Worth the walk!
Written: Mar 16 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cool, unique attractions: Jungle, Aquarium, Pavilion, Desert (soon!)
Cons: Hills, lots of walking. Get in shape, bucko.
The Bottom Line: More attractions than you can see in one trip...buy a pass and make several to enjoy the entire experience!
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| lynnzop's Full Review: Henry Doorly Zoo |
Since moving to the Omaha area in 1989, we've seen the Henry Doorly Zoo grow by leaps and bounds. Fees are as follows:
Zoo admission
Adults (ages 12 and above) $8.00
Children (ages 5 to 11) $4.25
Seniors (ages 62 and over) $6.50
An annual zoo pass is an option my workplace subsidizes the cost, so its only $35 for mine, however, I believe the average Joe on the street will pay $50 for theirs. However, if you go to the zoo only a couple of times, with a family of four, you could easily justify the cost. The pass also allows you discounts to IMAX, classes, and free or reduced admission to reciprocating zoos.
Parking:
Lots of free parking; there can be a hike from your car to the zoo, but there are two entrances: North (close zoo attractions include Mutual of Omaha Pavilion, Aquarium, and Jungle) or South (petting zoo, carousel, train station), and in comparison to other zoos, the hike is not long. Going to the zoo on a day that the Omaha Golden Spikes (Omaha's AAA baseball team) leads directly to parking nightmares, so be sure you time your trip accordingly, or plan to combine events. The ballpark and zoo are directly across the street from each other, and share lots in a busy mid-section of Omaha.
Below are highlights of the attractions in the order that you might encounter:
IMAX Theatre:
Depending on the show, you might just want to skip this feature. Since it opened, I've been to a 1/2 dozen shows and haven't truly been impressed with any of them. The last one we went to: "T-Rex" was especially disappointing...my brother-in-laws comment of, "If I wanted to watch a documentary on bad parenting, I could have stayed home," was well put. The main grab with IMAX films is to give you the thrill of feeling like you are actually flying/swimming/falling...but the films themselves are short, expensive (even with a zoo discount), and boring. Little kids may get a kick out of one of these, but I would not go out of my way to spend time (or money) in here.
IMAX admission
Zoo members receive $1 off IMAX tickets
Adults (ages 12 and above) $6.75
Children (ages 3 to 11) $4.75
Seniors (ages 62 and over) $5.75
Pavilion:
On a less than perfect day, this is one of the first places you and your kids will want to stop at. The Pavilion houses lots of reptiles, rodents, and insects (all behind glass or in cages) that will keep youngsters occupied for hours. There are hands on areas for the kiddies to touch and feel skeletons, furs, etc., and some interesting displays, including a wall of heat sensitive material that is fun to put your hands or other body parts on to see the color changes in the wall. Squeamish visitors may want to rethink going too far into the insect room - there are hissing cockroaches and a huge centipede that make me squirm every time I even think of them. I usually stay where it's safe, around the rattlesnakes.
Jungle:
Still one of the coolest places in the zoo to visit - there are two levels which are easy to get around if you are mobile, fairly easy to navigate with a stroller. Kids will love the rope bridge that goes under a waterfall, and the snake that is hidden in a "tree" branch above one of the walkways. Interior rooms house bats, frogs, lizards and other creepy things that you don't want crawling around in the open surroundings. Watch out, because the monkeys and birds are in the open and may interact more than you expect! My son loves to search for the alligator that lives in one of the many ponds - you can sometimes see him above the water and sometimes have to wait until you are below lake level to catch him through the glass windows.
Aquarium:
Makes the whole trip worth your investment. No matter the weather, don't miss this exhibit. When the Aquarium first opened, people would watch the video that is shown in the entrance hall (it's fairly short) - it's on a large screen and has a fabulous sound system. Now, unfortunately, almost no-one stops to watch it. If this is your first trip, the film IS worth your time...stretch out on the floor to watch or stand up before you hit the rest of the Aquarium.
Too many fun things in this exhibit to list. If you have lots of time, and especially if you go to the zoo on a hot day, this is a great place to hang out. Wonderful, huge tanks full of exotic creatures from sea anemones to zebra fish. If you see the octopus, you are having a great day - I've been to the zoo countless times and have see him only 2ce. The penguin tank is hilarious - if you can time to get there when they are feeding, it's even better. At one end, there is a dome-shaped insert in the tank, so kids (and sometimes adults if they can fight the kids off) can "sit" in with the penguins!
The shark tank is one of the most lauded attractions at the zoo, and rightfully so. It is very impressive, not only the first time you enter it, but each and every time. Sharks (and other fish) are ultra-sensitive to sound, so you are supposed to be VERY QUIET in here, which only adds to the effect. Imagine, if you will, being seated on a small bench, with your back against glass, glass above your head, and all around you (except for the tunnel openings). Add dim lighting, sharks, rays, and other very colorful species of fish that swim all around you, including right over your head. Authentic rocks and plants add to the underwater atmosphere. Again, feeding or tank cleaning time is quite interesting - however times are not posted, so it's kind of a crapshoot if you will get to see this or not. Zoo employees in tank and suit will actually get into the tank with the sharks and do their duties. Not exactly my cup of tea, but they must get paid the big bucks and there are no man-eaters in here.
Desert:
Okay, so technically it doesn't open for another couple of months. But, the structure itself, as it's being built, is pretty cool. I gape at it every morning while I zoom by on I-80 (looking not quite like the Koi described below, LOL). Trust me, with the caliber of the other major exhibits at the zoo, you KNOW this one will be a winner.
Other displays:
The rest are your average, everyday zoo fare: petting zoo with stinky animals (although they are CLEAN) your kids will love, lions and tigers and bears, giraffes (my personal favorite), elephants, you name it, it's probably there. Most animals are in more spacious "natural" surroundings - if you are a naturalist, don't start on me that NO ZOO IS NATURAL, this one is better than most - there is room to roam and they are not cooped up in cages.
One attraction that the kids REALLY love is the bridge going over the river to the sea lions. The reason they love it - KOI - those huge, ugly "goldfish" that swarm around the bridge. They do this because everyone drops popcorn, fish food, etc., over the side and the fish flock in a furious, bubbling mass of orange, white, and black with gaping mouths that epitomize "feeding frenzy". Don't drop the baby in here, Mom. Bring or buy some popcorn.
Additional ways to spend your money:
Trams (not a bad idea when you've been at the zoo for several hours, have a crabby toddler and realize you have to go UPHILL 1/2 way across the zoo to get back to your exit) that run .25/person/stop. Cheap, if you are in the aforementioned situation. A train is more expensive to take, and offers a nice diversion if you need it. Carousel is strategically placed by the petting zoo, and has more than the average horse - your kiddie can ride many of the zoo animals on this merry-go-round.
Food is expensive and sub-par. Service at most of the food stations (especially on busy days) is slow and workers are generally not at the top of the food chain, i.e., don't make things too complicated. (Sorry, gotta tell the truth.) You will NOT be able to find a straw anywhere in the zoo, they are hazardous to the animals, so don't even ask. It only serves to annoy the food service workers. Advice: Stop at Sub-Way and bring a cooler, or make sandwiches ahead of time and bring them with.
Strollers are available; however, if you have a wagon or stroller, you might want to consider bringing it. I'm not sure what the cost is on the strollers, but if yours fits in the mini-van, it saves on expenses. Even if your child wants to walk, you'll want to stash the cooler in it, and believe me, after a couple of hours, even the most energetic kid will become tired and want to ride.
And of course there are gift shops everywhere. If you are on a one-time visit, go crazy and buy T-Shirts, stuffed animals, posters, pens, whatever. If you live in Omaha and go to the zoo frequently, try to avoid the gift shops (like the plague) or get by with a small plastic animal - there are a million different ones and they are less than a couple of bucks.
ATM service available if you run out of cash.
Last words:
Did I mention the hills? Unless you are in good shape, you will find the big hill by the cat house challenging at best. Even if you are in good shape, it's a pretty good climb. There is an alternative path, but it involves more walking, so unless you are truly intimidated (or bogged down with a toddler, wagon, cooler, etc.,), just buck up and climb it. Not to dissuade you, but there are plenty of other hills, too, they just aren't as steep.
Lots of walking. Because the animals are given room to roam, and there are a lot of them, you will have to walk to see them. Some trips, we don't even make it out to the elephant hill (oh yeah, it rivals the cat hill in steepness) or the hoofed animals.
If you have a zoo pass from another zoo, check it out. You might be able to visit the Henry Doorly Zoo for free or at a reduced rate. They will check IDs at the gate if you present a zoo pass, however, so make sure you bring your driver's license or other picture ID with you.
Overall, the Doorly zoo is a good bet. A bargain if you purchase a zoo pass and make a number of trips as we do. You can have a full day, no matter the weather, and maybe learn something in the process! For more information directly on the zoo, you can visit their web site at http://www.discoveromaha.com/recreation/guides/zoo/
Recommended:
Yes
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lynnzop
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Member: Lynn Kvigne
Location: The Great Midwest
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