Are you someone interested in exploring the wildlife and knowing more about them? Then the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is for you. This zoo is a home to more than 300 animals representing nearly 200 species including 8 endangered species. It offers daily Zookeeper talks, animal shows and exhibits. Some of its major exhibits are the petting zoo, which houses goats, cows, sheep and more. All types of animals are categorized in different sections. Along with this, the most interesting part is the animal encounter where you can feed the animals in the petting zoo. You can visit this place at any season, as it is open year round. Visiting here you will gain a lot of knowledge about wildlife and its culture.
By the end of this blog, you will get to know all about the zoo, its nearby attractions, top things to do, food options, basic facilities, travel tips and all the ticket information.
About the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
The Alabama Zoo opened in 1989 by Joey Ward. Located on Oak Road East Gulf Shores. In the year 2000, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo was founded with the other name that is Zooland Animal Park. And now it is known to be the number 1 zoo in Alabama. The zoo is filled with hundreds of animals, which makes it a most visited spot in the city. It is about 6 miles away from the Alabama beach, tucked just off the main highway. Now it’s become a spacious modern haven for the beloved animals. And includes theme parks that offer family entertainment, fun filled animal adventures and unique interactive animal shows. The zoo’s mission is to create strong experiences that connect people and communities with wildlife.
Nearby Attractions in Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Gulf Shores public beach
While your trip is going on, don’t forget to play volleyball and beach bar hanging at the Gulf Shores public beach. It is located near Highway 59 at the Gulf and is a place where families, friends and solo explorers discover endless fun. It offers four beach-mats to be more accessible, and all the mats are located in different directions. The visitors can take advantage of the public restrooms, picnic areas, and even the on-duty lifeguards that make the waterfront enjoyable and secure for all ages. There are no limitations on numbers of people allowed to gather, but a 6 foot social distance between people from different households must be implemented. So go to the beach, familiarize yourself with our beach flag warning system and review the rules and regulations for the public beaches.
Waterville USA
Waterville USA Gulf Shores, is an Alabama Gateway which is always fun and you will enjoy it a lot. But, those who add a stop at Waterville USA to their itinerary are in for a treat. It is a 20 acres land, hosting a combination of water rides, amusement rides and even escape rooms to try. This stop is always adding new additions to the attraction list in order to ensure that a stop here creates life-long memories for the entire family. If you are spending a day at Waterville USA, then you must try some of the highlighted waterpark rides like Crystal Waters river, Flowrider, Dune Racer and more.
From season passes to day-only passes, purchasing a Waterville ticket is an easy-to-customize experience. Purchasing an admission ticket means enjoying all of the on-site water attractions between 10am to 6pm. The ticket pricing begins at $33.95 with discount. The waterpark attractions include 17 water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, Shrimp Boat village, Wa-Wa world and Flowride. The amusement park attractions include the Nascart Go-carts, 36 holes of miniature golf, and the Trampoline thing.
Bon Secours National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge is a home to a diverse range of wildlife and natural habitats. Whether you are visiting here to watch birds or just for sightseeing the beautiful nature, you will definitely gonna enjoy every moment. As, this place offers year round wildlife observation, photography, hiking, and fishing opportunities. A visit to Bon Secor National Wildlife Refuge is an experience that envelops and connects one to the true essence of the Gulf Shores. Apart from the wildlife, you will find the Pine beach trail and a spectacular journey that offers a fully immersive encounter with nature.
Top Things to do at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Animals Encounter
In the Alabama zoo, you will get a chance of animal encounters. That provides you a unique opportunity to learn about certain species and animals in a close and personal way. In this activity you are going to cuddle adorable baby red kangaroos, enjoying the laughing of the crazy creatures. And also, you will be offered to hold a giant snake or a baby alligator in your hands. When you participate in these animal interactions, you will often find zoo staff guiding you through the process. The staff shares all the interesting facts about each species whether its behaviours, or habitats. Moreover, these special animal encounters are carefully planned to guarantee the well being of both visitors and the animals.
Photography Opportunities at Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Photography is one of the must do activities in the zoo as you will multiply species of animals. The zoo itself encourages the guests to take photos for their enjoyment. Also if you want, you can ask for a photographer to take a picture of you and your family at a decent cost. And the best, but most challenging part of photography is when there’s a lot going on, getting your camera to focus on what you need. So, you will definitely go for it and click as many photos as you can.
Keepers Chat and Feeding Session
The zoo offers a feeding session where you can feed Giraffes at a fixed timing. At the Twiga Station, you can meet the Giraffes and learn about them and get a chance to feed one of them. The timing for feeding sessions are from 10am to 11pm and 2pm to 3pm daily, with the ticket pricing of $5 per person. But, feeding is not allowed if there is lightning, heavy rain, or freezing temperature.
Along with this, you can do the keeper chats also. The zoo keeper, also referred to as animal keeper who manages zoo animals and is responsible for the feeding and daily care of the animals. The keeper chats are available all time and with a 15 minute break in each chat. And the topics are also different on each session which are divided into different timing. During these sessions you will get to know about the diet, social structure and a chance to feed one of them. To know the exact timings you can check the official website that has mentioned every topic and its timing for the chat.
Petting zoo fun for kids
Not only the adults adventure, but the kids also get an opportunity to pet a zoo. As everyone from adults to toddlers can feed and pet gentle animals like goats, sheep, donkey, and deer. While visiting the zoo you will love meeting the animals. In this petting zoo you and your kids will have great fun with the animals and get an amazing experience.
Food, Amenities & Facilities
Here you will get to know about the inside restaurants of the zoo, it’s all basic facilities and amenities.
- There are multiple options of restaurants at the Gulf Shores. But for an onsite dining option at the Alabama Gulf Coast zoo, the one and only best restaurant is the Safari Club. It is the most unique and exciting dining experience, offering sandwiches, burgers, tacos, and handmade artisan wood fired pizzas. This restaurant is Alabama’s first certified ‘Green Restaurant’ located just to the side of the main entrance of the zoo. It also has a kids menu with smoothies, pancakes and fruity pebble parfaits. Lunch is open all week and they have a dinner menu on the weekends only.
- Apart from the restaurants, there are several picnic areas found throughout the zoo. And all those are perfect spots to enjoy your meal with cold icecreams or hot chocolate stalls depending on the season. These areas provide you a wider open space which feels good.
- After having your meal you can go to the zoo’s gift shop that offers unique souvenirs from adorable plush animals and toys.
- The zoo offers all the basic facilities to its guests including restrooms which are located within the zoo’s visitor building. Wide pathways allowing for easy navigation throughout, and wheelchair accessibility all around the zoo.
Insider Tips for Visitors
- The zoo is open year round, so you can visit at any season. But, according to the days, weekdays are generally less crowded. And, arriving in the morning is more beneficial to avoid heat and peak crowds.
- Some basic essentials that you should carry before getting towards the zoo are water bottle, sunscreen and camera. All these are a must have, also for a budget friendly trip bring your lunch and snacks in your journey.
Ticket Information & Pricing of Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
- The ticket pricing for visiting the zoo is different for all ages. For adults between the age group of 13 to 61, the cost is $24 approx. For Seniors of age 62 and older the cost is $21 approx. For children between age (3-12), the cost is $16 approx. And, for the kids of age 2 or below the entry is free of cost.
- If you are coming with a group of 15 people then you can get 15% off on a regular admission fee. Also, if you are a military person with valid ID proof then you can also get some discount on the tickets.
- Along with the entry tickets, If you are also going to enjoy other activities at the zoo like animal feeding. Then, there is a different price for that which you can check on the official website of the zoo. The best way to buy tickets is online, which will help you in saving time after reaching the zoo.
- The zoo also offers an exclusive premium experience. These experiences included Big cats and Giraffe premium experience at the cost of $350 including 4 peoples in a group. Both these are a 45 minutes experience behind the scenes with the carnivore department and with Giraffes Benjamin, along with other animals. All these experiences are offered on the selected dates and each experience must be booked one week in advance.
Route for reaching the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
The Alabama zoo is located at Oak road East Gulf Shores and its nearest airport is the Gulf Shores International Airport. From the airport the best option is to go via the beach, for this you need to travel to the east beach Highway 59 for around 5 miles. Then cross the intercoastal bridge and turn right on to the Oak road east and you will be at your destination.
FAQs
How much time do you need to explore the zoo?
The zoo will take at most 2 to 3 hours to visit the whole zoo as it is relatively small, walkable and provides intimate facility and wheelchair accessibility. But the optional animal encounter can add extra time to your visit.
Are outside food and drinks allowed?
Ofcourse, guests are allowed to bring food and drinks in the zoo. The zoo itself has some restaurants, drink machines and a micro market inside the Manor near Lemur Adventures.
Is it suitable for toddlers?
Yes the Alabama zoo is suitable for all ages even toddlers also. It is recommended as a must visit family attraction in Gulf Shores and the kids under age 3 receive free admission. The zoo is featured with a friendly wide path, petting zoo and interactive animal experience.
Are animal encounters worth it?
Absolutely yes, the animal encounter is worth it, as it provides you a new and amazing feeding experience to the animals.
Conclusion
In the end of this blog we can say that the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is a perfect place for the visitors who want to explore the wildlife. It’s not just a travel spot, it’s a place where you will only have enjoyment and excitement. The place offers more than 300 animals in a large area and other activities like animal feeding, keepers chats, different exhibits. All this will provide you an unforgettable experience. Therefore, if you want to connect with nature, animals and want to create memories then visiting here won’t disappoint you at all.
