Binder Park Zoo

Pros: Natural habitats
Cons: would like to see more animals

As a kid, I remember taking a lot of day trips to the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan. At the time, there was only the children's petting zoo with a lot of goats. I remember being able to go inside their pen and feed them. And how we would...

Pros: attractive, clean, educational, affordable day trip
Cons: busy late summer

Our family visits Binder Park Zoo every year. Out of all the zoo’s we’ve visited in Michigan, we find it to be the most “natural” and calming.

LOCATION
Binder Park Zoo is located in Battle Creek, Michigan. It is roughly half...

Pros: natural setting, lots of interesting animals
Cons: far walks between animals at some points

This was our first real zoo trip, so we have no true zoo experiences to compare this one with except Clinch Park zoo in Traverse City, which is miniature in comparison to Binder Park zoo.

I love animals, and I love nature. When we go...

Pros: clean, animals well cared for,
Cons: not open in the winter

I have taken my son to Binder Park Zoo three times in the past month and a half. It is a great trip for both of us.

We are able to park for free. Parking is within easy walking distance to the parks entrance. There are 4 different lots....

Pros: So much to do for the kids
Cons: Can't get through it all in one day

If you ever come to Michigan or you live here and you haven't been to this zoo..you have to go! We live right in Battle Creek, so we have the privledge of being able to go often.

It is about $8.00 to get in..it is a little pricey but worth...

Pros: Fun zoo, great animals, not overpriced
Cons: A smaller zoo (but lots of animals!)

I took my eight year old niece to this zoo last summer for our special trip and it was amazing! The African Safari exhibit was just outstanding. They had such a wide array of animals that were specialized to the African habitat. The signs that ...

Pros: Great animals, "do-able" size, not too expensive
Cons: Must go through gift shop to leave the zoo

We have an annual pass to this zoo. It is wonderful. We love zoos, and this is one of our favorites, even though it isn't the biggest and doesn't have the largest variety of animals. But it is by far the best zoo in the Western MI/Northern IN area. ...

Pros: Lots of interesting animals
Cons: The zoo might be too long to visit in one day.

This summer was the first time our family of four was able to take a vacation. Since my husband needed to go on a few business trips, the children and I decided to tag along and visit some of the local sights. I bought a season pass to our zoo, which...

Pros: It is easy to get to
Cons: Not many Animals

My family and I went to the Binder Zoo thinking that it was the best around and I was very disappointed. The animals were so far away from you that we could hardly see them, and we walked for an hour without even seeing anything but birds, which there...

Pros: GIRAFFES, train, boo zoo
Cons: no lion, or tigers, admission prices

This zoo is great; however, I love giraffes and the only real way to see them is with the viewers. Unlike the Detroit Zoo where they are only 5-10 away. But I guess I really can't complain because at least I get to see them. This zoo is good if people...

Pros: feed giraffes, shade & natural areas, wild peacocks & deer roaming around
Cons: need more animals

We visit several times a year...kids love it. Lots of walking to see the whole place...exhibits are separated by natural areas...Wasn't sure if that's an advantage or disadvantage?

There's always something that makes the trip special...laughing at the prairie dogs... feeding a "baby giraffe"...it's always worth the trip!!!


Mom tips:

On a busy weekend, feed the giraffes first! They limit how much food they sell...I've heard it's a bummer for the kids if they can't feed them. Plan on $10 cash for giraffe food...it's totally worth it!

"Crazy Goats" My son calls them. Bring lots of quarters to buy feed for them...but let little ones do it from outside the pen...they ARE crazy!

You have to fold your stroller down to ride the tram to "Wild Africa"...pack light and/or rent their stroller and just get one to use over there when you get there.

Gift shop at the exit closes promptly at close...Get there on time. Picture yourself promising a toy at the end, and finally arriving at the shop to see the CLOSED sign!"