Dallas Zoo

The Got Weekend take

Why go

The Dallas Zoo sits three miles south of downtown, just off I-35E at the Ewing Ave./Marsalis Ave. exit. It's open 364 days a year, with regular hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (seasonal 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours may apply in some summer and winter months). General admission starts at $18, varying by entry date, and kids 2 and under get in free. Parking is $15, and the zoo asks all guests — including members — to reserve tickets online in advance. The Lacerte Family Children's Zoo gives kids hands-on ways to meet animals, while the Monorail Safari covers African habitats in a 20-minute guided ride. During the holiday season, Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant runs select nights from Nov. 13 to Jan. 3, with combo tickets available for a day-and-night visit. Note that construction of the Safari Trail expansion means some areas around the Wilds of Africa plaza, including Safari Marketplace, are closed in phases.

• Hands-on kids' zone at the Lacerte Family Children's Zoo
• 20-minute Monorail Safari ride through African habitats
• Open 364 days a year, closed only on Christmas Day
• Dallas Zoo Lights holiday event on select nights Nov. 13-Jan. 3

Families with kids of all ages, from toddlers who'll love the children's zoo to older kids ready for the monorail ride.

Make it your kind of weekend

• family outing
• outdoors

A few visit notes

Reserve tickets online in advance — the zoo asks all guests, including members, to do so. Parking is $15 and can be bought online or paid at the gates. Some Wilds of Africa plaza areas are closed for construction.