Missouri is home to two of America's premier zoos, both AZA-accredited, along with dozens of wildlife attractions, safari parks, and conservation centers. From the free-admission Saint Louis Zoo with over 12,000 animals to the state-of-the-art Wonders of Wildlife aquarium in Springfield, Missouri offers exceptional wildlife experiences for all ages.
Zoos & Wildlife Parks
AZA-Accredited Facilities
Major Aquariums
Saint Louis Zoo Admission
Location: 1 Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
Hours: Daily 9 AM - 5 PM (seasonal variations)
Admission: FREE (parking $10 for non-members)
One of the nation's premier free zoos, home to over 12,000 animals representing nearly 500 species. Features Big Cat Country, Penguin & Puffin Coast, River's Edge, and multiple aviary exhibits. Located in Forest Park, the zoo draws 3 million visitors annually and maintains AZA accreditation.
Location: 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, MO 64132
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30 AM - 4 PM, Sat-Sun 9:30 AM - 5 PM
Admission: Adults $22, Children (3-11) $20, Seniors $20
Spanning 202 acres in Swope Park with over 10,000 animals and 200+ species. Features the 95-acre African plains, Sobela Ocean Aquarium with 8,000+ marine species, Polar Bear Passage, and free-roaming kangaroo habitat. Train, tram, and African Sky Safari available.
Location: 1401 W. Norton Road, Springfield, MO 65803
Hours: Nov-Feb 9 AM - 4 PM, Mar-Oct 9 AM - 5 PM daily
Admission: Adults $19, Children (3-12) $14, Seniors (60+) $16
Springfield's premier zoo featuring 500+ animals representing 170 species. AZA-accredited since 1986, participates in Species Survival Plans. Exhibits include birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals from around the world, plus a petting zoo.
Missouri is home to 7 AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited facilities, among 240 nationwide. AZA accreditation represents the gold standard for animal care, conservation, and education.
Address: 1 Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
Phone: General information available on website
Hours: Daily 9 AM - 5 PM (closed Christmas and New Year's Day)
Admission: FREE (based on public subsidy from Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District)
Parking: $10 per car; $5 for Explorer/Navigator/Protector level members; street parking available before 9 AM
Animals: Over 12,000 animals, nearly 500 species
Size: Located in 1,300-acre Forest Park
Exhibits: Six themed zones - Lakeside Crossing, River's Edge, The Wild, Discovery Corner, Historic Hill, and Red Rocks. Features Big Cat Country, Penguin & Puffin Coast, Caribbean Cove, Sea Lion Sound, and multiple aviaries. Coming 2027: WildCare Park with 11-story observation tower and safari vehicle tours of southern white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and antelope.
Special Features: Train, carousel, and stingray touch tank (paid). Security screening at North and South entrances. MetroLink accessible (Forest Park/DeBaliviere station + MetroBus route 90).
Visiting Tips: Arrive early for free street parking (before 8:30 AM). Visit weekdays or fall/winter to avoid crowds. Animals most active in early morning and early evening. Allow half to full day. Tobacco and smoke-free facility.
Address: 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, MO 64132
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 AM - 4 PM, Saturday-Sunday 9:30 AM - 5 PM
Admission: Adults (12+) $22, Children (3-11) $20, Seniors $20, Ages 2 & under FREE
Animals: Over 10,000 animals representing 200+ species
Size: 202 acres in Swope Park
Exhibits: 95-acre African plains with lions, elephants, and giraffes; West African forest with gorillas; Australian and Asian habitats with orangutans, kangaroos, and tigers; Polar Bear Passage; Helzberg Penguin Plaza; Stingray Bay; Sea Lion Splash; Sobela Ocean Aquarium (opened 2023) with 650,000 gallons and 8,000+ marine species. World-class chimpanzee exhibit and free-roaming kangaroo habitat. New giraffe exhibit planned for 2026.
Transportation: Train ($8), tram ($11), Endangered Species Carousel, boat rides, African Sky Safari
Indoor Options: Penguins, Tropics building, stingrays, Discovery Barn for inclement weather
Address: 1401 W. Norton Road, Springfield, MO 65803
Phone: (417) 833-1570
Hours: November-February 9 AM - 4 PM, March-October 9 AM - 5 PM daily (guests may stay 1 hour after gate closes)
Admission: Adults/Teens $19, Children (3-12) $14, Seniors (60+) $16, Ages 2 & under FREE, Friends of the Zoo members FREE
Animals: 500+ animals representing 170 species
Exhibits: Birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals from around the world, petting zoo
Conservation: AZA-accredited since 1986, participates in AZA SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) and Species Survival Plan (SSP)
Payment: Cash, local checks, credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, Discover)
Closure: Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and when walkways covered with ice/snow
Address: Faust Park, Chesterfield, MO 63005
Opened: September 18, 1998
Operated by: Missouri Botanical Gardens
Size: 8,000 sq ft Tropical Conservatory
Animals: Nearly 2,000 tropical butterflies in free flight, representing up to 80 species
Special Features: First stand-alone insectarium accredited by AZA (2003). Carefully controlled tropical environment houses 150 tropical plant species. Outdoor Native Butterfly Garden serves as pollinator-friendly demonstration garden with host plants for caterpillars and nectar sources.
Conservation: Participates in Butterfly Conservation Initiative (BFCI). Recognized by El Bosque Nuevo for sustainable butterfly farm purchases enabling land acquisition.
Address: 500 W. Sunshine St., Springfield, MO 65807
Phone: (888) 222-6060
Hours: Mon-Thu 10 AM - 5 PM, Fri 10 AM - 7 PM, Sat 9 AM - 7 PM, Sun 10 AM - 6 PM
Admission: By timed entry (check website)
Aquarium Size: 1.5 million gallons
Animals: Over 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds; 225+ species in natural habitats
Special Features: Premier not-for-profit conservation-focused attraction combining aquarium and wildlife museum
Visiting: Open 364 days/year (closed Christmas). Plan 3-5 hours. Hours subject to seasonal changes.
Location: Crown Center, Kansas City, MO
Animals: More than 5,000 creatures in freshwater and saltwater displays
Special Features: 180-degree underwater tunnel, sharks, rescued sea turtles, sticky anemone touch, 12+ breathtaking exhibits. One of nine Merlin Entertainments SEA LIFE aquariums in the United States.
Address: Eureka, MO
Mission: Dedicated to protecting endangered wolf species through breeding, education, and conservation programs
Note: Accredited as Related Facility specializing in wolf conservation
Location: Historic Union Station, Market Street, downtown St. Louis
Opened: 2019
Size: 1.3 million gallons of water across exhibits
Animals: Thousands of aquatic species from rivers and oceans worldwide
Exhibits: One-of-a-kind exhibits featuring playful otters, majestic sharks, and diverse sea creatures
Location: Housed in former shopping mall space under massive steel train shed at historic Union Station
Location: Branson, MO
Animals: Over 250 different species
Size: Modern aquatic wonderland
Exhibits: Ten interactive zones including Jelly Infinity Room celebrating moon jellies, 24-foot high Kelp Forest climbing structure, 5D submarine adventure
Special Features: Interactive experiences throughout, combination of marine life viewing and adventure activities
Location: Branson, MO
Size: 25,000 square feet indoor + 2 acres outdoor
Animals: Over 400 species
Exhibits: Aquarium with colorful fish, turtles, and marine life; Living Dinosaurs exhibit showcasing ancient species (jellyfish, sharks); Wild World Outdoor Zoo
Type: Family-friendly attraction with immersive experience
Address: Strafford, MO (near Springfield)
Established: 1951 by Pat Jones (father of Jerry Jones)
Size: 250+ acres with 5-mile Drive-Thru Safari + Walkabout Adventure Zoo
Animals: 300+ exotic animals from around the world including lions, tigers, giraffes, camels, zebras, llamas, bison
Admission: At gate - Adults $22.95, Seniors (65+) $19.95, Children (3-12) $19.95; Online advance purchase (1+ days) - discounted; Family Pack (2 adults + 2 children) $54.95 online
Special Features: Drive your own vehicle through safari feeding animals from car, or explore Walkabout Adventure Zoo with 20+ exhibits. Face-to-face encounters possible.
Discounts: AAA, military, and emergency personnel discounts at gate
Location: Branson area (10 miles north of Eureka Springs, AR; 45 minutes from Branson, MO)
Size: 74 acres - Branson's largest attraction
Animals: 600+ animals representing 95 species
Hours: Daily 10 AM - 4 PM (last admission 3 PM). Closed Thanksgiving, December 3rd, Christmas Day
Features: All-day access to 2-mile Drive-Thru Safari, 5-acre Foot Safari, Adventure Petting Zoo, Parakeet Paradise, live shows, exhibits
Description: Family-owned and operated, Branson's only zoo, dedicated to personalized experiences with rare and endangered species
Address: 2763 County Road 618, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Type: Walk-thru zoo
Animals: From Antelopes to Zebras
Features: Walk through main barn, petting zoo, and park grounds at your own pace. Multiple benches for animal watching, gift shop, picnic shelter, snack shack. Up-close encounters with animals.
Address: 10501 Gravois Rd., St. Louis, MO 63123
Opened to public: 1954
Size: 281 acres - ancestral home of the Busch family
Animals: 900+ animals representing 100+ species from six continents including Bison (North America), Black Buck Antelope (Europe), Zebras (Africa), water buffalo, yaks, domesticated cattle
Admission: FREE (parking fee applies)
Parking: $15 advance online, $18 at farm
Activities: Short tram ride through Deer Park with free-roaming antelope, deer, bovines; camel rides ($10), carousel rides ($4), animal show, goat feeding, parakeet house ($3 food stick), complimentary beer samples (Anheuser-Busch)
Clydesdales: Home to 50+ world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales - one of largest herds worldwide
Hours: Spring - select dates until late May, then daily for general admission
Payment: CASHLESS operation - credit/debit cards only
Address: 125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road, Valley Park, MO 63088
Phone: (636) 861-3225
Size: 305 acres of Missouri hardwood forest
Hours: Daily 8 AM - 5 PM, 363 days/year (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; closes noon Christmas Eve)
Admission: $12 per car
Established: 1977
Mission: Preserve earth's biological diversity and secure the future of threatened bird species in natural environments through education, captive breeding, field studies, and rehabilitation
Location: Missouri
Type: Non-profit rescue organization
Mission: Provide permanent home for exotic and domestic animals. Diverse learning campus dedicated to environmental preservation and exemplary animal care.
Location: Van Buren, MO
Type: Family-friendly animal park and tourist attraction
Animals: Kangaroos, exotic birds, and other animals
Description: Adventure zoo featuring Australian and exotic animals with something for everyone
Location: Stanton, MO
Description: Most interactive animal adventure park in the Midwest, offering animal shows, exhibits, and petting zoo. Described as "the cleanest and best maintained small zoo" with always something new to see.
Address: 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO 65807
Hours: Seasonal May-September, daily 10 AM - 6 PM
Type: Seasonal butterfly habitat operated by Springfield-Greene County Park Board
Location: Southeast of Botanical Center, Springfield, MO
Focus: Native Missouri butterfly species
Mission: Maintain habitat for native pollinators as indispensable ecosystem contributors. Sponsorship opportunities available.
Location: Missouri
Animal Barn petting zoo features rabbits, chicks, pygmy goats, miniature horses. Interactive experiences for children and adults.
Location: St. Louis area
"The zoo made for you" - premier animal attraction in the region with interactive experiences
Location: Valles Mines, MO
Hands-on petting zoo experience with variety of farm animals
Location: St. Louis area
Country living experience featuring most breeds of farm animals in display setting
Location: St. Louis area (mobile)
Mobile petting zoo bringing friendly, healthy animals to birthday parties, corporate events, and church picnics throughout region
Location: Missouri (mobile)
Unique hands-on experiences bringing the farm to birthday parties. Interactive children's experiences
Location: Hillsboro, MO
Fun, hands-on educational traveling petting zoo for events and parties
Location: Eldon (Lake of the Ozarks area)
Farm with animals from around the world. Admission includes feed bag, horse ride, hay ride, and s'mores. Now primarily groups of 10+ by appointment
Phone: (636) 394-1880
Established: 1979
Services: Treatment of sick/injured native Missouri mammals (except deer), reptiles, amphibians, water birds, and game birds for rehabilitation and release
Permits: Missouri Department of Conservation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Annual Patients: 2,000+ (over 30,000 total since 1979)
Permits: State permit for native Missouri mammals, USFW permit for birds of prey (Owls, Hawks, Falcons)
Annual Patients: 900 animals with 88% release rate
Services: Free hotline providing education on coexisting strategies, reuniting wildlife, and humane evictions
Location: Savannah, MO (60 miles north of Kansas City)
Size: 22-acre refuge
Type: No-kill animal sanctuary
Animals: Several hundred dogs, cats, and other animals
Mission: Saving lives of abandoned, injured, and abused animals
Location: Greater St. Louis area
Founded: 1975
Size: Largest no-kill shelter in greater St. Louis and Missouri
Services: Taking in stray, abused, neglected, and unwanted cats and dogs
Location: Blue Springs, MO
Size: 40+ acres
Mission: Rescuing and rehabilitating animals for healthy, peaceful life. Each animal lives out natural lifespan in safe environment.
Last updated on November 27, 2025