Ft. Worth Zoo VS. Dallas Zoo

We like both and have memberships to both. But i think Fort Worth is cleaner and nicer and easier to get through and see everything and not get tired out.

But there is so much more to see at the Dallas zoo and love it as well...just dont like the drive.

We have been to both and we prefer the Fort Worth zoo. Its cleaner safe and to mention the workers are polite and talk to you very well and at the dallas zoo the workers are rude.

I've been to both zoos in recent years and hands down, there's no contest! The Fort Worth Zoo is absolutely beautiful and extremely family friendly. It's among the top zoos in the country.

Ft. Worth!! Been to both and Ft. Worth is nicer...last time we were there only about 2 hours and saw it all. Dallas zoo hardly has any animals right now(lots have died recently)and it's not in the nicest area either.

By far the Fort Worth Zoo!!! I have been to the Washington DC National Zoo, the San Diego Zoo, and Florida Zoos, and Dallas... Fort Worth is the most beautiful and enjoyable and really showcases animals in their "natural environment." And right now is such a lovely time in that neighborhood, with all the leaves turning! Plus, they have a little train you can ride along the Trinity River!

Hi T.!

I know other people have mentioned this already, but you may want to consider the Gainesville zoo. It is smaller, but absolutely perfect for younger kids, especially 2 year olds. There are still plenty of different animals to see, but it is not as exhausting as a full size zoo can be for little children. I have gone as an adult and loved it! I can't wait until my 6 month old daughter is old enough to go to the Gainesville zoo. The giraffe feeding is really neat and fun, they have a pretty park out front for picnics, and a train she can ride.

Love in Christ,

Lisa :)

Definitely FW !!! newer,nicer,cleaner,safer...one of the top 10 in the NATION!! The Dallas Zoo does have a great kids zoo that's new and would be worth it I guess if you're close by, we're in Keller so not worth it to me.

Have fun!! One our fave outings

Hello, my personal opnion is the Ft. Worth Zoo is much better! We bought a family membership this year because we enjoy taking our two year old son so much! They have addeda a lot of knew great exhibits and should have more completed very soon.

Have Fun!

I personally enjoy the FT.Worth Zoo over the Dallas Zoo.

We LOVE the Fort Worth Zoo... and what's more fun is if you can find "Barney at the Zoo" (older - I have it on VHS!)... but they filmed it at the Fort Worth Zoo - so it's fun to actually visit after seeing the episode!

I have visited both zoos, and I would have to say that I preferred Dallas zoo for a number of reasons. First and foremost as an Australian, Dallas zoos collection of Birds, reptiles and mammals from this region (Australia/New Guinea) was very, very impressive. I saw so many things that I had never even seen in an Australian zoo. It was so impressive in fact I actually asked if there was a specific reason or intent behind it (their answer was basically 'dumb luck' - zoos apparently pick up spare animals or exchange them at random). The rest of the zoo was world class as well, including the safari train ride, a bird house, penguin exhibit to name but a few.

Anyhow, I was far less impressed by Fort Worth zoo, albeit I did see it during the beginning of winter and I went to Dallas during high summer. The Australian section was woeful in comparison, and the parrot exhibit (they are easily my favourite birds) was closed. There were a couple of nice water bird exhibits, some massive fish to feed and a wild west town of sorts (for the tourists I guess, but certainly did nothing for me). The two highlights for me were (and again remember I am an Australian, albeit married to a Texan) was the New Guinea Crowned Pigeon (just such a spectacular bird), and a believe or not a talking Bird of Paradise. It's vocabulary includes 'hello there' and 'beautiful boy' plus hysterical mumbling to himself, which sounds like he is saying something, but you can never quite make out what it is (and it definitely was human talking not bird noise). Plus he'd come up to the cage wire as he was fascinated by people. Birds of Paradise come from Australia and New Guinea but I had never heard that they could actually talk, so I discovered something that was quite amazing at Fort Worth Zoo.

Finally don't forget Dallas Aquarium. Again world class and has much, much more to look at then simply fish. You'd amazed how a place that looks so compact from the outside can seem to go on forever. It will certainly take up most of your day.

The Ft. Worth Zoo is world class.
The Dallas zoo has had some problems lately. Several years ago they had a gorilla escape it's enclosure. A few months back one of their 2 elephants died and they have had several other animals die since (old age or illness in all cases, not neglect)
The Fort Worth Zoo has an area just for kids to run around and touch things and play, including a huge indoor play structure. My kids love it!
Oh, and Wednesdays it's half price.

I definitely think the Fort Worth Zoo is much better than the Dallas Zoo. It is bigger and has a much better selection of animals including an awesome primate exhibit. The Dallas aquarium is pretty nice, though.

We are a fan of the Ft. Worth Zoo. We also love the Gainesville Zoo for younger kids. It is perfect for a 2 year old...she can run wild. You can see her everywhere and there is a park and little train out front.

Don't cross the Dallas Zoo off your list yet! I've worked in Zoo education for 8 years and think the Dallas Zoo has one of the best Children's Zoos along with many other assets like the Wild of Africa. They have also opened some amazing new exhibits in the past 2 years like penquins and otters. I think we are blessed to have two world class zoos in the area - I would try to visit them both.

The Ft. Worth Zoo is larger and better than the Dallas zoo. It has half price day on Wednesday. The Frank Buck Zoo in Gainsville is small but perfect for young children. They have giraffe feeding around 10. The park has a train. I saw you live in Argyle so it would not be a bad drive for you.

IMHO, Fort Worth Zoo is way better...have fun!

M.

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Ft Worth Zoo.

Not only is it better it's in a better location! Easy to get to and other nice parks around it.

Ft. Worth hands down.

Ft. Worth Zoo. They do 1/2 price on Wednesdays and I think since your daughter is under 3 she gets in free. You can do just about the whole thing in 1/2 day and be home for nap time. Take a picnic and enjoy the last few nice days. The new restaurant is now open every day along with the one at the far end of the zoo if you'd rather eat there. Become a member and save on parking and you really only have to go 4 times a year for it to pay for itself.

I definietly prefer the Ft. Worth Zoo, but the Dallas Zoo is good too. It's been a while since I've been to either one, so I'm not sure about any recent additions they may have done. If you're closer to the Dallas Zoo, I would go there. When I was a nanny, I would take the girls on the DART right to the zoo (they have a stop right by the zoo entrance). They really enjoyed riding the train, plus I didn't have to drive! They were a little older though (5 & 7). You'll have fun either way!

I prefer the Dallas Zoo. We have been to both many times. The gorilla habitat at the Dallas Zoo is great. We actually just got back from Ft.Worth though and we rode the little train that is next to the zoo. My kids loved it. It leaves at the top of the hour and takes about 40 minutes round trip around the park area.

Never been to the Dallas zoo, mostly because I heard how much better Ft. Worth is, and we love it!! I will suggest too, that you consider sometime heading up to the Frank Buck Zoo. It is not a full scale zoo, much smaller, but there are still animals like bears, and kangaroos, and zebras etc. There is a great walkway the whole time so I let my 2 year old walk, which at the Ft Worth zoo there would have been no way! There is a fun little train ride, you can feed the goats, and play on the big wooden play ground afterwards. We just really enjoyed it so much, but for sure I do like Ft. Worth Zoo for a bigger day! Have fun~A.~

I prefer the Ft. Worth zoo, but to a 2 year old, a zoo is a zoo! They just like to see the animals. The Dallas zoo isn't bad... go to whichever is closest to you.

I've heard the same thing! I enjoy the Ft. Worth Zoo very much, was there maybe a month ago....beautifully kept grounds and very clean. I guess we normally go here because it's closer? It's also in a VERY nice area of Fort Worth as opposed to going downtown Dallas, not so nice and tough to drive through....Have a great time!

I agree...went to the Dallas Zoo once and the animals all looked like they wished they could escape! FW is much nicer!

Hi - my husband and I took our 3 1/2 yr old to the Ft. Worth Zoo - she loved it until she got thirsty and hungry. Everything was closed except at the far end of the zoo. It was a very long walk, which made it worse. I would advise you to take some snacks and drinks. We just assumed (which is the wrong thing to do) that the concessions would all be open. It might be different on a weekend - we went on a week day. Have fun. Lexy loved it.

J. M

Fort Worth Zoo is better.

Ft Worth zoo is better overall, however for a young child I would sasy The Dallas Zoo is just as good, especially if it is closer to you. I only take my 2 y.o. to the Dallas Zoo because I feel he gets more out of going to an "ok" zoo that is only 30 minutes away than a better zoo that is an hour away. He still gets to see different animals, there is still the children's area. It has everything he is interested in right now. When he gets a little older and expecting more, I will start going to Ft Worth.