Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Syracuse NY

Featuring a science-focused, conservationist dialogue embellished with amusement park-like presentation-including a life-size model submarine which serves as a path to a hallway made to look like an underground cave-this zoo invites its guests to view and enjoy the animals on display, while providing them with the knowledge to consider the role of each creature (humans included) in the natural world. Thoughtfully designed exhibits house well cared-for animals, while dedicated and passionate staff share their knowledge and love for them. A must for families and visitors to the city, the Zoo is one of the best things about Syracuse.

The zoo did not have many animals. It was definitely not up to our expectations. We were extremely disappointed. There was no warnings that the bridge was under construction until you hit the part that was under construction.

This was a delightful zoo. We were in the area and I was looking for something to do in the morning; I enjoy zoos and as a zoo member at home I always look for reciprocal zoos when we travel. I am very happy that we visited, this is a very nice, medium sized zoo with a nice variety of animals. I feel that the highlight was the elephants, since I live in Pittsburgh, I am always interested in seeing other zoo elephant exhibits and families. I also enjoyed the penguin exhibit, the water is large enough for them to leap! Some of the indoor exhibits were very nice. Overall I enjoyed the zoo very much and recommend it to anyone else who enjoys zoos who might be in the area.

Really love this place. I always enjoy seeing the animals. It is a clean and easy to traverse environment. A vast array of animals and going there for things like Brew at the Zoo is always fun. I recommend going and exploring and learning.

Rosamond Gifford Zoo is one of the better zoos I've been to. The cost of admission, souvenirs, food and drinks is minimal in comparison to bigger city zoos. The charm and cleanliness of the zoo are also on point. If you have children, add the Rosamond Gifford Zoo to your list. The zoo is kid friendly with many attractions and activities for youngsters to enjoy.

I liked this place. Its quaint, not too large, decent amount of animals for being up north. Of course we visit and 1/4 of the animals werent very active due to the cold. Id definitely go back.

Visited on 10/18/18. It was perfect. Barely any people were there and the animals that are usually hiding or sleeping on the hot summer days were up and about. Off season is the best season

Great spot for a first date or family outing. Not your biggest zoo but there were a few exhibits that I had never seen before. For example, none of the zoos that I've been to so far had any ocelots.

Amazing place. The animals where fun to see and the staff was friendly throughout the zoo. From the time we got there and bought our tickets till we left there wasn't a moment that we didn't enjoy ourselves. And the staff answered questions and where nice and friendly.

I love it see the different animals in my daughter loved it just years old and she was very very entertained I've never seen her so good and be into something she was so good. There's a lot for her to see and she loved it and we enjoyed ourselves

I had an awesome awesome time when I went I love how they put sprinklers around so we can wet ourselves a bit because it was so hot I'm so thankful for that

Very nice setup. Good animal selection. They had new baby red pandas for viewing when we went on the clinic. Kids liked the zoo. There are a few nice areas on the outer loop of the zoo where it was nice to sit and observe the animals patiently while enjoying some rain protection. Only drawbacks were that there were not very many zoo staff around. We wanted to find where the red pandas cubs were but couldn't find anyone for help. Also, while a brilliant display for sales, the gift shop had a see through display as you exit which can make it tough with tired toddlers.

Great variety especially if you like sea creatures! Nocturnal animals exhibit is great too! Not too spread out so you can see most everything in a few hours if you want to!

We love coming here and free for military! We come about once a month and my young kids love to "check in" on all the animals! Very clean and well kept zoo. Very good for walking and visiting with small children.

So, as a zoo this place is ok. However, I was taking a friends two year old there while babysitting and on the way there, he asked me, "will there be dinosaurs at the zoo? " To which I responded, "no, because we go to the zoo to see real live animals, and as cool as dinosaurs are, they're extinct, which means that there are none living anymore. " We get to the zoo, and to my great frustration, it is FULL OF ANIMATRONIC DINOSAURS! So now I have unintentionally lied to a little boy by telling they wouldn't be there, and also completely confused him about the meaning of extinction.

I would also add that as we stood there, and I pointed out the robotic, predictable motions of the dinosaur to explain that they aren't real (and why my charge didn't be frightened) when another woman with a small child scolded me, because her son believed they were real, and here I was spoiling his good time. This isn't Santa people, it's science! Don't lie to your kid about the existence of real life dinosaurs! And this is not the purpose of a freaking zoo. You're supposed to feel connected to nature in some way, to appreciate the majesty of real-life creatures you may not get the chance to encounter in your life otherwise.

People were crowded around a fake dinosaur while behind them, real, actual elephants played and bathed in a little pond, practically unobserved. Very frustrating experience, on the whole.

Oh, and lastly, these fake dinosaurs were LOUD.you could hear then roaring all over the park. There was no escape. And perhaps that wouldn't be so bad, unless you are one of the parents with a terrified kids sure those mean dinosaurs are going to get them because they aren't in cages. In that case, you just have to take your horrified screaming toddler out of the zoo.or at least you should.

Thumbs down for authenticity and experience. I have it two states instead of one because there WERE still lovely animals and it was walkable, even if you couldn't escape the Jurassic Park sounds effects.

Overall a nice zoo. Not as many animals as some other ones I've been to but it's understandable because of the crazy temperatures Syracuse can have. Animals were happy and lively. Sad to hear about their last lion passing away. Zoo was clean and very easy to navigate through and plenty of things to do for the little kiddos. Lots of information given along the way as well.