Granby Zoo: A Fantastic Family Activity For Summer Holidays
*This post covers all you need to know to plan a day (or a getaway) to Granby Zoo. It may contain affiliate links, meaning we may receive commissions for purchases made through those links, at no cost to you.
In Quebec, we’re very lucky to have Granby Zoo. No matter what season you visit the Zoo, there are plenty of activities on offer for families. However, it’s in summer that the excitement is at its peak! Every summer, we plan a visit to Granby Zoo during our summer holidays – it’s a real must-see for us.
In my opinion, Granby Zoo has nothing to envy the other big zoos popular in North America. It has nothing to envy Toronto Zoo, which is probably the best-known zoo in Canada.
In short, you should definitely add a family outing to Granby Zoo to your calendar this summer! In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to plan your visit. As well as the animals you’ll be able to admire, we’ll look at the wide range of activities on offer on site, including the water park and the amusement park. We also recommend a few hotels and campgrounds where to stay near Granby Zoo.
Animals at Granby Zoo
Granby Zoo is home to nearly 1,300 animals from over 225 species. The animal park is divided into 4 sections – the four continents from which the animals come: Africa, South America, Asia and Oceania.
In each section, the Zoo pays particular attention to education and raising public awareness. A variety of interesting tools are used to help visitors learn more about the animals, their natural habitat and their protection.
PRO TIP: If you’re travelling with toddlers and want to save their tired little legs OR if you think you won’t have enough time to visit the whole of Granby Zoo (including the Amazoo water park and the rides), we recommend flying over part of Asia and Oceania on an aerial train – the Orient Express. This guided tour allows you to see the animals from the air and hear the guide tell you amusing anecdotes about the animals and their natural habitat. This is usually the favourite activity for young children. Please note that there is a charge for this activity.
African animals at Granby Zoo
Just past the entrance to the Zoo, on your left, is the most popular and busiest section: Africa. As soon as it opens, visitors flock to this section, where you can admire an array of impressive animals.
Pro tip: to avoid getting caught up in the dense crowds and having limited space to observe the animals and their habitat, we advise you to start with South America or Asia when the Zoo opens. That way, you can walk around freely and take your time admiring the animals. Once you’ve completed this continent, you can then head to Africa – where the initial crowds will have begun to dissipate.
When you set foot on this continent, you’ll be greeted by beautiful rhinos. Nearby, in the great African Savannah, you can admire elephants, giraffes and zebras. Our daughter is always fascinated to see the elephants use their trunks to feed in front of her.
A little further on, you’ll reach an observation platform from which you’ll have a better view of the majestic giraffes. Just next door, you can access the lion observation area – another popular spot at Granby Zoo.
As you travel across the African continent, you’ll pass through no fewer than 8 countries: Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Congo, Cameroon, Madagascar and Botswana. Along the way, as well as the ultra-popular animals we’ve just mentioned, you’ll also be able to spot gorillas (sit your kids in the safari van and take a fun photo with the gorillas – some primates like to play games and pose!), pink flamingos, huge tortoises and hippos swimming in their river.
South American animals at Granby Zoo
The section reserved for South American animals is located at the very back of the Zoo, near the entrance to the water park. It’s the smallest section of the animal park, and the one that can be visited most quickly.
We usually save it for a time when our children are more tired and their interest level is lower.
In South America, you’ll be impressed by alligators basking in the sun and by the impressive size of a pair of Andean condors, Son and Adelaide. Once inside the Temple of South America, you can observe primates, boas and anacondas, magnificent macaws and sloths. As you leave the temple, you can admire llamas.
The jaguars, the largest and most powerful felines in the Americas, are the highlight of the show in this section of Granby Zoo. You can watch Taïma and Kuwan, an impressive pair of jaguars, perched atop a platform or wading in their pond to cool off.
Asian animals at Granby Zoo
The section reserved for the Asian continent is characterised by its animal diversity. As you travel across this continent, you’ll pass from the Himalayas to the Gobi Desert.
When we visit Granby Zoo, we usually start our day in Asia. This section is less busy than Africa – so we can avoid the big crowds and admire the animals of the African Savannah later in the morning.
The Asian continent is also home to some fascinating animals. These include the snow leopard (long jump champion), the Himalayan black bear, the Amur tiger and the Amur leopard.
This is also the section where you can admire the very popular little Chinese pandas with their magnificent red coats, and the adorable little Japanese macaques.
Oceania animals at Granby Zoo
In Oceania, you’ll set foot in Australia for a visit to a colourful universe.
The Odyssey South Pacific Aquarium offers an immersive experience at the bottom of the ocean. Here you can see hundreds of multicoloured fish, anemones and coral. You can also spot sharks, guitar rays and green turtles at the Aquarium. You can even stroke the bat rays in the pool on the Aquarium’s beach.
In addition to this aquatic section, Granby Zoo’s Oceania continent is also very popular for its kangaroos, wallabies and pretty black swans.
Last but not least, the Oceania Garden is a real eye-catcher: splendid colourful parrots from Australia fly freely in this canopy. A fascinating spectacle for all the family!
Fun family activities at Granby Zoo
As well as admiring the animals and discovering their habitat, Granby Zoo is also renowned for its water park, Amazoo, and its amusement park. A cinema, mini-farm and cave are also part of the Zoo’s programme. There’s plenty to keep young and old fascinated!
Granby Zoo’s Amazoo water park
The Amazoo water park, whose décor is strongly inspired by the riches of the Amazon, is EXTREMELY popular with families.
Amazoo has 4 pools and water slides. There are attractions to suit every age group.
The Booshikë Water Games
Toddlers will love splashing and splashing around in the Booshikë pool. The pool features climbing structures, slides, huge water guns and water jets.
A section further away from the pool is reserved for toddlers. They can explore the colourful animals and splash around calmly, away from the hustle and bustle of the older children.
The Adventure River
Our favourite family attraction at Amazoo is without doubt the Adventure River. It’s a river that you can float down, comfortably seated on an inflatable float. All along the way, you can admire the Amazonian scenery. There are a few places where you might get splashed!
Toddlers can sit on the legs of an accompanying adult. What’s more, children under 48 inches tall must wear a life jacket at all times when going down the river. Any other type of float is prohibited. Lifejackets can be hired from the Amazoo rental kiosk – located not far from the Adventure River.
The foam basin
For a fun time for the little ones, head for the foam basin. Young and old alike can play in the scented foam projected by a huge cannon. Fun guaranteed!
The Amazonian Slides
These three water slides are perfect for thrill-seekers. The three slides offer a descent from a height of almost 15 metres.
The three slides are:
- The Anaconda: a fully covered slide
- The Piranha: covered and equipped with a giant open bowl
- The Ara: a slide with open and closed sections.
In all three cases, the slide is on an inflatable float (tube).
The Amazonian slides at Amazoo are reserved for people 48 inches tall and over.
The Hurakan adventure
In this pool, you’ll be at the mercy of the elements and the god Hurakan. To the rhythm of thunder and lightning, you’ll be shaken by the waves. Smoke, sound effects and waves are the order of the day!
A long pool in which you can swim or wade – and meet a few (fake) water animals along the way – will lead you to Hurakan.
Yalaka wave pool
Yalaka is the largest heated wave pool in Quebec.
Right next to the wave pool, you’ll find a shallow lagoon (and no waves) that’s ideal for toddlers. They’ll be able to have fun and splash around without being shaken by the waves and the hustle and bustle of the bigger kids.
There are plenty of sun loungers around the wave pool.
Amusement Park
In summer and autumn, your children can enjoy the amusement park. The park has around ten attractions that will appeal to toddlers and older children alike.
For example, children generally love the motorbike ride and the little train that takes them around the park.
For older children, the Kimbunga Priogue and the Python Panic rollercoaster are sure to delight thrill-seekers.
The Ferris wheel is also a good option for all members of the family.
The Orient Express Aerial Train
The Orient Express is the aerial train I referred to earlier in this article – it allows you to see part of the continent of Asia and a small part of Oceania from the air. It’s a must-see at Granby Zoo.
What’s more, a guide is on board to tell interesting anecdotes about the animals and their environment. It’s a paying activity, but well worth it with children!
7D Cinema
Granby Zoo also has a 7D cinema. We’ve never tried this Zoo attraction. It’s a competitive, multi-sensory experience in which you’ll be equipped with goggles and lasers.
Play areas
Play areas are available in all zones of Granby Zoo. There are slides, animal sculptures for children to climb on (and have their photo taken), plane and safari van carcasses for children to sit in, and play structures where they can stretch out and have fun.
Services accessible to families
To make life easier and more enjoyable for families, Granby Zoo offers a variety of interesting and easily accessible services.
Equipment rental service
Granby Zoo offers a stroller, double stroller and trolley rental service. The rental kiosk is located at the entrance to the Zoo – you’ll see it on your left as soon as you enter the site.
Catering
A food court is located in the centre of Granby Zoo. Here you’ll find the main restaurant, a snack bar. It is possible to eat inside this building.
Near the main restaurant, you’ll find a number of kiosks where you can buy products such as ice cream and popcorn. Such kiosks are
There are plenty of picnic tables in the central food court are, but you’ll also find plenty of tables and benches everywhere in the Zoo. It’s perfect for snack breaks, but also for lunch – the central food court area gets pretty crowded around noon.
Please note that visitors are allowed to bring their own food and drink onto the site. This is usually what we do – we bring an insulated lunch box with sandwiches and snacks for the whole family. We usually buy a few treats on site – ice cream, popcorn, candyfloss, soft drinks… you name it!
How many days should I allow to visit Granby Zoo?
You can buy tickets to visit the Zoo in one or two days.
If you only want to visit the animal park, without visiting the Amazoo water park, one day may be enough.
On the other hand, if you plan to visit the animal park and enjoy the water park and/or the rides, we strongly recommend that you opt for tickets that give you access to the site for two days.
In order to take full advantage of all the attractions available and not take up too much of the time we have to visit the animal park, we always opt for tickets valid for 2 days. This way, we can get to the water park early enough to avoid the long queues. We generally choose the least hot/sunny day to visit the animal park.
Where to stay to visit Granby Zoo
There are a number of family-friendly hotels in downtown Granby. They’re located close to restaurants, shops and just a short drive from the Zoo.
Here are our recommendations for a hotel near Granby Zoo:
- Hotel Castel is our favourite when looking for a hotel to stay with our kids in Granby. The hotel is affordable, well-equipped and conveniently located right downtown. It also has a swimming pool and a nice play structure for the kids.
- The St Christophe Hotel & Spa is another good option for families. Its indoor pool is a hit with families.
In summer, we also like to combine our visit to Granby Zoo with a family camping trip. In recent years, we’ve stayed at Camping Granby and Camping Bonjour. Both are just a short drive from the Zoo.
Conclusion – What I think of Granby Zoo
Granby Zoo is truly a one-stop destination for a fun, easy family outing. Whether your kids are animal lovers, water park fanatics, or just need a place to run off some energy, this place has it all. With plenty of shady spots to rest, food options that cater to picky eaters, and stroller rentals if you need them, it’s designed with families in mind.
The zoo is big enough to keep everyone entertained but manageable enough that you won’t feel overwhelmed. It’s the perfect mix of excitement and convenience, making your day as stress-free as possible.
