Top 13 Places to See Red Pandas in the US (w/ Videos!)


As you enjoy your stay in the US, you may crave to see some live red pandas. There are several zoos in different US states that keep these mammals.

Keep reading as we discuss in detail the top places to see red pandas in the U.S:

Table of Contents

Chattanooga Zoo

Of all the zoos in America, this one is the best. You can enjoy viewing the red pandas at the Himalayan Passage exhibit.

In this park, you are free to feed the red pandas.

Price

Adult tickets for this zoo cost $16.95. For children below 12 years, there are special discounts. Children below two years get a free entry ticket.

Package Inclusion

  • Free red panda photography sessions
  • Red panda education from the zoo guides
  • A free visit to the Ruby falls
  • A zoo guide

Zoo Requirements

  • Avoid littering
  • No smoking
  • Don’t bring in pets

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

This zoo is in Cincinnati, Ohio, the second oldest in the country. The Cincinnati zoo provides the best red panda environment.

While at this destination, you may see red pandas hanging and playing in the trees.

In addition, the experience gets more spectacular since the red pandas are in various parts of the zoo.

Price

To enjoy the red panda experience at the Cincinnati zoo, you need to pay $15.50 to $24. This price is for anyone 13 years or more.

For children of 12 years and below, there is a special discount. The military can also get a discount on the total entry fee.

Package Inclusion

  • Photographs with red pandas
  • Red panda education from the zoo keepers
  • Kanga’ Klimb (for kids)
  • Safari train
  • The conservation carousel

Zoo Requirements

  • Every child below 13 years must have a guardian
  • Visitors should dress in comfortable shoes and clothes
  • You shouldn’t bring in pets

Zoo Knoxville

This zoo is in Knoxville, Tennessee. The red panda births happening here are more than in any other zoo in the world.

In this zoo, the red pandas are mostly on the eastern side. 

The caretakers in this zoo can offer assistance to visitors in terms of red panda education. You can get all the behavior, habitat, and more insights.

Price

The tickets at Zoo Knoxville go for $24.95 for adults above 13 years. There are discounts for children below 12 years.

Kids of two years and below get free entry.

Package Inclusion

  • Red panda education from the zoo keepers
  • Feeding red pandas
  • Free splash pad and playground for kids
  • Several daily shows

Zoo Requirements

  • Comfortable clothing
  • A valid ticket
  • Visitors must not bring outside snacks

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Regarding the largest zoos in the U.S., Columbus Zoo is on the top list. The red pandas at the Columbus Zoo are in the Asia Quest.

Asia Quest is an exhibit section of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. While at this park, you can also privately spend time with the red pandas. 

Above all, you can learn about their habitat, care, and other red panda facts.

Price

Tickets for this zoo go for $24.99 for adults. For kids of three to nine years, there are special discounts. 

Children of three years and below can get in for free.

Package Inclusion

  • Free red panda photography sessions
  • A visit to the Glick Park
  • Free zoo guide
  • Water park experience

Zoo Requirements

  • Guardian for children of three years and below
  • A valid entry ticket
  • Comfortable clothing

Woodland Park Zoo

The Woodland Park Zoo is among the most beautiful destinations in Seattle, Washington, D.C. The red pandas are in the Temperate Forest exhibition area in this zoo.

At Woodland Park Zoo, you have the chance to feed red pandas. However, the zoo’s management does not allow people to feed red pandas food from outside.

Price

Adult tickets for this zoo go for $26.25. There are discounts for children of three to twelve years. Children of two years and below can enter the zoo for free.

Package Inclusion

  • Red panda education from the zoo keepers
  • Feeding red pandas
  • Free drinking water
  • A visit to the Woodland Rose Garden

Zoo Requirements

  • Appropriate outfit, including footwear with a good grip. 
  • No food from outside the zoo
  • Avoid littering around

Smithsonian’s National Zoo

This zoo is among the most prestigious in Washington, D.C. The management has conserved red pandas in this zoo for a while now.

You can see the red pandas at the Asia Trail exhibit.

Price

Entry to this zoo is free for everyone.

Package Inclusion

  • A visit to the Kid’s Farm
  • Free red panda photography sessions
  • Feeding red pandas
  • Red panda education from the zoo keepers

Zoo Requirements

  • No outside food
  • Proper dressing
  • Avoid littering

Red River Zoo

This zoo is on the western side of the Red River Ranch in Fargo, North Dakota. The Red River zoo works to protect red pandas, and it even got an award for its efforts.

Price

The entry fee for this zoo is $11.25 for adults. There is a discount for people 14 years and below. Kids below two years have a free entry pass.

Package Inclusion

  • A visit to the Children’s Zoo Farm
  • Free guides
  • Free red panda photography sessions
  • Feeding red pandas

Zoo Requirements

  • Everyone under 14 years needs an adult supervision
  • Only four people can enter at a time
  • Dress in comfortable clothing

San Diego Zoo

This zoo is in San Diego, California, and has one of the best red panda experiences.

The San Diego zoo does not lock red pandas in cages. Therefore you can be sure of an ultimate up-close experience.

Price

For everyone 12 years and above, the entry fee is $71. Children below two years have free access to the zoo.

Package Inclusion

  • Free ride on the bus
  • Mini train ride
  • Free photography sessions with red pandas
  • Feeding red pandas
  • Red panda education from the zoo guides

Zoo Requirements

  • No cigarettes
  • Comfortable dressing
  • No outside snacks

Seneca Park Zoo

In New York, this zoo is among the best red panda destinations. You can see the red pandas at the Cold Asia exhibit.

Price

Adults aged 12 and above can pay $13.5 to enter this zoo. Children of 11 years and below pay $11.5. Kids under two years have free access.

Package Inclusion

  • Free drinks
  • You can spend a night here with the zoo snooze program
  • Education about red pandas from the zoo guides
  • Photography sessions with red pandas

Zoo Requirements

  • No smoking
  • Dress comfortably

Cape May County Park Zoo

This zoo is in New Jersey and allows visitors to have an up-close experience with the red pandas. The red pandas here are not in cages, thus giving visitors an incredible experience.

Price

The entry fee for this zoo is $125. There are discounts for seniors under 11 years.

Package Inclusion

  • Free behind-the-scenes tour of the red panda exhibit
  • Free photo sessions
  • Education about red pandas from the zoo keepers
  • Feeding red pandas

Zoo Requirements

  • No smoking
  • Dress accordingly
  • No smoking

Great Plains Zoo

In South Dakota, this zoo is among the ones hosting red pandas. This zoo works with other organizations to conserve red pandas.

The red panda exhibit allows people to have that intimate experience.

Price

Adults pay $12 to gain access to this zoo. For children between 2 to 12, the fee is $9. For kids below two years, entry is free.

Package Inclusion

  • Membership
  • Free red panda education from the zoo keepers
  • Feeding red pandas
  • Free red panda photography sessions

Zoo Requirements

  • No feeding the animals outside food
  • No smoking
  • Adult supervision of children below ten years

Palm Beach Zoo

This zoo is one of the tops in Florida and it’s home to several red pandas. Palm beach works to conserve red pandas in conjunction with other organizations.

Price

Adults pay $26.95, while children below 12 years pay $18. Kids below three have free access.

Package Inclusion

  • Free zoo guide
  • Free drinking water
  • Education about red pandas from the zoo guides
  • Free photo sessions with red pandas

Zoo Requirements

  • No food from outside
  • Have a valid ticket
  • Dress accordingly

Sequoia Zoo

This zoo is among the best places to see red pandas in California. This zoo has several areas where you can see red pandas and freely interact with them.

Price

Adults above 13 years pay $10, while children below 13 pay $5. Children below three years have free access.

Package Inclusion

  • Free Membership
  • Education regarding the animals
  • Photography sessions with red pandas
  • Feeding red pandas

Zoo Requirements

  • No smoking
  • No outside snacks
  • Dress accordingly

Final Thoughts

The major U.S. zoos can satisfy your desire to interact with red pandas. These zoos come with several requirements and more things in the package you choose.

Some zoos in the U.S. can allow you to get close and even feed red pandas. However, other zoos don’t allow feeding or petting these mammals.

To fulfill your urge for close interaction, these are the top 21 places to pet red pandas.

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