One of the world's great zoos — 5,000 animals, 10km of trails, and the Indo-Malaya pavilion that genuinely transports you to Southeast Asia. The giant panda enclosure is the most popular in Canada. Plan a full day.
Neighbourhood: Scarborough · Address: 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON · Hours: Mon–Sun 9am–6pm (seasonal variation) · Price Range: $$ · Phone: (416) 392-5900 · Editorial status: Not yet verified
You can see everything from Arctic wolves to Komodo dragons, and walk through immersive indoor pavilions like the Indo-Malaya rainforest. Serious animal nerds will want to catch daily feedings and keeper talks for up-close experiences.
It's Canada's largest zoo by far, spread over 700 acres—if you want a shot at seeing orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and polar bears in one spot, this is the only game in town. The geographic layout means animals are grouped by continent, and the enormous splash pad (open summer) is something no other Toronto attraction has.
The Toronto Zoo is one of the largest and most comprehensive zoos in the world, spread across 710 acres of Rouge River Valley in Scarborough — a natural setting that makes the enclosures feel notably less confined than most urban zoos. With approximately 5,000 animals representing 500 species, it requires genuine planning: a full day is the minimum, and the Zoomobile (a tram circuit of the main grounds) is essential for families with young children who would otherwise exhaust themselves on the 10+ kilometres of pathways.
The zoo is organized into geographic pavilions, each of which does a credible job of recreating the biomes it represents. The Indo-Malaya Pavilion — with free-roaming orangutans, clouded leopards, and giant walking stick insects — is among the most impressive enclosed exhibit spaces in North America. The African Savanna outdoor exhibit, with giraffes, rhinos, and meerkats in open-landscape enclosures, is outstanding in spring and fall when the animals are most active. The Tundra Trek section, featuring polar bears, Arctic wolves, and snowy owls, is uniquely Canadian.
The giant panda pavilion — home to Da Mao and Er Shun, on loan from China — remains the single most visited exhibit in the zoo's history, and continues to draw enormous attention. Viewing is excellent; the enclosures are well-designed for observation.
ZooLights, the Toronto Zoo's annual holiday light installation held in December, transforms the grounds into one of Ontario's most spectacular outdoor light shows, with millions of lights and themed display areas. It runs after dark (from approximately 5:30pm) and requires a separate ticket. It is worth the trip on its own.
Adult admission is approximately $32–38, seniors (65+) $28, youth (ages 3–17) $24, and under 3 free. Parking costs approximately $15. Online advance purchase is recommended in peak season to avoid admission-booth lineups. Toronto Zoo members receive free admission and parking.
A full zoo visit typically takes 5–7 hours to cover the major exhibits at a comfortable pace. With young children, the Zoomobile (paid tram service) reduces fatigue significantly. Many families break the visit across two days with a membership. A focused half-day visit (4 hours) can cover the panda pavilion, Indo-Malaya, and African Savanna without the full grounds.
No — parking at the Toronto Zoo is approximately $15 per vehicle. The zoo is located at 2000 Meadowvale Road in Scarborough, accessible via Highway 401 (Meadowvale Road exit). Transit options include the 401 bus from Kennedy Station, which requires a 10-minute walk from the bus stop.
ZooLights is an after-dark holiday event held each December at the Toronto Zoo, featuring millions of LED lights decorating the grounds in themed display areas. It runs from approximately 5:30pm daily in December and requires a separate ZooLights ticket (approximately $25–32 per person). It is one of Ontario's most popular holiday events and sells out on weekends — book in advance online.
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