Jackson Zoo

The Jackson Zoo is not the biggest zoo I have been to but it is a very nice zoo. You can see how hard the zookeepers with their personal keeper chats. The zoo has tapirs (which wasn't an animal in my vocabulary until a day with my daughter and go diego go!) but it was nice to be able to see them up close and not in a cartoon. They have a new food vendor while it is on the pricy side it is still very good, with options. We went during spring break week and discovered they had opened a penguin exhibit that was small but almost as nice as the one in New Orleans I paid 18 per person to go and see! If you are looking for the best zoo in america you might not enjoy the Jackson zoo. but if you are looking for a great place to spend time with your family. I highly suggest going to the Jackson Zoo! more

I visited the Jackson zoo on Saturday 7/08/06, and let me please just say it was one of the most unenjoyable experiences. Not only were the staff rude, but the zoo itself was a let down. When we arrived, we being my 13 year old sister, her friend my 5 year old daughter and myself, I rented a stroller. My choices were nasty, nastier, and nastiest. The were all filthy. Like they had not been wiped down in days. Then we went to the food area. Not only did I have to wait an obscene amount of time for my food, but the staff there were very rude. They spoke to the customers in a demeaning tone of voice, and acted like they were doing us a favor by serving us. Once I did get my food, I asked the gentleman behind the counter for some mustard and mayonnaise. Instead of walking 2 feet to get it for me, he just said to the girl who was taking orders that I needed some and then walked away. I ended up waiting 5 minutes for this! After we had eaten, we proceeded to view the animals. It was very disappointing. Plus the whole zoo area seemed to smell of waste. I understand that there are wild animals there and the do expel waste, but there must be something that can be done. Lastly, it was 4:44 and an employee came up to me and TOOK the stroller that I had rented, that my child was riding in, away from me and told me the zoo was closing and we needed to leave. I still had 15 minutes left!!! My child wanted to go to the discovery kids zone, but they had already closed it. 15 minutes before closing time! I basically got kicked out of the zoo because the staff wanted to leave right at 5. I spent approximately 55 dollars that day at the zoo, not including gas. It was not worth it at all. This was my childs first visit ever to a zoo. We drove all the way from Meridian to come to this zoo. It was a very very disappointing experience.. It will be the last time I make the mistake of spending money to go to the Jackson zoo. more

This is the worst zoo in the southwest part of the United States, no joking. There are hardly any interesting animals or exihibits while the few they do have seem to be dying off. Long ago, this was a pretty hip zoo with lots of activities and animals to see. Currently they are building a new entrance and maybe a bit of remoldeling inside. Prices are about $5-6 for adults and a little less for younger children. Although their are exhibits years round like ice cream safari and zoo blues, it's pretty old stuff, basically the same old same old more