Franklin Park Zoo - Boston, MA

Zoo New England is one of 2 zoos near Boston. Although it isn’t the best zoo in the country (in my opinion that award goes to Brookfield near Chicago), it’s a decent way to spend a nice summer afternoon (just be sure to avoid free days!). Despite a lack of animals (no bears, penguins, or dolphins) and tiny animal enclosures, a visit to Zoo New England is still your typical zoo experience, complete with a nice stroll through landscaped grounds, enjoying the warm weather and getting a close up look at your favorite animals.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised at how small this zoo was being located in a major city. We walked around the whole zoo in about an hour. I am used to spending at least half a day at the zoo! This could be a good or bad thing depending on how much exercise you are willing to do. Franklin Park Zoo just had a bit of a run down look to it – not enough landscaping, nowhere nice to picnic, and too many chain link fences instead of nice enclosures. I would say it is need of a restoration!

Flamingos at Franklin Park Zoo - Boston, MA

However, you will still find several nice exhibits including a pretty cool butterfly exhibit  where you will enjoy plenty of nice photo opportunities. And the close up Tiger exhibit was also fantastic! Overall, enjoy the zoo works best as a nice add on activity during your trip to Boston. Don’t come to Boston solely for a zoo trip; you are bound to be dissapointed. Save your zoo trip for another city.

Below are a few photos from around the Zoo

The Butterfly exhibit..

Orange butterfly at Franklin Park Zoo - Boston, MA

Black butterfly at Franklin Park Zoo - Franklin, MA

Butterfly on flower - Franklin Park Zoo - Boston, MA

Butterfly at Franklin Park Zoo exhibit - Boston, MA

We spotted a beautiful blue peacock walking around the zoo…

Peacock at Franklin Park Zoo - Boston, MA

The zoo houses a large Bird House – if you are a bird lover you will be pleased…

Bird House at Franklin Park Zoo - Boston, MA

Loved the giraffe exhibit!

Giraffe at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, MA

Giraffes at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, MA

Giraffes at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, MA

I was dissapointed in the indoor Gorilla exhibit…maybe I’m too used to the fabulous “Tropic World” at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo!

Gorilla at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, MA

The tiger exhibit had a long line, but was worth it for the extraordinary up close views!

Tiger at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, MA

Overall, this zoo doesn’t rank at the top or bottom of my list in terms of zoos I have visited: I would say it’s your average zoo experience. If you live in the area, I would recommend checking out a discount pass at a local library as the Franklin Park Zoo isn’t quite worth the $17 per person they charge per person for admission. And tourists will likely be more pleased with Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence.

Address: 1 Franklin Park Rd. Boston, MA 02121
Summer Hours (April 1-September 30th): Monday-Friday: 10:00am-5:00pm, Saturday &Sunday: 10:00am-6:00pm