A Day Out at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is a great place to bring kids for a fun day in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  Located off the island of Gulf Shores, the zoo re-opened with this location in 2020. If you’re a fan of Animal Planet, you may have heard of the show called “The Little Zoo That Could”. Gulf Shores Zoo is the setting of the show. It focuses on how the zoo is rebuilding after multiple hurricane evacuations in the mid-2000s. Here’s what to expect at the Alabama Gulf Shores Zoo.

This post is part of our Gulf Shores and Alabama series. Here are a few more posts:

• Turquoise Place by Spectrum Resorts Gulf Shores (Review)
• A day out at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
• Where to go for 3 days in Huntsville AL (Itinerary)
• Where to go on Day Trips from Huntsville AL
• 8 Best Points Hotels in Huntsville AL

How much is admission to the Gulf Coast Zoo?

Entrance to the zoo is $25 for adults, $17 for children 15 years and under, and free for children under 2. With your admission, you’re free to walk around and see the animals and participate in the Keeper Chats. Check the schedule on the official website for keeper talk times. To get a bit closer to the animals, the zoo offers animal encounters. These get you up close to a lemur or a sloth or get a chance to feed a giraffe.

Animal Encounters at the Gulf Coast Zoo

When you buy a ticket to the Gulf Coast Zoo, you’re offered a chance to join a smaller group that gets up and close to a few animals for an extra fee. When I visited, there were two choices: a lemur encounter or a sloth encounter. The time slots are staggered. The sloth encounter starts at 10 am while the lemur starts at 11 am. Time slots are available every 15 minutes. This is roughly the amount of time you’ll get to spend in the enclosure.

The Sloth Encounter at the Gulf Coast Zoo

The sloth in the Gulf Coast Zoo is in an open area. Your friends or family can take photos of you as you interact with the animal. The animal handler will explain sloth attributes and allow you to take photos of the animal from inside the enclosure. The sloth was active when we visited, going on the rope and moving from one side to the other. He (or she) is cute and is very easy to photograph. There was only one sloth in the enclosure when we visited. If you’re in a bigger group, it may be harder to get one-on-one time with the sloth.

The Lemur Encounter at the Gulf Coast Zoo

The lemur encounter at the Gulf Coast Zoo is unique. Most of the lemurs are in enclosed (caged) areas. You’ll get a chance to go inside the cage and feed some of the lemurs that they have. The first part is meeting your guide outside the lemur enclosure. You’ll be guided inside the door after a quick safety briefing. The guide will be the only one allowed to open the doors of the enclosure. You’ll have to walk through a pad to sanitize your feet before entering.

There are two doors around the enclosure: the first part is where you can leave your bag and other belongings (highly recommended), taking only your phone or camera inside the enclosure. Lemurs are very curious, and if they find things they don’t regularly interact with, they generally take a liking to it and may jump and try to steal what you have inside your bag.

What it’s like doing the lemur encounter at Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Our lemur encounter is trying to feed the lemurs and get them to stay in an area as an enrichment activity. We were provided with tongs and a small container of food. It was cute trying to feed the lemurs. They were not interested in the food, but they were curious about what we had to offer. They were sniffing around the tongs, licking the treat, until they would eat one or two morsels and just hang out there. The animal handler would explain to us the lemur traits, how they interacted with one another, and if they’re nice, they get released to the lemur island, available for everyone to see.

The lemurs we saw were all male, and the females were being kept in a separate enclosure. The handler mentioned that the boys are more tolerable to guests, and thus, the encounters are usually with the male lemurs. I think it’s worth it to do the animal encounter because you won’t get a chance to get up close to these majestic animals unless you visit Madagascar. Lemurs are endemic to the country and are a threatened species mainly because of habitat loss and hunting.

Giraffe Feeding at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

While I did not participate in this activity (I ran out of time and they were not offering it on my second walk through the giraffes), I saw other people participating as I was a spectator. You are standing on a tall platform in the giraffe enclosure and are given pieces of greens (not sure what they are) to feed the giraffes with. You then get a chance to have your photo taken with the giraffe munching on your food (if the giraffe wants to go and eat said piece of green or fruit from you).

Giraffe feeding is not a unique encounter for the Gulf Coast Zoo. Plenty of other zoos offer it, like the San Francisco Zoo, Jacksonville Zoo (in Florida), and the Brevard Zoo (near Melbourne, Florida). This encounter is one of the most affordable ones you can do, where you just pay $5 for a piece of food, and you’ll get a chance to spend 5 minutes with a giraffe.

Are the animal encounters at the Gulf Coast Zoo worth it?

If you have the extra budget for the animal encounter then yes, they are worth the extra fee that you pay for. The lemur and sloth encounter itself takes you up close and personal to the animals, albeit you can’t touch them. These animals are a bit harder to get close to in the wild, so you’ll get amazing photos of the animals (and with yourself if that’s your sort of thing).

I would do both animal encounters if I had the budget to do it since the time is staggered between the encounters. You can do a sloth encounter at 10:30 am and use the rest of the time after the encounter to walk to the lemur encounter, which starts at 11 am. After the lemur encounter, you can then use the rest of the time to walk around the zoo and see the rest of the animals, and maybe even feed the giraffe as your third animal encounter.

Expect to pay around $80 for the three encounters (sloth, lemur, giraffe) plus an entrance fee to the zoo per person.

What animals are in Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

There are plenty of animals in the Gulf Coast Zoo. It’s divided into three big sections (more below).

Destination Madagascar

Destination Madagascar is where the lemur island is located. If you are doing the lemur experience, go to the caged lemur area. This is located past the carousel and is close to the main entrance of the zoo. Lemurs are native creatures to Madagascar, and this may be one of the places you can see them without flying over to that remote island in Africa.

South American Adventure

The sloth interaction is in the South American Adventure. Turn left from the first exhibit and it will take you to the sloth area within a 5-minute walk. This open-air exhibit has a few ropes and poles that the sloth can use to go from one side to another. There are also wolves (one is geriatric, as shown on a sign when I visited), and a bear. There’s also an armadillo and some turtles on the exhibit.

Coola Springs Walkabout

Coola Springs is the home of the alligator and the kangaroo exhibit. The kangaroos are usually outside the exhibit and lounging. The alligator is huge and can be seen when you peek into the exhibit as you are walking around.

Cats Galore

What’s a zoo without seeing the big cats we know and love? I saw Lions, tigers, and bobcats when I visited, which is cute.

If you are sensitive about zoos that use cages in an animal enclosure and not moats or barriers, then this zoo may not be exactly for you. Every single exhibit I saw has cages, except for the lemur island. I think this is because there isn’t enough space for the zoo, but they try and do what they can to make the animals comfortable, engaged, and feel as close to their natural habitat as possible.

The Gift Shop at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Every major attraction has a gift shop, and Alabama’s Gulf Coast Zoo has an impressive one. If you (or your child) love animals, the shop has lots of things you could want. The shop has stuffed animals, jewelry, books, and other bric-a-brac to help your visit to the zoo. 

Depending on when you visit, the gift shop is where you buy entry tickets to the zoo and is the last thing you’ll pass by when you leave the zoo premises.

Item pricing depends on what you prefer to get, with stuffed animals that have Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo branding going for $20, and bric-a-brac going for $10 up. There are plenty of branded t-shirts and hoodies available in all conceivable sizes: from babies to toddlers and adults.

Parking at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Parking at the Gulf Coast Zoo is free of charge. There is plenty of surface parking available in front of the zoo and is a quick walk to the entrance. The entrance is fully accessible, and even going in and around the zoo has no steps involved. There are elevated platforms in some animal exhibits but there are no steps to them and have ramps.

Where to Stay near Gulf Coast Zoo

The Gulf Coast Zoo is located inland and is at least a 15-minute drive from most of the beachfront properties. If you prefer to pay cheaper rates for hotels and your accommodation rather than the beachfront properties, here are a few examples. A few of these hotels can be booked on points if you are a travel hacker, and these hotels are within a quick 5–10-minute drive from the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.

Staybridge Suites Gulf Shores

Address: 3947 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Bookable with points? Yes. Part of IHG Rewards.

Free hot breakfast awaits whenever you stay at Staybridge Suites Gulf Shores. Available daily from 6:30 am to 9:30 am, you can fill up before you head out on your adventure. The hotel offers rooms with kitchenettes, to make it easy for you to cook and dine in the comfort of your room while you are out on vacation.

Parking is completely free, and there are no added resort fees on this property. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, there’s a complimentary social hour, where you can get free appetizers and drinks. The hotel also has an onsite pool and fitness center. There is a laundry facility onsite, but extra charges apply. Rooms are spacious, with suites having a living area and small dining area, and the bigger rooms have a sofa in them. This place is perfect for families who need more space than the cramped hotel rooms you’ll normally get when booking non-extended stay hotels.

Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores Craft Farms

Address: 3750 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Bookable with points? Yes. Part of Marriott Bonvoy Rewards.

Directly beside the Publix grocery store, Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores Craft Farms offers bigger rooms with desks for working and refrigerators. Breakfast is not free, but there is a small restaurant directly located inside the hotel called The Bistro Bar. The hotel also offers a pantry, where you can grab some snacks and other items you may need. Parking is complimentary, and there’s a fitness center and a pool located onsite. This hotel is the closest hotel you can book to the Gulf Shores Sportsplex, which hosts various baseball tournaments and track and field competitions. Within walking distance is a bookstore called Books-A-Million, a cinema, as well as other restaurants. The hotel is conveniently located next to a big shopping area, so you won’t need to drive around to get food or be entertained.

Microtel Inn & Suites Gulf Shores

Address:  3600 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Bookable with points? Yes. Part of the Wyndham network.

Looking for a budget option near the zoo and away from the beach? Look no further than the Microtel Inn and Suites. This hotel is also part of the Wyndham network, so you can book this property on points if you wish. Parking is free on-site, a plus, and only within a 3-mile drive from the nearest beach. There is a small pool onsite which guests can use, and a free continental breakfast. The breakfast is more of a grab-and-go option, so keep your expectations low.

Some rooms have a microwave, and all have a refrigerator. You can book a room with a microwave and self-cater with frozen foods if you are looking to cut costs on dining. Alternatively, bring some of your leftovers from the fabulous restaurants nearby and eat them for lunch or dinner the next day. There is a Publix grocery store and a Target within a 2-minute drive from the hotel.

Where to eat near Gulf Coast Zoo

Looking for local restaurants within a quick 5–10-minute drive from the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo? Here are a few suggestions. None of these places I’ve recommended are part of a national chain, and a few of these restaurants are pretty.

Savanna (formerly known as the Safari Club) Restaurant

Address: 20499 Oak Rd E, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Cuisine: American.

Hours: Mondays to Fridays: Lunch from 11 am to 3 pm, dinner from 4 pm to 9 pm. Saturdays: Brunch from 10 am to 3 pm, dinner from 4 pm to 9 pm. Sundays: Brunch only from 10 am to 3 pm. 

Before entering the zoo, you’ll notice another building on the left side. This is the Savanna restaurant, formerly known as the Safari Club. This is the closest fine dining restaurant to the zoo, literally steps away from the entrance. The restaurant is known for its monthly wine pairing event. There’s also the $3 house wines every Tuesday. There’s live music every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 pm to 9 pm and brunch on Saturdays, from 11 am to 2 pm.

Lulu’s

Address: 200 E 25th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Cuisine: American and seafood
Hours: Daily from 11 am to 9 pm

Lulu’s is a fun place to go but expect long waits for a table during spring break and summer. This restaurant is very aesthetically pleasing, with plenty of pretty spots to take photos in. The view over the Intracoastal Waterway is also pretty, so try to get outdoor seating on the patio for the best views.

For those traveling with children, there’s a beach with plenty of activities for the kids, free of charge. The kids can create sandcastles – buckets and shovels are provided by Lulu’s in the sand. There’s an obstacle course for the bigger kids. Girls can get hair braids and enjoy other pampering services from a dedicated hut.

The food is good, served in huge portions, even during lunch. The drink options are plenty, and the restaurant is a crowd favorite. The store is also a great place to browse for souvenirs you can take back home. Plenty of parking also awaits at Lulu’s, and since we visited during shoulder season, we didn’t wait that long for a table, and it was easy to find parking.

Gulf Shores Diner

Address: 3639 Gulf Shores Pkwy #4, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Cuisine: Breakfast/American
Hours: Daily from 6 am to 3 pm

Gulf Shores Diner is a brunch place. Expect to have your usual fry-ups, pancakes, omelets, and other comfort breakfast food you may have. There is no official website for Gulf Shores Diner, but you can use Google Maps to read the reviews (and they’re quite good overall). The diner opens at 6 am, so this will be a good breakfast stop to fill up before heading over to the zoo (which opens at 9 am).

A Day Out at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

You can easily spend a day out at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. It’s not that far of a drive from the beaches of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores and is one way to distract and educate the kids while you’re out enjoying a new city. Hopefully, these suggestions have been enough to help you plan your trip. If I missed out on anything, please feel free to let me know in the comments below.

Special thanks to the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism Board for hosting me on this trip.