Come and observe animals and interact with them at Maryland Zoo. Housed in enclosures that aim to replicate their natural habitats, the zoo contains animals from near and far. There is a Maryland Wilderness section, a Children’s Zoo as well as African and Arctic exhibits.
Situated in 65 hectares in Druid Hill Park, the zoo, originally named Baltimore Zoo, was founded in 1876 and is one of the oldest in the country. Having started out with just four swans on display to the public, by the 1920s, it had increased its collection and added its first purpose-built elephant house. Today, the zoo continues to be committed to the preservation of elephants in the wild.
At present, the zoo is home to over 2,000 amphibians, birds, reptiles and mammals from all corners of the world. Enjoy the largest exhibit here, African Journey, where you can follow a trail while taking in elephants, cheetahs and chimpanzees. You can even feed the giraffes.
The zoo’s staff also give several presentations over the course of the day. You can watch them feed animals and learn all about nature. Other highlights include Polar Bear Watch, where you will get to see these beautiful animals as they swim under water, and grooming goats in the farmyard of the Maryland Wilderness section.
For younger visitors, there is the Children’s Zoo, where they can meet animals and explore different play areas. They can also enjoy the “Breakfast with the Animals” VIP experience, which takes place on certain days during the summer months.
During the warmer spring and summer months, Maryland Zoo is open every day. During winter, opening hours are limited and not all of the activities and exhibits are open to the public, but the entrance fee is discounted by up to 50 per cent. This small zoo is just a 10-minute drive from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and makes an ideal morning trip out for the whole family. Free parking is available and there is a café on site.
