Looking to take the kids to the zoo today. We've been to the Niabi Zoo (which is very good) in Quad Cities a few times, but never to Blank Park. Any opinions on it?
How is Blank Park Zoo?
- Thread starter CRcyclone6
- Start date
If you're expecting Omaha or St Louis or something - you'll be disappointed.
I've never been to the Quad Cities zoo (didn't know they had one), so can't compare. I imagine the DSM zoo is a step up.
If I were you, I'd drive the extra hour or so and go to Omaha.
I've never been to the Quad Cities zoo (didn't know they had one), so can't compare. I imagine the DSM zoo is a step up.
If I were you, I'd drive the extra hour or so and go to Omaha.
I've been lots of times. You won't mistake it for a "big" zoo, but it's honestly not too bad. Omaha is much better, though. It's more of a casual day thing than an "event", IMO, but I think it's worth the price of admission.
They do need more monkies, IMO.
I believe the big draw this summer was a baby elephant. Not sure if they still have it there or not.
I only knock it because it's rather small and you can get through it pretty quick. Of course if you get done too fast, you could hit the Science Center. My wife took our niece (3 y/o) down there this summer and they had a great time.
http://www.blankparkzoo.com/index.cfm?nodeID=9357&action=display&newsID=2695
Baby giraffe is off exhibit is seems.
Last edited:
thanks for the tips. we've been to the Omaha one before. just looking for a day trip. Prob hit Blank Park for something different. thanks again.
I haven't been to Niabi zoo in a LONG time... But if it is anything like it was when I was a kid Blank Park will blow it away.
we went again this past summer, it is very nice. they have added lots of things over the last 2 years.
Night Eyes is where you can take the kids to trick or treat, nice set up, my kids enjoy going to it every year.
It's a nice zoo, but everyone is right, you see everything pretty quickly. Depending on how old your kids are, their favorite part will probably be the petting zoo, it's very interactive. You also need to check the feeding times for the giraffes, if you are there at the right time, they will actually let you feed them! That's lot's of fun!!
It's a good zoo for what it is. Don't think it'll be some amazing place like Omaha, but if your kid likes animals he/she will have a good time.
We're taking my son to night eyes this year, should be fun.
We're taking my son to night eyes this year, should be fun.
I'd like to know when it was that you went to the Niabi Zoo. Last time I went (8 years ago) very good is not the description I would have used for my assessment...
I've heard nothing but good things about the Omaha Zoo, if you're willing to drive that far.
I don't mind blank park zoo. They have Giraffes and tigers and some monkeys. It's small so your kids won't get tired. I liked it much better than Minneapolis zoo. That zoo was horrible. The cages while the animals probably liked them big were to big to actually see the animals.
The bears at the MN zoo were cool though.
The bears at the MN zoo were cool though.
Is there an age range to qualify this or is it a slam dunk either way? My son is 4 and I was thinking about either of these tomorrow as well. Thanks!
BTW, Blank Park Zoo is supposedly expanding, something like 125% in acreage. Hopefully it'll be an improvement.
