The Dallas Zoo stretches out for nearly 100 scenic acres, and is not far from downtown Dallas in the Oak Cliff neighborhood. A statue of a giant giraffe stands watch at the entrance, alerting visitors to the amazing things to come and explore. More than 1,800 animals from around the world make a home at this interesting place, though none are as tall as the giraffe.

For many years, visitors to the Dallas Fort Worth Zoo peeked into the underwater world with a visit to the Aquarium at Fair Park. The historic art deco building closed to undergo extensive remodeling and became the Children's Aquarium. This exhibit was designed to delight young visitors, although people of every age will enjoy it here. With small-scale exhibits and bright colors, youngsters will see a world of wonder. One of the most memorable features is the tidal touch pool, complete with sea stars, urchins, and other exotic sea creatures from around the world.

On land, visitors young and old will find much to explore. Just steps from the entrance, you can see some cute and cuddly, and also critically endangered, small primates at Lemur Lookout. For a unique spin on the Dallas Fort Worth Zoo, consider taking one of the GPS tours. At the Information Station near the entrance, you can rent one of the hand-held units and experience the zoo in a whole new way. A family or group of friends can work together, watching videos and learning about the amazing creatures who make a home at the Dallas Zoo.

Dallas Map

At 95 acres, the Dallas Texas Zoo is one of the biggest in the region and the biggest in Texas. The exhibits are divided into two different regions, Zoo North and the Wilds of Africa, each home to different animal exhibits and visitor amenities.

At Zoo North, you can take a walkabout through the Australian Outback and stand nose-to-snout with an anteater or a tapir. The reptile house is found here, along with endangered tigers and amazing elephants.

Wild the Wilds of Africa region, you can take a safari without leaving downtown Dallas. Following the path of the nature trail will bring you to the Chimpanzee Forest and to the free-range gorillas. Every day, gorilla guides are available to answer questions and introduce the intelligent primates.

Beyond the animals, you'll find a wide array of fun things to do and places to eat. A monorail zips through the park, providing a place to rest your feet and watch the scenery. The narration is an excellent way to learn more about the animals of the Dallas Texas Zoo. You also could go for a whirl on the Endangered Species Carousel and snap pictures at the Elephant Fountain. Several gift shops stock souvenirs and animal-themed items, while the Zoofari Food Court offers a variety of choices for lunches and snacks.

The Dallas Texas Zoo is open year round, with the exception of Christmas Day. Admission is discounted for children between 2 and 14 and visitors over the age of 65. Children under the age of two won't need any Dallas Zoo coupons since they are always free. Coupons are available at the gate from time to time, and always for those with AAA cards. You also can check at other attractions around the area to see if they have any discounts or combination packages.

Older visitors can save on admission with a special pass with DART, the local light rail. When you ride on Monday or Tuesday and show your pass at the gate, you can save some money on the admission rate.

Because the Dallas Zoo is so close to downtown Dallas, a short ride on the DART or a quick drive will get you to many other places to explore. The Dallas Farmers Market welcomes visitors year round and is open a few hours before and after the zoo. You'll also find an array of museums and theaters close by, including the Dallas Museum of Art and the Winspear Opera House, a part of the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

When you say Dallas Fort Worth Zoo, you could be talking about the downtown zoo or the one about 45 minutes away in Fort Worth. Because they're so close, it would be easy to visit the Dallas Zoo and the Forth Worth Zoo on one memorable day.