The Virginia Zoological Park at Norfolk, more commonly called The Virginia Zoo, has been welcoming visitors since it first opened in 1901. The zoo, located at 3500 Granby Street, features a selection of animals including African elephants, African lions, Siberian tigers, giraffes, rhinoceroses, zebras, farm animals a reptile house and many more.
In addition to animals, the Virginia Zoo is also home to the Virginia Barn where those interested in horticulture can see an extensive collection of both heirloom and modern plants. The zoo gardeners also keep the exhibits looking as authentic as possible by keeping the flowers and plants healthy in and around each of the animal exhibits.
Children can have birthday parties at the zoo, and there are many special family programs offered throughout the year as well. In the spring, the Virginia Zoo offers a day camp for children ages 5-12. Campers can attend as few or as many days as they choose and a different topic is covered each day.
Another popular zoo program is the Zoo Snooze. The Zoo Snooze allows organizations to essentially have a sleepover at the zoo. Snoozers are able to get some behind the scenes time with select zoo animals and are offered a flashlight tour of the zoo after dark.
The Zoo Snooze is popular with scout troops, school groups and also as a fun and unique birthday party idea.
Some annual events are geared for the adult zoo guest. The Rock N Roar, which typically takes place each spring, is basically a rock concert that takes place in the zoo. The annual zoo fundraiser, Zoo to Do, invites guests to dress in "animal themed black tie'' and eat and dance the night away while helping the mission of the Virginia Zoo.
The zoo began an intensive renovation process in the 1990's. Since then, many upgrades have been made making the zoo better for both the animals and for zoo guests. One visitor from Boston was impressed with many of the changes at the zoo. "When I visited the zoo in the early 1990's, I was disappointed,'' she said. "But many of the newer additions, such as the Africa exhibit, are first-class. I look forward to seeing what other changes they will make in the future.''
Another visitor felt that some of the animals, particularly the reptiles, were housed in areas that were much too small. Even those that do not agree on the quality of the exhibits or the care and condition of the animals, do typically agree on the quality of the landscaping and the overall cleanliness of the zoo. One visitor who found the zoo to be "average at best'' went on to praise the zoo for its cleanliness.
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Many of the exhibits were closed once we toured the newly opened area because we were told it was too cold. Perhaps you should open the zoo when all the animals and birds are able to be outside.
Of course, standing in line for over a half an hour, with children, waiting to buy tickets from slow, slow ticket takers with less than charming personalities did not start our visit off in the best of moods. Always enjoyed the zoo, prior to the new changes. Sometimes more is not necessarily better.