This provides a pleasant afternoon for families with young children. If you are familiar with "big" city zoos, this will seem quite small.
This small zoo is very kid friendly especially for ages 8 and younger. We visit several times a year and its never crowded - except for the wonderful events they offer. If you want an intimate zoo experience without the business of the larger zoo venues, this is the place. Bathrooms are clean and parking is easy. Snack shop, souvenir shop, train, playground and picnic patio are available on the grounds. Across from the zoo is a large park, playground and Lake Springfield. Keep your expectations low, and you'll have a great time.
We arrived at the Springfield zoo a little worried that it was going to be a bust. It was very small and it was raining. It turned out that both of these things worked in our favor for a great experience. The small zoo still had an array of animals. The zoo was set up in such a way that we could see everything in a little over an hour with little walking. The animals were surprisingly close making it easy to observe them. The zoo was almost completely empty of other zoo goers, but the rain had cooled temperatures which made it pleasant to stroll through and I think the animals felt the same way. In fact, the only animals playing opossum were the wolverine and the opossum. We were especially impressed with how active the gorgeous pair of cougars were. This is a small zoo, if you visit expecting a large, fancy zoo, you will be disappointed. However, if you visit expecting a pleasant couple of hours interacting with animals (and maybe learning something), this is the zoo for you. A couple more tips: Great zoo for children because it really focuses on learning and its small size allows them to enjoy the animals without getting tired or bored. Cooler weather= more active animals. Only $5.50 for adults, so it's a great value. If you're in the ares, I highly recommend checking it out.
It's safe to say the Henson Robinson Zoo is not going to offer the same experience as say the St. Louis Zoo or Brookfield Zoo. With that out of the way...Henson Robinson Zoo is a nice little zoo to take the kids. Plenty of active animals to keep everyone busy. My family enjoys the red wolves, owls, monkeys and lemurs. See the animals. Play at the park. Enjoy a good half day outing. You've seen everything by the time the kids are getting cranky. Plus, the Christmas lights at the zoo are neat.
This is a small zoo that does a tremendous job! Very inexpensive and great employees! If you need to kill a few hours you won't regret it regardless of your age.
Not a lot of animals but we did have a fun time feeding the birds and fish. Train ride was OK - could have taken a different trail instead of going the same way twice. All in all a nice time.
We were lucky enough to go on a day that was free to all which started our visit out right! This zoo is very small, but the animals they have put on a good show. All the habitats area good size for each animal and most animals are at least in pairs. You are able to feed the goats and there isa pond where you can feed the koi, however the geese try to get to the food first. We were fortunate to go on a day when all the animals were out and active. From the wolverine hamming it up to the new baby gibbon learning to play outdoors, it was a great time. Very little walking between exhibits which makes it the perfect zoo for people of all ages. Again, this is a small zoo so it does not have the large animals usually seen at a zoo, yet there is a charm which makes this zoo a must see!
Where are all the giant cats? The Giraffe? The ZEBRA? If I wanted to look at horses, ponies, and a donkey I could drive through the country. Small enclosures for the animals and they look sad. Also, the geese tried very had to eat my French fries. Maybe I'm just too old for this zoo and I expect too much. Maybe animal planet has me spoiled.
Aging zoo. Just depressing with mostly empty habitats. Yes, Springfield is a small town but the disrepair of this zoo is inexcusable.
We take the grandkids every year when they are in town. They are little - 7 and younger so they enjoy the train and the peacocks. The zoo is small and just about right for them to see everything without it being too long of a day. It's a nice outing.