Activities

An Array of Animal Activities

Every day at the Zoo, there’s a special activity that gets you even more up close and personal than our habitats can. Check them out!

Animals in Action Talks

Learn about these animals through special presentations:

  • Gorilla/Bonobo — 10:30 a.m. Daily — Apes of Africa
  • Aquatics/Reptiles — 11 a.m. Weekends — Aquatic & Reptile Theater
  • Elephants — 11:30 a.m. Daily — Elephants in Action Pavilion
  • Bats — 11:45 a.m. Weekends — Small Mammals Building
  • Camels — 2:15 p.m. Daily — Camel Habitat or Theater
  • Harbor Seals — 3 p.m. Daily — Harbor Seal Habitat

Operating Season

Closed for the season

 

 

Animal Feeding Schedule

  • Aquatic & Reptile Center — 2 p.m. (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. Time subject to change.)
  • Small Mammals Building — 2:30 p.m.
  • Big Cat Country — 3 p.m. (Sign will indicate species.)
  • Harbor Seal Outdoor Habitat — 3 p.m.

Operating Season

Closed for the season

 

Elf Power VR Experience: Join Santa’s Team!

Get ready for a magical adventure with our Elf Power VR Experience! Step into the cheerful world of Santa’s workshop and become one of Santa’s special helpers.

Located in the Otto Borchert Family Special Exhibits Building, behind Macaque Island.

Operating Times

Open on weekends through December and for Wild Lights nights, open to close

Admission

$6, with a $1 discount for Zoo Pass members

Giraffe Experience presented by Miller Lite

Giraffe feeding time is a tall task! This unique experience allows you to get eye-to-eye with the tallest animals at the Zoo. And, a portion of the proceeds directly support conservation.

Opportunities are subject to animals’ appetite, weather, special events, and construction.

Operating Season

Weekends in September

Operating Times

10 a.m. – 1 p.m., 2 – 4 p.m.*

*Private Wild Connections Tour, 1 – 2 p.m.

Admission

$5

Goat Yard

Kids with kids! Get up close with the friendliest and furriest animals on the Zoo farm. All of our more than 30 Nigerian dwarf goats are even-tempered and wonderful with children.

Please remember to wash your hands after petting Farm animals.

Operating Season

Daily, May 25 – Sept. 2

Operating Times

10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Admission

Free; pellets can be purchased for $0.50 for feeding.

Gorilla Trek Virtual Reality Experience

Visitors are transported to the forests of Rwanda to meet mountain gorillas face to magnificent face! This unique 4D experience features platform seating to take your adventure to the next level of virtual reality!

Located in the Otto Borchert Family Special Exhibits Building, behind Macaque Island.

 

Operating Times

November: Open on weekends only

December: Open on weekends and for Wild Lights nights

January & February: Closed

Admission

$6, with a $1 discount for Zoo Pass members

Kohl’s Wild Theater

Treat the kids – and yourself – to fun theater at the Zoo! Actors use drama, songs, and puppetry to inspire and empower visitors of all ages to care about our natural world. Watch two different 15-minute shows!

Located in the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm.

 

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Operating Season

May 25 – Sept. 2; closed Mondays except for Memorial Day and Labor Day

Operating Times

Noon and 1:30 p.m.

 

 

Wild Connections: Animal Encounter Tours

Your very own secret safari! Our up-close encounters with a variety of furry, feathered and finned animals let you go nose to whisker with some of our most popular residents. Get the secrets on animal care, adaptations, behaviors and even their favorite foods.

Operating Season

Year-round

Operating Times

Times vary

Admission

Tour fees vary

Zoo Expeditions sponsored by Meijer

Give your feet a rest and join us on our Expedition Shuttle. With five convenient stops around the Zoo, your favorite animals are a quick ride away! Visit the Meijer Zoo Expeditions Headquarters for more information.

Shuttles are subject to weather, special events, and construction.

Operating Season

Closed for the season — available for private tours. Contact the Group Sales department for more information.

Zoo Playground

A real jungle gym! One of the more popular destinations we have, the Zoo Playground is divided into two age-appropriate sections (2-5 years & 6-12 years).

Operating Season

Year-round

Operating Times

Daily, open to close

Admission

Free

pardon our dust! wild changes underway