Which Is Best: Hemker Park and Zoo Or Lake Superior Zoo. A Guide To Which Is The Best Zoo In Minnesota, USA

Explore the unique charms of Minnesota's beloved animal havens - Hemker Park and Zoo, an accessible, family-oriented conservational space perfect for families, and Lake Superior Zoo, a behind-the-scenes experience provider, offering myriad attractions in its 19-acre area.

Compare their distinctive features, entrance fees, offerings, accessibilities, and more to find the perfect venue for an unforgettable encounter with wildlife.

Which Is Best: Hemker Park and Zoo Or Lake Superior Zoo. A Guide To Which Is The Best Zoo In Minnesota, USA

At A Glance

Located in Minnesota, Hemker Park and Zoo and Lake Superior Zoo offer unique settings to explore a variety of wildlife while also championing disability access.

Hemker Park is found in the heart of Freeport and is home to various species such as giraffes, penguins, zebras, rhinos, and monkeys.

Renowned as a family-friendly zoo dedicated to conservation efforts, it offers a range of facilities, including food stalls, free parking, and allows visitors to bring their own food and drink.

However, pet dogs are not permitted, except for service animals.

On the other hand, Lake Superior Zoo, situated in Duluth and spread across 19 acres, boasts of its own diverse wildlife collection including tigers, bears, kangaroos, barnyard animals, prairie dogs, and lemurs.

Offering behind-the-scene experiences, this mid-sized zoo is also family-friendly.

Like Hemker Park and Zoo, it too provides amenities such as free parking and food stalls, along with the option for visitors to carry their own food and drink.

Both zoos restrict the holding of animals and discourage the entry of pet dogs, though service animals are allowed.

Even so, these popular Minnesota zoos offer a peek into the rich fauna, ensuring an exciting experience for families, especially those with older children.

This engaging experience comes at a price of $95.25 for a family of four at Hemker Park and Zoo, while at Lake Superior Zoo it is more affordable at $52.

Size

The size of the Hemker Park and Zoo in Freeport and the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth varies significantly, providing visitors with different experiences.

While the exact acreage of the Hemker Park and Zoo is not specified, navigating the entire premises on average takes about 2-3 hours, indicating its vast size that houses over 200 distinct animals.

In contrast, the Lake Superior Zoo, extending over 19 acres, can be fully explored within a shorter span, approximately 2 hours.

This medium-sized zoo also accommodates over 200 diverse animals.

Therefore, although both locations provide a home to a similar quantity of animals, the physical scale varies, potentially resulting in different immersive experiences based on the time of exploration available to visitors.

More About Hemker Park and Zoo

About Hemker Park and Zoo

Time To Walk Around 2-3 Hours
Adult Price $20.25
Child Price $18.25
Infant Price Free Under 2 Years Old
Price For Family Of 4 $95.25
Parking Free
Number Of Animals Over 200 animals
Can Bring Your Own Food? Yes

Information from https://hemkerzoo.com/

Price

When comparing the ticket prices of Hemker Park and Zoo versus Lake Superior Zoo, it’s clear that the cost of admission is cheaper at Lake Superior Zoo.

At Hemker Park and Zoo, an adult ticket is priced at $20.25, while at Lake Superior Zoo it costs $16.

A child’s ticket at Hemker Park is $18.25, considerably more than the $10 you’d pay at Lake Superior Zoo.

Concessions fare similarly, costing $19.25 at Hemker Park and $16 at Lake Superior.

Despite both offering free entry to children under the age of 2, there’s a significant difference in the total cost for a family of four.

At Hemker Park and Zoo, a family can expect to pay $95.25 compared to just $52 at Lake Superior Zoo, a savings of over 40%.

The cost of an average family of 4 at Hemker Park and Zoo is $95.25 compared to 52 at Lake Superior Zoo.

When surveying the magnificent range of animal species exhibited at both Hemker Park and Zoo and the Lake Superior Zoo, it is interesting to note some distinctive and overlapping factors.

Both zoos, located in Minnesota, house a wide-ranging collection of over 200 animals each.

Hemker Park and Zoo showcases a roster of creatures that includes giraffes, penguins, zebras, rhinos, and monkeys.

In contrast, Lake Superior Zoo gives visitors the opportunity to experience close encounters with tigers, bears, kangaroos, barnyard animals, prairie dogs, and lemurs.

While both zoos contain a rich tapestry of wildlife, the key differentiator in terms of animal variety lies in the former’s hosting of more exotic animals like giraffes and penguins and the latter’s exhibition of native wildlife and farm animals. <div class=”overview” markdown=”1”id=”wyntk-lake-superior-zoo”>

More About Lake Superior Zoo

About Lake Superior Zoo

Size (acres) 19
Time To Walk Around 2 Hours
Adult Price $16
Child Price $10
Infant Price Free Under 2 Years Old
Price For Family Of 4 $52
Parking Free
Number Of Animals Over 200 animals
Can Bring Your Own Food? Yes

Information from https://lszooduluth.org/

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Accesibility

Access to both Hemker Park and Zoo and Lake Superior Zoo for visitors with disabilities or limited mobility is well considered.

Hemker Park and Zoo in Freeport makes its facilities accessible with well-maintained trails that are suitable for wheelchairs, allowing guests to navigate their way around the various exhibits comfortably.

Similarly, Lake Superior Zoo, located in Duluth, emphasizes accessibility for all its guests.

They have ensured that the walkways throughout their 19-acre property are suitable for wheelchairs.

It provides a seamless and unhindered journey through the zoo for everyone, regardless of physical ability.

Both zoos strive to provide an inclusive experience for all visitors, making sure their attractions are reachable and enjoyable for everyone.

Pefect For

For family trips in Minnesota, both Hemker Park and Zoo and the Lake Superior Zoo provide fantastic opportunities.

Hemker Park and Zoo, located in Freeport, is a wonderfully accessible place, with trails suitable for wheelchairs, making it an easy destination for everyone to enjoy.

Particularly if you have toddlers or older children, the variety of 200 animals that include giraffes, penguins, and monkeys make for a captivating trip.

It’s well equipped for day trips, as it takes 2-3 hours to see all the attractions offered.

On the other hand, located in Duluth, the Lake Superior Zoo is perfect for families with older children, also offering wheelchair-friendly paths.

Showcasing over 200 notable animals, like tigers, bears, and kangaroos, the zoo offers behind the scenes family fun that can be enjoyed within 2 hours.

Either choice will provide family fun, with Hemker Park also catering to families with toddlers and Lake Superior offering an immersive, unique experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Hemker Park and Zoo and Lake Superior Zoo offer unique and engaging experiences.

Hemker Park and Zoo, with its wide range of animals from giraffes to zebras, is an accessible, family-oriented environment that focuses on conservation.

It’s an ideal choice for families with both older children and toddlers, and also provides accessibility features for those with disabilities.

Although a little more pricey, the zoo is worth splurging for as it provides facilities such as free parking and allows for food and drink to be brought in.

On the other hand, Lake Superior Zoo presents itself as a medium-sized zoo that features quirky animals like kangaroos and prairie dogs.

While it also caters to families with older children and those with disabilities, the cost of entry is significantly less.

However, the ‘behind the scenes’ experiences could offer a more in-depth understanding of the animals and their care.

While neither zoo is accessible by public transport, both provide free parking.

Both zoos also allow guests to bring their own food and drink, catering to those wanting to make a full-day outing without breaking the bank.

Thus, depending on what you’re looking for in a zoo experience, either Hemker Park and Zoo or Lake Superior Zoo could be your ideal destination.

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