2014-03-11

It's Spring Break in North Texas and that means one thing; the zoos are packed.

On Tuesday, the Dallas Zoo excitedly tweeted they had broken a one-day attendance record with 14,700 guests. 

That number doesn't include dollar days, when, as you might have guessed, admission prices are dropped to only $1.  Last summer the Dallas Zoo counted 32,159 guests on Dollar Day; they'll try to break the Dollar Day record on July 17 and Nov. 26 of this year.

Dallas Zoo Sets Second-Highest Dollar Day Attendance Total

Normal admission prices for the Dallas Zoo, including Spring Break, are $15 for adults, $12 for children and seniors and those under 2 are free.  Parking is $8 per car. Members of The Dallas Zoological Society enjoy free admission and parking.  If you don't want to drive, and want to avoid parking woes, take the DART Red Line to the Dallas Zoo Station.

The Dallas Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Heavy crowds are expected to continue at both the Dallas and Fort Worth zoos throughout the break.

Speaking of Fort Worth, every Wednesday the Fort Worth Zoo cuts admission prices in half for all guests. Through March 21, the Fort Worth Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and normal admission prices are $12 for adults and $9 for seniors and children (2 and under are free).  Parking is $5.

Attendance at the zoo on Wednesday is expected to be heavy. Historically, the Wednesday during Spring Break is one of the busiest of the year in Fort Worth. Last year, an estimated 20,000 people visited the Fort Worth Zoo on half-price Wednesday during Spring Break; the attendance record is 25,800.

Thousands Flock to Fort Worth Zoo on Half-Price Wednesday

“Every year, the Fort Worth Zoo is a popular Spring Break destination for thousands of families, and we are excited and ready to host them,” said Alexis Wilson, communications director. “Historically, the first weekend and early part of the week have lighter attendance. While we can never guarantee attendance numbers, we suggest visiting the Zoo those days.”

Those who want to avoid parking trouble at the Fort Worth Zoo can ride The T's Safari Shuttle from the Intermodal Transportation Center in downtown direct to the zoo's main entrance.  The round-trip pass is $3.50 for adults, $1.75 for seniors and children (free for those 5 and under).

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