John Ball Zoological Garden

I love a small but well-designed zoo, and the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan is exactly that. While older reviews for this facility are mostly subpar, it’s clear a lot of work has been putting into sprucing up the place in recent years and the result is a truly enjoyable zoo experience, particularly for families with young children. Our visit to the John Ball Zoo was one of the highlights of my family’s summer vacation and I highly recommend a trip to this attraction to anyone within a reasonable driving distance.

Know Before You Go
The John Ball Zoo operates seasonally, unsurprisingly given its Michigan location. During the summer season, zoo hours run from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. We found the 9:00 a.m. Sunday opening time to be a pleasant surprise that solidified our decision to visit the zoo before leaving town. Parking for the zoo is free and pretty close to the entrance.

Admission costs seem very reasonable for a zoo of this size. Peak season rates are $8.50 for adults, $6.50 for children ages 3-13. Those visiting outside of the busy mid-May to mid-September window pay just $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for children ages 3-13. We saved 50% on our admission due to our annual membership at a different AZA zoo.

Our Experience
John Ball Zoo is organized and easy to navigate. It offers some interesting ways for guests to get from Point A to Point B, like a nature trail that loops guests past wallabies, birds and educational displays. We covered nearly the whole zoo, excepting the most far-flung forest trail, in about two and a half hours. One could easily spend more time here by adding on some of the extra cost experiences like the zipline, ropes course and camel riding experience.

My personal favorite part of the zoo was the new Meijer Grizzly exhibit. On the day of our visit, one of the giant grizzlies positioned himself in a pool just inches away from the exhibit’s glass wall, providing for great views and photo opportunities. Red’s Hobby Farm is one of the better kiddie petting zoo’s I’ve seen, with plenty of friendly, healthy-looking animals and a fully engaged staff. The Van Andel Living Shores Aquarium is small and older in style, but still fun. The open tanks put guests within splashing distance of playful penguins. My daughter especially loved the simulated tide pool, which sort of “erupts” every few minutes.

I was a little disappointed with our experience at the zoo’s Africa exhibit. The spacious savannah set-up is lush and aesthetically pleasing, but we saw very few animals there. After spending quite a bit of time searching and climbing to the top of a viewing tower, we finally caught a glimpse of a lion off in the distance. This isn’t the zoo’s fault, of course, just bad luck on our part. 

Like any zoo, the John Ball Zoo has a few exhibits that could use some updating. In particular, the flamingo exhibit seemed a little muddy and dreary, while the tropics building felt slightly dated. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the temporary Stingray Lagoon set up outside the aquarium. It was one of the smallest I’ve seen and didn’t seem to have any attempt at natural landscaping for the animals.

Finally, I should note that the lunch we had at John Ball Zoo before our departure was one of the best dining experiences we’ve had at any zoo. Although the walk-up kiosk seemed rather unassuming, the food was fresh and tasty. I had a fried chicken wrap, which was a welcome change from the typical hot dog and hamburger zoo far. My daughter’s kid’s meal came in an adorable container and included zoo animal graham crackers for dessert.

See all the animals and attractions John Ball Zoo has to offer at www.johnballzoosociety.org.

Final Thoughts
You won’t find elephants or pandas at the John Ball Zoo, but you will find plenty of other animals along with some unique interactive experiences. We had a lovely morning at the John Ball Zoo and I think you will too!

Recommend this product? Yes