Review - Houston - Houston Zoo - Zoo Boo Event

This past Sunday I was able to visit the Houston Zoo and enjoy their annual Zoo Boo decorations. Zoo Boo is included with daily admission. Just a word of caution in case your kiddos are expecting some kind of candy, there are no trick-or-treats at this event.

What is Zoo Boo?
It's basically the zoo with lots of fun Halloween-themed or Fall-themed decorations. Lots of photo-ops.

The list of Zoo Boo attractions are shown on the bottom of the Visitor Guide Map (available just inside the Zoo at the digital map display).

New for 2024, you will find two giant Talking (and singing) Pumpkins. One is at the end of the Spooky Forest (which luckily for youngsters isn't too spooky during the day) and the other is in the African Forest. Also new this year are Glowing Pumpkins near the Flamingo Terrace as well as a "Ghost Town" just past the giraffe barn with great photo-ops and skeleton props. I'm sure at night, these are a lot scarier.

Zoo Boo is every day until October 31st. The price is included with regular admission (or free if you are a Houston Zoo Member). Zoo Boo After Hours is a separately ticketed event and occurs Friday nights and nightly October 23rd-30th from 5pm to 9:30pm.

Highlights of the Zoo Boo After Hours event is that the lights on many decorations will be turned on, including the Spooky Forest, the Glowing Pumpkins (near the Flamingo Terrace), and the Ghost Town. Some young children might be afraid of the glowing eyes and props. There will also be a Dance Party in the Children's Zoo area. And s'more making by the fire pit (or pay for a premium s'more).


Ghost town is series of prop buildings with cute skeleton photo-ops set up between each one. Across the way was another, bigger photo-op area.


Throughout the zoo were some really neat carved "pumpkins". Kiddos have fun searching for these and seeing which animals are carved in there.


Family-friendly costumes for both adults and children are encouraged. I personally saw very few people in costumes but I did see a lot of cool family-matching shirts and outfits. Perhaps when it gets closer to Halloween there will be more costumes?


Parking is FREE within the Hermann Park. Try to arrive early because parking filled up quickly as the park is home to lots of things to do and events. Also, it got a bit confusing driving through with some of the roads being closed by police due to pedestrian traffic.

Also, just FYI, ticket prices fluctuate by day/time. If you have some flexibility, you might want to visit on a weekday when the prices are lower.

For More Info, visit their website, HoustonZoo.org