Elmwood Park Zoo

Norristown, PA · 1 hour 2 minutes from Reading · Under $20 a person

elmwoodparkzoo.org|Day trips from Berks County
Elmwood Park Zoo

Plan the day

Drive1 hour 2 minutes from Reading, 49 miles48 minutes from Boyertown · 1 hour 21 minutes from Hamburg · 45 minutes from Morgantown
Where1661 Harding Blvd, Norristown, PAOpen in maps →
OpenWednesday to Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday), with no seasonal closure posted; Wild Lights runs select nights November 20 to December 30.Wednesday to Friday 10am to 4pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm; Wild Lights 5 to 9pm
AdmissionAdults (13 to 64) $18.95 online, $19.95 at the gate; children (3 to 12) $15.95 or $16.95; seniors (65 and over) $15.95 or $16.95; students $16.95 or $17.95; 0 to 2 free (posted October 2026, may vary by day).
Good forlittle kids, big kids, teens, adults, couples, a group of friends, older adults, dogs welcome

Elmwood Park Zoo is a zoo in Norristown, PA, with giraffes you can hand feed, jaguars, red pandas, eagles and a playground, plus free parking.

You can hand feed the giraffes ($6, or $4 for members), ride the carousel and barrel train, and see jaguars, red pandas, Pallas's cats and tamanduas, with a musical garden for the youngest children. Outside food is welcome and parking is free. From November 20 to December 30 the zoo turns into Wild Lights, with illuminated animals, Santa's workshop and dog nights every Sunday.

Before you go

Parking is free and outside food and drink are allowed (no alcohol); bring your own wagon or stroller. Giraffe feeding, the carousel and the barrel train are $6 each ($4 for members). Buy Wild Lights tickets online to save a dollar; dogs are admitted on Sunday nights for $12.95 ($10.95 members).

Coming up

Boo at the Zoo runs weekends October 10 through November 1 (10:30am to 3:30pm) with Harvest Fest on October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25; Wild Lights runs select nights November 20 to December 30, 5 to 9pm, with Brunch with Santa on weekends December 5 to 20.

Official site →Tickets →

Checked October 8, 2026 on the official site. Hours, prices and seasons change, so confirm there before a long drive.

More zoos and animal parks worth the drive

Wolf Sanctuary of PA

Wolf Sanctuary of PA

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Wolf Sanctuary of PA is a refuge for gray wolves and wolf-dogs on Speedwell Forge Road in Lititz, PA. The only way to see the wolves is on a reserved guided tour or at an event.

Lehigh Valley Zoo

Lehigh Valley Zoo

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Lehigh Valley Zoo is an AZA-accredited zoo inside the Trexler Nature Preserve in Schnecksville, PA, run by the nonprofit Lehigh Valley Zoological Society since 2004.

Brandywine Zoo

Brandywine Zoo

Wilmington, DE · 1 hour 19 minutes from Reading · Under $20 a person

The Brandywine Zoo is a zoo of under five acres in Brandywine Park along the Brandywine River in Wilmington, DE, run by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation with the Delaware Zoological Society.

Plumpton Park Zoo

Plumpton Park Zoo

Rising Sun, MD · 1 hour 21 minutes from Reading · $20 to $50 a person

Plumpton Park Zoo is a zoo in Rising Sun, MD, with giraffes, white lions, tigers, bears, wolves, sloths, zebras and camels on the grounds.

See every one of the zoos and animal parks on the list →

    Elmwood Park Zoo: Day Trip from Berks County - BerksConnect