The Philadelphia Zoo is at 3400 W Girard Ave, on the west bank of the Schuylkill at the edge of Fairmount Park. There are no big hotels right next to it, so the closest beds are a B&B on Baring Street, a cluster of University City hotels to the south and one hotel across the river on Spring Garden Street. All five are within about 1.3 miles of the main entrance, listed closest first.
Hotels near Philadelphia Zoo: what to expect by location
The zoo is on the west side of the Schuylkill River, just inside Fairmount Park. Four of the five hotels here are on the same side of the river, in Powelton and University City to the south, so you can walk there without a bridge. The Maj Hotel is the exception: it is on Spring Garden Street east of the river, so your walk or ride crosses the Schuylkill.
Most of these hotels are a short walk from 34th St or 40th St on the L (Market-Frankford Line), and The Maj is closest to Broad-Spring Garden on the B (Broad Street Line).
Side-by-side comparison: hotels near Philadelphia Zoo
| Hotel | Distance to zoo | Star rating | Guest score | Nearest transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornerstone Bed and Breakfast | 0.75 mi / 11 min | 3 stars | 9.6 | 34th St (L) |
| Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel | 1.16 mi / 17 min | 3 stars | 8.6 | 34th St (L) |
| The Maj Hotel | 1.17 mi / 18 min | 3 stars | Not rated | Broad-Spring Garden (B) |
| The Study at University City | 1.21 mi / 18 min | 4 stars | 8.9 | 34th St (L) |
| Homewood Suites University City Philadelphia | 1.29 mi / 19 min | 3 stars | 8.2 | 40th St (L) |
Getting to the zoo without a car
- The G (Route 15 Girard trolley) runs along Girard Avenue and stops near the zoo's main entrance at 3400 W Girard Ave. You can catch it at Broad-Girard on the B (Broad Street Line) or Front-Girard on the L (Market-Frankford Line).
- From University City hotels, the walk to the zoo is 17 to 19 minutes. A short rideshare is the easy option on the way back if the kids are done walking.
- A SEPTA trip costs $2.90 per ride. If you plan to use transit more than twice in a day, the One Day Convenience Pass at $7.50 covers up to 8 rides.
- The Philadelphia Museum of Art is across the Schuylkill, southeast of the zoo at the top of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. If you're pairing both in one day, a rideshare between them saves your legs for the galleries.
The 5 closest hotels to the Philadelphia Zoo
Cornerstone Bed and Breakfast
3300 Baring Street
9.678 reviews
10 min walk to 34th St (L, Market-Frankford Line)The closest of the five at 0.75 miles from the zoo's Girard Avenue entrance, and the top guest score at 9.6.
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Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel
3549 Chestnut St.
8.6649 reviews
4 min walk to 34th St (L, Market-Frankford Line)A 3-star Sheraton on Chestnut Street with an 8.6 guest score, 1.16 miles from the zoo and a 4-minute walk from 34th St on the L.
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The Maj Hotel
2225 Spring Garden St
163 reviews
19 min walk to Broad-Spring Garden (B, Broad Street Line)A no-frills 3-star base on Spring Garden Street, the one hotel of the five on the east side of the river, 1.17 miles from the zoo.
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The Study at University City
20 S 33rd Street
8.91,633 reviews
3 min walk to 34th St (L, Market-Frankford Line)The only 4-star hotel of the five, with an 8.9 guest score, on South 33rd Street a 3-minute walk from 34th St on the L.
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Homewood Suites University City Philadelphia
4109 Walnut St
8.2620 reviews
7 min walk to 40th St (L, Market-Frankford Line)A LEED Silver hotel with suite-style rooms and kitchenettes, handy for storing snacks and meals over a multi-day zoo visit.
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Frequently asked questions
Which hotel is closest to Philadelphia Zoo on foot?＋
Cornerstone Bed and Breakfast at 3300 Baring Street is the closest, 0.75 miles from the zoo's Girard Avenue entrance, or about an 11-minute walk.
Can you get to Philadelphia Zoo by SEPTA without a car?＋
Yes. The G (Route 15 Girard trolley) runs along Girard Avenue and stops near the zoo's main gate at 3400 W Girard Ave. Each ride costs $2.90, or a One Day Convenience Pass is $7.50 if you'll ride several times. From University City hotels, most people walk or take a short rideshare.
Is there a LEED-certified hotel near Philadelphia Zoo?＋
Yes. Homewood Suites University City Philadelphia is LEED Silver certified. None of the other four hotels here is LEED-certified.
What is the best hotel near Philadelphia Zoo for families?＋
For the shortest walk, book Cornerstone Bed and Breakfast, 0.75 miles from the entrance with a guest score of 9.6. If you want a suite with a kitchenette for snacks and meals, Homewood Suites University City Philadelphia is the practical choice.
How far is the Philadelphia Museum of Art from these hotels?＋
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is across the Schuylkill from the zoo, at the top of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. From University City, a rideshare is the simplest way between the two.
What is the hotel tax rate in Philadelphia?＋
Philadelphia's hotel tax totals 15.5%, added on top of the room rate at every hotel here, so factor it in when you compare quoted prices.
