Caldwell Zoo was started by Tyler businessman and philanthropist D.K. Caldwell in 1937 as a petting zoo in the backyard of the pre-school he started for the young children of Tyler, TX.
WHERE:
Located at 2203 Martin Luther King Blvd., Tyler, TX 75712, just off Gentry Parkway, the Caldwell Zoo is easily reached from the U.S. Highway 69 exit off Interstate 20.
The zoo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. March through Labor Day and 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. from Labor Day through February. The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
ADMISSION:
General admission: children two years and younger are admitted free; children ages three through 12, $4.00; adults 13 to 54, $7.50; seniors 55 and better, $6.50. ZooMembers receive annual admission to the zoo, discounts on birthday parties, classes and camps for children, 10% discount at the gift shop and concession stands, 20% discount on additional admission tickets, free subscription to the Caldwell Zoo newsletter and free or discounted admission to other participating AZA-accredited zoos across the country.
Texas Education Agency accredited public or private nonprofit school groups, 6 th grade and under, will be admitted to the zoo for free. All other groups will receive a 20% discount off the regular general admission prices. Groups are defined as any public or private nonprofit schools with any size group, or any group of 15 or more persons.
BACKGROUND:
For the last 50 years, the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX has delighted millions of visitors. The zoo began as the backyard menagerie of businessman and philanthropist D.K. Caldwell. Today, true to Caldwell's vision and under the caring guidance of his nephew, Executive Director Hayes Caldwell, the Caldwell Zoo has become an exciting regional destination and one of the finest small zoos in the country with 2,000 animals representing 250 different species.
This first-class regional destination attracts numerous visitors each year, including numerous groups of school children, seniors and other civic and special interest organizations. The Caldwell Zoo has been recognized as one of the top zoos in the South for visitors. It has recently undergone $6.5 million in construction and renovations. The Caldwell Zoo has been a leader by establishing a long tradition of educational programs for children. These programs provide enjoyable, innovative and educational experiences to stimulate appreciation of the natural world.
