We go to the zoo regularly, throughout the year. If we didn't have a membership, the cost for admission and parking could be prohibitive. There is your usual assortment of animals, with an award-winning Big Cats area and a nice primate house. There are lots of school and camp groups in the spring and summer months, mostly in the morning. So I'd recommend going on an afternoon then. The zoo is open all year round, so we enjoy Fall and Winter visits. You can take public transportation via trolley , if you want to save money on parking.