Who doesn’t love a day at the zoo with the family?
If you are searching for things to do with kids in East Texas, zoo trips are one of the most loved family-friendly activities in East Texas and an easy way to plan a full day of summer fun. East Texas is home to several amazing places where families can experience up close animal encounters, feed giraffes, watch playful otters, and explore interactive wildlife exhibits that kids talk about long after the visit.
What animal always gets your kids the most excited when you visit the zoo?
CALDWELL ZOO
Cost: Adults $16.50 | Seniors (55+) $12.50 | Children (3–12) $12.50 | Ages 2 & under Free
Description: Beloved Tyler zoo featuring African and South American animals including giraffes, rhinos, elephants, penguins, zebras, and more. Families can enjoy animal encounters, giraffe feedings, keeper talks, and interactive wildlife experiences throughout the park.
Address: 2203 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tyler, TX 75701
Phone: Not listed
CANTON GRAND SAFARI ADVENTURE
Cost:
General Admission:
- Children (3–12): $12
- Adults (13–54): $15
- Seniors (55+): $13.50
Zoo Bundle:
- Children (3–12): $40
- Adults (13–54): $50
- Seniors (55+): $45
Description: Immersive animal adventure park offering up-close exotic animal encounters including otters, sloths, lemurs, monkeys, and a baby animal room experience. Guests can explore interactive habitats designed for hands on learning, connection, and memorable family moments.
Address: 9515 FM 1255, Grand Saline, TX
Phone: (903) 962-5630
CHEROKEE TRACE DRIVE-THRU SAFARI
Cost: Adults $19.95 | Kids (3–12) $14.95 | Seniors (65+): $17.95
Description: Drive thru safari experience where families can see animals up close from their vehicle, including giraffes, zebras, bison, camels, lemurs, antelopes, ostriches, emus, porcupines, and more in a natural open setting.
Address: 1200 County Road 4405, Jacksonville, TX
Phone: (903) 683-3322
Ellen Trout ZOO
Cost: Adults $8 | Seniors (60+): $7 | Children (4–11): $4.50 | Under 4: Free
Description: Family friendly zoo in East Texas featuring unique animals like giraffes, jaguars, hippos, tigers, komodo dragons, and clouded leopards. A great companion visit for families who enjoy wildlife experiences beyond the Tyler area.
Address: 402 Zoo Circle, Lufkin, TX
Phone: Not listed
FANKLIN DRIVE THRU SAFARI
Cost: Varies by experience and admission (check website for current pricing)
Description: Drive thru safari park featuring hands on animal encounters including a baby animal room, lemur island with boat access, and a reptile house with snakes, pythons, boas, and vipers. Families can also enjoy a relaxing lazy river after exploring the park.
Address: 4324 HWY 79 W, Franklin, TX
Phone: 9798285256
LONESOME DROVE DRIVE-THRU SAFARI
Cost: Adults $18 | Children (4–11): $12 | Ages 3 & under: Free | Feed: $5 per bag or $2.50 veggie cup
Description: Scenic East Texas drive thru safari where families can see and feed animals like kangaroos, emus, goats, blackbuck antelopes, fallow bucks, and more, plus enjoy a petting zoo with pygmy goats and friendly animals.
Address: 1782 US-59 N, Jefferson, TX 75657
Phone: (903) 665-0053
ROCKY RIDGE DRIVE-THRU SAFARI
Cost: Adults (13–64): $18.95 | Children (3–12): $14.95 | Seniors (65+): $16.95 | Under 2: Free | Feed included (1 lb per ticket) | Extra feed $5
Description: 200 acre drive through safari where families can see and feed animals like zebras, emus, donkeys, Highland cows, llamas, and antelopes from the comfort of their vehicle while enjoying scenic East Texas views.
Address: 3350 FM 1256, Eustace, TX 75124
Phone: (903) 502-2100
Website/Facebook
TEXAS ZOOFARI PARK
Cost: Adults $25 | Children (2–12): $20 | Under 2: Free | Family packs available (discounted rates)
Description: Drive thru safari park offering up close animal viewing and feeding from your vehicle, plus guided wagon rides, a bird aviary, giraffe feeding experiences, and a kangaroo walkabout for a full family wildlife adventure.
Address: 9773 FM 429, Kaufman, TX 75142
Phone: (469) 966-4608
TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHERIE CENTER
Cost:
$5.50 for ages 17–64
$4.50 for seniors 65 and older
$3.50 for children ages 4 through 16
Free for children ages 3 and under
Description: Family friendly freshwater aquarium and education center featuring large fish exhibits, dive shows, tram rides, fishing ponds, and interactive learning experiences focused on Texas aquatic life. Recently renovated with upgraded aquariums, new exhibits, and improved visitor areas.
Address: 5550 FM 2495, Athens, TX 75752
Phone: Not listed
TIGER CREEK ANIMAL SANCTUARY
Cost: Adults $15 | Children (4–12) $10 | Under 4 Free
Description: Big cat sanctuary focused on rescued wildlife, offering guided tours where families can observe tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars while learning about conservation and animal care in a protected natural setting.
Address: 17552 FM 14, Tyler, TX 75706
Phone: (903) 858-1008
BUCKET LIST
BLUE HILL RANCH
For those who love giraffes, this one is for you.
Dining with Giraffes is why this place is on my bucket list.
Enjoy a charcuterie style meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) on an elevated patio while hand feeding the tallest residence at Blue Hill Ranch.
So Cool!!!
They also offer:
Swim & Playtime with Otters
Baby Otter Playtime
Safari Adventure on a UTV
Kangaroo Bottle Feeding
Safari Horse Back Riding
This place offers a ton of unique animal experiences. I can’t wait to go!!
Address:
2032 Blue Cut Rd N, McGregor, TX 76657
Phone: 833-711-1777
ENDANGERED ARK FOUNDATION
This is an Elephant sanctuary
and if you have been following along with me you know
I LOVE ELEPHANTS!!!
I have actually been to this one, but I added it to my bucket list because I would love to stay in one of their cabins and get breakfast trunk delivered to me by an elephant.
Doesn’t that sound dreamy?
Book a tour and get up and personal with the elephants
feeding
watching our residents make beautiful art,
elephie-selfies
& learning what elephants do!
Throughout the Private Encounter, knowledgeable staff share their love and passion for elephants while providing educational demonstrations on elephant husbandry.
**Reservations are required**
Address:
2657 E 2070 Rd, Hugo, OK 74743
Phone: (580) 317-8470
FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER
This is a drive thru safari, but It is on my bucket list because
you have the option to drive your own car
or
ride in an open-air safari vehicle.
and that just sound so much more fun!!
No one in your group is driving and
everyone gets to enjoy feeding the many animals.
Such as:
Ostrich
Rhino
Oryx
Zebra
Giraffe
Bongo
Address:
2299 Co Rd 2008 Glen Rose, TX 76043
Phone: (254) 897-2960
OAK MEADOW RANCH
Why is this on my bucket list?
It gives a combination of fine dining and interactive wildlife encounters!
A 5-star chef crafted personalized multi-course for dinner or lunch.
then when you are full, you get up close with exotic animals like:
red kangaroos,
giraffes,
otters,
and sloths,
feeding them, touching them, and taking photos.
You even get to hug a sloth and play with lemurs!
or
And after all that excitement,
you can relax around a campfire with s’mores.
Doesn’t that sound fun?
Then if you are too tired and full to drive home,
they have many sleeping accommodations available to rent.
Address:
440 Red Top Rd,
Valley View, TX 76272
Phone: (808) 295-5557
Looking for more ways to beat the summer heat?
Check out our Splash Pad Guide to find even more water-filled fun for the whole family.
If the sun’s just too much, we’ve got you covered with a list of Indoor Play spots where your kids can burn off energy in a cool, climate-controlled environment.
And of course, no summer day is complete without a sweet treat. Head over to our Cold Treats Guide for the best ice cream, snow cones, and frozen goodies across East Texas.
Whatever you choose, there are plenty of ways to stay cool and make lasting memories this summer… but the secret to actually enjoying it? Having the right essentials packed and ready.
Tap to see the full Summer Essentials list you’ll wish you had sooner
