Ill caveat by stating this zoo isnt too big. This is a great zoo in that its not like the San Diego and Cincinnati Zoos, but that also might be a negative consideration as well. You wont find the same size collection of animals as the larger zoos; however, they still have interesting exhibits and you wont find yourself racing through exhibits to see it all before closing. The family really enjoyed the leisurely stroll as we saw all of the available attractions. Perhaps, due to the Rona you will have to schedule your visit time. I enjoyed this as it prevented too many people from entering at the same time. Im curious and eager to see what the zoo looks like in full capacity. We will definitely visit this zoo regularly.

Ive been going to this zoo since I was a baby in a stroller. Its a source of so many good memories for me. But why I rate it three stars has to do with the animals. They seem sad and their spaces are so small. The flamingos are pale pink instead of a vibrant color because they dont get enough shrimp, the monkeys just run in circles and I feel as though the animals diets and enclosures arent up to par. I understand this is a zoo and I in no way think they harm the animals at all. Every time I see a worker interacting with an animal theyre very gentle and very sweet. Its just sad to see so many magnificent creatures locked up.

I was there for the first time today, you have to walk around outside for most of it but luckily it was a nice day and saw elephants, tigers, monkeys, penguins and many more animals. Very nice

I was so impressed with this Zoo. I did not have rond memories of this zoo from my childhood but it surpassed my expectations. We went during this time of COVID and felt very secure and safe with their precautions.they had a lot of sanitizing stations and require masks for all visitors over 2.The slight hills made me and my kids feel like we were on safari making animal discoveries along the way. There were ample staff present to answer any curious kid questions as well. The elephant enclosure was HUGE and had a baby (1.5 years) and an adolescent (5 human years). They were our family favorites but we enjoyed all of the outdoor enclosures. The open indoor enclosure had enough animals to occupy us and was very well ventilated. We were pleased with the variety of animals and the layout and space available for the animals to roam. Plenty of information was available about the choice of animals in order to withstand our harsh winters. It was comforting to know the animals natural habitats are considered in choosing to be at Rosamond Gifford zoo.

They are doing a great job social distancing and following the proyocalls! Everything to do with them and their animals is so friendly and amazing !

They’re incredible people and really care for their animals. It’s always amazing to go to the zoo. My favorite visit was on Valentine’s weekend where they give “valentines treats” to all the animals to inbox and enjoy. It was amazing and sights I’ll never forget.

They are doing the best they can with covid-19. Nice little zoo to visit.

Very nice for a small zoo. Several animals werent visible or not in their enclosure. Staff were informative. Very enjoyable!

Rosamond Gifford Zoo had done a great job with social distancing and keeping things safe for visitors. The signage is easy to follow. Many exhibits are open with guides available to explain and answer questions.

Its been a while since I visited Rosamond Zoo. It was a nice quiet Monday. Some exhibits were under construction but we were able to see quite a bit of animals close and some were awake and roaming their cage. The Tigers cage can use some upkeep. There was a nice exhibit in the center of the zoo for the primates. It was nice to see the monkeys enjoying the ropes. Overall a nice hot and calm day with the family.

Always good. Still good even with covid restrictions

Excellent zoo. Family friendly. Clean.

A wide variety of animals and many different exhibits to explore! The Roamond Gifford zoo is a must visit in the Syracuse area. One of my favorite parts is the lead up to the tiger exhibit. There is an off trail where you can find tiger tracks in the concrete as theming. Another secret is in the rainforest exhibits near the primates. In the room where you find golden lion tamarins there is a large tree you can go into and see spiders in a glass box. Now its hard to see being dark in there, but turn on the flash and there is a hidden bat statue hanging inside the tree! After all the years Ive been there I discovered it last year. It all reminds me a bit of Disneys animal kingdom with their theming. I wish they did more of that. Little things and secrets to look out for on your visit.

Right now alot of stuff is not open and alot of animals were not out or sleeping. We did have a nice time though. I loved they gave the kids flags. My 18month old loved it

Spent a lovely afternoon at the Zoo today. I’ve been a member for a few years and have also adopted animals. When I called to reserve a day and time, I spoke with Mary. She is absolutely a wonderful representative of the Zoo as her personality is excellent. When my girlfriend and I arrived at the Zoo, we were greeted by Sia and she too is exceptional in her position. Great staff! The weather was perfect for walking the Zoo and seeing all the animals. The Zoo really is an excellent experience for all. The animals are well cared for as when you observe them, it’s easy to see. The Zoo is very clean and all visitors/staff that we observed were following the Covid guidelines. If you have the opportunity, please visit as you will be thrilled and not disappointed.

Is this a zoo? Like really though, is this is considered a zoo? It’s more like a nature preserve with the rare occurrence of seeing an animal. A ton of the animals were not even out or the exhibits were closed. The ones that were out, looked depressed. The bear and tiger were not even on the premises. Sorry to say, but this zoo is straight garbage. I will not be recommendIng this zoo and I will not be coming back. It was a waste of the entire hour it took to get through and the money I spent to look at empty exhibits.

I went with my girlfriend and had a blast!! The zoo was very clean and easy to navigate with multiple areas for viewing animals. So we never really had to wait to get up close to the attractions. A smaller area with mini goats, alpacas, pigs, and a donkey that you could touch and interact with!! The goats are too cute! All the animals looked so happy and peaceful which makes the experience more enjoyable, and we saw a few employees taking out a huge Owl and were allowing it to fly back and forth between them. I like it that the animals are so well taken care of and it shows in their actions. My favorite place was the Aquariums, the salt and freshwater ecosystems they have developed are very detailed and visually stunning. Many different species of aquatic life are available for viewing even an octopus and huge puffer fish!!The parking was easy and wheelchair accessible parking available. Concessions stands were easy to find and offered snacks as well as meals. Restrooms are clean and located throughout, with family and wheelchair accessibility. There is a photo booth for couples pictures and have different animal-related themes and could be printed out, as well as text or email options to receive copies.the tickets were only $9 per adult (18-61), $5 for youth (3-17), and children and active military and U.S. Veterans are FREE!! Great way to support the men and woman, who keep our country safe and allow us to enjoy activities like taking our loved ones to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo!This was a great experience that earned my 5-star rating from start to finish.

Really great zoo. Lots to see, even with the restrictions because of the virus. The elephant exhibit is fantastic and looks like a natural habitat.

Went here for our 5th anniversary and it was very nice.

Nice little zoo. Unfortunately there wasnt a huge variety of animals. I blame that on partialclose due to covid. But I still highly recommend going, especially now since its discounted!!

While its reservation only and the indoor part of the zoo is currently closed (thanks Covid) - its extra chill right now. Fewer people seems to make the animals a lot less stressed. The Elephant enclosure is huge now, which was a major problem in previous years. Now if some of the bird enclosures we tripled or more in size Id give it an even higher rating. Great for the kids and looking forward to the whole place reopening in full!

Best Zoo Ive ever been....Best birthday ever ...Will be back!

10/10 would recommend. The animals are so cool and the staff is super nice. havent been there since the pandemic started so idk how theyre handling that but when theres not a pandemic its fun

We were really excited to visit after reading about the zoo and how recommended it was on lists of things to do in Syracuse... but I have to say the visit was extremely disappointing. The overall atmosphere was somewhat depressing, the first thing you see walking in is birds of prey chained by their feet to their outdoor posts. Proceeding through we found most exhibits were subpar at best, and almost every animal seemed extremely stressed or bored. For example, the tiger was pacing back and forth on a single trail, usually a sign of boredom. The tiger exhibit was lacking in many things, and no sight of any animal enrichment. Overall it seemed like a mile long jail...

There were many animals here, but I feel like it needs more hands on activities for both, children and adults. Maybe a splash pad, or a few pellet & petting stations where you can feed nice animals, would liven it up, but there was lots to see. I like the station where kids can milk a cow, and the mining for gold. That past was fun and funny!

I love the zoo and my kids do to the animals are everything and I will keep going to the zoo

A quiet day to spend with the family. Some parts are blocked off, but still enough is open to enjoy and walk with the family.

We chose the Rosemond Gifford Zoo to attend recently becasue their animals have been featured a few times in The Week Junior, a national news magazine my tween receives.Right now during reopening in pandemic times, admission prices remain the same but online reservations are required for admittance, except for members. Much of the zoo is blocked off and visitors have to follow one-way paths, however, I felt this was a good effort to keep visitors safe. Most of the outdoor animals are viewable, but the darkroom and aviary are not open at this time.Right now, for Halloween, the zoo has a fun scavenger hunt that totally kept my son engaged, and kids can wear their costumes for a chance to win in their online photo contest.Overall, we found out recent visit to be fun even with the pandemic restrictions, and that many of the animals have changed since our last visit. The lemurs were very active and are always worth a trip to see.

Is it the most brilliant zoo, no but will you have a great day with your kids and build a memory for you and your kids to look back on, YES!. only $14 for me and my 13 year old son. to me that is a low price considering the great expense of maintaining the property, animals, staff, utilities, health cost, food and so on. people dont think of the huge cost it takes to run these place and think a couple bucks bring in big profits. anyways their are so many different animals here that will keep yours and your kids eyes popping. but you do always feel bad for the animals living in such small places. like the one fennec fox that was quickly pacing back and forth. you knew he was distraught. the elephants seemed to be the same. other than that we where happy to go.

This was a huge disappointment. I’d like to preface this with the fact that I have a Biology degree and specialize in animal captivity and zoo engagement geared toward animal ethology. Most exhibits lacked any type of animal engagement. The first sight when you walk in are birds of prey leashed to stumps followed up by caged birds of prey tearing at their tags. The primates are shoved into incredibly small enclosures - again with absolutely no form of engagement. Most of the big cats and wolves showed concerning signs of boredom and depression. I don’t know if it’s a lack of funds or a lack of effort, but this zoo was more like a prison.

Went there today with my grandson. Traveled 90 miles. Had an appointment as required. You werent able to see the majority of the exhibits, closed. The majority of the exhibits you could go to had no wildlife to see. Walked around the designated area and saw elephants, wolves, wild pigs, ducks. Nothing wonderful. Wait till it opens up completely. They still charge full price for admission, no cut in price. Very dissatisfied and disappointed

Great zoo! Super clean, animals appear very healthy and staff are very friendly and helpful. All animal enclures were very clean, the animals did not appear stressed. The pathways were well marked and there were short but helpful descriptions of the animals. There is a nice mixture of animals, fish, reptiles, primates, and play areas. I cant wait until the renovation is done and we can see the new elephant area. Excellent price for 2-4 hours. The jungle Cafe is reasonable and the food is varied. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating for a meal.

Dont go when the sun is out. The animals are all hiding in the shade. Best to go on a cloudy day. Liked the elephants. The life like bugs that moved and made noise were cool. Kids enjoyed that. Enjoyed the penguins.

Great place to visit for a day trip. Lots to see, great for the little kids. I do wish there were a few people around to help direct traffic and maybe some fun facts about different animals that were there. Overall, fabulous place. I highly recommend it!

Always great, always a bargain! Been coming to this zoo for well over 10 years and it never dissapoints. With the cooler weather the big cats were very active today! Snow leopards make the most adorable sound. Recommend this zoo highly!!

This small town zoo is very clean and well kept. The employees were very polite and the curious stations were entertaining and informative

This was my most disappointing zoo experience ever. I realize that during the COVID-19 pandemic they were going to be some restrictions but Upon entering we discovered that the majority of the exhibits were not open and were closed off. The place looks run down. However they had quite an impressive elephant preserve that I could tell was recently installed. Overall, there were a lot of empty cages and a lot of animals so far away you couldn’t even take a picture. My highlight was the ducks.

With the new reservation policy, being a member and having to call the members line was simple and efficient. When we got there the posted signs indicating the direction to proceed around the park was well marked. Was disappointed that you could only go once around and that both the aviary and the underwater areas were not open.

Was not very satisfied with our visit for my sons birthday today. I understand it was a hot day and the animals can not be forced to be out in the heat for viewers, but with how many places were blocked off from even a chance to try and see the animals. My son is disabled and has to ride in a stroller which made it that much more difficult for him to see the animals. Also do not understand why the aquarium exhibits where completely closed off. Aside from animals even any entertaining area was completely closed off. I feel it is highly unfair to charge full price with the amount of things you are actually unable to do or see.

Don’t go during covid. Barely any animals are out, half of the viewing areas are blocked off for no reason, even when animals are there, while others remain open. This definitely shouldn’t still be full price. We asked someone about why no animals we out and they just said no refunds, I didn’t even ask for one?

Truly appreciate all the effort to keep patrons safe during the pandemic. Requires some forethought to go, but well worth it and plenty to see! Get outside and enjoy the zoo and all it still has to offer.

Nice little zoo. Quite a few exhibits were closed due to renovation but it seems they are doing a great job sprucing up the place.

This zoo used to be awesome. Looks like its going down hill a bit. A lot less animals to look at. You are better off going to The Wilds where you can feed the animals

Reviewing this for what it is. Good size zoo. Can do the whole thing at a comfortable pace in about 3 hours. Two adults and two youths is about $28. Lunch items at the restaurant/cafeteria is about $7, includes items like burgers, hotdogs and sandwiches. They also sell snack items like pretzels. The zoo is open 362 days of the year (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years only!). Note in winter (when we went) quite a few animals were not present. This is understandable I think so be prepared. Parking is free.

A fun afternoon! Unfortunately due to COVID the indoor exhibits were mostly closed. Also, there werent enough staff around the perimeters to effectively enforce proper mask wearing. Otherwise a nice little zoo!

Fun to spend a couple of hours with the kids, not too much animals, but the environment itself is beautiful, staff really friendly and a lot of space for the little ones to run wild.

With the shutdown its understandable alot of things are unavailable. Definitely not worth the 2 hour drive from home. No bears or tigers, most active animals include the birds, bison, and the elephants, the primate cage was okay, primates seem very lethargic. Overall okay experience, 3 stars is very generous, would not recommend going out of your way to visit.

I purchased 4 tickets to attend today. Unfortunately, due to it being a complete wash out I couldnt bring my 9 month old and 3 year old son. Mind you, I had several free passes to use but I was told they would not honor them at this time. So I said okay, no big deal I will purchase them to support the zoo and to take my children and nephew for something to do. But like I said it was non stop rain so I couldnt bring my kids out. When I called to ask to have them transferred I was told by the person in guest services there was nothing they could do. So my fiancee called and spoke to a supervisor who was not in any way willing to help out either. I get its a tough time due to COVID. But to not help us out is truly distasteful. I will never come back and support the zoo again and I have let everyone know that greed is whats more important than helping a customer out. Pretty sad if you ask me.

This zoo is extremely high quality despite its small size. With a true dedication to teaching and conservation, it is extremely obvious that this establishment cares about its animals. The zoo staff is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, and was able to answer many of my questions regarding the animals.

We always have a great time at the Syracuse zoo. A variety of animals and things to do.Veterans discount is amazing when you have a family of 6. So we always try to donate or buy from the store while we are there to support the zoo

Many of the animals were not out, or the exhibits werent open. A bit disappointing, but glad to have the opportunity to explore in the face of Covid!

Most of the animals were sleeping, or very far away. It was hard to view them. The monkeys had a very cool exhibit though. The red panda was adorable.

Its always great to support the zoo and help the animals but when its only one way and not many animals then its just a waste of money

A charming zoo tucked away in Syracuse. Ive gone several times and each time something changes. You can tell this isnt just a zoo for entertainment but a zoo that wants to teach about conservation and preserving what we have. This is a place that cares for the environment and makes a point to let guests know.Zoos are really changing from what they used to be. These places give animals a second chance to live and reproduce so we dont lose certain species forever. Highly recommend this lovely zoo.

Not worth the price, youre better off going to the chittenango wildlife Park, way better then these empty enclosures.

Great day to spend at the zoo and to see the baby elephant! Beautiful zoo well put together great day with the granddaughter

Very reasonable price! Lots of cool animals and exhibits. Some exhibits were empty or under construction but there were lots of others to enjoy. We went on a Tuesday after school started up again and it was great. Not to busy and close parking.

When I went (10am sat.) it was about 50-60°f and cloudy. Some of the park was closed off because of construction, but wasnt a hindrance.The park was clean, well lit in places that needed it. And the animals were mostly out and about. Some glass could use some extra cleaning for it being opening morning. But other wise a good visit.

Went during Covid. It was an interesting day, but the staff and precautions were appropriate. We got to enjoy and support some of the zoo and made our kiddo happy.

This Zoo is amazing, beautiful, and so clean! We had a blast! The staff was awesome with questions.

Amazing exhibits, beautiful animals!! Loved the area with the exotic birds that flew right over your head! So many amazing animals and lots of fun for the kids, and adults too!! The penguins are adorable and we learned a lot from the information painted on the walls, much we didnt know about penguins its very interesting!! The elephants were a sight for sure!! The information is displayed in a manner that catches the eyes of everyone, kids and adults alike!! Very bold and clear understanding!! We appreciated the educational activities mixed in that engaged the kids and gave them a better understanding of each exhibit!! The dinosaur exhibit was beyond amazing!!! What an impressive set with extremely lifelike scenes!! This was a true unbelievable experiance for us, which we have shared with many people!! GREAT JOB ROSAMOND GIFFORD ZOO, GREAT JOB!!! THANK YOU so much for the adventures you provided to our families!!

5 star zoo when you consider the cost and how busy it is. There isnt crowding at exhibits, and there are things here that large zoos dont have. The Red Panda exhibit is far better than what I saw at the National Zoo in DC. Winter and the shoulder seasons arent as busy but there are some missing amenities. Glad we have it.

This is hands down the best zoo around. My son and I have been going for 10 years come rain sun and snow and we love it! Always clean, very nice keepers! Great gift shop. Best of all beautiful animals and beautiful enclosures. Good places to take photos too! I have my son growing up in front of the tiger statue!

Very inexpensive for admission - only $9 per adult and $5 per child.We visited the zoo during the Dinosaur takeover so it was a blast! During the dinosaur takeover there are very realistic dinosaurs placed throughout the zoo within the attractions and vegetation. They had realistic sound and movement so my son really enjoyed it! This zoo has a lot of animals and interesting facts at each habitat. We spent about 3 hours and were able to see everything so it was a great way to spend the afternoon. The gift shop is full of fun goodies.

Have to call and make an appointment to go now, due to Covid. All the childrens interactive exhibits are closed, as is the cave. Still fun, and much less crowded.

Unfortunately due to the current situation with the COVID19 going around the Zoo was operating on a reduced capacity and the best portions of the Exhibits were off limits but other than that it was alright

Great zoo for kids, but little short for adults. Did the entire place in almost three hours and it was great, especially for the price. Awesome zoo to check off the list.

Was visiting the city for a night and decided to take a peak. Loved the placed! From elephants all the way down to penguins; lots of animals and the Zoo was very clean and tidy. Too bad elephants was stored inside as it was in early Dec. The tiger was my favorite and he could not care less lol. Great experience!

Perfectly sized zoo to entertain the kids. Great variety of animals.

They are doing the best they can with all the Covid-19 restrictions. The end of October wasnt an ideal time to visit but I will go back in warmer weather.

Love it for the family! Plenty of animals to see, even in winter. Winter discount rates help, too. Big enough to be a fun variety but not so big it is hard to troop kids through. Friendly staff, too. Been a few times and will be back.

LOVE Syracuse zoo!!! We go there often as it is free for military my daughter loves it and we have never had any issues going here. Staff is friendly, nice environment, zoo is clean, bathrooms as well. Always fun.

I wish there were more to see there. But overall good experience. I’ve been there plenty of times. My favorite time I went was when the photography contest was going on. That was pretty cool they let us in for free!

While the zoo is now open, there are many covid 19 restrictions in place that take away from the experience of the zoo. The biggest one is that there are many parts of the zoo blocked off from foot traffic and extra gates have been installed to keep people further away from the animals. Because of that, we were hardly able to see many of the animals that they have.

Nice sized zoo for the city its located in. Great for little ones since they dont have to walk long and there are plenty of kid activities to do. Right now they are going through some renovations, so there isnt a complete loop at the zoo. But once its open, it should be pretty awesome.

This was a wonderful little zoo. The entrance fee was very low and reasonable. The habitats for all the animals were very spacious and clean. The variety of goats and sheep were a particular favorite of mine. Will definitely be back.

Great little zoo in Syracuse. The newly renovated elephant area looks really nice. Dont forget to visit in the winter too when some of the animals are very active in the cooler weather.

A fun local zoo that has a variety of animals to see for an economical price.

Did a great job during Covid-19! Lots of space. Limited selection but still fun.

Probably better if all the animals came out to play. Seems like every zoo I go to has more animals locked away than outside, and the ones outside are hiding!

Excellent zoo. We always have a good day here.

A cute zoo with lots of interesting animals. There sanitizing stations and social distancing were clearly marked and well placed through out

Great place to visit safe out there in lot of stuff the kids to do

Had to have reservations & then most things were closed!! Very disappointing

I was disappointed that during this COVID19 pandemic that the majority of the zoo was closed. We paid regular admission to find the entire inside was shut down. No monkey exhibits, no walk through the the bird enclosure, no lions, nothing. Then we walk outside. The barn was shut down, half of the animals were in a far distance barley visible and the other half had empty enclosures. I was disgraced by the amount of hand sanitizers that were empty. Additionally, I felt horrible for the owls and larger birds were strapped down to a small rope so they couldnt fly away in an open area as opposed to putting them in an enclosed area where they could roam free. The baby elephant was literally the only thing that made me smile. You would also think that with this pandemic going on they would have more than enough time to maintain their grounds, but no. The construction and debris made it seem like we were paying for a nature walk at Beaver Lake than actually visiting a zoo. We were in and out in less than 45 min. I knew I should have gone to the Wild. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience for our family.

Very nice establishment. Affordable with lots of on site parking. Quite a few nice special events to keep it interesting. Easy to walk for families or people with limited mobility.

Always love the zoo. Reservations are required during COVID and only outdoor attractions are available. Its actually really nice without the huge crowds.

Nice place, but some of the staff isnt so great anymore

Awesome animals and enclosures. Very clean and well-maintained. Overall great place!

It was so cold but great. The price was amazing. Loved seeing all the animals my Girl Scout troops loved it.

Although I am not a fan of zoos in the first place, I must say that this changes my perspective a little bit. I have always imagined zoos like a place that doesnt treat the animals well, and I have unfortunately stumbled across some exaples of this before. However, this is not the case for Rosmond Gifford Zoo! I saw that the workers really cared for the animals well-being and that the zoo was designed for the animals best. There were huge paddocks for the animals so that they could move freely. Also the temperatures were matched with the normal temperatures the different animals live in. This makes the enviroment good for the animals, which also makes it a good zoo!

Great job with the reservation system, directional signage to keep you on track, animals looked great, friendly staff, wonderful afternoon visit to the zoo!

Amazing collection of cold weather Asian animals. Loved seeing the Amur Tigers out in the snow. Inside exhibits include marvelous aquatic species such as sea horses. You should visit now to watch the Red Panda babies, Loofah and Doofah. Enjoyed veggie pizza and great fries for lunch.

Great improvements, and wonderdul expansions!!!! Still wierd to not smell burger king after all these years!

It was so much fun. Saw elephants for the first time

Nice zoo but many of the attractions closed because of covid understandable but when I went it must have been 100 degrees and no spray for the customers nor animals

Small and not many animals. Lots of construction. Elephant exhibit is the best part.

Nice place to visit fornot only the children but also the old people.Animals of different species can be seen.Good news is that there is a baby elephant but we didnt have a chance to look since it is still under care.Posters for education on wildlife and environment are seen everywhere.

I had a great time taking my daughter to the zoo for the first time. I think that the zoo will be back to a 5 star zoo once the construction on the elephant enclosure is done, but when we were there, there was a lot of construction sounds, and entire paths were blocked off. With that being said, I cannot wait to go back to the zoo in a few weeks when the weather is warmer and the construction is done. I am sure it will be a 5 star experience!

I really like this zoo and the improvements that they are making for the animals!