Over 100 years ago, philanthropist Christopher Lyman Magee donated $125,000 for the construction of a zoological garden in Pittsburgh's Highland Park neighborhood. On June 14, 1898, the Highland Park Zoo – as it was then known -- opened its gates to the public, providing visitors with a rare glimpse of animals and plants that they had never seen before. Through the years, the zoo has incorporated naturalistic habitats for a great variety of species, as well as becoming a resource for conservation, education and research. This evolution began in 1937 with the addition of outdoor bear exhibits, which were built by the Works Progress Administration. The Children’s Zoo that first opened in 1949 has been completely renovated – Kids Kingdom opened in 1995, and was further enhanced by the addition of Discovery Pavilion in 1997.
In January of 1994, the Pittsburgh Zoo became a private, non-profit organization, owned and operated by the Zoological Society of Pittsburgh. The transition from a city-run public zoo to a private institution has been a major reason for the zoo's successes. When the AquaZoo opened in 1967, it was the only public aquarium in Pennsylvania and the second-largest aquarium in the United States at that time. A $17.4 million, state-of-the-art aquarium opened in 2000, doubling the number of aquatic animals at the zoo. At the interactive exhibit Water’s Edge, visitors get up close to polar bears, sea otters and sand tiger sharks! The exhibit also invites them to learn more about animal habitats, their connections to the environment and ways they can help to protect it.
The thousands of animals that live here represent over 400 species! Take advantage of Choice Hotels and all that they have to offer you while you are near the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Hotels in the area allow you to stay conveniently close to where you want to be. When you stay at Choice Hotels, you can enjoy affordable rates, many amenities and friendly service. Reserve your room today! We look forward to hosting you soon!