Franklin Park Zoo - Zoo New England |  |
Send to Friend
Write Review
Report Error
Zoos & Aquariums| Official Website: Franklin Park Zoo - Zoo New England Location: One Franklin Park Road, Dorchester, MA directions Phone:617-541-5466 Hours: Hours Vary see below Ages: Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults In/Outdoor: Indoor, Outdoor Cost: $$ see below |
Others to Consider: New England Aquarium, Butterfly Garden at Museum of Science, York's Wild Animal Kingdom, Animal Adventures, Mystic Aquarium
The Franklin Park Zoo is perfect for babies and toddlers with its manageable 72 acres and park-like open play space. Offers lots of the animals found in your toddler's alphabet books including kangaroos, lions, ostriches, lions and zebras.The Farmyard area provides hands-on contact with the more commonly seen farm animals. Kalahari Kingdom, an awesome Lion habitat where you can really see lions up close (through glass of course!). The Butterfly Landing, open seasonally, is filled with hundreds of butterflies. Kids will also like the African Tropical Forest Habitat where they'll see Gorillas at play (a must-see), and don't miss the Australian Outback where you'll come face to face with wonderful Red Kangaroos.
Parking at Franklin Park Zoo is limited, but free.
Find out more about having a Zoo Birthday Party.
Youth Programs at the Franklin Park Zoo
Zoo New England Youth Programs offer a place for teens, in the Metropolitan area of Boston, to gain hands-on working experience in a wild environment! Programs are designed to be thought provoking, educational, and fun while inspiring awareness of conservation and nature.
Summer Zoo Teen Program
Youth between the ages 15-17 who are residents of the city of Boston and have registered on the Hopeline* (617-635-HOPE), who are looking for a challenging summer while gaining money, new friends, and contributing your individual personalities. All in a fun and sunny atmosphere. View Job Descriptions Here.
 Hours |  Top |
Summer Hours at Franklin Park:
June 1 - September 30
Weekdays: 10:00am to 5:00 pm
Weekends: (Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day): 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Winter Hours at Franklin Park Zoo :
October 1- March 31
Daily: 10:00am to 4:00pm
 Cost | Top |
Adult $12.00
Child $7.00
Senior $10
Butterfly Landing - Free w/ admission (open mid-June - mid-September)
*25 cents from each paid admission and $5.00 from each membership to go towards wildlife conservation efforts.
 Location | Top |
One Franklin Park Road, Dorchester, MA map
Signage is dismal and these routes are complicated if you don't know where you are going. (Typical Boston, no signs and confusing roadways). GPS or mapping this out BEFORE you go will save you some hassles.
Storrow Drive:
Take the Fenway exit to Route 1 South
Follow Route 1 (Riverway) to Route 203 East, following signs for Franklin Park Zoo
Once you pass the Arnold Arboretum, keep left to go over the overpass
At the next rotary, go two-thirds of the way around
Enter Franklin Park, and follow Zoo signs
Route 128 North or South:
Take exit 15A (Dedham Exit) to Route 1A
Stay on Route 1 (approximately 4 miles) until it becomes the VFW Parkway
Continue on the VFW Parkway, approximately 3 miles, until it ends
Take a left on Centre Street
At the rotary take 203 East onto the Arborway
Pass the Arnold Arboretum and keep left to go on overpass
At next rotary, go two-thirds of the way around, enter Franklin Park, and follow Zoo signs
I-93 North of Boston:
Take I-93S to Exit 15, Columbia Road
At the end of ramp take a right onto Columbia Road
At the 3rd light Columbia Road turns left
Continue on Columbia Road through 9 more lights
Go straight across Blue Hill Avenue
Parking for the zoo is on the left - entrance into the zoo is on your right. If lot is full, stay straight on Franklin Park Road and there is additional parking on your right
I93 South of Boston:
Take I-93N to Exit 15, Columbia Road
Take a right at the end of the ramp - you must go up and around the rotary and then come back - to be heading in the correct direction on Columbia Road
At the 3rd set of lights, Columbia Road turns left. Continue on Columbia Road through 9 more sets of lights
Go straight across Blue Hill Avenue
Parking for the zoo is on the left - entrance into the zoo is on your right. If lot is full, stay straight on Franklin Park Road and there is additional parking on your right
Route 9:
Take Route 9 to Route 1 (the Jamaica Way) south
Follow Route 1 to Route 203 East
Stay in the left lane and go over the overpass
At the next rotary go two-thirds of the way around, enter Franklin Park, and follow Zoo signs
Public Transportation
Franklin Park Zoo is accessible by the MBTA.
Take the Orange Line or Commuter Rail to the Forest Hills station, then take the number 16 bus to the Franklin Park Zoo.
Take the Orange Line or Commuter Rail to the Ruggles station, then take the number 22, 28, 29, 44 or 45 bus to the Franklin Park Zoo.
Take the Red line to the Andrew station, then take the number 16 bus to the Franklin Park Zoo.
All of the above bus lines will take you to the Zoo. For bus schedules, rates, and more information please contact the MBTA at 617-722-3200
 Tips | Top |
- Franklin Park Zoo offers 1/2 price admission on the first Saturday of the month from 10:00am to 12:00 noon.
 Related Links | Top |
- Profiles
- Localities
- Events
 Reviews | Top |
A Great Zoo, Fri 22 Jul 2005
well, you have to drive through a rough neighborhood to get there, and there are some seedy characters in the park next to the parking lot....other than that...it is great! excellent zoo for $9! the tropical rainforest and the bird house are my favorites and worth the price of admission alone!
| We make best efforts to update information, but it changes frequently, so we cannot warrant it. Please call to check Franklin Park Zoo - Zoo New England schedules, fees, and directions before making the trek. We help you, please help us. Report an Error if you find one. |
