Honolulu Zoo

In recent years, the Honolulu Zoo has been voted one of the most popular zoos in the United States, an honor indicative of its growing reputation as a prominent Oahu tourist attraction. Conveniently located between Waikiki and Diamond Head, and just up Kalākaua Avenue from Waikiki Aquarium and Kaimana Beach, Honolulu Zoo is home to elephants, lions, tigers, and a whole host of unforgettable birds, reptiles, and primates. It also features a café, gift shop, and a couple different snack bars.

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Honolulu Zoo History and Background

The Honolulu Zoo proudly bills itself as the sole American zoo established on a land-grant provided by a sovereign monarch. This piece of trivia can be attributed to the fact that the Honolulu Zoo traces its origins back to 1876, when King Kalākaua donated 300 acres to the people of Hawaii. He named this parcel Queen Kapiolani Park, and for the next twenty years would exhibit his personal collection of racehorses and rare birds on the property.

With the fall of the Kingdom of Hawaii near the close of the nineteenth century, the site would come into the hands of the city of Honolulu. Between 1914 and 1947 it became known as a “bird park,” and was acclaimed the world over for its large aviary complexes, which housed an especially renowned collection of birds-of-paradise. In 1947, 42 acres of the Kapiolani Park spread were designated as the Honolulu Zoo. In the intervening eight decades the Honolulu Zoo has been reimagined and redesigned multiple times; throughout it all, it has endured as a popular destination for both local citizens and sightseers from across the world.

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What’s at the Honolulu Zoo

Nearly 1,000 different animals call the 42-acre Honolulu Zoo home today. These include such diverse species as chimpanzees, meerkats, cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, and alligators, just to name a few. For many individuals, highlights of a visit to the Honolulu Zoo include stopping at the new, multimillion-dollar Asian Elephant habitat, where you can observe the largest land-mammals found anywhere on the continent of Asia up close and personal; exploring the African Savannah exhibit, where lions, zebras, rhinos, and more live; and walking among the many colorful species that call the site’s bird sanctuary home.

Families visiting the Honolulu Zoo with little ones won’t want to miss the Keiki Zoo area of the attraction. This charming petting zoo features pigs, goats, cows, ponies, and numerous other kid-friendly favorites. Those in the market for a more in-depth outing will want to consider going on one of the zoo’s guided tours, which are available in a variety of formats at designated times throughout the day (see the official Honolulu Zoo website for more information).

The Plantation Café is the zoo’s primary in-house dining option; it serves a simple selection of classic American cuisine from a small menu that leans toward casual meals and snack items. For a more distinctive experience, many visitors to the Honolulu Zoo choose to bring their own food and drink and throw themselves a picnic on the zoo grounds. So long as you help keep things tidy by cleaning up afterwards, the Zoo permits outside food, drink, and even coolers.

The Honolulu Zoo gift shop is located near the attraction’s entrance, just steps from the site’s lovely duck pond and flamingo habitat, as well as the ever-popular sloth enclosure. There you’ll find an assortment of zoo-themed books, souvenirs, toys, apparel, plush animals, and more.

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Tips for Visiting the Honolulu Zoo

*The Honolulu Zoo has its own dedicated parking lot, which can be accessed from Kapahulu Avenue. Parking here is limited to four hours. You’ll pay for your parking at a machine that accepts both cards and cash; however, please note that the machine does not make change. A non-Zoo-affiliated, metered parking lot can be found just south of Monsarrat Avenue.

*Even though the zoo’s hours of operation are most commonly reported online as 10:00am to 4:00pm, be advised that entry is typically only permitted until 3:00pm. This is something important to keep in mind as you plan your Honolulu itinerary.

*A Guest Services office is located near the Honolulu Zoo’s entrance. There you’ll find the attraction’s Lost and Found, a staffed First Aid station, and a helpful team of zoo employees prepared to answer any additional questions you might have about your visit to this popular attraction.

*Families wishing to rent strollers for the duration of their visit to the Honolulu Zoo may do so at the attraction’s gift shop. Both single strollers and double strollers are available, with double strollers costing a couple dollars more than single strollers. Wheelchairs may also be rented at the zoo’s gift shop for a fee. All rented wheelchairs and strollers must be returned at least 30 minutes prior to the zoo’s closing time.

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