The zoo's 'Solitude' house was built in 1784 by John Penn, a grandson of William Penn.
It was the first zoo in the United States to be chartered by a state government.
The zoo maintains a specialized KidZooU, which combines active play with formal animal education.
Zoo360 includes trails for tigers, lions, leopards, lemurs, and meerkats to roam throughout the park.
The grounds feature over 500 species of trees and shrubs, functioning as a botanical garden.
The zoo houses the Rare Animal Conservation Center, specifically for endangered species like naked mole rats and golden lion tamarins.
Established in 1874, the Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest zoo in the United States and holds a charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It serves as a 42-acre Victorian garden campus housing over 1,300 animals, including rare and endangered species. A primary feature is Zoo360, a unique system of overhead mesh trails that allows primates and big cats to traverse above and across the main walkways. The campus integrates historic Victorian architecture, such as the Solitude House, with modern animal habitats. It functions as an active research and education facility focused on global wildlife conservation. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
The elevated mesh walkways of the Zoo360 system when animals are passing directly overhead.
Check the online map for the daily schedule of keeper talks and animal demonstrations.
Plan to explore the Zoo360 trail system by looking up; animals often travel directly over the guest pathways.
Visit the petting zoo area within KidZooU if traveling with young children.
Do not attempt to see every single animal in one trip as the hilly terrain can be fatiguing; prioritize specific zones.
Open daily, though some outdoor animal exhibits may close early or be unavailable during extreme winter weather conditions.
Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for paved paths and moderate inclines; refrain from feeding or tapping on animal enclosures.
