Niabi Zoo
add photosThe zoo grounds cover forty acres, and an additional 200 acres is set aside for native flora and fauna preservation. Niabi is home to over 900 animals representing more than 160 species. Approximately 250,000 visitors a year make Niabi Zoo one of the largest attractions in the Quad Cities. The zoo grounds also offers a playground, a train ride, picnic areas and concession stands.
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Spring & Summer Hours Through Labor Day: Daily 9:30am - 5pm
Fall Hours: September 2 through October 26 Mon-Fri: 11am-4pm; Sat-Sun: 9:30am- 5pm
Winter Hours October 26 through December 5: Daily 11am-4pm
6 Reviews for Niabi Zoo
10
00 families found this helpful
"Great zoo for young children"
I went here with my son who was almost 2, a friend and her son who is 6 weeks younger than mine and her daughter who was 4 months old. It is a nice zoo for young children because it is not huge. It just takes a few hours, which is good for little ones who don't have the attention span to spend a whole day walking around at a zoo. They have a nice variety of animals and it made a fun day trip for us!
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0 families found this helpful
"Quiet little zoo"
Niabi zoo is a quiet little zoo on the outskirts of the Quad Cities. This zoo is the perfect size, it is not too big and not too small. There aren't many exhibits, but what they have is nice and well taken care of. They offer train rides and pony rides too. Great for all ages and the admission price is very reasonable.
0 families found this helpful
"Cheap and fun"
This zoo has done so much in the past years and it is really great! There really aren't too many people - nothing compared to a large city - and its really reasonably priced. One thing I love is that you can grab popcorn at a stand for $1! That is an awesome cheap snack for walking around a zoo!
The animal exhibits are great, they have a walk through kangeroo area that is really great! I cannot wait for the new developments in the future - they are talking about having a feed the giraffes exhibit which we actually were able to do once just becuase we were in the right place at the right time.
0 families found this helpful
"Very small zoo"
This zoo is OK for small kids and short trips. It is very tiny and there aren't a lot of animals to see. They are supposed to be building a new elephant housing area soon and getting a new elephant and they are also working on a giraffe feeding platform. Those two additions will make it a better destination, but for now, just know that you won't spend a lot of time there and your older kids may get bored.
0 families found this helpful
"Lots of fun!"
Driving along U.S. Highway 6 south of the Rock River, turn south onto East 11th Street, which runs into Niabi Road. The entrance area has a small parking lot and a low, one-story building housing the ticket sales area, main concession stand, and gift shop. The zoo grounds rest on 30 acres of Rock Island County Forest Preserve land.
Niabi is reportedly an Oswego Indian word meaning “young deer spared from the hunter’s arrow.” Deer and other hooved animals are prominent among the approximately 160 species on display. You’re also likely to see lions, camels, bobcats, wolves, wallabies, bears, monkeys, and Asian elephants.
The author is particularly partial to the cute little multicolored birds called Lorikeets. Niabi Zoo is of a traditional style, with iron bars and fencing surrounding the animals’ pens or pits. While this style looks rather like a prison, it nonetheless allows closer access to the animals than the more modern, open-spaces zoos do. Primates and birds have both indoor and outdoor display areas. The reptile house is interesting but very stuffy.
Wide, paved pathways are easy to navigate with strollers or wheelchairs. The well-maintained grounds feature wildflowers and prairie grasses, and there are picnic tables and playgrounds when you’re ready for a break. If the kids’ feet get tired, you can take them for a ride around the zoo on the Mel McKay Express, a shuttle-size replica of an old steam engine, or give them a spin on the Endangered Species Carousel, a gilded merry-go-round featuring tigers, gorillas, elephants, and zebras.
'10
1 family found this helpful
"Much improved"
They have done some major improvements in the last few years to move it forward. Most major animals, elephant area, duck and fish pond, petting zoo with pony rides, austrilain walkabout with lorakeet feeding, african animal area with hopefully giraffe feeding area, reptile house, big cat area, north american animal area, train ride, two playgrounds, counter service resturant, gift shop and educational center.
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