Oregon Zoo Tours

Oregon Zoo featuring zoo animals and landscape views as well as a large group of people
Oregon Zoo featuring dangerous animals
Oregon Zoo featuring dangerous animals and zoo animals
Oregon Zoo showing zoo animals and land animals as well as children
Oregon Zoo showing zoo animals and dangerous animals


Awesome beasts native to America have a home alongside exotic and endangered species from around the world at this picturesque Portland attraction.

Gaze at the majestic big cats of Africa, see an underwater view of the flooded Amazon Forest and enjoy the graceful spectacle of the Asian elephants at the Oregon Zoo.

Reserve at least half a day to see the 64-acre (26-hectare) zoo in Washington Park in the West Hills. There are five main exhibit areas to explore: the Great Northwest, Pacific Shores, Fragile Forests, Asia and Africa. 

In the Asia exhibit, you won’t miss those highly sociable giants, the Asian elephants. For 50 years the zoo has been successfully breeding this endangered species, which is smaller and heavier than the African elephant. This exhibit also has island pigs of Asia. In order to see the nocturnal Malayan sun bears, take advantage of ZooSnooze and spend the night at the zoo September to mid-June, Tuesdays through Saturdays (except holidays).

At the Fragile Forests exhibit, look out for the green anaconda in the shallow waters of the Amazon Flooded Forest. Out of the water, you might see toucans, howler monkeys or an ocelot.

One of the zoo’s cutest critters, the sea otter, is at the Pacific Shores exhibit in Steller Cove. Pacific Shores also has polar bears, penguins and the fascinating Insects Zoo. Try to find the Australian walking stick or hear the Madagascar hissing cockroach.

If you need to rest your feet, hop on the Zoo Loop, a train tracking a 1-mile (1.6 kilometer) route around the zoo’s perimeter (note: animals are not visible from the train). Trains also head further afield to the International Rose Test Garden on the Washington Park and Zoo Railway line. 

In winter, the trains are decorated as part of the Zoolights show, when the zoo becomes a wonderland of trees laden with lights. During summer, attend one of the many concerts on the lawn.  

Prices on the second Tuesday of every month are discounted but these days do get busy. Surprisingly, the zoo isn’t a bad place to visit in the rain as most of the exhibits offer some shelter as you watch the animals.

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Reviews of Oregon Zoo

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
339
5 - Excellent 56%
4 - Good
175
4 - Good 29%
3 - Okay
71
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
13
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
12
1 - Terrible 2%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Go early on the weekends, or you'll suffer crowds.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The Oregon Zoo is swell for anyone wanting to discover the Northwest's flora an fauna, all the while experience other educational and fun-filled facilities around the area like the Japanese Gardens and the Forestry. I also found that the zoo hosts concerts near the elephant exhibit and will have to take advantage of that opportunity on my next trip.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Hoyt Arboretum is lovely.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

alot was under construction and when you pay that much for 6 people and then see hardly nothing. They should inform you before you buy the tickets. Don't go there this summer total rip

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Check for construction. Many exhibits are under construction until 2020.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Went to the zoo lights. It was beautiful. I thought we would be able to see more real animals but we saw elephants, sea otters, and bats. They did have every animal you could imagine made out of lights, a carousel, and train rides. It was a beautiful experience.

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Best Lodging Options Near Oregon Zoo

The Paramount Hotel
The Paramount Hotel
3.5 out of 5
808 SW Taylor St, Portland, OR
The Paramount Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center
Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center
3.5 out of 5
550 SW Oak Street, Portland, OR
Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center
Hyatt House Portland/Downtown
Hyatt House Portland/Downtown
3 out of 5
2080 SW River Drive, Portland, OR
Hyatt House Portland/Downtown
Heathman Hotel
Heathman Hotel
4.5 out of 5
1001 SW Broadway, Portland, OR
Heathman Hotel
Park Lane Suites and Inn
Park Lane Suites and Inn
2.5 out of 5
809 SW King Avenue, Portland, OR
Park Lane Suites and Inn
Staypineapple, Hotel Rose, Downtown Portland
Staypineapple, Hotel Rose, Downtown Portland
3.5 out of 5
50 SW Morrison Street, Portland, OR
Staypineapple, Hotel Rose, Downtown Portland
Hyatt Centric Downtown Portland
Hyatt Centric Downtown Portland
4 out of 5
601 SW 11th Ave, Portland, OR
Hyatt Centric Downtown Portland
Hotel Lucia
Hotel Lucia
4 out of 5
400 SW Broadway, Portland, OR
Hotel Lucia
Hotel deLuxe
Hotel deLuxe
4 out of 5
729 SW 15th Ave, Portland, OR
Hotel deLuxe
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.