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Greater Vancouver Zoo

Greater Vancouver Zoo

The Greater Vancouver Zoo is a pretty good zoo located about an hour’s drive from downtown Vancouver. It has hippos, lions, tigers, bears, zebras and more.

 

Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove

We recommend the Greater Vancouver Zoo as a best place to visit for families with young children. As far as zoos go, this one is definitely worth a visit. It’s not world-class, but still pretty good.

At the Vancouver Zoo, for the most part, the animals have large enclosures, which means it’s good for the animals plus good for visitors – lots of healthy walking!

There is a fine selection of animals at the zoo including creatures native to BC like the cougar, mountain goat, raccoon and grizzly.

On your visit you can also see a numbers of hippos, African lions, Siberian tigers, zebras, camels, jaguars, ostriches, emus, baboons and many other animals. There is also a miniature train, plus educational Birds of Prey presentations from April to September. It’s a great place to take the younger ones!

 

Zoo Hours and Location

The zoo is open most days of the week from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesday. For the most up-to-date hours and information, see the zoo’s official website.

The zoo is located at 5048-264th Street in Aldergrove, just past Langley in the Fraser Valley, about an hour’s drive from Vancouver when traffic is good.

You’ll need a car to get to the zoo as there is no public transit, and you’ll want to avoid rush hour traffic going to and from Vancouver.

 

Girl on Zoo Elephant Statue
An Elephant Statue at the Zoo

 

Zoo Admission

Below are the Greater Vancouver Zoo’s admission prices as of early 2024. (Note: Rates may vary and they sometimes go up during the busier summer season.)

  • Adults (18-64): $36
  • Seniors (65+): $25
  • Students (18+ with ID): $25
  • Children (ages 3-17): $25
  • Babies & Little Tots (ages 0-2): Free
  • Train Ride (per person): $8
  • Parking: $8 for the day

Admission to the zoo isn’t cheap, but not unreasonable compared to other attractions. If you take your time and spend most of the day there, it’s actually a fairly good value.

 

Zoo Advice

Below are some tips to help you make the most of your visit to the Greater Vancouver Zoo.

TIP #1: Take a stroller with you for young children as there can be a lot of walking. Also consider taking a bicycle for little people who can ride.

TIP #2: Strollers and wheelchairs are available for rent, as are quadra-cycles, which can be lots of fun.

TIP #3: If you want a full day of adventures (and you’re not too tired after walking around the zoo), consider visiting Fort Langley on the same trip. It will make for a long day, but both places are in the same direction, and both are interesting and educational.

TIP #4: If you want something closer to town, and your kids are little and just as happy to see a chicken or a pig as they are a lion, then check out Maplewood Farm in North Vancouver.

TIP #5: If you are hungry on your way back to Vancouver, have young children and want some extra stimulation, drop by Chuck E. Cheese in Langley for pizza and some kid arcade games. The place isn’t famous for its food. It is, though a great place for affordable games.

 

Other Information

For more information about the Lower Mainland’s best place to see exotic animals, check out the Greater Vancouver Zoo‘s official website.

For ideas on other things to do, check out the following: