Popcorn Park Zoo
Popcorn Park Zoo
4.5
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
216 reviews
Excellent
132
Very good
56
Average
24
Poor
2
Terrible
2
joeagain
Brick, NJ18 contributions
Jan 2020
To entertain the kiddies or yourself, you'd be hard pressed to find a better bargain than visiting Popcorn Park Zoo.
Overall, you can see all the animals, as well as feed many of them, in about 2 hours at a leisurely pace. There's plenty of open space here, too, so you're not there one on top of another. And the entry fee and animal food fee (the latter is up to you as to whether you might want to buy the popcorn or peanuts, but I'd recommend doing so to make the experience more fun) won't break the bank!
As a side note, if you are thinking seriously about adding a new pet to your home, check out the pets up for adoption at the adoption center located within the zoo complex. My wife and I recently adopted a young cat from the shelter (our last one passed away from cancer), and we couldn't have been happier. The staff were VERY helpful - emphasis on helpful - and answered all our questions honestly so that the pet we would choose would be a good fit for what we were looking for.
All around, the zoo and the adoption center get 4 stars in my book!
Note: There is also an outside area where you can sit down and have a little picnic with the kids or friends, but be sure to pack your goodies as they do not sell food at the location.
Overall, you can see all the animals, as well as feed many of them, in about 2 hours at a leisurely pace. There's plenty of open space here, too, so you're not there one on top of another. And the entry fee and animal food fee (the latter is up to you as to whether you might want to buy the popcorn or peanuts, but I'd recommend doing so to make the experience more fun) won't break the bank!
As a side note, if you are thinking seriously about adding a new pet to your home, check out the pets up for adoption at the adoption center located within the zoo complex. My wife and I recently adopted a young cat from the shelter (our last one passed away from cancer), and we couldn't have been happier. The staff were VERY helpful - emphasis on helpful - and answered all our questions honestly so that the pet we would choose would be a good fit for what we were looking for.
All around, the zoo and the adoption center get 4 stars in my book!
Note: There is also an outside area where you can sit down and have a little picnic with the kids or friends, but be sure to pack your goodies as they do not sell food at the location.
Written 17 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob T
Cliffside Park, New Jersey, United States96 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
Very nice to lace where unwanted animals find a forever home. Each animal has a little story posted on their name, age and history on why or how they got to the zoo. You will see lions, tigers, baboons, pigs, horses, birds and so on. Very clean place. And even though the ground is sand, it’s compact and a stroller will be no problem. Highly recommended for the price.
Written 6 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christine e. goetz
Middletown, NJ5 contributions
Jul 2021
This zoo is simply sweet and satisfying. For any animal lover it is so refreshing to see the wonderful rescued and rehabilitated animals. Being a horse lover I am particularly fond of “ Mickey,” an Appaloosa whose leg problems rendered him unserviceable for riding. You can buy (for a minimal price) popcorn and peanuts to feed the critters. My friend and I spent about four hours and enjoyed every minute. I observed lots of children who were having a blast.
Written 9 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
barry
2 contributions
Aug 2022
went with kids and pushed a carriage. the whole path through out the zoo is sand and it was murder going with a stroller. so dont go with a stroller cause it ruined my trip. also bec. of the sand ur shoes and bottom of your pants will get dusty!
Written 21 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TCB
Colorado1,889 contributions
May 2021
This place is just wonderful! And it has such a great mission to save abandoned and abused animals. The enclosures are clean and well kept. They let some animals walk around to engage with you, and no matter how old you are you will just love this place!
Written 10 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katherine F
Staten Island, NY57 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Suggested by a friend & having my grandchildren (ages 7 & 4) on a Saturday morning, I decided to try out this out of the way zoo. We drove approx. 70miles to reach this destination. The most polite way to describe this zoo is "rustic". Upon arrival, a sign was posted that the parking lot was "full". I found that there was insufficient parking for this attraction. I took a chance since I have a handicapped parking permit. I waited approx. 5 minutes & took a spot vacated by a departing family. After parking the car, we decided to go to the restroom which was in a trailer in the park. My 4 yr old grandson described it as disgusting. His description was accurate for someone of his limited vocabulary. We could not use these facilities. All toilets in the women's restroom was overflowing with toilet paper & none of the toilets could be flushed. He also informed me there was "poop" on the floor of the men's room. I informed the lady selling tickets of the unsanitary condition of the bathrooms & she told me to go to another building to report this as she had nothing to do with this issue, as she was only there to collect money & sell tickets. We went inside & most of this zoo is outside. The reptile house was closed for "renovations". The children fed their popcorn (sold for $2.50 a box) to the limited selection of animals there. The animals were lethargic at best & seemed not to move around a lot. This zoo advertises that it takes in abused & abandoned animals, so I truly hope that they spend their funds on taking care of these animals because they do not spend it on keeping the facilities up to the standards I am used to seeing at most zoos. The enclosures the animals are kept in are primitive best. After 45 minutes, the children asked to go home so we went to the car to drive almost 90 minutes back home. I will not be returning to this place again & will not recommend it to anyone.
Written 23 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy D
1 contribution
Sept 2017
I very happily took my grandchildren to the popcorn zoo this weekend. I have heard so many good things about it and we were very excited to go and feed the animals. As we were entering the zoo, about five minutes into our walk around the zoo, a woman approach my grandchildren and scolded them for being too close to the animals! As she was scolding them I Aster who are you and why are you talking to my grandchildren that way. She then told me that she was an employee of the popcorn zoo and the children were too close to the animals. Don't they call the popcorn zoo the petting zoo? At least that was my impression. I guess the message from me is if you do happen to go to the popcorn zoo to make sure that there's not a woman named Lee working at the time you're there. The biggest lesson I learned was if I do ever go there again I will call ahead and make sure that the woman by the name of Lee is off that day or hopefully terminated by now. I also observed her treating other people very badly. If you work at a petting zoo you need to like children. My experience there is that Lee does not like children nor does she like her job. I've managed people my whole life working as a manager in a restaurant and I've never ever treated anybody especially children the way she does. I guess my advice to the popcorn zoo would be get rid of employees such as Lee who don't like nor understand children. So if you do visit the zoo I can only tell you to stay away from that woman!! Better yet find a place to go that does not employ people like Lee/Leigh!! Especially a place that is child-friendly!! In all honesty I will never choose Popcorn Park Zoo as a place for a family fun time!! Signed, Unhappy at Popcorn Park Zoo
Written 2 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gccc875
Forked River, NJ5 contributions
May 2016 • Family
I love the fact that the Popcorn Zoo stepped in to rescue animals that had absolutely nowhere to go but here. This was the end of the road for many animals and Im ever so grateful that you rescuedthem and took care of them. However, every time I come hete to visit it breaks myheart to see lions and tigers pacing tirelessly in a very small enclosure. They shoukd not die here in these very small enclosures. Please reconsider rehoming the tigers and lions to a Big Cat sanctuary. I do not believe that rehoming these lions and tigers will affect business. Please consider this request. Thank you
Written 14 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MsChristinaZ
10 contributions
Dec 2014
Popcorn Park Zoo is a 7 acre gem! Is unlike any zoo I have ever visited. All of the animals have been rescued from unfortunate circumstances. There are small farm animals, i.e. pigs, sheep, goats, as well as tigers, lions and bears, oh my! Admission is a reasonable @ $5 and a box of popcorn to feed the animals is only $2.50! The animals eagerly await your arrival to their dens so you can feed them the popcorn. A deer actually ate popcorn right from my hand! It was also precious to watch a bear eat the popcorn. An added bonus is how close you will be to the animals! You will never get to be a foot away from a bear, a tiger or a lion at any other zoo, so bring your camera! There is also a cat and dog adoption center on the premises with many who need a caring and loving home. I found this to be a really great organization that does some good work. I really enjoyed my visit and highly recommend it to any animal lover visiting South Jersey. It was a real treat.
Written 27 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris S
Bayville, NJ360 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
The PPZ has been a local attraction since I was a child and has grown and evolved since then. It's much cleaner and has a lot better facilities then 30 years ago when I remember feeding popcorn to disfigured goats and lame geese.
Plus the staff does such great work with the ASPCA ok the area it's a pleasure to support such a good place with a great soul.
Plus the staff does such great work with the ASPCA ok the area it's a pleasure to support such a good place with a great soul.
Written 28 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
will popcorn zoo take in a semi feral cat? I have had her and she fine with cats but doesn't like people.
Written 1 August 2022
Grace L
Matawan, New Jersey
Bueno, la última vez que revisé fue cuando costaba $ 5 por adulto, $ 4 para personas mayores y niños menores de 12 años, niños menores de 3 años gratis.
Written 22 August 2023
Can bring food from home to feed the animals? Such as carrots, fruit, etc.?
Written 11 August 2018
Unfortunately No. The animals get fed a strict diet from the Zoo. You can just buy Popcorn and peanuts sold at the main office, that are a snack for the animals during the day. I always buy both, the Peacocks absolutely Love the peanuts. When I went in March the whole flock followed me. In the Peak season, like now, they aren’t as hungry, but still enjoy them. If you get your popcorn box to close to the Goats/Sheep they will steal your whole box and eat it! I learned this the hard way lol.
Written 12 August 2018
opalpiddles18
Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey
i had to surrender two dogs and was told they where brought to your zoo, I just want to know how they are doing!! Both my dogs where my entire world and Im lost and out of my mind with worry not knowing if they are ok, how do I find out their status??
Written 16 January 2018
loumackspeed
Ocean Gate, New Jersey
I would like too surrender a dog due to finance have to move out of home and move in to a apartment they don't allow dogs can you help
Written 8 May 2017
I don't know where you live but the Monmouth County SPCA in Eatontown is a great facility that will take your dog and hopefully find him a new home. The Associated Humane Society, one of their locations is at POpcorn Park Zoo, will do the same. If you have no choice but to abandon your dog, you should at least do it with a reputable shelter like one of these. And just so that you know, there are a lot of apartment complexes that will accept dogs.
Written 10 May 2017
Yes, other posts are correct. Free under 3 yrs. old. $5 adults, $4 seniors, small popcorn for animals $2.
Written 1 June 2016
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