Every city needs a zoo, where else would photographers test equipment? While most cities may have zoos, Woodland Park Zoo is a world class zoo featuring naturalistic enclosures. You won't find many concrete and steel cages for the animals. Instead you'll find the animals in well sculpted, artfully designed enclosures. Photographically many of the enclosures blend into the scenery, providing photos that appear to be taken in the field.

While smaller, Woodland Park provides far better opportunities to few and photograph animals than the much vaunted San Diego Zoo. It's possible to see all the animals in about 3 hours, but you can easily spend all day if you have enough storage or film.

Keep your eye out for peacocks! Woodland Park loves to release their collection of peacocks onto the zoo trails. Their birds are used to crowds and have learned to display their feathers to guests (and cameras). While it may be tempting, try not to get too close as they will take a bite out of any equipment or fingers that venture to closely.

Like many zoos, the best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when the animals are out and about. Morning is the best time since you get both lively animals and minimal crowds.

The zoo is tolerant of tripods and monopods.

Like most zoos, summer is the main season. Unlike most zoos, however, you'll find that Woodland Park prides itself on a wide variety of programs from the butterfly tent and bird feeding to midnight sleep-overs and one of the better concert series in the city. Check the zoo website for schedules.

The zoo is located on the southern edge of Green Lake park. If you have any energy left, take a stroll along one of the paths through the woods and around the lake. You'll find plenty of good eats on the east side of the lake along Green Lake Way N.

Website:  www.zoo.org 

where is it? Address 750 North 50th Street Seattle, WA 98103 View larger map... Get driving directions... Find a bus route...

how to get there? From I-5 Exit 165: 50th Street Turn WEST onto 50th Street (LEFT from Southbound, RIGHT from Northbound I-5) Proceed 1.3 miles to the south entrance of the Zoo at Fremont Ave. Parking can be difficult to find in the zoo lot at midday, but rather easy in the morning. Remember your spot number when you park as there is a small fee for parking.