The biggest zoo in Texas hides in South Dallas, with the only koalas in the state, a hand-feeding giraffe deck and a monorail through the African wilds. Here is how to actually do it right.
The Dallas Zoo is the largest zoo in Texas and a lot of locals still have not been since they were kids. That is a mistake. Spread across 106 acres in South Dallas, it is a legitimate half-day adventure with a couple of experiences you genuinely cannot get anywhere else in the state.
This is not a quick walk past some cages. Between the giraffe-feeding deck, the only koalas in Texas and a monorail that runs through a recreated African landscape, the zoo rewards a real plan. Show up early, hit the headliners first and pace the heat.
Here is how to make the most of a day at the Dallas Zoo.
Feed a Giraffe First
The giraffe-feeding experience is the signature Dallas Zoo moment and it is worth building your morning around. For a few dollars per bunch of food, you stand on a raised deck and hand-feed the giraffes at eye level, which is exactly as memorable as it sounds, especially for kids.
Go early, because the feeding has limited food and set hours and it can sell out on busy days. Get this one done first, then work the rest of the zoo around it. Check current times and pricing on the official Dallas Zoo site before you go.
Meet the Only Koalas in Texas
The Koala Walkabout is the other can’t-get-it-elsewhere experience. Kobi and Tekin are the only koalas in Texas and the walkabout also puts you alongside kangaroos, wallabies, emus and kookaburras for a full slice of Australian wildlife.
It is an easy crowd-pleaser and a good mid-morning stop after the giraffes. The koalas are most active when it is cooler, so earlier in the day gives you a better shot at seeing them up and moving rather than napping.
Ride Into the Wilds of Africa
The Wilds of Africa section is the heart of the zoo and the monorail safari is the easy way to take it in. The ride loops through recreated African habitats, giving you a different vantage on the animals than you get on foot and it is a welcome sit-down break in the middle of a walking day.
Beyond the monorail, the Giants of the Savanna habitat puts elephants, lions and other big-name animals front and center. This is the part of the zoo to slow down for, so leave plenty of time rather than rushing the back half.
Plan for the Texas Heat
The zoo is open daily, generally 9am to 5pm and in a DFW summer the timing matters. Arrive at opening, do the giraffes and koalas while it is cooler and save shaded or indoor stops for the hottest part of the afternoon. The animals are more active in the morning anyway.
Bring water, sunscreen and a stroller if you have little ones, because 106 acres is a lot of ground. Parking is on site and buying tickets online ahead of time saves you the gate line on busy weekends.
Feed the Giraffes
The Dallas Zoo is one of those hometown attractions that is genuinely worth a return trip as an adult, especially with kids in tow. Get there at opening, feed the giraffes first, meet the koalas and ride the monorail before the heat peaks. If you are comparing the metroplex’s two big zoos, see how it stacks up against the Fort Worth Zoo, a hit for kids and adults. Both are worth a day.
Now You Know
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| The Address | Dallas Zoo, 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, TX 75203 |
| The Size | 106 acres, the largest zoo in Texas |
| The Signature | Hand-feeding giraffes at the feeding deck, a few dollars per food bunch |
| Texas-Only | Kobi and Tekin, the only koalas in Texas, at the Koala Walkabout |
| Don’t Miss | The Wilds of Africa monorail and the Giants of the Savanna habitat |
| Hours | Open daily, generally 9am to 5pm |
| Best For | Families, kids and anyone who has not been since childhood |
| The Move | Arrive at opening, feed the giraffes first, meet the koalas and ride the monorail before the afternoon heat. |
