New & Improved – Dallas Zoo in Dallas, Texas

It’s been a long time since we’ve given USA Travel Guide’s hometown some love. And what better return than finding out the Big D is better than ever!

Dallas residents will tell you, the Dallas Zoo has not always had the finest reputation. It was always Jan to the Fort Worth Zoo’s Marsha. What is every bit a considerable institution in its own right still paled in comparison to its westward neighbor, one of our top zoos in America.

Dallas residents will also tell you that Fort Worth is over there. Like, way over there, and frankly, they’d rather not make the drive. (At this point, some Fort Worth locals will throw a cute little fit.) Now, with the Dallas Zoo finally completing the second phase of its massive Wilds of Africa, wasting the gas on Fort Worth seems that much more unreasonable. The Dallas Zoo just became a major contender.

New to the Dallas Zoo and deservedly all the rage is the breathtaking Giants of the Savanna, which opened just the past Memorial Day. We got one of our experts out there right away, and she returned with nothing but glowing praise. Clearly not aiming for second place, these passionate zoologists and architects have built what we think is one of the best African animal exhibits in the country. (And it only took 20 years).

Giants of the Savanna immerses visitors in the worlds of some of nature’s most majestic, playful and, well, giant inhabitants. The sprawling 11-acre habitat is the new home of the Dallas zoo’s six African elephants, several reticulated giraffes, three cheetahs, zebras and okapi, impalas and ostriches. And for the first time ever, Giants of the Savanna finally brings lions to the Dallas zoo with an impressive pride of five individuals.

Giants of the Savanna is not just about what you’ll see – it’s about how you’ll see. The awe-striking habitats exude scenic beauty and veritable authenticity. The animals look and feel right at home. What’s more, the precise design puts the animals on full display without impeding all sense of privacy. Nothing is more disappointing than an animal you can’t find, but we don’t see that happening here.

Whatever you do, fight for a window table at the Serengeti Grill when lunchtime rolls around. The restaurant borders the lion paddock, and the humongous cats have taken a liking to the shaded areas just on the other side of the windows. Our intrepid correspondent giddily recalls eating lunch mere inches from the pride. She also encourages guests to hand-feed the giraffes during their visit, but cautions me: the big fella doesn’t like to be touched.

With the introduction of Giants of the Savanna, the Dallas Zoo declares it’s ready for the world stage. As Dallassites ourselves, all we can say is “Happy to have you!”

The Dallas Zoo is open daily, 9:00 – 5:00, and admission is $12 for adults, $9 for children. If you have some flexibility on visiting, we suggest calling ahead and getting an idea of potential school crowds. The zoo is a field trip favorite, and the busier days can be frustrating for leisure guests, especially for families with smaller children. Learn more about the Dallas Zoo at http://www.dallaszoo.com/

Have fun at the new and improved Dallas Zoo!

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