Wuppertal's zoo uses the city's steep terrain to good effect, spreading animal houses and outdoor enclosures through a wooded hillside. The setting makes it feel more like a landscaped park than a flat urban zoo, with long views, old trees, and winding paths between exhibits.
It is a solid half-day outing, especially for families or anyone already riding the Schwebebahn through Wuppertal. The climbs are real, so comfortable shoes matter, but the elevation is also what gives the zoo much of its character.