Date of Last Visit: September 2, 2023

Pennsylvania is home to the oldest zoo in the New World, and today the Philadelphia Zoo is still among the most popular and celebrated zoological attractions in the country.

But while the Philadelphia Zoo is the most celebrated – and rightly so – it is just one of seven attractions in Pennsylvania accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

One of those just happens to be a mere 18-miles away.

The Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, Montgomery County, may be half the size of its more famous neighbor, but it still has plenty to offer visitors.

Of all the unique experiences that Elmwood Park Zoo has to offer, one stands out from the rest. Or more aptly put, one stands taller than the rest.

Just inside the entrance to the zoo is giraffe-feeding deck. For a couple extra dollars, guests have the opportunity to climb the stairs and go face-to-face with the zoo’s three resident giraffes.

Each guest on the deck receives two pieces of lettuce that the giraffes happily will take from their hands. The lettuce helps to both nourish and hydrate the animals. The experience doesn’t take long (the line, on busy days, takes much longer) but seeing a giraffe’s black tongue grab the lettuce out of your hands is an experience you won’t soon forget.

The Zoo offers two additional feeding experiences. One is part of the Birds of Paradise exhibit, where brightly colored macaws, parakeets and other tropical species are housed. The other is the bison feeding.

North America’s largest land animal, the American Bison, is a nearly threatened species. Elmwood Park Zoo is home to three of these unique creatures, including Dakota, who has lived at the zoo since 1997. Even if you skip the feeding, guests can get a close-up look and learn more about the American Bison by stepping aboard an old Union Pacific caboose that now doubles as a viewing platform.

Guests can also get a birds-eye view of the bison from another of the zoo’s unique attractions – Treetop Adventures.

Treetop Adventures is a ropes course with more than 50 challenges and ziplines, including a cub climb for kids 36-60” tall and the Treetop Zoofari for adults 54” and taller. The Zoofari consists of 20 challenges and eight zips, including one that flies directly over the bison exhibit.

Our five-year-old was more than excited to do the cub climb and to be able to zip along – even if it was close to the ground.

He also loved visiting the farm animals in the barn. While the types of animals in the barn are expected, the exact species are not. For example, there are Jacob sheep, which feature distinct horns, and Pygora goats, which are a cross-breed of pygmy and angora goats and feature a soft coat.

And there are Jenny and Pickles, the donkeys that have called the zoo home since 2013.

But by the far the most popular exhibit, and a favorite of our family, is the Trail of the Jaguar.

The habitat, which features enclosures not only for jaguars but other big cats, is designed to evoke images of the American southwest.

Unfortunately, on our most recent visit, the large cat was taking a rest – as cats will do – making it slightly less exciting than when they’re roaming through the enclosure.

Another cool area, located near the main entrance, is the Wetlands. Here, guests follow a boardwalk through a series of enclosures where they encounter silly otters and the more stoic American alligator.

The zoo also offers several other areas for kids to have a little fun including a carousel ride, large playground and a sound garden where kids are invited to create their own music.

While it may not be as large as the zoos in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, Elmwood Park Zoo is a fun little spot with plenty to explore and do for families, especially those with little ones.

More Animal Adventures…