemed like one of the more cliche things to do in the area.
However, we finally went with our group of friends on this last trip because it was so heavily advertised and seemed like it would be a good time. And it was. But I walked away from the zoo feeling…unimpressed. And that’s why I wanted to share this blog post with you all today.
The Atlanta zoo is undoubtedly a good one. But after the incredible zoos and aquariums we already visited this year, it felt like it fell a bit short for all the hype it receives. Perhaps I expected too much after knowing how amazing the world-class Atlanta Aquarium is.
But if you’re about to visit Atlanta as a tourist, I wanted to share the pros and cons with you before you spend your money on a visit.
See the Animals of the Atlanta Zoo on YouTube
Pros of the Atlanta Zoo
Great Animal Selection
If you’re looking for a great variety of animals, the Atlanta zoo definitely has that area covered. You’ll find all the classic animals here (lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!), along with rarer additions like elephants, giant pandas, and gorillas.
Some other notable creatures that I haven’t personally seen at many zoos recently include drills, lemurs (crowned and ringtail), giant otters, sloths, Patagonian maras, and naked mole rats.
Manageable Size
The Atlanta Zoo is a good size for groups with children, and can easily be done in about 3 hours. There are no giant safari loops or overly long offshoots to trek, and it mostly follows an easy-to-navigate loop that keeps your visit moving.
Up-Close Animal Viewing
Most of the exhibits are fairly small, so many of the animals were right in front of us when we walked up. It wasn’t uncommon to be just a few feet (or inches) away from some of the creatures like the giant pandas, toucans, and naked mole rats.
The Living Treehouse is Unique
Gorgeous birds at the Living Treehouse 
Lemurs at the Living Treehouse
One of my favorite stops at the zoo was the Living Treehouse, which is a free-flying aviary. Many different birds flitter around you inside, while lemurs chill in trees right next to the enclosure walls. It’s a fun take on aviaries that I hadn’t seen before and that felt more natural than most.
The Scaly Slimy Spectacular is Very Cool
I’m not a huge lizard person, but I do love seeing cool critters behind the safety of plexiglass. The Scaly Slimy Spectacular building at the Atlanta Zoo is very well done and lets you see a ton of reptiles up close. The main atrium is so bright and has a really fun vibe to it as well, especially in the larger habitats.
Cons of the Atlanta Zoo
Small and Uninspired Animal Enclosures
I love seeing animals enjoying a large habitat that was painstakingly made to feel like their natural home. I did not get that feeling at the Atlanta Zoo. Many of the animal enclosures felt tinier than they should have. Yes, that brought the animals right next to the windows sometimes, but the habitats often felt cramped and drab with few plants or sensory items for the animals.
Some of the habitats like the Savannah area and gorilla enclosure were much larger, but they seemed to be the exception.
After seeing the potential for an incredible zoo like the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, where the habitats are large and immersive, the animals are easy to see, and all the critters look happy, the Atlanta Zoo fell way short.
Frustrating Viewing Placement
For many of the exhibits, the animals were almost too close to the glass. But for others, it was almost impossible to see the animals, due to odd landscaping and path placement.
For example, you can’t see the tiger from the backside of his enclosure because they put fake bamboo fencing on that side. And the gorillas and orangutans are also difficult to spot because there is no path around their habitat. Viewing is limited to a select few spots right at the front, which doesn’t allow you to see over the hill right in the middle of both enclosures.
Habitats like this where the animals need a lot of space to roam are precisely where a large loop would be appreciated.
Dirty Facilities
Dirty bathrooms make me second-guess just about everything about a place. The first bathroom I visited at the Atlanta Zoo was entirely unusable, no thanks to a toilet paper shortage (it was all over the floor and seats instead), urine-splattered everything, and muddy floors. The 2nd bathroom wasn’t much better.
If they’re putting so little care into taking care of their human visitors in a time when everyone else is increasing sanitation measures, I wonder what the animal facilities are like….
Lack of Atmosphere
I get it–most people just go to the zoo to see the animals. But for a zoo to really stand out these days, it needs atmosphere, and the Atlanta Zoo was on the drab side of things. Now normally, I wouldn’t expect a zoo to go above and beyond in this department–but this is Atlanta! This attraction is warring with the renowned Atlanta Aquarium for visitors, so why wouldn’t they put more effort into making the grounds nicer and more engaging?
Closing Thoughts on Whether the Atlanta Zoo is Worth A Visit
I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t enjoy my visit to the Atlanta Zoo at all. I had a wonderful time with friends, and I loved seeing the giant pandas up close and the little elephant giving himself a dust bath. But for an Atlanta attraction, the zoo just felt a bit lackluster. I think the Riverbanks Zoo spoiled me for all others, unfortunately. So, I probably won’t be back.
But if all you really care about is seeing the animals (which is obviously a completely valid reason to go to a zoo), you should definitely go! You’ll see a ton of cool creatures up close in a short amount of time, and the zoo is conveniently located to the downtown scene.
If you think you want to check out some different attractions while you’re there, be sure to keep an eye on my ongoing Atlanta mini-series for cool things that are definitely worth your time!
More to Do in Atlanta, Georgia
- World Of Coca-Cola: A Must-See In Atlanta, GA
- A Festive Date Night in Atlanta: Featuring the Skyview and Chinese Lantern Festival
- Exciting Things to Do in Atlanta: Explore the Beltline and Ponce City Market!
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