We have been to many zoos, but one of our favorites is right in our backyard — the Indianapolis Zoo. The Indianapolis Zoo is located in White River State Park downtown and is the only attraction accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museums as a zoo, an aquarium and a botanic garden. That’s right you don’t just get a great zoo, but also a great aquarium area featuring Atlantic bottle-nose dolphins, shark petting and more.
See the polar bear at the Indianapolis Zoo.
Location: The Indianapolis Zoo is located at 1200 W. Washington Street in White River State Park.
Hours: From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Zoo is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday and holidays.
Admission: Admission is $14.50 for adults, $9.50 for children ages 2-12 and seniors 62+. Children age 1 and under are admitted free of charge.
Community Tuesday: The first Tuesday of every month March to December admission is just $7 per person.
Special Offers: If family travel takes you to Indianapolis, you can take advantage of the Indianapolis Family Fun Adventure which includes four tickets to the Indianapolis Zoo, four tickets to the Children’s Museum and overnight accommodations at participating hotels. Ask about preferred rates for a second night stay. Price ranges from $159-209.
Parking: $6 for regular vehicles. $10 for large vehicles including RVs and campers.
Maps and Schedules: Be sure to pick up a Zoo map and schedule upon entering the Zoo. When you leave, toss these in the recycling bin to help our environment.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Indianapolis Zoo Visit
1. The animals are more active in the morning, especially during hot weather. Try to get an early start and be sure to visit the Plains and Forests first.
2. Keep in mind many area schools take field trips to the Zoo in May — especially the last two weeks of the month. If you wish to avoid larger crowds, plan another time for your visit.
3. To get good seats for the Dolphin Show, it is recommended you arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the show.
4. During hot weather, the Zoo has misting stations in the Forests and Plains areas. They also have the Splash park.
Don't miss the Sea Lion Chat at the Indianapolis Zoo.
Zoo Rules
1. No smoking on the Zoo Grounds
2. No food or beverages may be brought into to zoo. You may exit the zoo to enjoy your picnic lunch in the designated picnic area.
3. DO NOT feed the animals.
4. Radios, roller blades, bicycles, skateboard, skooters and balloons are not allowed in the Zoo.
5. Stay on the pathways — no climbing on fences, rocks and railings.
6. Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times.
7. No Weapons
8. No pets allowed; guide dogs and service animals are permitted
Exhibits
The Zoo’s attractions are divided into seven areas: Forests, Encounters, Plains, Rides, Deserts, Marine Animals and Oceans. Follows it what you’ll find in each area.
Forests: This shady area features animals from the world’s forests. Featured animals in this biome include the rare and endangered Amur tiger from Siberia. You usually have to look very closely as the tigers are very elusive. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen them in the open. They are usually fairly well hidden. You’ll also see active little small-clawed otters from Asia, white-handed gibbons, green peafowl, bald eagle, ravens, turkey vultures, and a brown bear from Alaska.
Entrance to the Oceans Exhibit
Oceans: This is always one of our first and favorite stops. Another bonus – it is great place to cool down on a hot day. (Before you enter the Oceans building, stop and view the sea lions from the outside.) In the Oceans exhibit you can touch real sharks in one of the world’s largest shark touch pools. Don’t worry, these dog sharks are harmless. Don’t miss the moray eels, sea horses and a variety of fascinating fish and invertebrates. Also included are three species of penguins, plus the underwater viewing for polar bears, California sea lions, harbor seals and gray seals. As you exit the Oceans Exhibit continue to your right to view the polar bear from the outside and the Marine Mammal Exhibit.
Marine Mammals: The Zoo marine mammal collection includes Atlantic bottle-nose dolphins (which star in their own exhibit, the Dolphin Adventure, Pacific walruses, polar bears, California sea lions, harbor seals and gray seals. The seal and sea lion exhibit is near the entrance to Oceans, while the polar bear exhibit is positioned just outside the exit from Oceans. The walrus exhibit, including an underwater viewing theater, is a bit farther on and leads directly to the Dolphin Adventure Pavilion.
Be sure to get tickets to the Dolphin Show when you enter the Indianapolis Zoo.
Dolphin Adventure: Be sure to get your free tickets for the Dolphin Adventure as you enter the zoo. The shows often fill up quickly. The highlight of the new Dolphin Adventure is a 30-foot diameter, 12-foot high, underwater dome placed squarely in the middle of the dolphin performance pool – a first for U.S. zoos. You actually see the dolphins swimming from below. On top of the water, the interior of the Marsh Dolphin Theater (the country’s second largest fully-enclosed and environmentally controlled dolphin arena) has been transformed into a coastal village, complete with buildings and wharf. For the dolphin shows, check in at admissions when you enter to receive the time for your dolphin show seating. Seating is limited; first come, first serve. The dolphin shows are fun with upbeat music. If you don’t want to get wet, be sure to sit up high.
The meerkats are a favorite in the Deserts Biome.
Deserts: The 80-foot diameter transparent dome allows the animals to bask in natural sunlight year-round while heating and air conditioning vents hidden in the rocks keep the temperature in the 80s. This area can be very hot in the summer for the humans, however. In the Deserts area, you’ll see lots of iguanas, tortoises and birds. The Deserts Dome also includes a Zoo visitor favorite exhibit – Meerkats. The meerkat viewing area is very cool as you can view them under ground as the glass continues below the soil level. You can also walk through a dark and much cooler room to view many species of snakes. Be sure to keep a hand on little ones in this area since it is dark.
Plains: Perhaps the most exciting thing about the Plains area is the new Cheetah exhibit. We saw this for the first time earlier this month. We were there in the afternoon and the cheetah’s were sacked out. I’d suggest trying to hit this area early in the day. You can also Race a Cheetah. Guests pay 50 cents to run against an array of LED lights that simulate the speed of a cheetah and see if they can run as fast as a cheetah! All net proceeds from Race a Cheetah go the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, Africa, to benefit the Fund’s work in saving wild cheetahs. We opted not to do this as it was very hot last time we were there. You’ll also find African lions, African elephants, zebras, ostriches, baboons, giraffes, white rhinos and more. You can even hand feed the giraffes and watch the elephants get a bath.
Encounters: This is a real hands-on area. Feel the silky muzzle of a pony, pet a pygmy goat, or touch a llama.The area also includes Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, miniature horse, American Shetland pony, Sicilian miniature donkeys, various species of rabbits and more. This area also features seasonal pony rides and carousel.
Cool off in the Splash Park at the Indianapolis Zoo.
Rides & Attractions: There are several rides at the Indianapolis Zoo. Be sure to bring some extra cash as it is extra to ride the rides. Single tickets are $2.25. There is a discount when purchasing packets of 7 or 12 tickets. Rides include the White River Junction Train, Kombo Family Coaster, 3D Ride, Carousel and Pony Ride. Rides are one tickets except for the 3D Ride and the Pony Ride which are two tickets. The train is great for the younger set. The coaster if fun — not too scary. The Splash area and the children’s play area are free to enjoy. Clothing must be modest in design and gender appropriate with no revealing swimsuits allowed. Footwear is recommended. Clothing or body art with rude, vulgar, inflammatory language or graphics is not allowed. If you plan to let your kids play in the Splash area, be sure to bring a change a clothes for them.
Shows: Dolphin Adventure Show, Elephant Show, Elephant Bathing, Creature Feature, Professor Plumage’s Live Animal Show.
Chats & Feedings: Learn about some of the Zoo’s animals from a Zoo Keeper during these animal chats. Alaskan Brown Bear Chat, Sea Lion Chat (be sure to catch this one, the sea lions are very entertaining), Meerkat Chat, Baboon Chat, Penguin Fee Demonstration and Feed a Giraffe.
The lemurs are always fun to watch at the Indianapolis Zoo.
Dining at the Zoo: Cafe on the Commons is always our first choice especially if it is hot as there is indoor, air conditioned seating. It can be fairly busy, so I recommend trying to time your meal or snack at before or after the lunch rush. They have burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, pizza and more. Right off the Cafe on the Commons, you will find the children’s play area and the Lemur Exhibit. Dogs and Suds is open seasonally and features hot dogs. The Outpost Cafe serves pizza and healthy choices and is located just outside the Splash Park. You’ll also find many carts throughout the Zoo featuring pretzels, ice cream, etc. The carts are usually cash only, but the restaurants take credit cards. Although visitors are not permitted to bring food into the Zoo, they may enjoy their picnics at one of the tables located just outside the admission gates. To get back into the Zoo after lunch, visitors should present their receipts at the admission gates.
Gift Shop: The gift shop is positioned on your way out, so be prepared if you do not want to buy anything. As we live nearby and I don’t want to buy something at every visit, I try to remember to let my child know if we are just looking on this trip. It’s a nice gift shop, although it is hard to find much under the $5 mark.
For more information on the Indianapolis Zoo, visit IndyZoo.com.