So you don’t travel 3600 miles and go straight to the zoo? After we checked into the Anchorage Grand, we grabbed a few brochures in the lobby display. Mac saw the one for the Alaska Zoo, so we decided to visit on our first day. Keeping in our grand tradition, we went on the first shuttle to get there when they opened to avoid large numbers of kids. But the zoo is a great family-friendly trip while you are exploring Alaska. You could spend an hour or two there or stretch it out to a half day.
The zoo doesn’t have a ton of animals, but we had several fantastic interactions. They do have a bunch of species native to Alaska, including bears, moose, and caribou. The zoo also takes in orphaned wild animals, and they have bears that a bunch of different ages. Some of the larger bears started wrestling when we walked by.
Address and Location
You’ll find the Alaska Zoo at 4731 O’Malley Road in Anchorage. The Zoo is about a 20 minute drive from downtown. If you don’t have a car, a free shuttle picks up once an hour at the Visitors’ Center downtown (intersection of 4th and F).
Cost
Kids under two are free. Children from ages 3-17 cost $7. The Alaska Zoo offers several discounts for adults. Prices range from $10-$15.
Our Alaska trip: My revised Alaska packing list | Planes, Hotels, and Organized Tours | Anchorage Trolley | Train ride to Talkeetna | Talkeetna, Alaska | Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Tour | Talkeetna to Denali | McKinley Chalet Resort | Denali National Park | 8 hour on a train: Denali to Anchorage | Alaska Railroad to Seward | Kenai Fjords Cruise
I am obsessed with zoos haha, we always find them when we visit new places.
I love zoos, too! Hope to see more photos.