Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
add photosThe Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is one of only six major zoo and aquarium combinations in the country. The zoo also has a specially designed Kid's area called Kid's Kingdom where kids learn what it's like to be an animal by acting like one. Walk-through goat and deer yards, a sea lion pool, a netted bird enclosure, and the Animal Connections Playground allow kids to have fun while learning about wildlife.
21 Reviews for Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
137
7
'11
0 families found this helpful
"fun zoo"
High tech fans can bring their ipad or similar devices with QR readers to pick up websites with facts. Kids love Kids Kingdom playground as well as the animal experiences, and the touch tank with stingrays. Photo opportunities are available throughout the zoo. And penny souvenir machines are here too.
Send a Message 
Send a Compliment
It's helpful
1 family found this helpful
"Spent five hours and still wasn't tired!"
I love this zoo! We went to it while visiting friends in Pittsburgh. The zoo and aquarium are one price, and the aquarium is right inside the zoo. The aquarium has sharks, a nice selection of aquatic animals including penguins. There is a kids corner with a crawl through tunnel so they can watch the sting rays swim over them. There is a big walk through tunnel and the end with sharks, and like the kids tunnel you can watch them swim over top of you! The zoo is huge, polar bears, a monkey house, lions, snow leopards and more. We went while it was still chilly out, so not all the animals were on display and yet we still were there for five hours! The food is reasonably priced, and they had a decent selection of refreshing drinks for summer AND warm drinks like coffee, hot chocolate and hot tea for winter. My boys and I loved it and can't wait to go back!
1 family found this helpful
"Amazing aquarium in an unexpected place!"
We recently took our then 2 1/2 year old to Pittsburgh zoo and aquarium. We were pleasantly surprised with free admission due to our membership with Columbus Zoo. This zoo has a lot of hills which is tiring but it's still nice. We didn't get to see every attraction but we found a favorite that we can't wait to visit again! The aquarium is absolutely fantastic! My son was in awe of the sharks swimming around him in the 'tunnel'. It's just a beautiful, peaceful, serene place! We also liked the kid area inside the aquarium where my son crawled through a tunnel and sting rays swam above him. It's a nice place to go! We didn't even get to visit the 'kid area' but it looked fin from afar so that's on our to do list next visit!!
0 families found this helpful
"Best Zoo I have been to"
I love the Pittsburgh Zoo! There is plenty of parking and admission prices are reasonable. The zoo has so many animals and exhibits, it is hard to fit it all in one day. There are many interactive shows and exhibits as well. Very kid friendly and shuttles available to take you to parking. It is definitely a well taken care of zoo with many amazing featured animals, mammals, and birds. Highly recommended!
0 families found this helpful
"A great day trip!"
My family and I recently took a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. What a wonderful day! THe zoo seems designed for strollers!! We made it around the whole zoo with no problems, and the kids were all able to see the animals. Lots of full glass windows so even the little ones could check out the critters. The train ride is great, too! We love it at the zoo. A definate must see!
0 families found this helpful
"You must go to the Pittsburgh Zoo!"
You must take your family and friends to the Pittsburgh Zoo! My family and I had a lovely time at the Pittsburgh Zoo.
The Pittsburgh zoo is a smaller zoo. The zoo is set up nicely, and the exhibits are clean. The animals were easy to spot, with the exception of the lions. My two favorite exhibits were the elephant and rhino exhibits. There is a great deal of shade at the zoo which is wonderful on a hot sunny day. Bring your tennis shoes. There is a great deal of walking at the zoo, and lots of hills!
The food at the zoo was good, a little expensive, but that is to be expected.
The zoo was nice, but the Aquarium was AWESOME! My favorite part of the Aquarium was the large walking tunnel under the shark tank. While in the tunnel you can see large sharks swimming above you and around you. Really cool!
0 families found this helpful
"Was fun But Not as Good"
We had a nice time but there wasn't much to see that you couldn't see at any other zoo, Nothing different anyways. The kids enjoyed theirself, and it was worth the money. Wasn't any shows, at least not when we were there. We had a good time either way, but wish there as more to do.
0 families found this helpful
"Pittsburgh Zoo"
This zoo, I was not too impressed with. They did have lots of animals, however, but the way the zoo was setup was not good. It wasn't very open, they had lots of winding roads and in order to get back to a certain area, you had to go back down the winding roads to get there. I would not really recommend this zoo to anybody.
0 families found this helpful
"Been here many times."
The Pittsburgh Zoo is not too far from me..like an hr & 1/2 away, so Ive been here many, many times. Each time Ive gone here, Ive been pretty pleased w/ the place. The price is great, the food is good, lots of different animals. Gift shop items are pretty pricey tho, but you'll have that anywhere you go. Its great for the whole family.
0 families found this helpful
"Roar!"
This is a joyful little zoo. I say this because although the animals are not in the wild they seem to always be extremely happy, especially in the morning. Every time my son and I go and see the polar bears they are jumping and playing in the water. I seriously have never seen happier polar bears! The zoo itself is pretty easy to find your way around in. Quite a few hills, but nothing abnormal. In October they fix up the zoo with Halloween decorations and it is quite cute.
1 family found this helpful
"Pittsburgh Zoo fun for the family"
The Zoo is a blast for all ages. Children love getting to see all different animals, and things like the PPG Aquarium offer a place to escape the heat in the summer. Kids Kingdom is a ton of fun especially for older kids but for young children it is difficult to climb up to ride the slides. Food is very expensive here, I would recommend packing food and water bottles if your looking to save money.
0 families found this helpful
"Pittsburgh Zoo "
The zoo is a great place to take the kids! WIth a fun play area and otter slides, the kids will be entertained for hours. The polar bear exhibit has been redone recently and has a walk through tunnel and mock town front. The aquarium is just the right size and has a penguin exhibit that the kids all flip for! Our favorite part is the kangaroo pen - you can walk through and even pet kangaroos!
0 families found this helpful
"pittsburgh zoo"
We went to the zoo two weeks ago with my three year old twin boys. It was very clean and well cared for, and very well marked. The big thing we did not like was the trolley system drove along the walking path, so you constantly were fearful of your little one getting hit and the trolley only go every half hour or so. This is not a zoo we will be visiting again any time soon.
1 family found this helpful
"Get the Zoo Key"
Get the zoo key to use throughout the zoo at different displays/exhibits/stops. Its great fun for the kids of all ages. It's only a couple of dollars.
At this zoo, you can see the animals, which is very nice.
Our favorite was the shark tunnel, where you walk through and see the sharks swimming around. We also loved the penguins and kids kingdom.
There are plenty of restrooms, places to eat, and some play spaces too. Great fun for all ages.
0 families found this helpful
"zoo "
You won't see the polar bears...beautiful "tank" tunnel but they aren't ever in it. You're supposed to be able to walk through the tunnel and see the bears swimming all around you. The shark tunnel is much better. Its cool to see the sharks all around you.
0 families found this helpful
"Nice Zoo!!"
My elderly mother, sister, and I took my 20 month old and 6 year old this past summer (2009).
The zoo key was only $2 and very worth it. A nice souvenir and it was fun to use at the various stations around the zoo. It didn't feel like we were constantly climbing hills. The aquarium was very nice as well. There's even a free carousel at the end of the zoo and the kids loved that. Lots of great picture opportunites and the kids loved the playground area.
0 families found this helpful
"Great zoo"
We enjoy visiting the zoo anytime we are in Pittsburgh. It is just hard to pay to get into the zoo when we can visit the National Zoo in DC anytime for free. That aside, they have great animal displays and a wonderful children's area. The polar bear exhibit is a family favorite.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun for all ages"
My husband and I went to the Pittsburgh zoo for our first anniversary and we really enjoyed it. There is a bunch of really neat animals there. We've been to a few other zoo's but enjoy this one the most so far. We can't wait to take our new son as soon as he is old enough.
1 family found this helpful
"Awesome Zoo"
The Pittsburgh Zoo is my favorite zoo! They have free parking.
The Zoo is very well laid out. I love that they have an aquarium there too! My daughter loved the polar bears.
You are able to see the animals close up. This is one of the best zoos that we have been to.
1 family found this helpful
"hard to believe, one of the best zoos is in Pittsburgh"
Aquarium is one of the very best and fairly recently re-built. Layout of Zoo and habitats are very lush and natural. It's an old zoo, but kept up very well. It still has a lot of the original charm. Priced right. It's not too big so you can see everything in one day. Small children don't get bored easily at this zoo.
What's Nearby? Hotels » Activities »
Find Hotels near Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium »
Find Activities near Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium »
Find Restaurants near Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium »
Get the inside scoop from parents who have been there!
