Have you ever had this experience? You go to your local zoo or the zoo in the city where you’re traveling, super excited for your kids to see the giraffes or the orangutans. But then you get there, and it’s a messy disaster: You don’t know where anything is, the giraffe exhibit is closed, and 18 school busses of rowdy kids just arrived for their day-long field trip. I’ve been there, too. But I have good news if you want to visit the Portland zoo: Since we’ve been going to this Oregon family-friendly destination for literally years, I have a bunch of Oregon Zoo insider tips for you!

So if you want to avoid crowds at the zoo, know what to expect, and overall have the best trip to the Oregon Zoo with kids, then you’ve come to the right place. Below, I’ll cover when to go, the least-crowded areas, what to bring, the must-buy item at the ticket booth and even which route to take to avoid a rough uphill climb.

Whether you’re planning a family trip to Portland or you’re an Oregon family, I know these Oregon Zoo insider tips will help make your family zoo trip an unforgettable one!

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The best Oregon Zoo trip with kids

Ready to have the best trip to the Oregon Zoo? We’ve been members since my older daughter was born nearly six years ago, so we know all the secrets. Here are the insider tips you need!

To avoid crowds at the Oregon Zoo…

Go during a weekday

It’s commonsense that zoos are busier on weekends. So if you can, plan your zoo trip during the week to avoid peak times.

Hit the zoo early

If you want to avoid crowds at this Portland zoo, head to the zoo as close to opening time as you can. Bonus: Many animals are more active in the morning. Especially in the summer when afternoons get too hot.

Level 10 travel tip: Parking is also much easier when you arrive early!

Take the Pacific Northwest path

Most people who visit the Oregon Zoo with kids walk straight down the main path past the mountain goats, not even realizing there’s a super un-busy route hidden nearby. If you walk past the mountain goat enclosure, you’ll see the Pacific Northwest path that takes you to see salmon, condors and other animals native to Portland, Oregon and beyond.

The path is a bit steep, and it’s not stroller-friendly, so go down the main path if that doesn’t work for you. But if you want to avoid crowds at the Oregon Zoo, this is the path for you!

Avoid school holidays

Once I took the kids to the Portland zoo on a weekday, expecting a mellow day checking out the elephants and sea otters. But when we arrived, I was surprised to see every other parent in Portland there.

It turned out that it was a random day off at Portland Public Schools, so tons of families went to visit the Oregon Zoo with kids.

Want to avoid that mistake? Check the Portland Public School calendar to make sure you don’t go on a day off.

Level 10 travel tip: Do the same wherever you go, whether that’s OMSI in Portland or the local children’s museum in your city. In-service days at local schools make museums, zoos and parks bonkers!

To plan your route through the Oregon Zoo…

Avoid a giant hill

Once you’re in the central part at the zoo, I’d guess about 90% of people continue on through the sea lions en route to the primates and elephants. If you want a true Oregon Zoo insider tip, though, listen up: Instead of going underground to see the sea lion tank, keep right to continue on the paved path.

Hardly anyone goes this direction, so you’ll be flowing against traffic. You’ll pass the tiger and the insect zoo before heading downhill toward the bats, flamingoes and crocodiles.

Here’s the best part: You’ll go down a steep hill instead of up on the way out. Believe me, this is pure gold for going to the Oregon Zoo with kids. You won’t have to push a heavy stroller uphill (or bribe older kids to keep going when they’re tired out from exploring).

Visit the carousel—strategically

My kids are wild about the carousel at our Portland zoo. They talk the entire drive to the zoo about what animal they’re going to ride. Little do kids know that the carousel can be prime motivation when they get cranky or tired.

Here’s how it works. Let’s say you spend half a day at the zoo and your kids get whiney. They start to complain and drag their feet. If you just need them to go a little bit farther so you can make your exit, suggest going to the carousel. They’ll immediately find some energy and, if they’re like my littles, will get the oomph to walk back out.

Level 10 travel tip: Buy your carousel tickets at the admission booth to save time. You can also buy them at the carousel, but you won’t want the delay when your kids are itching to climb on.

Leave the right way

Almost everyone who visits the zoo works their way around clockwise by going through the sea lion exhibit and then back up the hill by the bats. Instead, go the opposite route and walk up the steps next to the sand castle. If you have a stroller, you can’t manage the steps. But you can go through the sea lion exhibit, which has a stroller-friendly ramp that connects to the main path to the zoo exit.

To keep your kids from getting hangry…

Bring your own food

The Oregon Zoo absolutely allows you to bring in your own food and drink, so pack it in! I always bring a lunch bag full of snacks, which keeps them from asking for elephant ears and such.

Picnic at the right spots

There are a few great places to sit and have an actual meal:

• The lawn. This wide-open green space is wet and cordoned off during the winter, but during the summer, families post up and picnic!
• Sculpture garden. There are several picnic tables on the hill between the bat habitat and the Insect Zoo, near the sculpture garden.
• Sand box. There are places to sit and eat next to the sand box, at the base of the stairs near the sea lion exhibit.
• The best place to breastfeed. I have been telling breastfeeding moms about my favorite place to breastfeed in public in all of Portland: the sea lion habitat! It’s slightly dark, totally calm, and the best place to chill out and feed your baby without a ton of distractions.

Use your membership discount

If you live in Portland and go to the Oregon Zoo a few times a year, it’s most economical to buy a membership. (We are members of the Oregon Zoo.) If you do buy food (or souvenirs) at the zoo, show your membership for a discount.

We sometimes eat at the restaurants at the Oregon Zoo. Their french fries are so good!!!!

To save money at the Oregon Zoo…

Take TriMet to the zoo

If you take a bus or the Max (Portland’s light rail), show your ticket at the zoo entrance. You’ll save money at the zoo by getting $1.50 off each admission.

Show your benefits card

With the Zoo for All program, Oregon and Washington residents who qualify for food stamps (SNAP), WIC and other programs for low-income households can visit the zoo for $5 per person. Foster families are always eligible as well. Learn more about the Zoo for All program here.

Visit the zoo on the second Tuesday of the month

Once a month, anyone can visit the zoo for just $5. Fall through spring, this day falls on the second Tuesday of the month; the schedule changes a bit during the summer. Double check the Second Tuesday schedule here.

Know that the Oregon Zoo is more crowded on these days than other weekdays, though, so prioritize either low crowds or low price.

Show your military ID

If you are an active service person or a veteran, show your military ID to get $2 off your admission. This discount is only applicable to you, not anyone who visits with you.

Get the most out of your trip to the Oregon Zoo

Whether you live in Oregon or are looking for what to do with kids in Portland, the Oregon Zoo is a wonderful way to spend a few hours or even a full day! We go as often as we possibly can, and my girls never tire of the adventure.

I hope these insider tips help you plan a wonderful trip to the Oregon Zoo with kids. Let me know how your visit goes!