Which Is Best: The Jackson Zoo Or Hattiesburg Zoo. A Guide To Which Is The Best Zoo In Mississippi, USA

Explore the unique features, animals, and experiences at two of Mississippi's loved zoos: The Jackson Zoo and the Hattiesburg Zoo.

This article will delve into each zoo's characteristics, from the variety of animals to the facilities and services available.

Comparing size, accessibility, costs, and guidelines, this piece aims to provide an insightful look into the two zoos which are brilliant in their ways, and offer captivating experiences for families, nature enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike.

Join the journey through the Jackson and Hattiesburg Zoos and discover which one would be your ideal animal adventure destination.

Which Is Best: The Jackson Zoo Or Hattiesburg Zoo. A Guide To Which Is The Best Zoo In Mississippi, USA

At A Glance

The Jackson Zoo and Hattiesburg Zoo both offer unique and diverse experiences in Mississippi’s animal kingdom.

Jackson Zoo, known for its tigers, giraffes, bears, hippos, lemurs, and monkeys, is a medium-sized zoo committed to education and conservation.

It covers a vast 110 acres and offers a wheelchair-friendly environment, suitable for families with older children and toddlers, though public transport accessibility is lacking.

Tickets range from $10-$13, with an approximate total cost of $46 for a family of four.

On the other hand, Hattiesburg Zoo, though smaller, standing at just 12 acres, is popular for its giraffes, capybaras, sloths, and alpaca.

This zoo is a hotspot of events and attractions, including a giraffe feeding experience.

Like Jackson Zoo, it is also wheelchair-friendly and caters to families with older children and toddlers.

It provides parking and charges lesser ticket prices than the Jackson Zoo, averaging at a total cost of $36 for a family of four.

However, similar to its counterpart, it too lacks public transport accessibility.

Both zoos have food stalls, disallow external food and drink, and do not permit animals holding or bringing pet dogs, except service animals.

Size

When comparing the size of the Jackson Zoo to the Hattiesburg Zoo, both located in Mississippi, it is quite notable that the Jackson Zoo is significantly larger.

Spanning over 110 acres, the Jackson Zoo is more than nine times the size of the Hattiesburg Zoo, which only covers 12 acres.

This difference in size clearly impacts the length of the visit.

To fully experience all that the Jackson Zoo has to offer, visitors need to allocate approximately 2-3 hours.

In contrast, a comprehensive tour of the Hattiesburg Zoo can typically be completed in an average of just 1.5 hours, reflecting the smaller scale of the venue.

More About The Jackson Zoo

About The Jackson Zoo

Size (acres) 110
Time To Walk Around 2-3 Hours
Adult Price $13
Child Price $10
Infant Price Free Under 2 Years Old
Price For Family Of 4 $46
Parking Paid
Can Bring Your Own Food? No

Information from https://jacksonzoo.org/

Price

The Jackson Zoo and Hattiesburg Zoo, both located in Mississippi, offer different pricing for their visitors.

Adult tickets at the Jackson Zoo are priced at $13, slightly more expensive compared to Hattiesburg Zoo’s charge of $10.

Similarly, child tickets for the Jackson Zoo are priced at $10, again higher than the $8 cost at Hattiesburg Zoo.

Additionally, the prices for the concession tickets differ between the two locations with the Jackson Zoo set at $13 and Hattiesburg Zoo marginally lower at $7.

Both zoos provide free entry for children under the age of 2.

The total cost for an average family of four weighs more at the Jackson Zoo with a price of $46 in comparison to $36, a full $10 cheaper, at the Hattiesburg Zoo.

Despite this, the cost difference could be a consideration of the respective sizes and unique experiences offered at each zoo.

The cost of an average family of 4 at The Jackson Zoo is $46 compared to 36 at Hattiesburg Zoo.

Both The Jackson Zoo and Hattiesburg Zoo in Mississippi offer a diverse range of wildlife for visitors to observe, though there are differences in terms of species on view.

The Jackson Zoo, being a larger establishment, covers more ground and houses a slightly wider variety of animals.

It boasts an impressive lineup that includes tigers, bears, giraffes, hippos, and primates like monkeys and lemurs.

On the other hand, the Hattiesburg Zoo, while smaller in scale, still presents a noteworthy selection of unique animals such as capybaras, sloths, and alpacas, alongside giraffes.

Unlike Jackson Zoo though, Hattiesburg Zoo does not host any large predators like tigers or bears.

However, it does offer an exclusive giraffe feeding experience, allowing a more up-close and personal interaction with these incredible creatures. <div class=”overview” markdown=”1”id=”wyntk-hattiesburg-zoo”>

More About Hattiesburg Zoo

About Hattiesburg Zoo

Size (acres) 12
Time To Walk Around 1.5 Hours
Adult Price $10
Child Price $8
Infant Price Free Under 2 Years Old
Price For Family Of 4 $36
Parking Free
Can Bring Your Own Food? No

Information from https://hattiesburgzoo.com/

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Accesibility

Both The Jackson Zoo and the Hattiesburg Zoo in Mississippi, USA have made significant strides in prioritising accessibility, specifically for visitors who use wheelchairs or have difficulty walking.

Firstly, both these establishments have ensured that their walkways are wheelchair-friendly, which means that all major attractions and exhibits are comfortably accessible to everyone.

However, it is important to note that the size of the zoos could affect ease of navigation for some visitors.

The Jackson Zoo, which spans 110 acres, might present a more significant physical challenge for some visitors due to the distance that would need to be covered to explore all the exhibits, taking an average of 2-3 hours.

Conversely, the smaller Hattiesburg Zoo covers just 12 acres, meaning that visitors can see all the attractions in approximately 1.5 hours, possibly offering a more manageable experience in terms of physical exertion.

Nonetheless, both institutions have clearly made efforts to be inclusive spaces, ensuring that everyone, no matter their mobility level, can enjoy the diverse range of animals and attractions on offer.

Pefect For

Both The Jackson Zoo and Hattiesburg Zoo in Mississippi are well-suited for various types of zoo trips.

The Jackson Zoo, covering a sprawling 110 acres, offers a more extended visit that typically takes around 2-3 hours to see everything, making it ideal for families with older children who have a greater attention span.

However, it remains accessible for families with toddlers and individuals with disabilities, with wheelchair-friendly walkways throughout.

While the Hattiesburg Zoo is smaller, covering 12 acres and taking roughly 1.5 hours to explore, it presents an equally inclusive experience, also offering disability access and amenities targeted towards families with toddlers or older children.

Its compact size could be a better option for those with younger kids who may not endure a longer trip.

The keyword here is accessibility and family-friendliness; both locations cater to a wide array of zoo-goers from different walks of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both the Jackson Zoo and the Hattiesburg Zoo located in Mississippi, USA, present value-rich experiences for the eager visitor, each with its unique offerings.

The Jackson Zoo’s size and variety of species make it an exciting journey within its 110 acres property, especially for enthusiasts of larger wildlife like the tigers, bears, and hippos.

The Jackson Zoo also emphasizes education and conservation initiatives, making it an informative day out.

On the other hand, the Hattiesburg Zoo, although smaller in size, provides an enticing intimate experience with distinct animals like the capybaras and sloths, and unique opportunities such as the giraffe feeding experience.

It also boasts a bustling events calendar for added family fun.

Both offer accessible facilities for those with disabilities and are suitable for families with children of all ages.

While ticket pricing for the Jackson Zoo is slightly higher, it’s compensated by the greater variety of wildlife and larger size.

The Hattiesburg Zoo offers the added advantage of free parking.

Regardless of your budget or preference, these zoos offer engaging and interactive experiences that promise a memorable time for families and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

Ensure to plan your visit based on the available time you have, the attraction preferences, and the convenience factors like parking and public transport accessibility.

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