Franklin Park Zoo

ZOO NEW ENGLAND

Located at: 1 Franklin Park Rd. Boston, MA
Phone: For more information call (617) 541-lion

The Franklin Park Zoo, founded in 1911, is a 72-acre site nestled in Boston's historic Franklin Park. The zoo is home to more than 250 species of animals like lions, zebras, giraffes, gorillas, turtles, flamingos and more.

The zoo also features a number of educational exhibits, including the Tropical Forest, which is home to a variety of rainforest animals, such as gorillas, lemur, bats and baird's tapir.

They also have a Children's Zoo, which allows kids to get up close and personal with a variety of animals such as sheep, donkey and goats.

In the summer (May through September) they have a wonderful butterfly exhibit with approximately 45 species of North American butterflies. If you're lucky you might be able to see a butterfly emerge from its cocoon.

Step into the birdhouse where the birds roam free, or take the children to the Franklin farm where they can touch the goats and sheep.

In addition to the animals, the Franklin Park Zoo also has a number of amenities, including a carousel, a train ride, and a number of food options. The zoo is a popular destination for families, school groups, and tourists visiting the Boston area.

Take advantage of Boston Family Days! On the first and second Sunday of each month through December 2026, Franklin Park Zoo offers free admission for every student living in Boston enrolled in grades K-12 or Boston Pre-K and two of their family members. You must register with the city of Boston and then reserve your tickets.

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