This zoo has something for everyone in my family, exotic animals, endemic animals, play areas, aquariums, food, shows, animal encounters, a carousel...
We always get a yearly membership. It makes sense for us as we have kiddos that have varying attention spans and while we would like to stay all day and make good on the drive time for us, it doesn't usually happen. I don't feel so badly about leaving after a few hours knowing we can just come back.
Chris S
Jun 4, 2022
This is a beautiful little zoo and aquarium. It sits in a very large park beside the sound. There is free parking. They are both very popular and for good reasons. The zoo and aquarium had a few attractions that were closed the day we were there. They were working on adding a new attractions and fixing some. There was still a lot to enjoy. I won't go into specifics for there is to much for me to tell. But if you enjoy beautiful animals and being able to interact with them and their staff friends, this is a great place to plan a trip to. They do offer zoo memberships that can save you money throughout the year and enjoy other benefits. Look into there website.
Sophie Wu
Mar 27, 2022
This zoo and aquarium is amazing that is actually is more fun than the zoo in Seattle. The aquarium isn’t very big but we love that it gives us more options to see under water animals and creature.
There’s a kids zoom which is like a small playground near the zoo entrance. This is the most high traffic area in the zoo and some facilities here need maintenance as the paint seems to be fainted.
Overall, this is a must go place if you visit Tacoma with kids. The parking lot is large and has plenty of parking space. It’s in the Point Defiance park so you could also visit the other part of the park with kids and maybe spend the entire day in this park.
J Mac
Jan 18, 2022
What a wonderful zoo. Get there early and avoid the crowds. We have been coming for years and the additions, like the new aquarium, are fantastic. My kids have grown up visiting this zoo and it’s still one of our favorite family activities. It seems like the staff really do care for the well being and protection of the animals. Consider a membership if your local. It pays for itself very quickly!
We made it there at 1pm and left right at 4pm.
5adults 4kids 7,5,3, and 1.
It was enjoyable for the most part. You have to have a bit of zen going on and relax. There's people everywhere!
They allow them. But I'm not sure about a discount, if that's what you're wanting to know. I know they give military discounts, so you could call and see if that includes veterans.
I got this directly from their website. Looks like a first come first serve basis.
The Zoo offers wheelchairs (non-motorized), strollers, powerchairs and umbrellas for rent on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors may be asked to leave a piece of ID that will be returned when the rental item is turned in.
Wheelchair: $10/day*
Stroller: $10 single; $12 double*
Powerchair: $35* (minimum age 18 yrs)
Umbrella: $6*
*Includes tax
There are places to fish off of the docks at/near Owen's Beach. I do not know the exact regulations on that waterway so check with DFW before heading out.
Your have to check the zoo website. In my experience east of the Mississippi, the normal free day for zoos & children museums was 1st Tuesday of each month.
You can pay online if you know your credit card number or have it stored in your Google wallet. That's how i bought tickets while we were parking at the zoo.
Nope mot yet, they just put water in the large tank for stress tessing. Like Eric said end of summer, because the water has to be in there running for a month before moving any wildlife.
Negative... It's a drive through scenic park with pull outs and picnic areas and trails and a beach (Owens Beach).. There is also a zoo connected... You would love it..
How much is family pass and are kids grandkids and great grandkids included?
Roy O'Neel | Dec 28, 2018
Emily G | Dec 29, 2018
2 adults plus legal dependents is 145, grandparents membership is 2 adults and 5 grandchildren for 145
Further details can be found here https://www.pdza.org/visit/tickets-membership/
There r multiple free days, here's a list of upcoming free days this year : September 19th, 27th, October 10th, 28th, and November 4th. The catch is that you have to be a Tacoma resident to enter for free on these days. August 21st will be free for seniors and people with disabilities though.
The price of admission to the zoo stays constant throughout the week I believe. An even better deal is to join the Zoo Society. My package cost about 135 per year. That includes 2 adults who can each have a guest and five children. Visit 3 times in the year and you save money! Gives you a discount on NW Trek as well as Zoolights
In August 2019, we visited the Point Defiance Zoo. Around noon, I left the park, retrieved lunch from the car, and re-entered using my admission ticket. Before leaving, I asked the clerk if I could leave and re-enter and the person said yes.
Point defiance is by far larger with more to see and has an aquarium. Woodland usually has more active animals to see but the zoo itself is more or less a giant circle so basically a quicker walk thru. Woodland Park charges for parking. Point defiance has free parking and more family friendly activities however parking can be tricky despite it having a huge parking lot.
Point defiance is in Tacoma and is close to beaches, parks, the waterfront. Woodland is in the busier end of Seattle and there are local stores etc to visit but not much else nearby.
Really depends what pros/cons you're going for.
Hope that helps :)
From the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Membership FAQ:
Q, I have a membership with a reciprocal zoo; can I use the guest passes included with that membership?
A. Reciprocity benefits are awarded to those individuals specifically named on your zoo membership pass only. Guest passed from reciprocal zoo memberships will not be honored.
There is a link immediately above this question on their website, that shows a list of which zoos they have reciprocal avreements with.
For Veterans day I've been hearing its going to be free for service members is that true?
Orlando Osvaldo Torres-Gomez | Dec 28, 2019
Mave Lastovica | Dec 29, 2019
From their website
"All veterans and active-duty military get free admission, and their families get half-off general admission at the front gate."
Bring your ID and have fun!
You can purchase tickets online, and print tickets at home. This is the excerpt from the site.
https://www.pdza.org/visit/prices/online-ticketing-faq/
How do print-at-home tickets work?
Print-at-home tickets work in much the same way as buying other kinds of tickets online such as concert, airline or hotel tickets. Follow these instructions:
Click the Buy Tickets button below to go to the ticket sales page.
Choose the ticket(s) and quantity of tickets that you need.
Confirm your quantity and price.
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express , or Discover.
Complete the checkout process.
Check your email. You will receive an email from PDZA admissions with a PDF that contains the tickets.
Open the PDF attachment. (To open the tickets, you must have Adobe Reader loaded on your computer.)
There are electric scooter for elderly to rent. Not sure the price. The people ahead of us got one. They are located in the carousel building where you can rent strollers also. Hope that helps
What days could you go for free and we’re could you get discounts
Nercids Garcia | Dec 28, 2018
Jade Goodwin | Dec 29, 2018
itll have to be on an special day really and those are rare for adults but for kids can get disconuts for how old they are. It really depends on whos there and how much you are spending
Yup, in the building with carousel, just remember its the Zoo so everything costs just a bit more than you might normally think it should. Kinda like Disneyland
You can leave your car in the parking lot. You will have to exit the actual park and re-enter for zoo lights, but your car can stay in the parking lot.
These are the dates for 2018:
Tuesday, March 20
Tuesday, April 17
Tuesday, May 15
Tuesday, June 29
Tuesday, July 17
Tuesday, August 21
Tuesday, September 18
Tuesday, October 16
The North Pacific Aquarium is closed to the public but the South Pacific Aquarium is still open. That's the one with the large shark tank and interactive stingray exhibit. The new Pacific Seas Aquarium building will open later this year.
I don't believe so but you should call and find out just to make sure. And if you need money to get in you can go to Fred Meyers and get the money off your food stamp card.
Yes you can. The half price for moms are only available at gate. Just let them know you already purchased your husband and childs tickets. That part should really not matter.
Not inside the.. But there are tons of trails at Point Defience Park which is suitable for dogs! I haven't been to yet but I heard there's a dog park there 👌
(Scott's prices are the online & discounted rates). Add $2 per ticket if you buy them at the gate add aren't a pierce county resident or don't qualify for one of the other discount rates.
Adults (13-64) are $18, Seniors (65+) are $17, Youth (5-12) are $14, Tots (3-4) are $10, and Infants (2 and under) are free. You can pay with cash or card. If you live in the area and plan to go more than a couple times in a year, I would recommend the annual membership. See the website for details and pricing. You'll really enjoy this zoo, especially the new aquarium that was recently built.
You need to keep your ticket with you and I'm pretty sure you can or let it know to one of the employee your situation and they going to understand and give you access back again.