Experience Indianapolis the local way and discover the appeal and lifestyle of Indy's attractions and iconic experiences.
Overview
Located in White River State Park along the scenic riverbanks, the Indianapolis Zoo offers 64 acres of both indoor and outdoor animal attractions as well as three additional acres of outdoor gardens. Open year-round with hours that vary by season, guests can explore more than 1,200 animals of approximately 230 species as well as 47,000 plant specimens.
New to the Zoo in 2025 are five giant Aldabra Tortoises. Giant, ancient, and full of charm, the world’s largest tortoises offer a new kind of wild experience and the chance to encounter these gentle giants up close.
Two of the tortoises were here years ago. You might remember A.J. and Lyn St. James. Lyn is estimated to be between 80-100 years old now. The other three are Little Dot, Morla, and a spry 17-year-old named Maude.
Measuring up to four feet long with some (like A.J.) weighing more than 500 pounds, a giant tortoise’s impressive size is matched only by its age. They can live 150 years or more!
The Penny & Jock Fortune International Chimpanzee Complex allows guests to engage with up to 30 resident chimps as they live their natural lives gathering in small groups, using tools, and playing. The elevated Chimpanzee Trail gives visitors a one-of-a-kind viewing opportunity.
The award-winning Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center is not only home to a large group of orangutans, but also a hub for research on the cognitive abilities of apes. See them up close on the ground level of the exhibit or watch them swing high above you.
Explore the Plains area to see natives of African savannahs like elephants, lions, cheetah, gazelle, zebras, baboons, rhinos, giraffes, warthogs, and more.
Visit the Deserts biome to meet the animals that thrive in the hot, dry environment: lizards, boas, toads, gila monsters, iguanas, and meerkats.
The Forests biome is home to brown bears, tigers, crocs, eagles, kangaroos, cockatoos, red pandas, and white-handed gibbons.
Extreme Snakes, showcases more than 20 species from around the world, including some of the largest and most dangerous. Brave guests can then get as close as they dare to an animal widely regarded as one of the deadliest snakes on the planet. Native to Africa, the black mamba has earned its infamous reputation by combining a strong bite and deadly venom with bursts of speed that outmatch an average human. Their striking name comes from the inky black color inside their mouths, not the dull, brownish-gray color of their bodies. The vibrant eastern green mamba is also highly venomous.
With one of the largest flocks of macaws in North America, Zoo guests can watch as they soar overhead in the summertime. Opportunities await to get up close with long-tailed macaques, orangutans, tigers, walrus, dolphins and so many other iconic species.
Come closer. Feel the ground shake with each gentle footstep. Look into those soulful eyes. And sense a powerful connection that you’ll never forget. “Tembo” means “elephant” in the Swahili language, and Tembo Camp means you have an opportunity to meet our herd up close. The stunning space offers our elephants more room to roam, as well as providing guests with a firsthand look at how we care for our herd. You might even be lucky enough to get to touch one of these amazing animals!
Don't miss the amazing Oceans biome for a multi-sensory trip to meet penguins, sea lions, walrus, long-tailed macaques, rays, eels, seals, coral, fish of many kinds, and even touch sharks. Be sure to catch a presentation at the Dolphin Pavilion to see them in the underwater viewing dome and learn more about these amazing and intelligent creatures.
Enhance your visit with animal feed and touch experiences, or a ride on the carousel, Kombo Family Coaster, Skyline gondola, and White River Junction Train.
Experience the beauty of nature at White River Gardens. You'll forget you're in the city when you experience the total immersion of stepping inside this 5,000-sq.-ft. tropical oasis of the Hilbert Conservatory and explore the DeHaan Tiergarten with its gardening ideas and inspirational designs.
Guests have fresh and healthy food options available all year long at the centrally located Café on the Commons as well as other eateries open seasonally.
Special experiences including the Dolphin In-Water Adventure and Animal Art Adventures invite visitors behind the scenes to learn more about incredible animals while also helping to advance the Zoo’s animal conservation mission.
Guests are encouraged to save money by planning ahead and purchasing tickets in advance online at IndianapolisZoo.com.
HOURS:
Zoo grounds remain open for 30 minutes after the gates close.
Jan.-Feb.: Wed.-Sun., 9 am-4 pm
Feb. 28-Mar. 17: daily 9 am-4 pm
Mar. 18-May 26: Mon.-Thurs., 9 am-4 pm; Fri.-Sun., 9 am-5 pm
May 27-Sept. 5: Mon.-Thurs.*, 9 am-5 pm; Fri.-Sun. and holidays, 9 am-7 pm
Sept. 6-Oct. 31: Mon.-Thurs., 9 am-4 pm; Fri.-Sun.**, 9 am-5 pm
Nov. 1-22: Wed.-Sun., 9 am-4 pm
Nov. 22, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026: Sun.-Thurs., 2-9 pm, Fri.-Sat., 2-10 pm
Christmas at the Zoo hours;
Nov. 22, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026: Sun.-Thurs., 5-9 pm; Fri.-Sat., 5-10 pm
xZOOberance Spring Festival:
Mar. 19-Apr. 12, 2026: Thurs., 12-4 pm; Fri.-Sun., 12-5 pm
Closed June 10, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year's Eve and Day. *Open until 7 pm for Animals & All That Jazz. **Zoo open until 7 pm Friday-Sunday for ZooBoo
Jul 9
Downtown
Come Early, Stay Late, Enjoy It AllEnjoy a full day of Zoo fun, then stay late for the music and atmosphere…
Jul 16
Downtown
Come Early, Stay Late, Enjoy It AllEnjoy a full day of Zoo fun, then stay late for the music and atmosphere…
Jul 23
Downtown
Come Early, Stay Late, Enjoy It AllEnjoy a full day of Zoo fun, then stay late for the music and atmosphere…
Jul 27 to Aug 27
Downtown
View the finished artwork from the Naturally Inspired Paint Out. Bid on your favorite piece and help us raise money for…
Jul 30
Downtown
Come Early, Stay Late, Enjoy It AllEnjoy a full day of Zoo fun, then stay late for the music and atmosphere…
Aug 27
Downtown
Naturally Inspired Silent Auction & Artist ReceptionWe invite you to come celebrate art, food, and wildlife at our Naturally Inspired Silent…
Sep 23 to Nov 1
Downtown
Indy’s favorite fall spooktacular is back and better than ever! ZooBoo brings magic and potions, trick-or-treating for kids and adults, fun…
Weekly on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting from Sep 23, 2026, until Nov 1, 2026
Oct 3
Downtown
Enjoy an Adults-Only Night Out at Brewfari!Leave the little ones at home to sample a selection of brews, enjoy live music…
Nov 21 to Jan 3, 2027
Downtown
Where Wild Meets Holiday WonderThe tradition is back! Christmas at the Zoo presented by Indiana Members Credit Union is a wild…
Daily, starting from Nov 21, 2026, until Jan 3, 2027
