Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo

The Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo is a small children’s museum and zoo in Palo Alto, California that combines hands-on science exhibits with a compact animal collection. Programs are aimed at school groups, families and young learners.

Interactive indoor exhibits cover basic concepts in biology, physics and natural science with rotating, child-focused displays and maker-style activities. The onsite small zoo features native and rescued animals used for education, and a modest planetarium offers short astronomy presentations.

Created as an educational resource for local children, the institution has operated as a community-focused museum and zoo offering school programs, summer camps and outreach activities. Its animal collection is used primarily for interpretive and rehabilitative education rather than as a large zoological collection.

Situated in Rinconada Park in central Palo Alto, the facility is close to downtown services and a short drive from the Stanford University campus.

• Park Location: Located within Rinconada Park near downtown Palo Alto and a short distance from Stanford University, making it convenient for school visits.

What to See #

• Indoor Exhibits: Hands-on science exhibits designed for children with rotating displays on biology, physics and environmental science.
• Children's Zoo: A small on-site zoo housing native and rescued animals used in education programs, typically featuring birds, reptiles and small mammals.
• Planetarium: A small planetarium and theater used for astronomy shows and educational programs for school groups and families.