High Park Zoo

This is a nice little zoo located in High Park. There are two entrances to the zoo (the west entrance is on a hill and can be a little steep). There are not a lot of animals and everything is next to each other (you can’t get lost in this zoo). Admission is free but there are a few boxes where you can give a donation.

After wandering around High Park, I accidentally stumbled upon the zoo. A happy accident, I can assure you.
It’s a free attraction, with animals milling about behind fences. There’s an array of wild fauna to admire, and the zoo itself is a modest size. You can’t really pet any of the animals, but watching them in their natural habitat is actually rather fun. High Park Zoo contained bison, deer, angry white geese and llamas. (If I got any of those animals incorrect, please forgive me.) They also had moose! It’s a pretty decent zoo; no flashy animals, like snow leopards or penguins, are seen here.
I actually prefer this zoo more than the Toronto Zoo simply because it’s a lovely (FREE) attraction that is mostly in the shade so that you won’t be broiled to death during the summer. The heat makes me perspire, which is severely uncool. All in all, High Park Zoo is a good tourist site to take any of your friends and family.

One of my favourite spots in Toronto, a free zoo where you can see a great selection of animals including Yaks, Highland Cows and Emus. ! Its run mostly by donations and is free to visit! Go go go!
Recommended

I can only review this as far as zoos go. Next to a few petting zoos, this can really only be compared to the Toronto Zoo, which is no comparison at all.
This is basically a street cut off from cars, with some square fencing up along each side, caging a few animals that are flexible climate wise.
It needs considerable repairs, especially the rusted fences all the kids are grabbing and licking.
It is free however, although there are donation stations. Maybe they should seek funds by other means…

High Park is one of the most beautiful and scenic parks in North America. From the giant Maple Leaf flowerbed, to the tranquil pond to the quaint free zoo, High Park offers so much for so many. Whether it is a picnic, day out with the kids, bike ride or hike, you can meet all your needs. The zoo to many will seem rugged and old and many of the animals are aging, but when you look past that, it is a wonder to see. From buffalo, to sheep, to deer, to chickens, fun for all ages.
This is one of those places you can go by yourself to think or bring the whole family. There are limited restrictions her as you will see. Animals come to the fence and engage but don’t be too close when a buffalo poops. Hold that nose tight.
If you are in Toronto, make a special effort to see the animals at the High Park Zoo.

Out of the countless times that I’ve been to High Park, this is my first ever trip to their zoo!!! Unless my parents took me there as an infant or something and I was too young to remember.
Anyway, previous visits I did try to look for this place, but I guess I didn’t try hard enough. This time, a colleague told me the whereabouts + I stopped a family and asked them for directions while walking aimlessly around the park and EUREKA!
The Zoo is literally across the way from The Grenadier restaurant, down a hill, where there is a blockade to prevent cars from driving down the driveway. The sign to the Zoo is almost microscopic and you’d probably miss it unless you’re right in front of it! Zoo itself is pretty small with about a dozen or so pens, some empty, others with less than 5 animals inside.
For some reason, watching live animals is very relaxing for me — yes, even despite the aroma of manure! However, please keep in mind that this is not quite a replacement for the Toronto Zoo. It’s just meant as yet another attraction for people to come to High Park!

If you need something to do on a Sunday afternoon, here’s a family friendly option: check out the high park Zoo
I’ve uploaded some pictures cause in this kind of instance, they tell a far better story, but essentially
It’s free
It’s surrounded by beautiful trails and woods
And it’s a way to sneak some activity into your day.
I RECOMMEND: dressing for the occasion. Like any zoo, expect lots of walking and stairs, and indescribable smells lol… so put on rags and an old sneak.
EXTRA TIP: Not a petting zoo folks. Cameras allowed.

It’s a free zoo that’s run on donations and is not funded by the city. I didn’t know what to expect going there, but it’s not half bad. Small, but hey, it’s in the middle of a park. The highlight of my trip was seeing the capybara family. They are my absolute favorite animals and I was thrilled to see them in person! There were even 2 little babies. Oh my gosh, adorable.
You have your regular animals; deer, emu, buffalo, yak, llamas, wallaby etc. And only a few of each. You can pet the llamas and hold some type of small bird and I took great joy in petting the llama (another favorite). I totally wanted to take a selfie with one, but there were too many people around and I was too nervous: p
It wasn’t very busy (other than the llama corner where volunteers were with pamphlets and giving out info), so I would say to give it a go!