I've gone to many zoos throughout the country as I've got three young children. Some we like, some are okay, and some (like Detroit) aren't worth the money paid.
To start with, Detroit Zoo does not participate in the AZA zoo program in which buying a zoo membership at one zoo entitles you to get in free to most other zoos in the country. Strike one.
Strike two... the cost of the zoo is quite prohibitive. $11 for an adult and $7 for a child. And to park is an additional $5 per car. This is nearly double the cost of the next closest zoo, Toledo, OH.
And once we paid our fees, we were completely unimpressed by the exhibits. The zoo is long and narrow, with LOTS of walking in between houses. The only worthwhile exhibit is the polar bears. This truly was a great experience, but not worth the admission fee and all the other lackluster exhibits.
Also worth noting, the food kiosks were practically non-existent.
PROS: Great Polar Bears
CONS: Price, Lousy Exhibits
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