Recently, I went to ZooAmerica in Hershey, Pa. with my partner to learn about all the different animals from North America they care for. Just a 19 minute drive north, ZooAmerica is a great place to go with friends or family. ZooAmerica is attached to Hershey Park, but you don’t have to go through the park to get in. If you plan on visiting ZooAmerica, there are a few things you should know.
When deciding when to go to ZooAmerica, be sure to check both the weather and the zoo’s hours. As of the month of March, the zoo’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but the hours can change based on the season. The zoo recommends coming earlier in the morning, as that is when most of the animals are more active. When checking the weather, it would be better to go on a sunny day to get to see the animals come out, rather than try to see them in the rain. If it does rain, don’t worry! The zoo has a few indoor exhibits, such as the Great Southwest building.
One way to visit ZooAmerica is with the Hershey Park Admissions, but you can also get tickets just for the zoo on ZooAmerica’s website. Regular tickets, for ages 9-61, are priced at $15 plus tax. If you visit the zoo frequently, you may benefit from the ZooAmerica Pass and receive unlimited visits for 12 consecutive months, exclusive events, wild discounts and more! An individual pass admits one person ages 3+ and is $50. A family pass admits a family of four and is $135. If you do not have a pass, but are with a large group, the zoo offers discounts for groups of 15 or more people. To see all the perks for the pass or more details about discounts, be sure to check out ZooAmerica’s website.
Unfortunately, you won’t see giraffes, elephants or monkeys. ZooAmerica is home to animals and plants native to the United States, Canada and Mexico. The zoo features the five regions of the North American continent; Big Sky Country, Eastern Woodlands, Great Southwest, Northlands and the Southern Swamps. Some of my favorite animals I saw during my visit were the Canada Lynx, the Grey Wolf and the River Otter.
As an ADA-accredited zoo, ZooAmerica ensures all exhibits are wheelchair and stroller accessible. The zoo is up to date with Pennsylvania’s guidance on safety enhancements. As the zoo is an 11-acre walk throughout the entire park, ZooAmerica also rents wheelchairs for $5 per use to more easily traverse the hour-long walk. The parking is free and only a short walk from the front entrance. The zoo doesn’t allow pets on the premises, but they do permit certified service animals.
ZooAmerica also recommends that for your safety and the animals’ safety, to not cross any barriers to enter the exhibits. They also ask that you don’t throw objects in any exhibit, tap on the glass or tease the animals and to not feed the animals, except the ducks and fish.
