At A Glance
In the heartland of America, two distinct zoos provide immersive experiences to families and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
The Kansas City Zoo is a sprawling 202 acre site boasting a menagerie of over 1,700 animals, of which tigers, giraffes, elephants, lions, and the likes are more notable.
The zoo, which takes an average of 2-3 hours to explore fully, has an emphasis on family fun and providing ample disability access.
While pets are prohibited, service animals are welcomed, and cost of entry teeters between $20-$22 per person.
Nestled in the same state is the Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, the star of which are the resident wolves that this expansive 2000-acre facility is dedicated to conserving.
Though lacks food stalls, the center encourages visitors to bring their own sustenance.
The tours annually last around 90 minutes and ticket prices range from $15-$18, making a family outing noticeably cheaper at $66 for a family of four.
Both parks are inaccessible by public transport but offer free parking, inviting families to carve out a day amidst the wonder of the animal kingdom.
Size
Covering an impressive 202 acres, the Kansas City Zoo in Missouri offers a wealth of fascinating exhibits that families can explore in a 2-3 hour visit.
On the other hand, the Endangered Wolf Center, also located in Missouri, covers an extensive 2000 acres, almost ten times the size of the Kansas City Zoo.
Although larger, the average tour at the Endangered Wolf Center typically lasts only around 90 minutes, possibly due to the focus on specific species and the conservation efforts.
Therefore, while visiting, one has to account for not only the sheer physical size of these zoos, but also the amount of time required to thoroughly explore all the attractions they encompass.
More About Kansas City Zoo
About Kansas City Zoo
- 6800 Zoo Dr, Kansas City, MO 64132, United States
- 816-595-1234
- https://kansascityzoo.org/
| Size (acres) | 202 |
| Time To Walk Around | 2-3 Hours |
| Adult Price | $22 |
| Child Price | $20 |
| Infant Price | Free Under 2 Years Old |
| Price For Family Of 4 | $84 |
| Parking | Free |
| Number Of Animals | More than 1,700 animals |
| Can Bring Your Own Food? | Yes |
Information from https://kansascityzoo.org/
Price
When comparing the ticket prices at both Kansas City Zoo and Endangered Wolf Center, it is evident that the Kansas City Zoo is priced slightly higher.
An adult ticket at the Kansas City Zoo costs $22, whereas at the Endangered Wolf Center, it is slightly cheaper with a cost of $18.
It is a similar story for the child tickets, with Kansas City Zoo charging $20 and the Endangered Wolf Center, a lesser price of $15.
Both zoos provide concession tickets at their respective adult ticket prices.
The age at which children are granted free entry differs between the two - while the Kansas City Zoo allows free entry for children under the age of 2, the Endangered Wolf Center extends this up to the age of 3.
For an average family of four, Kansas City Zoo would cost $84 compared to the more pocket-friendly Endangered Wolf Center, which totals $66.
The cost of an average family of 4 at Kansas City Zoo is $84 compared to 66 at Endangered Wolf Center.
Popular Animals
The Kansas City Zoo and the Endangered Wolf Center in Missouri both offer unique experiences for animal enthusiasts, albeit they possess different range and variety of animals.
At the Kansas City Zoo, visitors can enjoy an array of wildlife spanning from tigers, giraffes and capybaras to elephants, sloths, penguins and lions, totalling over 1,700 creatures across 202 acres of stimulating exhibits.
This vast collection ensures a wide-ranging encounter with nature that families can enjoy during their 2-3 hour visit.
Conversely, the Endangered Wolf Center, while focusing distinctly on canines like wolves and foxes, offers a specialized insight into the world of these majestic and often misunderstood creatures.
Despite this center being relatively more concentrated in terms of species diversity, its expansive 2000-acre space allows guests to observe these animals in a habitat that closely mirrors their natural surroundings.
Both these animal establishments harbor captivating experiences, the Kansas City Zoo with its diverse collection of fauna, and the Endangered Wolf Center with its specialized focus on wolf conservation. <div class=”overview” markdown=”1”id=”wyntk-endangered-wolf-center”>
More About Endangered Wolf Center
About Endangered Wolf Center
- 6750 Tyson Valley Rd, Eureka, MO 63025, United States
- 636-938-5900
- https://www.endangeredwolfcenter.org/
| Size (acres) | 2000 |
| Time To Walk Around | Tours last around 90 mins Hours |
| Adult Price | $18 |
| Child Price | $15 |
| Infant Price | Free Under 3 Years Old |
| Price For Family Of 4 | $66 |
| Parking | Free |
| Can Bring Your Own Food? | Yes |
Information from https://www.endangeredwolfcenter.org/
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Accesibility
When comparing accessibility for those in wheelchairs or who have difficulty walking, both Kansas City Zoo and Endangered Wolf Center offer options, but there are distinct differences.
The Kansas City Zoo, widely known as a large family-friendly zoo, offers a more disability-friendly environment with wheelchair accessible walkways, ensuring that guests can comfortably maneuver through various exhibits and attractions.
This ease of access is vital in the wide expanse of the zoo, spanning 202 acres.
On the other hand, Endangered Wolf Center, the large wolf rescue and conservation center based in Eureka, does present some potential challenges for wheelchair users or those who have difficulty walking.
While the center does accommodate disabled visitors, some trails may be unsuitable for wheelchairs, suggesting that there may be uneven or possibly steep paths that could be challenging, especially considering the zoo spans a sizable 2000 acres.
Therefore, for the utmost accessibility, Kansas City Zoo may be the more inclusive option.
Pefect For
The Kansas City Zoo and the Endangered Wolf Center both provide remarkable experiences for animal lovers, but they differ in terms of the type of trip they are best suited to.
Both are well suited for families with older children, with a wide array of animals offered by Kansas City Zoo including tigers, giraffes, capybaras, elephants, sloths, penguins, and lions.
This makes for an engaging experience for families, including those with disabled members as it has walkways suitable for wheelchairs.
Despite being a large zoo, the Kansas City Zoo is not overwhelming and could comfortably be explored within 2-3 hours.
On the other hand, serious wildlife enthusiasts, especially those interested in wolves and foxes, would find the Endangered Wolf Center to be a remarkable destination.
With its focus on wolf rescue and conservation, families with older children would find this educational and inspiring.
However, trails may be unsuitable for wheelchairs, making it less accessible for disabled visitors.
Both zoos allow you to bring your own food and drinks and do not allow pets, with an exception for service animals.
Ultimately, the Kansas City Zoo is a great choice for a full-blown family outing, while the Endangered Wolf Center is for those with a keen interest in conservation and endangered wildlife.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Kansas City Zoo and the Endangered Wolf Center offer amazing wildlife experiences and are ideal for family visits with older children.
The Kansas City Zoo distinguishes itself with a diverse array of animal species, making it a great option for those wanting to see a variety of animals like tigers, giraffes, penguins, and lions, amongst others.
However, for those specifically interested in wolves and foxes, the Endangered Wolf Center offers a unique educational and conservation experience.
Disability access is a consideration in both, though it’s worth noting that the Kansas City Zoo’s walkways are more wheelchair friendly than the Endangered Wolf Center’s trails.
Both zoos allow you to bring your own food and drink, making for a more cost-effective outing.
Though neither zoo is accessible by public transport, they both offer free parking.
Ultimately, your choice might depend on your specific interests and needs, but rest assured that both zoos offer exciting and educational experiences.
