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POINT OF INTEREST

Zoo Atlanta

800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Grant Park, Atlanta, Georgia

Founded in 1889, Zoo Atlanta is among the country’s largest zoos. Based in Grant Park, the zoo is home to more than 1,500 animals from around the world, including one of the country’s largest population of great apes. Plus, it’s one of very few American zoos to house giant pandas.

Divided across five main habitat areas—Asian Forest, the Ford African Rainforest, African Savannah, Scaly Slimy Spectacular, and KIDzone—the zoo offers a wide range of habitats, viewing areas, and events. You can observe gorillas, orangutans, giant pandas, elephants, giraffes, frogs, lions, and much more. For a stress-free experience, book your admission tickets in advance and save time waiting in line on the day.

  • A range of food offerings are hosted on site, from picnic areas and sit-down restaurants to casual burger, ice cream, and chicken stalls.
  • Zoo Atlanta is accessible to wheelchair users, though some paths may be steep; manual and electric wheelchairs are available to rent.
  • The zoo has nursing and first aid stations, ATMs, gift shops, drinking fountains, quiet areas, and zones for people with sensory processing sensitivity.

Zoo Atlanta is located in Grant Park, southeast of Downtown Atlanta. If using public transit, take the number 9 or 832 bus lines. The closest MARTA train station is King Memorial, which is roughly 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometers) away. Limited free parking is available in the visitor parking lot on Cherokee Avenue. Ride-share services and carpooling are encouraged.

Zoo Atlanta is typically open daily from morning until early evening, though visiting hours vary by season: it’s recommended to research specifics in advance. Restaurants and shops tend tp close around one hour before closing time. The zoo is closed every year on Thanksgiving (the last Thursday in November) and Christmas Day (December 25).

From scheduled feedings and talks to art classes and children’s events, Zoo Atlanta hosts a busy events programme. Highlights include Brew at the Zoo, held every Memorial Day weekend; Art Gone Wild, during which visiting artists paint in the open air; Boo at the Zoo, a Halloween spectacular; and Jungle Balls, the zoo’s Christmas celebrations. Keeper talks, wildlife presentations, and feedings occur daily.

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