pittsburgh zoo behind the scenes tour

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Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium offering up-close wild tours

Elephants at the Pittsburgh Zoo (WPXI)

PITTSBURGH — Looking for the perfect weekend outing? Look no further than the Pittsburgh Zoo!

The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is offering a behind the scenes look of the facilities in their new Wild Encounters tours.

Wild Encounters at the Zoo are 30 minutes long and can accommodate a group of up to five guests. Tickets include Zoo admission.

Go wild with up-close, behind-the-scenes animal encounters at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium! You can even meet the... Posted by Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium on  Friday, June 18, 2021

You can meet some of the smaller kid-friendly residents in the Ambassador Animals tour or even go behind the scenes in the Aquarium Adventure tour.

For health and safety during Wild Encounters, all guests, regardless of vaccination status, must bring a face mask and may be asked to wear the mask before entering animal areas.

You can learn more about ticket prices, rules and specific tours on the zoo’s website.

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9 behind-the-scenes Pittsburgh tours your kids will love

Photo: Pittsburgh’s industrial heritage comes to life at Carrie Blast Furnaces. Courtesy of Rivers of Steel.

We love getting out and exploring Pittsburgh. But sometimes we want to know a little bit more about the spots we’ve discovered. These cool behind-the-scenes tours will entertain kids – and their moms and dads.

• Carrie Blast Furnaces

Now a National Historic Landmark, Carrie Blast Furnaces will wow kids with the might and power of this industrial site. There is nowhere else in the country where visitors can get this close to a blast furnace.

Under the leadership of Rivers of Steel , the two-hour Industrial Tour engages former steelworkers as guides. Their commentary ranges from manufacturing aspects to workers’ personal information to give an in-depth window into Pittsburgh’s steel heritage.

Kids can easily imagine the exertion required for working with this man-made volcano that produced 3,000-degree liquid metal. They’ll learn how sign language developed between supervisors and workers, partly due to the noise and partly to communicate with immigrants who didn’t understand English.

Workers and their families lived nearby under blood-red skies as low-lying clouds reflected the conflagration below. Occasionally an accidental “slip” would release a blast of dirty air and ash. When the women on the hill above heard the noise, they would rush out to their clotheslines to grab their clean laundry.

In later years, a form of night-time family entertainment was taking a drive to watch the slag heap. A byproduct of iron production, the slag was dumped onto a huge pile. The glowing red-hot slag would ooze down, exploding like fireworks.

Other stories are brought to life at the Iron Garden Walk, the Post-Industrial Arts and Grounds Tour, and Pittsburgh 101: Intro to Innovation aboard the Explorer Riverboat.

• Duquesne Incline

Kids love riding Pittsburgh inclines. Even more exciting is seeing the mechanics involved in keeping those creaky wooden cars moving up and down Mt. Washington. The Duquesne Incline , operating under Port Authority Transit, offers a behind-the-scenes tour that reveals all the secrets of the operation.

Just one car – the lead car – is computer operated. The other car follows along, pulled on the same cable. As one goes down, the other goes up. A slow-down switch on the track tells the computer to back off its top speed of 4 or 5 miles per hour as it approaches the docking area. Look for the metal boxes under the seats that hold batteries for the incline lights — and the yellow call box that allows riders to talk to the operator.

At the upper station, following an elevation change of 367 feet, kids can descend into the machine room below the tracks. Along with giant-sized tools, they’ll see the original hoisting equipment from 1877 that’s still in use. Safety measures include a second cable that would prevent disaster if the primary cable breaks.

Tours are offered year-round for groups of 10 or more, so why not make it a family affair? Be sure to save time for photos of the view, a pictorial history of Pittsburgh – and the gift shop!

• Heinz Field

Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers will get a little closer to their football heroes with a behind-the-scenes tour of Heinz Field . The 90-minute tour with well-informed guides covers about a mile of the stadium and close to 90 years of sports history.

A stroll through the Great Hall offers a wealth of trophies, memorabilia and sports lore. Myron Cope’s display tells the beginnings of his Terrible Towel and you can see the duct-taped telephone book he sat on to make him look taller.

Head to the locker rooms, and you’ll notice the visiting team’s space is about half the size of the Steelers’ room. The Pitt Panthers have their own beautifully renovated locker room, too. Take a glance at the giant washing machines in the laundry room. (How do they get those grass stains out?)

Visit the press boxes and learn about the silence required from working sportswriters. No cheering or booing? That would be one tough assignment.

Tours even allow visitors to walk along the field, but photo ops, sadly, are restricted to the sidelines. Do not go long – and stay off the grass!

Threadbare Cider House & Meadery

Threadbare Cider ’s family tour is geared to kids but will prove just as entertaining and delightful to their adult counterparts. First stop: Kids work with mechanical apple peelers to peel and spiralize apples, providing a carry-along snack. Throughout the tour, kids sip sweet cider while moms and dads are treated to five delicious varieties of Threadbare’s popular hard cider.

The talk begins with the true story of Johnny Appleseed – the quirky Johnny Chapman in real-life. The tour mixes history and culture with additional hands-on activities, plus a cool science experiment. Johnny Appleseed did indeed collect apple seeds after they were pressed at Cider Mills along the Monongahela River. He used those seeds to cultivate apple orchards throughout the western territory of Ohio and Indiana.

Johnny holds a special place here. The Threadbare name is an homage to his barefoot trek from his Massachusetts home to Pittsburgh in threadbare clothing.

Family tours run at 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and finish with a cheese pizza included in admission.

• Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

There are lots of opportunities to go behind-the-scenes at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium . The zoo’s Wild Encounters lineup offers 10 different experiences with a variety of creatures.

At the Giraffe Wild Encounter, kids will get the facts on these 19-foot animals that sleep only 20 minutes a day and eat for 16 to 20 hours a day. It just makes sense that feeding a giraffe will be part of the activity.

Step into the red panda enclosure and learn more about the cute furry bear you can hold and feed. If sharks are your thing, shadow a zookeeper and see what it takes to care for these ocean beasts.  Learn more about tending to big cats with an in-depth visit with the cheetahs, the fastest land mammals in the world. Other encounters include elephants, penguins and sea lions.

These closeup visits are for kids ages 8 and older. Those 16 and younger require an accompanying adult.

High school kids can take advantage of special teen programs , such as Keeper Conversations and Lunch with a Zookeeper , which include in-depth discussions and a behind-the-scenes tour.

This fun behind-the-scenes tour of PNC Park will surprise even the most stalwart Pirates fan with Pittsburgh baseball history. The retro design of the stadium, which opened in 2001, offers nods to the ball club’s former homes. The seats are blue, for example, because that was their color in Forbes Field.

Your visit begins with a stop in Legends Theater, a little gem of a museum that is open only to tours. Learn about the Pirates many firsts. For example:

• First game to be radio broadcast.
• First World Series Game played at night.
• First to field an all-minority lineup.
• First to cover the field during a rain delay.
• First to wear batting helmets.

Walk down the service hall to the Pirates locker room. (It’s funny to see how some players’ lockers are neat, while others look like a teenager’s messy room.)

Stop in the batting cages where kids will appreciate how major league players practice with a batting tee – just like in T-ball. They also work with pitching machines and a new virtual reality headset. Check out the turf carpet there, which was repurposed from the field at Three Rivers Stadium.

Head out to the dugout and onto the ball field where you can walk on the absorbent volcanic rock of the warning track. Learn why the dirt around the bases is from Slippery Rock and why it’s so popular at MLB ball fields across the country. From there, tours head up to the top for a stop at the press box, a look through memorabilia on the Club Level, plus a peek at a luxury suite.

Happily, the one-hour tours operate year-round, well beyond baseball season.

• The National Aviary in Pittsburgh

Bird lovers can become fully immersed in the subject at the National Aviary’s daily Animal Encounters . Each brings up-close, personal experiences kids will love.

Kids enter the Wetlands habitat and climb through the jungle habitation to the beach during the Flamingo Trek. These curious birds are likely to step right up to kids, who will have a chance to feed them as they learn about their habitat. Hold an owl, dissect an owl pellet and learn what makes this bird such a great hunter during the Owl Encounter. Other encounters include non-bird creatures, such as the Southern Three-Banded Armadillo and the resident sloths, Vivien and Wookie.

More extreme and exclusive sessions are part of the fun. Visitors to the Penguin Lovers Experience will pull on boots and hip waders to climb into the outdoor enclosure. Kids age 8 and older will learn all about these tuxedo darlings and help feed them, face-to-beak.

Those 12 and older can be a Trainer for a Day and work alongside Aviary aviculturists and trainers for a full day. See the effort it takes to feed and care for more than 500 birds. Assist in a bird training session, prepare bird meals in the commissary, and work with lorikeets and the tropical rainforest birds. It’s a great way to view the Aviary from the inside out.

• Meadowcroft Shelter

The oldest site of human inhabitation in North America is here in southwest Pennsylvania — in Avella in Washington County. More than 60 years ago, a farmer named Albert Miller found a curious-looking tool in a groundhog hole on his land. Having an interest in archeology, he recognized the tool as having serious significance to prehistoric study.

It took nearly 20 years before Miller found a paleontologist at the University of Pittsburgh willing to take a look. Within six years, more than 2 million artifacts and ecofacts were recovered, along with evidence that people gathered here some 16,000 years ago.

The work continues at  Meadowcroft Shelter , which was named a National Historic Landmark. Kids can visit this active archeological site and watch scientists carry on the study of our ancient neighbors.

Get an even more insightful look with an Insider Tour of Meadowcroft Shelter led by James M Adovasio, Ph.D., who achieved international acclaim from his archeological excavation of the site. His special tour and lecture will take place on Oct. 13 and Nov. 12. Check the Meadowcroft calendar for additional dates.

It might not be the kind of tour on the average bucket list, but the behind-the-scenes tours offered at Alcosan give clear lessons in environmental science. The free group tours for kids are part of the Scholastic Outreach Education Program , which includes hands-on learning with a Science Summer Camp and the Clean Water Academy.

Alcosan treats a whopping 250 million gallons of water every day for 83 communities. The one-hour tour through the 59-acre facility gets kids thinking about where wastewater goes once a plug is pulled, a toilet is flushed, or a downpour of rain rushes through the street. They can then consider how that water is processed and treated before returning to rivers and streams..

The free educational tours are scheduled in advance, Mondays through Fridays, for groups of 10 or more. To plan your group’s visit, email Scholastic Outreach Education here .

• Grades 9-12
• Pittsburgh Today Live
• behind-the-scenes tours
• Pittsburgh tours

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Sally Quinn

Office of Engagement and Community Affairs Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Pitt

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Behind the Scenes: the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Behind the scenes: the pittsburgh zoo & ppg aquarium.

Experience the Zoo and learn more about the amazing animals and the Zoo’s conservation efforts. You will watch the gorilla troop receive a snack, meet the giraffes in the African Savanna and see a special feeding of the Open Ocean tank in the Aquarium. Put on your walking shoes and get ready to explore. (Locations may change at the last minute. You will visit three areas. Then you can stay the rest of the afternoon and visit the zoo on your own. Fee is non-refundable, but you get a wrist band that you can use until next April.)

Fee: $16; non-refundable (Members Only; limited enrollment for up to 24 members) (Sunday, September 21 is the last day to register.) Transportation is on your own. 

Register for this event.

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Insider's Guide: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Visit Pittsburgh’s wild neighbors at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium!

Plan Your Visit

Explore 77 acres of fun at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium! Become immersed as you make your journey through different areas of the Zoo. Featuring more than 8,000 animals from 600 species, the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is one of only a handful of zoo and aquarium combinations in the country. Animals you may see along the way include red pandas, lions, elephants, giraffes, sea lions, penguins, and more. Read on for insider tips to get the most out of your next visit! Tickets can be purchased online to save time at the admission gates.

Visit the Zoo for free as often as you like for an entire year with a Zoo Membership! A membership pays for itself in just two visits and offers plenty of benefits including free admission during regular business hours, free parking, discounts to educational classes and gift shops, and more. Buy, renew or gift a membership today!

Extra Tips For Your Visit

Wild encounters.

Get closer than you’ve ever imagined to some of your favorite Zoo residents! Wild Encounters are a 30 minute private experience with Zoo animals and an expert that can accommodate a group of up to five guests. Your Wild Encounter also includes Zoo admission. Book your Wild Encounter here .

Themed Areas

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is separated into nine different themed sections including many indoor and outdoor areas with interactive, kid-friendly exhibits. Be sure to explore all nine areas for the ultimate zoo and aquarium trip!

• Forest Passage
• African Savanna
• Tropical Forest
• The Islands
• Jungle Odyssey
• Water's Edge
• Kids Kingdom
• Worlds of Discover

Online Food Ordering Now Available

Feeding your heard is now easier than ever with online ordering available at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. Grab a salad on the run, chicken fingers on the fly or "made-to-order" fries to-go!

Upcoming Events

In addition to daily animal excitement, the Zoo offers special programs throughout the year. For the latest updates and additional offerings, please visit the Events page on their website.

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Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium 7370 Baker St. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206

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BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS

Learn about animal care, behavior, and conservation on an up-close and personal behind-the-scenes tour! Be introduced to a Zoo Keeper who can share information about the animals they care for as only they know them! Meet our rhinos, stand tall with the giraffes, or meet an almost-century-old tortoise. See a tapir in close proximity or chill with a sloth! The Virginia Zoo offers you once-in-a-lifetime animal tours filled with memorable experiences and fascinating information. Each tour is certain to cross off that item on your bucket list, as it will offer you and your family or friends the breathtaking experience of seeing the world’s most dramatic wildlife.

Funds raised from behind-the-scenes tours help to support the Zoos’ animal care internship program. This program offers participants unique and specialized training, giving them the experience necessary to become the animal care experts of the future. The  Zoo Keeper internship program  is open to local and national participants and runs year-round.

* The animals have specialized diets, so please avoid bringing any human food or beverages into animal areas or, if needed, keep them unopened and tucked away in a bag held by an adult. You can help keep the animals safe by having parents or guardians hold on to any toys or items that could fall into animal areas. Tour activities are dependent upon each animal’s cooperation. 

GROUP BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS

Space is limited, same day reservations can be made if space is still available.

• Member: $48.95

• Non-Member: $58.95*

*Prices do not include Zoo admission. Zoo admission tickets are required for each tour attendee and must be purchased separately for non-members. If you are not a Zoo member, you must purchase admission tickets . If you are a Zoo Member, simply show your membership card and ID when checking in at the main gate.

TWO-TOED SLOTH

On this 30-minute group tour, slow down and enjoy an encounter with one of the Zoo’s sloths! Learn more about these creatures, their conservation status and meet the Zoo staff who take care of them. Guests will have the chance to get up-close with one of the slower-moving animals on earth, so be sure to bring a camera to capture a priceless photo opportunity!

ANIMAL AMBASSADOR

On this 30-minute group tour, meet some of the animals in the program animal collection! Learn about these creatures, their conservation status and meet the Zoo staff who take care of them. The program animal collection includes a variety of animals, including a few domestic ones, appear in programs: small and medium-sized mammals, birds, snakes, lizards, turtles and tortoises, frogs, salamanders, and several kinds of land-dwelling invertebrates. Commonly presented in programs and on the ZooLive! Stage, this is your chance to meet them up close, so be sure to bring a camera to capture a priceless photo opportunity!  Please Note: Specific animals cannot be guaranteed on this tour.

BIRD OF PREY

A behind the scenes experience with some of the Zoo’s amazing birds of prey! Learn about falconry and the birds that call Virginia Zoo home. From large (Eurasian eagle owl) to small (Eastern screech owl), you will walk away knowing more about these amazing birds! Experience a training session with the Zoo Keepers and some of the birds. Please Note: Specific animals cannot be guaranteed on this tour.

PRIVATE BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS

Private tours include park admission.

Space is limited.  Two week advance reservations are required — remember to confirm your reservation prior to your tour day.

ALDABRA TORTOISE

Daily at 9:30 am

On this tour, guests will have the opportunity to get up-close with these slow-moving reptile giants inside their exhibit! Learn more about these impressive animals, their conservation status, and what it takes to care for them from Zoo Keepers. Guests will get a chance to meet AJ, the Zoo’s largest and oldest Aldabra tortoise!

• Family of 4: $250 non-members, $200 members

• Friends of 2: $150 non-members, $100 member

• Additional adult: $50

• Additional child: $30

Max persons allowed on tour: 10 guests

MALAYAN TAPIR

Daily at 9:00 am

On this tour, guests will get the opportunity to get a closer look at the largest of the tapir species, the Malayan tapir! Learn more about these amazing animals, their conservation status, and what it takes to care for them from Zoo Keepers. Guests will have the chance to go behind the scenes to see one or more of our tapirs up close, with the potential to watch a training or enrichment session with tapirs Sariah or Sinar. Did you know that tapirs are most closely related to rhinos and horses? Learn more on a tapir tour!

• Family of 4: $300 non-members, $250 members

• Friends of 2: $200 non-members, $150 members

• Additional adult: $60

• Additional child: $40

Max persons allowed on tour: 4 guests

MASAI GIRAFFE

May-September Daily at 11 am

October-April Daily at 2 pm

On this tour, guests will have the opportunity to get up-close with these graceful giants! Learn more about these amazing animals, their conservation status, and what it takes to care for them from Zoo Keepers. Guests will also get the chance to offer the herd some of their daily diet – no ladders necessary!

Max persons allowed on tour: 5 guests

Daily at 9 am

On this tour, guests will have the opportunity to get a closer look at the Moon Bear! Learn more about these amazing animals, their conservation status, and what it takes to care for them from Zoo Keepers. Guests will get the chance to go behind-the-scenes and see a training or enrichment session up close with our Moon Bear Chai.

On this tour, slow down and enjoy this private encounter with one of the Zoo’s sloths! Learn more about these creatures, their conservation status and meet the Zoo staff who take care of them. Guests will have the chance to get up-close with one of the slower-moving animals on earth, so be sure to bring a camera to capture a priceless photo opportunity!

Max persons allowed on tour: 6 guests

WHITE RHINO

Daily at 2 pm

On this tour, guests will have the opportunity to get up-close to one or more of our five rhinos! Learn more about Southern white rhinos, their conservation status, and what it takes to care for them from Zoo Keepers. Guests will get the chance to go behind the scenes and meet some of the crash in person! Tours could be held inside their overnight barn or behind the scenes outdoors, depending on the weather. Come visit our rhino crash and experience meeting the world’s second-largest land mammal!

WORLD OF REPTILES

Daily  at 9:30

Come face to face with reptile giants, watch hatching and newborn reptiles being nurtured and raised, and immerse yourself in a floor to ceiling marsh habitat of the Siamese crocodile.* Learn about animal care, behavior and conservation on an up-close and personal behind the scenes tour! Be introduced to a Zoo Keeper who can share information about the animals they care for as only they know them! *Specific animals seen on the tour will vary.

• Friends of 2: $150 non-members, $100 members

Riverbanks Backstage

Each tour is a private experience for your group. Check out the descriptions below to learn more about select opportunities.

Backstage Encounters

Galapagos Tortoise Backstage

Meet some of the oldest and youngest Riverbanks residents! Walk out on to their habitats to say shello to each of these individuals and learn about their amazing history. Each guest will also have the opportunity to touch and feed these giant tortoises.

Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.

This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain.

Giraffe Backstage

Meet some of the tallest mammals in the world! Discover the distinctive characteristics of giraffes and learn about the care they receive at Riverbanks. Each guest will have the opportunity to get a giraffe’s eye view of the world and even feed one of our gentle giants a leafy lunch.

This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain and will involve climbing a flight of stairs.

Grizzly Bear Backstage

Head behind the scenes for an im-paws-ibly fun afternoon. Meet our grizzly, Butch, as the animal care staff demonstrate how they safely train this incredible animal. Help prepare an afternoon snack for Butch and snap some photos of this unforgettable experience.

This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain and a few stairs.

Penguin Backstage

Join Riverbanks’ penguin colony for a chilly backstage encounter. Learn all about our different penguins before bundling up to head behind the scenes. Get a cool view of these flightless birds while our keepers feed them their midday snack.

Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 5 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.

Radiated Tortoise Backstage

Looking to get out of your shell? Join us on an adventure full of shell scratches as we meet Riverbanks Radiated Tortoise residents face-to-face. Make sure to bring along a camera to capture this memorable experience.

Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants ages 5 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.

This Backstage opportunity is ADA-accessible.

Rhino Backstage

Join us behind the scenes to meet the second largest land mammal in the world! On this rhino-riffic tour, you’ll get the opportunity to explore our rhino barn, come face-to-face with our rhino residents, and learn all about how Riverbanks cares for these gentle giants.

Sea Lion Backstage

Experience Sea Lion Landing like never before — and maybe get your feet a little wet. See the inner workings of the habitat, help our keepers prepare the morning diet, and then join the animal care staff for a training demonstration. This memorable tour will definitely get your seal of approval.

This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven and slick terrain.

Backstage Tour Gift Certificates

Gift a tour experience.

Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants — up to 5 participants for Penguin Backstage — ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.

Some Backstage opportunities are not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain.

Registration Information

• Pre-registration is required for all Riverbanks Backstage experiences; visit Riverbanks’ e-ticket store to register.
• Admission to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is not included but is required.
• Only guests ages 8 and up are permitted on any Riverbanks Backstage Experience.
• All guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult during the entire experience.
• Closed-toe shoes are a requirement for all experiences.
• ADA-accessibility is limited for many experiences. Please contact the education department at 803.602.0803 for more information.
• Due to the unpredictability of the animals, Backstage experiences are subject to change or cancellation. Participants must abide by all staff instructions.

Cancellation and Refunds

• Cancellation or date change requests must be received ten days in advance of the event to receive a refund of your registration. Requests must be received in writing at [email protected] . Registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable should the cancellation or need to change a date occur within ten days of the scheduled program. Times, prices, and tour components are subject to change.
• In the rare event that Riverbanks Zoo and Garden must cancel the scheduled event, all deposits or money received will be reimbursed or an option to reschedule will be provided. Notification of cancellation will be provided as soon as possible.
• Refunds and reschedules will not be provided for individuals who do not show up for the event.

Questions about Riverbanks Backstage?

Please call the Education Department at 803.602.0803 or email us .

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Have you ever met a penguin, fed a giant tortoise or held a giant walking stick?

Book Your Behind-the-Scenes Tour or Day Program Today!

Share an experience like no other when you go behind the scenes at the Saint Louis Zoo!

Book one of our Zoo Tours or Day Programs to get to know the animals up close and see what it's like to be a zookeeper. Or, book a Specialty Tour to explore the inner workings of facilities such as our veterinary hospital, research laboratories and administration areas.

What to Know Before You Book

• All tours are walking tours. No transportation is provided.
• There is a fee for parking. More information on parking and directions is available here .
• Some tours take place in temperature-controlled environments or outside. Please dress accordingly.
• Closed-toe shoes are required for all tours.
• Tours are not guaranteed to be private unless your group fills the maximum capacity.
• Due to the unpredictability of animals, tour experiences may vary.
• All guests must abide by staff instructions at all times.
• Each tour and program has a specific age requirement listed in the description.
• For safety reasons, children under 18 must be accompanied by a paid adult adult on Zoo Tours and Specialty Tours. Day Programs do not require an adult, however, if a parent or guardian wishes to accompany the participant, they may do so by purchasing an additional ticket.
• While all of our public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas visited through our tours and programs may not be. If there are any physical, cognitive or behavioral needs within your group, please call our Tours Department at (314) 646-4840 so our staff can be prepared to make any reasonable accommodations.
• In compliance with best practices for zoo animal welfare — and the quarantine protocols outlined by federal regulations and the Association of Zoo and Aquarium accreditation standards — service animals are not permitted in our behind-the-scenes animal areas.
• Zoo Tours, Specialty Tours and Day Programs are non-refundable. If it becomes necessary to reschedule your tour or program, please contact Guest Relations at [email protected] or (314) 646-4797 . Zoo Tours, Specialty Tours and Day Programs must be rescheduled within 30 days of cancellation. No refunds or rescheduling opportunities will be given for no-call/no-shows.
• The Saint Louis Zoo reserves the right to cancel any tour due to unforeseeable animal health, weather or staffing issues. In case of such an event, the Zoo will contact you to reschedule.
• Want to give a tour as a gift? Purchase a Zoo gift card here: https://stlzoo.org/services/gift-shops/zoo-merchandise/zoo-gift-cards

Schools (high school level and above) are welcome to book tours, but space is limited. Call our Tours Department at (314)-646-4840 for school tour accommodations.

Talk about a CLOSE encounter! Get to know the Zoo's wildlife in a whole new way with a tour experience you'll remember for a lifetime.

Day Programs

Spend the day with the Saint Louis Zoo’s team of keepers, helping guests learn how to feed the stingrays and touch the sharks! Or, become a train engineer for the day. You'll keep our railroad activities on track, helping passengers, narrating the journey around the Zoo, and operating the whistle and bell.

Specialty Tours

Get a backstage pass to explore our animal care facilities, or take a deep dive into the Zoo's business operations, conservation initiatives and more!

Open Daily, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. $20 adults, $15 children  

Plan Your Visit

• Visitor Experiences
• Open & Closed Exhibits
• Daily Activities
• Accessibility
• Map & Directions to the Zoo
• Group Visits

Behind the Scenes Tours

• Birthday Parties
• Rent the Zoo

Behind the Scenes Encounters

Reserve your spot in one of the Blank Park Zoo's exclusive behind the scenes tours. Each tour interacts with a different group of animals and their habitat. Spend one-on-one time with a zookeeper and have the chance to see some of your favorite animals up close. Choose from nine opportunities. Availability varies by experience.  Tours must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance to accommodate staff scheduling . Call 515-974-2563 or email Janie to schedule your private experience today. People age 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. All participants on the tour  must  wear closed toed shoes for the entirety of the experience. Please call for more details.

PRICES Ages 12 and older: $120 non-member / $80 members Ages 11 and under: $60 non-members / $40 members

Harbor Seal, Sea Lion & Penguin Experience

Maximum Size of Tour: 4 people Age Restrictions:   Must be 12 years or older Time of Tour: 2:30 p.m. See these magnificent marine mammals up close! Join the keepers at Hub Harbor for a pinniped training demonstration, and experience a feeding session with the Magellanic penguins.  

Reticulated Giraffe Experience

Maximum Size of Tour: 8 people Age Restrictions:   Must be 2 years or older Time of Tour: November - March: 2:30 p.m. and April - October: 8:00 a.m. or 2:30 p.m.

Get a rare glimpse behind-the-scenes of the reticulated giraffe, duiker and okapi barn, chat with zookeepers, ask questions and learn about how Blank Park Zoo is making a difference for these animals here and in their natural habitats. *See okapi add on experience below.*

Okapi Add On Experience

Maximum Size of Tour: 8 people Age Restrictions:   Must be 2 years or older Tour Details: $120 flat fee for non-members, $80 flat fee for members.

Meet Romakari the okapi, who shares the barn with the reticulated giraffe.  

Rhino Barn Experience

Maximum Size of Tour: 4 people Age Restrictions:   Must be 12 years or older Time of Tour: 2:30 p.m. and Memorial Day - Labor Day, 8:15 a.m. Get an up close look at the zoo’s endangered Eastern Black Rhinos on a visit through their indoor barn. Chat with a zookeeper and observe a training session.   

Tortoise Experience (Offered Memorial Day through Labor Day)

Maximum Size of Tour: 4 people Age Restrictions:   Must be 6 years or older Time of Tour: 2:30 p.m. Step into the Aldabra tortoise habitat and meet Barnaby, Flapjack, Quinn, Kihanni and Q. Chat with zookeepers, ask questions and learn about how Blank Park Zoo is making a difference for tortoises here and in their natural habitats. Please remember that closed toed shoes are required, and staff will ask you to be conscious of your footing.  

Ambassador Animal Meet and Greet

Maximum Size of Tour: 4 people Age Restrictions:   Must be 2 years or older Time of Tour: 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. Get an up close visit from ambassador animals and discover how they play an integral roll in conservation efforts locally and globally. When booking an ambassador meet and greet, guests will have the ability to select a primary and secondary choice from a list of the ambassador animals. Please note that preferences are not guaranteed, as the animal always has the choice to participate or not.

Aquatics Experience

Maximum Size of Tour: 6 people Age Restrictions: Must be 8 years or older Time of tour:  11:00 am or 1:00 pm Tuesday- Saturday

Dive into the world's waters with a Behind the Scenes tour of our Aquatic department.  Explore different oceanic ecosystems by getting a close up look at tropical fish and rescued coral, which is part of the Florida Coral Rescue Plan.  Witness a coral feeding and then head over to one of the reef tanks to feed the fish. Come out and see what all the comm-"ocean" is about!

Papa the Donkey Experience

Maximum Size of Tour: 4 people Age Restrictions: Must be 2 years or older Time of Tour: 2:30pm

Get an up close and personal experience with our very own Miniature Donkey, Papa.  Get a behind-the-scenes look of his barn, chat with the zookeepers, and get the opportunity to see Papa put his skills to the test with a training session. There's even a possibility to feed and brush him, too!

Cassowary Experience

Maximum Size of Tour: 6 people Age Restrictions: Must be 12 years or older Time of Tour: November -  March   2:30 p.m.

Meet a descendant of a real life dinosaur on a Cassowary tour. Get up close and have the chance to feed these prehistoric looking animals while catching a glimpse into why they are so vital to the rainforest ecosystem.

Vet Building Experience

Maximum Size of Tour: 20 people Age Restriction: None Time of Tour: 12:00 p.m. on Tuesdays

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a veterinarian at a zoo?  Go behind the scenes with Blank Park Zoo’s very own vet staff, who oversee the care of all the animals here.  They will answer your questions about the medical facility, show you some cool biofacts, and tell you about an “average” day in the life of a veterinarian. (There are no live animal encounters on this tour)

Today's Hours: 9am - 5pm

VIP Zoo Tour

Minimum age.

$2000 Per Session

Availability

Picture This : No walking, a private golf cart chauffeur, and your very own personal tour guide – it's an experience beyond compare!

Get ready for the ultimate VIP adventure at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, where you'll be treated like a true conservation champion!

Join us for a full-day immersion in the world of wildlife on the most comprehensive tour the Zoo has to offer. Your journey will take you to three of our most sought-after destinations, where you'll get up close and personal with captivating creatures like sea lions, penguins, sloths, and cheetahs. Prepare to have all your burning questions answered as you delve into the animal kingdom. Discover what it's like to work with these incredible beings, what it takes to be an animal trainer, and even hear fascinating stories of globetrotting adventures with the legendary Jack Hanna over the past 30 years!

• This 5-hour VIP experience includes admission to the Zoo, as well as a delectable lunch at one of our on-grounds dining locations.
• This tour is limited to seven guests, ensuring your experience is personalized and extra-special.
• Please keep in mind that once you've booked this exclusive adventure, your reservation is secured. If you miss your scheduled date or cancel within 48 hours of your tour, refunds will not be issued.

For further information or to reserve your VIP tour, please call 614-724-3433. Get ready to embark on a journey of a lifetime for the true animal enthusiast!

Partners in Conservation

Learn about the Zoo’s financial commitment to holistic conservation efforts in Central Africa.

Donate to the Wildlife Conservation Fund!

At the Zoo, the Manatee Coast is not your average exhibit:  It’s a rescue and rehabilitation facility.

Everyday Actions

Learn about actions YOU can take to protect endangered species like the manatees.

Summer Zoo Camps

Summer day camps for Zoo enthusiasts ages 3 all the way to 7th grade! 

Teen Eco Summit

Register your team and make a difference at your school!

Become a Zoo member!

Volunteer at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium!

Behind the Scenes Tours

Registration is now open for april tours, check back in mid-april for registration for may tours.

Go behind the scenes at Henry Vilas Zoo!

Come get a closer look at how we care for the animals at your Henry Vilas Zoo! Sign up for one of our Behind the Scenes tours and get to see an area of the zoo normally only seen by the animals and keepers. Gain some insider knowledge about our zoo, our animals, and our conservation work around the world.

Scroll down to learn more about the specific tours, age requirements, and group size!

Looking for a program for larger groups? Check out our Critter Connection programs !

Behind the scenes tours are offered seasonally march through november..

Due to animal schedules and staff capacity, tours open on a month-by-month basis and are limited to the dates and times listed for each month.

We offer public and private tours

Public tours are priced per participant. There may be other guests joining your small group up to a maximum of 7 people total. Public tours are offered more frequently.

Private tours are just for your group up to 5 people. The price is per tour, and does not change based on the number of guests in your party.

We have different tour topics to choose from. Pick your favorite, or sign up to do them all!

Arctic Passage   

Join us to learn about the history of HVZ, where we’ve come from and how we’ve grown. Learn all about the Arctic Passage facility that houses our amazing polar bears, grizzly gals, and stupendous seals and learn all about how we take great care of these incredible animals.  

*This tour includes spaces that will be dark and/or loud, and may include narrow or tight passages. This tour may not be suitable for those with sensory or mobility issues.

Arctic Passage Behind the Scenes Tour Details:

• Public Tour: $25 per person
• Private Tour: $125 for up to 5 people
• C hildren must be accompanied by a registered adult
• Behind the scenes tour of historic bear tunnel
• View polar bear exhibit from behind the scenes
• Tour pump room and learn about our extensive water-filtration system

Be a Zookeeper

Ever wanted to step into the boots of one of our amazing animal care staff at your Henry Vilas Zoo? Well now is your chance! In this tour we will go behind the scenes and learn about how we take care of the many animals here at the zoo and our conservation efforts to help animals across the globe. You will take a tour of our animal health center, then make some special treats for the bears and see them enjoy it! 

Be a Zookeeper Behind the Scenes Tour Details:

• Private Tour: $150 for up to 5 people
• Behind the scenes tour at the Animal Health Center
• Make enrichment and deliver it to bears

Conservation Connection

Embark on a conservation adventure at the Henry Vilas Zoo! This tour invites you to explore behind the scenes, starting with a peek into our Animal Health Center, where wildlife wellness takes center stage. Then, wander through our serene Songbird Garden, and get the chance to plant a native plant to support local habitats. Finally, meet one of our captivating creatures, learning about their role in global conservation efforts. Join us as we learn about care, conservation and you!

Conservation Connection Behind the Scenes Tour Details:

• While ages 3 and up are welcome on this tour, please note, it is an hour long guided walking tour
• Tour and go Behind the Scenes in our Animal Health Center
• Plant a pollinator friendly plant to take home with you!
• Offer enrichment to our sandhill crane

On Wisconsin

Goooo Badgers!! Let’s learn about some animals who call Wisconsin home! We’ll inspire our badgers by making them a special treat, then hear a story or two about how our residents came to live here at the zoo. At the end, we will offer a treat to our amazing bison who are perfectly adapted to the warm and cold extremes of our weather and learn more about how HVZ helps animals both locally and globally! 

On Wisconsin Behind the Scenes Tour Details:

• Public tour: $60 per person
• Children must be accompanied by a registered adult
• Make a special enrichment for our badgers
• Observe the badgers getting the enrichment
• Learn about Buckbeak, the sandhill crane
• Offer food to the bison

NOTE: These are currently the only Behind the Scenes tours available at Henry Vilas Zoo. We do not have the capacity to provide for individual or specialized requests.

Cancellation Policy

We believe in giving our animals choices, and cannot guarantee animals will present themselves to be touched or fed. If an animal chooses not to participate, or does not present itself to be fed or touched, you will not receive a refund.

If a tour needs to be cancelled by the zoo due to extreme weather or unforeseen circumstances we will reschedule your tour or provide a refund.

If you choose to cancel more than one week prior to the tour, we can reschedule your tour.

If you choose to cancel less than one week prior to the tour, or if participants do not show up for the tour, we will not be able to reschedule or provide a refund.

All cancellations must be made via email to [email protected] .

10% of the proceeds of all Behind the Scenes Tours are donated to Henry Vilas Zoo’s conservation partners , and 15% goes directly to purchasing fresh browse for our animals.

For questions, please email us at  [email protected] or call 608-283-1610.

Wild Connections: Animal Encounter Tours

Your very own secret safari.

These up-close encounters, with a variety of furry, feathered, and finned animals, let visitors go nose to whisker with residents like our furry Virginia opossum, and eyes to ossicone with the reticulated giraffes.

You’ll get the inside scoop on their unique adaptations and behaviors, their favorite foods and treats, and even learn what it’s like to care for the animals!

These rare tour opportunities not only let you see some of these magnificent animals in a more personal way, but they serve as very real “conservation connections,” helping the Zoo’s animals and also their counterparts in the wild.

Make plans now for an up-close connection – our animals are roaring to see you!

A range of tour costs, days, and times to make your reservation are offered.

Questions? Send us an email: [email protected]

Spring—Fall 2024 Wild Connections Tours

Hooray for hooves.

“This tour is a PIG deal!”

Have you herd? Hogs are the handsomest! This 30-minute Wild Connections tour will have you squealing with delight. You’ll literally go “under” the scenes in our hoofstock area to connect with some of the most engaging and unique animals in the Zoo. First, we’ll tour the basement and food prep area our zookeepers use to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. Then, we’ll introduce our red river hogs, Mort and Dudley, who love training, treats, and enrichment toys! Guests will help zookeepers with their daily care while discovering why our swine are divine!

Reindeer Roundup

“Sleigh ‘Hi’ to the reindeer!”

Migrate with us to the west end of the Zoo to learn what it takes to care for our resident reindeer pair. Get close enough to hear the click, click, click of their hooves and feel just how heavy their antlers really are! Then, help us feed Bean his favorite treats, as you tell him if you have been naughty or nice this year! You’ll fa la la la love this special experience!

Moose Mania

“Be prepared for a wildly ‘amoosing’ time!”

Bundle up, lace up your boots, and be prepared for the trek to meet our resident moose, Robin, in her private hideaway. On the hike to see Robin behind the Small Mammals building, learn about how animals adapt for the winter weather and why seasonal changes are so important for species like moose. Moose are the largest of the deer species, and once at the barn, you’ll see exactly how big they are while you feed Robin her favorite treats — apples and bananas!

Predators of the African Plains

“These charismatic carnivores can’t wait to ‘meat’ you!”

Join us for this Wild Connections tour that will take you behind the scenes at the Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country and introduce the lives of some of the coolest predators of the plains. Learn about what it takes to care for our cheetahs, serval, hyenas, and lions. Then go behind the scenes to our outdoor training area and participate in a training session with either our hyenas OR lions. It will be a roaring good time!

Elephant Extravaganza

“A tour you will never forget!”

Join us for this exclusive Wild Connections tour that goes INTO the Adventure Africa Elephant Habitat! You will get to set up their morning breakfast in the outdoor habitat and then see how they enjoy the fruits of your labor! During the tour, you’ll learn about our three amazing elephants and how we provide the best possible care for them in their home. During this remarkable experience, you will get to decide where to place their food and see how their unique adaptations allow them to find and enjoy their favorite treats! Pack your trunk and come join us!

Giraffe Jamboree

“Their antics will have you ‘giraffing’ out loud!”

Take a stroll to the Zoo’s Giraffe Experience presented by Miller Lite on this Wild Connections tour that takes you up close with the Zoo’s tallest animals! Meet our reticulated giraffes nose to nose and learn how we care for these amazing longnecks. Help us feed our herd an afternoon snack as you hear, from a zookeeper, how to protect these remarkable animals. Find out more about their behaviors, personalities, and why their necks are so long! You’ll be shocked to discover how gentle and graceful these giants are up close!

Take Flight Bird Feeding

“Feed our highest-flying friends!”

Take flight with the flock! Join us for this Wild Connections experience that lets you participate in feeding time! Venture to the Herb and Nada Mahler Family Aviary with one of our zookeepers to learn about what goes into caring for unique and diverse residents in the building. Then, meet some of our most playful and colorful birds — the mustached Inca Terns. Learn why their white feathers that resemble a mustache are so important, and what you can do to help them thrive in the wild while feeding them their favorite food… fish! This experience is guaranteed to make a bird lover out of anyone!

Scales and Tails

“Get up close and personal with our cold-blooded friends!”

Join us on this Wild Connections tour to learn all about how our Aquatic & Reptile Center operates and meet some new friends! Feed our Amazon River habitat which includes the oldest animal in the Zoo, Onassis, the Amazon River turtle. Explore behind the scenes to see what it takes to keep a 55,000-gallon aquarium running while discovering the specialized diets for some of our most distinct species in the Zoo. Then climb above Lake Wisconsin to meet some of our most unique reptile ambassadors!

Mouse Deer Mania

“Chevrotaining the masses!”

Wait? Are they a mouse or a deer? And why are they in with the birds? All these questions and more will be answered during this exclusive Wild Connections tour that lets you feed one of the smallest and cutest hooved animals in the world! Also called Malayan chevrotains, our mouse deer are neither true deer nor mice — but Opal and Ruby are not shy and love to get treats from new friends.

Lions roar. Cows moo. We send emails. Stay in touch with our newsletter!

MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO 10001 W BLUEMOUND RD MILWAUKEE, WI 53226

© 2024 Milwaukee County Zoo. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Behind-the-Scenes Lion Tour

Get a rare glimpse behind-the-scenes at our lion night yard with an exclusive guided walking tour. During this behind-the-scenes experience, you'll get to see where our lions sleep, touch some of their huge lion toys and learn about everything the Akron Zoo does for our lions both here, and in Africa. 

Offered daily June - August, and on weekends in May and September. 

There is a 15 guest maximum. This is for your enjoyment and care for our lions.

Tours begin at noon in Pride of Africa by the train. The duration is 15-20 minutes and general park admission is not included in the purchase of a ticket.

• $10 per guest (2 years and younger are free)

Purchase Tickets

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium now offers choices for your daytime admission:

• Plan-Ahead Tickets,  where you can get a discounted admission price by selecting a specific day to visit. The earlier you purchase tickets online, the better the price. Adult tickets may currently range $16-$28. Learn more about Plan-Ahead Pricing here.
• Flex Tickets,  a premium single-use, flat-rate ticket that gives you the flexibility to visit the Zoo on any one operating day for $32. Built for your changing schedule, tickets may be used one time during a 12-month period. Learn more about Flex Tickets here.

BUY TICKETS NOW

Parking is FREE!

Tickets can be purchased online or at the front gates.

GROUP RATES & DISCOUNTS

Visit the Zoo as often as you like for free for an entire year with a Zoo Membership! Our Memberships pay for themselves in just two visits. Buy, renew, or gift a Membership today!

Members can show up any day with their Membership card or ID. Members do not need to choose a date or time to visit.

WILD ENCOUNTERS

Enhance your experience with an up-close Wild Encounter !

Sensory Inclusive

Off-Season Hours

In-season hours.

In-Season runs April 1 through October 31.

*Early Entry Perk: Zoo Members can enter the Zoo at 9 a.m. during in-season months.

Off-Season runs November 1 through March 31.

The Zoo is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Indoor exhibits, the Tropical Forest Complex, the Aquarium, and Kids Kingdom close 15-30 minutes prior to the Zoo closing.

Modified Operations

View MASKING INFO & MODIFIED OPERATIONS

Animals Off Exhibit

• Polar bear has both indoor (not in public view) and outdoor access. 
• Kids Kingdom is temporarily closed
• Reptiles are off-exhibit for the season
• Some animals might be in their indoor habitats in cooler temperatures.

Guests visiting the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium will experience a living park with live animals in a primarily outdoor setting, subject to all weather conditions. Due to changing conditions including health, safety, operational, or weather concerns, certain animals may be unavailable for viewing, and areas of the park may close unexpectedly.   

VIEW OUR YEAR-ROUND OPERATIONS CYCLE

Locations & Directions

7370 Baker Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206

We are located in Highland Park in Pittsburgh. The main entrance, known as the Butler Street entrance, is just off of Butler Street after a quick turn on Baker Street.

Construction on nearby Route 28 and the Highland Park Bridge may cause travel delays.

Free parking is available in the main parking lot at the Butler Street entrance. Although the Zoo’s mailing address is One Wild Place, use 7370 Baker Street to get to the main parking lot.

GET DIRECTIONS

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Groups can rent a  charter bus in Pittsburgh  to get to the Zoo with ease. Companies like GOGO Charters and Pittsburgh Charter Bus Company can help you pick the perfect  Pittsburgh bus rental  for a smooth, streamlined, and safe trip.

• Franklin Park Zoo
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Behind-the-Scenes Tours

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• Our Animals
• African Lion
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• Scaly-Sided Merganser
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• Yellow-Rumped Cacique
• Brazilian Cockroach
• Chilean rosy-haired tarantula
• Emperor Scorpion
• Giant African Millipede
• Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
• Aussie Aviary (Seasonal)
• Bird's World Exhibit
• Butterfly Hollow (Seasonal)
• Children's Zoo
• Franklin Farm
• Giraffe Savannah
• Gorilla Grove
• Kalahari Kingdom
• Outback Trail
• Raptor Ridge
• Winter Visits
• What's Happening
• Attractions
• Shopping and Dining
• Canada Lynx
• Chacoan Peccary
• Colobus Monkey
• Mexican Gray Wolf
• North American Porcupine
• North American River Otter
• Nubian Goat
• Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine
• Red-Rumped Agouti
• Seba’s Short-Tailed Bat
• Snow Leopard
• Southdown Sheep
• White-Cheeked Gibbon
• California King Snake
• Dyeing Poison Dart Frog
• Eastern Box Turtle
• Gila Monster
• Green & Black Poison Dart Frog
• Jamaican Iguana
• Leopard Gecko
• Magnificent Tree Frog
• Panamanian Golden Frog
• Pueblan Milk Snake
• Spiny-Tailed Iguana
• Black-Necked Crane
• Blue and Yellow Macaw
• Caribbean Flamingo
• Domestic Chicken
• Green-Winged Macaw
• Hyacinth Macaw
• Peregrine Falcon
• Rhinoceros Hornbill
• Scarlet Ibis
• Scarlet Macaw
• Silvery-Cheeked Hornbill
• Whooping Crane
• Insects, Spiders & Crustaceans
• Alfred Huang North American Crane Exhibit
• Animal Discovery Center
• Caribbean Coast
• Himalayan Highlands
• Mexican Gray Wolf Exhibit
• Treasures of the Sierra Madre
• Treetops and Riverbeds
• Windows to the Wild
• Yukon Creek

Go behind the scenes to see the Zoo from a new point of view! On these exclusive tours, you'll meet some amazing animals and have your questions answered by our Educational Specialists.

If you don’t see the availability you're looking for, please contact us !

Red Panda: Franklin Park Zoo

Sloth: stone zoo, cancellation policy.

• All tours cancelled seven or more days in advance of the scheduled date will receive a partial refund equal to 80% of the original tour cost.
• All tours cancelled less than seven days in advance of the scheduled date will not receive a refund. Tours can be rescheduled to an available date for an additional $35.00 fee.
• Be advised that late arrivals are not able to be accommodated due to previously scheduled feedings and procedures.  If you arrive more than 10 minutes late for your tour you will have to discuss rescheduling options with your educator.

Zoo New England gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our sponsors: