York's Wild Kingdom
4.0(3.6K)google
3.0(182)yelp
Wildlife WatchingKidsOutdoorThrillingWildlifeCarnival
Overview
Wild kingdom refers to wilderness.
Practical Info
Every day10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-6 hours
Best TimeThis classic New England coastal zoo and amusement park combo operates seasonally from late May (Memorial Day) through early September (Labor Day). The prime slot is a clear summer day from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Arrive exactly at opening to step into the grand, indoor climate-controlled 'Butterfly Kingdom' greenhouse, where thousands of rare tropical butterflies are highly active in the bright morning rays.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned right off the coastal retail strip at 1 Animal Park Road in York Beach. From highway US-1 North, take ME-1A North toward the beaches, turn left onto Railroad Avenue in the downtown core, and follow the signs straight to the giant main gates; the park offers a massive, free private gravel lot for all ticket-holders. The seasonal York Trolley also services the front entrance gates on its beach routes.
Travel Tips
- This combined zoo and amusement park restricts public access strictly from late May through September; come October, the entire multi-acre inventory enters climate-controlled winter off-season storage, enforcing total venue closure.
- The venue runs under segregated ticketing architectures for the zoological paddocks and mechanical ride midways; basic zoo passes exclude all dynamic attractions, making advance online purchase of premium Combo Wristbands vital to bypass upcharges.
- The expansive midway loop exhibits intense heat absorption during mid-summer peak hours; given high-tariff pricing and multi-tier lines at inside concessions, families should pack sealed individual hydration fluids to prevent heat exhaustion.
Reviews
Positive
- A perfect combo of a zoo and a vintage amusement park! Kids love feeding kangaroos, seeing zebras, and riding the carousel and ferris wheel.
- The iconic Butterfly Kingdom enclosure is visually spectacular, with hundreds of colorful butterflies fluttering around you. Top-tier interactive fun.
- The staff are exceptionally sweet and friendly to kids. Animal safety barriers and crowd control are reassuring, and signs are clear.
- Convenient location near the heart of York Beach with easy driving access. It features an extra-large parking lot and plenty of food concessions.
Heads up
- Exorbitant total spending! Admission is charged separately for the zoo and rides (or an expensive combo), and inside snacks feel like tourist traps.