Peoria is a sprawling city in central Illinois, nestled on the Illinois River. Among its many attractions is the Peoria Zoo. The zoo is hosted in the Glen Oak Park along with the Luthy Botanical Gardens. It houses a number of animals from Africa, Asia and Australia, as well as a center where children can touch and get to know a variety of animals personally. Head over to the zoo’s website to find out more. Another place to view the wildlife is the Wildlife Prairie Park, located on the outskirts of the city. It has lovely forest trails and wildlife, including cougars, bison and bears. Other attractions in the city include the Peoria Riverfront Museum that features planetarium, theater and sculpture garden. Find out more about the city on the Official Tourism Board website and read up on the guide to Peoria Zoo by scrolling below.
Things to do
Africa Exhibit
The African exhibit at Peoria Zoo is known as Zambezi River Village and includes an artificial Zambezi River, surrounded by grasslands. There are six species groups in the Africa exhibit, all living in simulated natural environments. Among these species are Colobus monkeys, giraffe, lion, Mandrill monkeys and red river hogs.
Asian Trail
Heading down the Asian trail reveals a variety of animals from Asia, including the Galapagos tortoise, Amur (Siberian) tigers, Muntjac deer from southern China and Taiwan and the revered Takin, which hail from China and the eastern Himalayas in Asia.
Australia Walk-About
Go on a walk-about through species from Australia, between 10am and 4:30pm. It is possible to walk with the Emu and wallabies. It is also possible to view these animals from various viewing stations outside the exhibit. See the birds of Australia in the Budgie Aviary, or view the emu, laughing kookaburra or the black swans.
Conservation Center
Head to the Conservation Center, where a number of endangered species from Africa, Asia and Australia can be seen, including the alligator snapping turtle, green and black poison dart frog, prehensile-tailed skink, Panamanian golden frog, Chinese alligator, spotted turtle, Mexican axolotl, cardinal tetra and firehead tetra.
Contact Barn
In this section of the zoo, children can get close up and personal with a variety of animals, including horses, domestic donkeys and chickens, domestic zebu, llama and the Nigerian dwarf goat, as well as see Koi fish in a pond.
Tropics Exhibit
In the Tropics Exhibit, it is possible to see an exciting range of species, including several types of snake, the greater spear-nosed bat, a variety of geckos and other lizards, as well as scary insects such as scorpions and tarantula spiders (from a safe distance!) and a red-footed tortoise. African creatures like mongoose lemur and a ring-tailed lemur, a slender-tailed meerkat and a black-handed spider monkey can also be spotted here.
Things to buy
At the entrance of Peoria Zoo, there is a Safari Gift Shop that offers a variety of great souvenirs and gifts. These include zoo-related clothing items, T-shirts, sweatshirts, jewelry and candies. The shop also features a range of great gifts from all over the world, as well as “Ellie Poo Poo” gifts, and fair-trade gifts made from elephant dung. If you find it difficult to decide what to buy, gift cards are available which can be redeemed in the shop at a later time. Gifts are environment-friendly and eco-sustainable, and every purchase helps to protect the environment.
Travelers tips
Summer isn't over yet and the Peoria Zoo is here to help you celebrate these last few warm days. Visit our website at peoriazoo.org for prices, hours and to purchase tickets.
Posted by Peoria Zoo on Friday, 20 September 2019
Buy a membership card
Taking out a membership card at Peoria Zoo entitles visitors to several benefits, including earlier visit times and various fun events. There is a choice of memberships, including individual and joint memberships, family memberships and grandparent memberships. Family memberships include up to two adults and children under the age of 18. Grandparent memberships include up to two adults and grandchildren up to the age of 18.
Visit early morning
Member Mornings start an hour early at 9am, enabling members to see the animals without the crowds. These are held on the first Monday of every month.
Adopt an animal
Visitors and animal lovers alike can help Peoria Zoo in its conservation efforts by officially adopting an animal. Donations received for the animals goes towards giving each an expert care, including veterinary check-ups and treatments to keep them in top physical condition. Adopting an animal at Peoria Zoo also goes towards an enrichment program that offers the animals the mental stimulation they need to have the normal behaviors they would have in the wild.
How to get there
By car
The easiest way to get to Peoria Zoo is by car. You can get there from I-74. Follow these directions- 1. On the I-74, take exit 92A (Knoxville I-40). 2. Proceed north on Knoxville and turn right on McClure. 3. McClure enters Glen Oak Park at the intersection with Prospect Rd. 4. Once in Glen Oak Park, keep right and watch out for the zoo entrance.
How to book tickets
To book tickets to visit Peoria Zoo, head to their official website and choose your preferred option. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased at the entrance gate of the zoo.
Peoria Zoo information
Peoria Zoo
Address: Glen Oak Park, 2320 N Prospect Rd, Peoria, Illinois, USA
Official website: Peoria Zoo
Department of tourism: Illinois Tourism
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 6.75 USD - 9.75 USD
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to