Family-friendly zoos and butterfly conservatories to visit

Zoos and animal parks

 Explore zoos and parks that bring Australia’s outback, the jungles of Asia or South America and the deserts, savannahs and bushlands in Africa straight to you and the whole family.

Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo is Canada’s largest animal attraction, housing over 3000 animals on close to 300 hectares. The park features seven distinct sections that represent key zoological habitats of Indo-Malaya, Africa, Americas, Tundra Trek, Australasia, Eurasia and the Canadian Domain.

In addition, you’ll find fun kid-approved adventures from Splash Island’s water-filled fun to Wild Encounters Behind the Scene Tours, zip lines and ropes courses, plus classic favourites like a whimsical carousel and the soaring TundraAir Ride.

The zoo’s mission is to protect wildlife and wild spaces, so the park also offers great educational opportunities.

The zoo is open year-round, although some exhibits are seasonal. Plan your visit carefully in advance, as it can be difficult to see everything in just one day.

There are several on-site restaurants and cafes, as well as free water stations to refill your water bottles.

In addition to driving, there are a variety of ways to get to the Toronto Zoo by public transport. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), Durham Transit and GO all run frequent buses from various parts of the city to the zoo and back.

Location: 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto

Brantford Twin Valley Zoo

View over 70 individual and over 400 animals, including birds, primates, big cats and even adorable goats.

This family-run property covers 25 hectares, and in addition to the animal exhibits, features picnic spots, a playground and more, all connected by a nature trail.

Open April through early November, you’re welcome to bring a picnic lunch or check out the legendary ‘Chef Hotdog’ food truck.

Location: 84 Langford Church Road, Brantford

Indian River Reptile Zoo

This is the place for the budding paleontologist and herpetologist in your family—those interested in the study of dinosaurs and reptiles.

This attraction is one of the few accredited reptile zoos in the world, and with their fascinating collection of over 200 reptile friends, it’s no wonder.

See monitor lizards, turtles, tortoises, snakes and more, then cross the Croc-Walk over an enclosure including 50 live crocodiles, alligators and caimans.

Another highlight is the drive-through Dinosaur Park, which features over 100 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and even more reptiles.

Dig through the “boneyard” to discover real dinosaur bones, play a round of mini golf around a model Stonehenge and explore the property’s hiking trails.

You’re welcome to bring your lunch or purchase something from the food truck and be sure to wear proper walking shoes.

Open daily until the end of September, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Here’s information on how to get there.

Location: 2206 County Road 38, Indian River, 16 kilometres east of Peterborough

Safari Niagara

From lions and leopards to flamingos and parrots, meet the menagerie of over 1000 birds, mammals and reptiles from around the world across over 60 hectares of the park.Learn all about your favourite creatures and the park’s conservation efforts with the Zooniversity, Behind the Scenes Tours and other events and demonstrations.

There are plenty of ways to keep kids entertained, from boarding the Gator Express Tram and splashing around at the water play zone to paddle boating, hiking through the Silent Forest, tackling the ropes course and racing around the Pedal-Bike-Go-Karts track.

Additionally, there are various restaurants and food locations onsite, or you can pack for a picnic.

Open early June to mid-October, hours of operation change throughout the season.

Get travel directions to Safari Niagara from Niagara Falls, Toronto or Buffalo.

Location: 2821 Stevensville Road, Stevensville, 10 minutes’ drive from Niagara Falls

Riverview Park and Zoo

Home to more that 40 different species and over 150 animals, including squirrel monkeys, green-winged macaws, capybaras, tortoises, peacocks, wallabies, servals, crocodiles and a red-necked wallaby, Riverview Park and Zoo is located on the Otonabee River in Peterborough. The zoo is Canada’s only free-admission accredited zoo that spans over 22 hectares.

Follow the marked walking trails to explore the park on your own or book a guided tour.

Consider ‘adopting’ your favourite resident to help support the specialized care and conservation of that species.

The park area features splash pads, frisbee golf and a miniature train tour. A snack bar is open during the summer, or you can bring your lunch and water refilling stations are located throughout the park.

Riverview is open daily, year-round, from 8:30 a.m. to dusk. Whether you are driving to the zoo or booking alternative transportation options, refer to these travel instructions for directions and parking.

Location: 1300 Water Street, Peterborough

Elmvale Jungle Zoo

Mighty tigers, graceful zebras and giraffes, playful lemurs and rare exotic birds are just a few of the amazing animals you’ll see at this family-oriented attraction just north of Barrie. Established in 1967, the park has grown from just two hectares to over 30 today.

The shady trails and pathways are stroller-friendly, while daily presentations, animal feeding and the goat petting zoo offer great opportunities for little ones to enjoy interactive experiences.

There’s a small snack bar and gift shop onsite. Hours of operation are weather dependent and change seasonally between mid-June and late September and are posted on their website.

Location: 14191 Simcoe County Road 27, Phelpston

Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park

Love big cats? At Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park, you can get up-close-and-personal with the big cats, plus you’ll have the chance to pet and feed baby lions, tigers, lemurs and other furry friends.

This family-friendly park hosts educational feeding tours, night safaris and other exciting activities seasonally. Be sure to wear proper footwear for all the walking. If you’re so inclined, stay a night at the park to listen to the lion's roar, wolves howl and peacocks squawk—­it’s an adventure you will never forget.

Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., year-round, weather permitting, in winter, tickets must be purchased online in advance of arrival. There’s a seasonal cafe onsite, or you can bring your snacks to enjoy at the sheltered picnic areas.

Location: 3667 Concession Road 6, Orono

African Lion Safari

In true African safari fashion, most of the animals at this park roam free in seven large game reserves and you get to view them via a vehicle tour along the nine-kilometre safari trail.

Choose to safari in your own vehicle or on the guided Safari Tour Bus. Be sure to read their vehicle restriction guide if you do choose to bring your vehicle.

Round out your visit with even more memorable experiences, including a scenic ride on the 'African Queen' boat cruise, a charming journey aboard the 'Nature Boy' train tour, splashes of fun at the kids’ water park and playground, and up-close encounters with friendly residents like alpacas, parrots, rabbits and more at the delightful Pets’ Corner.

Food facilities are located throughout the park, selling snacks and treats. Open seasonally from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., purchase timed tickets in advance online.

Location: 1386 Cooper Road, Cambridge/Hamilton

High Park Zoo

Established in 1893 for deer, the High Park Zoo has since been a popular destination in Toronto.

Fast forward over 125 years, and the Zoo's eleven paddocks now house a variety of animal species such as bison, deer, llamas, peacocks and highland cattle.

The zoo is easily accessible and has paddocks located near each other, making it convenient for families to navigate and enjoy other park activities as well.

With free admission, the zoo is open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. 

Location: 1873 Bloor Street West, Toronto

Butterfly conservatories

Ontario is home to two conservatories that house thousands of butterflies while protecting endangered ecological systems and providing a memorable experience to those who visit them.

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory

Nestled on a sprawling 43 hectares, containing the ecologically fragile Kossuth Bog, the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is a remarkable 2322 square metre (25,000 square feet) facility.

The indoor tropical garden spans close to 1000 square metres (10,800 square feet) and houses a multitude of free-flying butterflies. Enjoy the captivating experience of witnessing butterflies emerge from their chrysalis and embark on their inaugural flight.

Alongside the conservatory’s many sightseeing attractions, it also offers enriching educational experiences for kids, with programs like Virtual School Class Field Trips, where students connect with a nature interpreter online, and in-person School Group Programs designed to spark curiosity about butterflies, insects and the vital roles they play in our ecosystems.

During summer (end of June to early September), the conservatory is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For the rest of the year, the conservatory is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location: 2500 Kossuth Road, Cambridge

Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory

The Butterfly Conservatory was built in 1996 and remains the largest facility of its kind in North America. The facility includes a 1021 square metre (11,000 square foot) conservatory which has welcomed millions of guests to explore and learn about the beauty and fascinating lifecycles of butterflies in a tropical environment.

Walking through the conservatory, guests come across feeding trays where they get an up-close look at butterfly gatherings, and a picturesque waterfall mimicking the atmosphere of a rain forest.

The conservatory is open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.

Location: 2565 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls

Whether you want to enjoy a night safari or spend a day surrounded by beautiful butterflies, in Ontario, you have plenty of options to choose from for a memorable family outing.