Beardsley Zoo | Bridgeport, CT

For the location and ease of getting there, this zoo gets bonus points. Honestly, it's such a cute zoo--the animals look healthy, the habitats are well maintained and clean, the layout is easy to navigate.

There isn't a lot of diversity in animals and since it is smaller, it's a morning trip not a full day trip. We leisurely walked from 10-12 and that was enough for us all. We saw everything and weren't rushing around at all, if anything we were dragging to spend more time there. 

The animals that are there are awesome. The wolves were so cool, and the spider monkeys put on a serious show (Lincoln was cracking up as they played on a ropes course). Alligators were a big hit and the Sumatran tiger was beautiful. I personally thought the black leopard was amazing! I loved watching him/her walk across the enclosure.

Some areas were closed due to COVID restrictions. We wanted to ride the carousel and it was closed. The indoor rainforest portion was closed. We had been once before and that inside part was really cool and you could get up close with the lizards and snakes. Loved it! They're opening a farmyard in June and we might go just for that! It looked really cool! 

Overall, definitely a fun morning, some beautiful animals we don't get to see normally, and an easy walk with two toddlers. It's a perfect morning trip and at $15/person not a hefty outing. We stopped in the shop on the way out too! Very small, very cute, and a nice morning trip!