How does waco's Cameron Park Zoo compare to others in Texas and nationwide that you have been to?

I think it beats most Zoos in comparably sized cities. It suffers from numbers when it comes to animals, not a huge variety. Because of that it can't compete with big city zoos. Everything it has is done well. Personally, I am proud to take visiting family and friends to see it.

In Texas I think it's behind Ft Worth, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston but those are different types of zoo. It's a very good zoo for the size like Tyler's.

All I knew growing up was the Houston Zoo so I think I had a very low expectations for the Cameron Park Zoo. When I went for the first time, what I expected was blown away. It is a well kept up zoo with all the animals you'd want to see.

Something enjoyable about CPZ is the amount of shade and air conditioned exhibits they have. Every time I go to the Houston Zoo I'm exhausted, not only because of the size but the amount of sun that is absorbed when visiting there. I never feel that way with CPZ. Its the perfect size. Kids will love it no matter what. I know I do as a college aged kid!

Tyler and Brownsville are comparable. Very nice for me size of Waco. I have taken classes in animal habitat enrichment from Baylor.

I really like Cameron Park Zoo. It's a great size, isn't overly hot because of all the shade, and has a nice variety of animals (though not a lot of any type). I'd agree it's no match for Fort Worth, but I'd just as soon go to Waco as San Antonio for a zoo.

You couldn't pay me to spend a day at Dallas, or FW, or SA zoos. I used to live right by the FW zoo and thought I liked it ok until I started taking my kids to Cameron Park Zoo. The big city zoos are miserably crowded and hot and you're far away from the animals. Cameron Park Zoo is a FAR more enjoyable experience.

I'd say strong ... to ... quite strong.

It's a nice to very nice small zoo with aging infrastructure that needs reworking.

Brian Ethridge said:

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I'd say it is similar to the zoo in Denison as well, which is a hidden gem.

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I enjoyed the Frank Buck Zoo.

Guess I just love a zoo. Really enjoyed Cameron Park. I live in Houston and always enjoy it too. My kids are older (14 and 12) and they love to go to different zoos. This spring break on the way back from CO we stopped in Dallas and visited their zoo and we all had a great time.

I just went to the rainforest pyramid at moody gardens this past weekend. It's always neat and they have a nice variety of animals. They have even added some cooling air around part of the area outside. The aquarium was great too.

If you are comparing it to Houston or Ft Worth, you will be disappointed. It's obviously not near as large for obvious reasons.

That said, I think it may be preferable for families because (1) it has all the animals you want to see (2) the exhibits are well done and (3) it's small enough that you can do the whole thing in about 3 hours.

For example, I have young kids (8,4) and they love the zoo but after about 3 hours of walking and seeing animals and playing around, they are zapped (and so am I).

I also agree that the general flow of Cameron Park works well because there are numerous spots along the way that are well shaded or inside (compared to, say, the Houston Zoo - which is great but the flow less desirable). It creates some nice stopping points to rest up and cool down a bit, especially for kiddos.

Overall, a great family activity that won't suck up a whole day but still be fun for the kids and give them what they want to see.

3rd String Kicker said:

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Tyler and Brownsville are comparable. Very nice for me size of Waco. I have taken classes in animal habitat enrichment from Baylor.

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It's nice for the size of Waco. Not really comparable to Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, which has an emphasis on threatened/endangered species and was one of the first zoos in the US with more of an open habitat design rather than cages.