Zoo in Forest Park and Education Center - Springfield, Massachusetts

Angel

Small little Zoo but so worth the experience! The animals were well taken care of, had enrichment(s), cages were clean. Animals looked great! The price was decent considering it goes back into the zoo. Enjoyed it! I only posted a few animals but there were more...

David N. J.

So much fun! We love that Forest Park held this event for the kids (and grown-ups) to enjoy the Easter weekend.
The weather was chilly, but there were enough animals out at the zoo that the kids were in awe every time we moved from one enclosure to another.
Definitely look for other events throughout the year.

Tony (.

We had such a great time here. It was so nice to find out many animals are rescues and while watching the handlers be so respectful of the animals as they fed and clean the animals areas was inspiring. We watched a handler give such love to a 3 legged fox and the fox just melted in front of her.

The price of admission is worth it for what appears to be a well placed and laid out & walkable zoo.

Kaitlyn M.

We went on opening day. All the staff were helpful and knowledgeable. I love that the animals were mostly all, if not all, rescues. Some of the animals weren't out yet due to the coldness of the day, which was to be expected. It's definitely not a large zoo, you can walk through and see all the exhibits in under an hour. Affordable tickets. The park its at is great; there are playgrounds right outside the entrance and another just beyond the zoo. There are trails and walking paths to enjoy. There are paddle boats you can enjoy at the river part. Its really nice. They've also got summer programs. My daughter is really into animals so she's got her heart set on the keep in training program. She was certain she "connected" with the Grey fox, one of the wolves, and one of the the peacocks.

No photos from this round. This is our 2nd visit and we do love coming. If you live really far from Springfield, I'm sure you can find similar zoos closer to you. But if you're near here, it's worth a trip.

Srividya S.

This was such a fun experience for me and my family. The zoo is not very big but the animals are sooo cute and the staffs were very friendly. Limited number of animals were only there but for kids it was really fun. There was park area for kids to play. Picnic tables for family or gathering. I would recommend it.

Henry L.

Wonderful Nighttime Experience at Forest Park Zoo

We recently had the pleasure of visiting the Forest Park Zoo during one of their special nighttime openings in conjunction with the Bright Nights ride-through. What an absolute treat! It’s so rare to experience a zoo after dark, and it gave us a whole new perspective on the animals and their behaviors.

The atmosphere was magical, with the soft glow of lights adding to the charm. The animals were surprisingly active, making it an unforgettable experience. But what truly made our visit special were the incredible volunteers. They are the heart of the zoo! Their enthusiasm and genuine care for the animals shine through in every interaction. They were especially attentive to the children, answering questions with patience and sharing fascinating insights.

The Forest Park Zoo is a gem, and events like this make it even more special. If you get the chance to attend one of these rare nighttime openings, don’t miss it—it’s an experience like no other!

Emerald M.

A great family centered zoo with a variety of global species. Has events during the year, including a couple that are for adults with wine and beer tastings.

You can buy grain cones to feed the barnyard animals, say hi to the peafowl walking around, and book birthday parties.

There are shaded areas to sit and rest and smooth paths for easy navigating.

Barbie C.

For a small local zoo to spend an afternoon it's a decent place to visit. I had to keep reminding myself that if it weren't for them, the animals there would most likely have been euthanize. For this I am grateful. The caretakers really do care for all the animals there. Paths were a bit muddy.