Have a Wild Time!
If you think our animals are fun to watch, imagine interacting with them at a live show! Or, take the zip line or Sky Safari glider for a bird’s eye view. We’ve got so many species of fun to explore and enjoy — click on the links below to learn more.
- Animal Feeding Schedule
- Animals in Action
- Animal Rides
- Birds of Prey Show
- Carousel
- Kohl’s Wild Theater
- MillerCoors Giraffe Experience
- Oceans of Fun Seal & Sea Lion Show
- Safari Train
- Sky Safari
- SkyTrail® Ropes Course, Zip Line & SkyTykes Ropes Course
- Zoomobile
Animal Feeding Schedule*
May 1 to September 1 – Weather Permitting
| Goat Yard | 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (Participants need to purchase pellets) Note: The Goat Yard closes 30 minutes prior to Zoo closing. |
| Giraffes | 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. (Participants need to purchase tickets. Cancelled during Zoo a la Carte.) |
| Aquatic & Reptile Center | 2 p.m. Weekdays (Sharks or Flooded Forest Exhibit) |
| Small Mammals Building | 2:30 p.m. |
| Big Cat Country | 3 p.m. (Sign at building indicates the species) |
| Harbor Seal Exhibit | 3 p.m. |
*Note: Feeding times may vary.
Animals in Action
May 24 to September 1 – Weather Permitting
Admission: Free
Show Times:
Gorillas & Bonobos: 10:30 a.m. Daily at the Outdoor Gorilla and Bonobo Exhibit
Snakes & Spiders: 11 a.m. Weekends at the Aquatic & Reptile Theater
Bats: 11:45 a.m. Weekends at the Small Mammals Building
Elephants: 1:30 p.m. Daily at the Elephant Exhibit
Orangutans: 1:30 p.m. Daily at the Outdoor Orangutan Exhibit
Camels: 2:15 p.m. Daily at the Camel Exhibit or Camel Theater
Harbor Seals & Polar Bears: 3 p.m. Daily at the Harbor Seal Exhibit
Learn more about some of the Zoo's most popular animals at these presentations.
Animal Rides
May 24 to September 1 – Weather Permitting
Admission:
Adults and Children: $5
Enjoy a camel or pony ride during your visit.
See map for locations.
The Birds of Prey Show
May 24 to September 1 – Weather Permitting
Admission: Free
Show Times:
Daily: 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Join us at the Kohl's Wild Theater and enjoy soaring free flights with this amazing flock! (Located in the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm)
Carousel
Sponsored by Penzeys Spices
May 24 to September 1 – Weather Permitting
March/April and September/October - Check ride area for hours of operation
Admission:
Adults and Children: $2Show Times:
Daily: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.(ADA Accessible)
Ride on our carousel featuring a colorful menagerie.
Located across from the Train Station.
Special thanks to our Carousel sponsor:
MillerCoors Giraffe Experience
The MillerCoors Giraffe Experience includes a large outdoor giraffe enclosure, an indoor exhibit, and an outdoor raised deck that allows visitors to feed the giraffes (for a fee). During your 30-minute giraffe feeding experience, a zookeeper or Zoo Pride volunteer will be on hand to answer your questions and to make sure the giraffe is close enough to allow for feeding. (You will be in a group with other Zoo guests – see info below about feeding schedules and purchasing tickets).
Giraffe Feeding:
When:
May through August, two giraffe feedings are offered daily at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a fee.
*Weather permitting. Cancelled during Zoo a la Carte.March/April and September/October - Giraffe feedings DO NOT occur at set times and days during these months due to unsuitable weather. Upon arriving for your visit, stop at the Flamingo Gift Shop to inquire if feedings are taking place.
*The temperature must be above 50 degrees, and the weather conditions calm and dry for the feedings to take place.
Tickets:
Ages 4 through 12: $5 each (every two children must be accompanied by one paying adult)
Ages 13 and older: $10 eachToddlers, under age 4, are free but each toddler must be accompanied by a paying adult. A maximum of eight toddlers allowed per feeding.
Where/When to Purchase Tickets:
Purchase tickets, starting at 9 a.m., at the Flamingo Gift Shop. Tickets must be purchased the same day as feeding. All participants must be present at time of purchase. Limited availability, for each feeding session, tickets are first-come, first serve.
Kohl's Wild Theater
May 24 to September 1
Admission: Free
Show Times:
Daily: 10:15 a.m., Noon, 1:45 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
Treat the kids–and yourself–to new, fun wildlife theater at the Zoo! Professional performers use drama, songs, and puppetry to inspire visitors of all ages to learn and care more about our natural world. Catch four different 15-minute shows on the Kohl's Wild Theater stage in the farm this summer. (Daily show schedule posted at the theater entrance.) Watch for actors performing short skits and impromptu plays around the Zoo, too!
For more information, visit WildTheater.org.
Oceans of Fun Seal & Sea Lion Show
Sponsored by Anderson Seal, LLC
September – Weekends only; weather permitting (Noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.)
March/April – Check attraction area for hours of operation
Admission:
Adults and Children: $2.50
Show Times:
Daily: 10:30 a.m., Noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m.
California sea lions and harbor seals take the aquatic stage as they entertain and educate guests.
Special thanks to our Seal & Sea Lion Show sponsor:
Safari Train
Sponsored by North Shore Bank
May 24 to September 1 – Weather Permitting
March/April and September/October - Check ride area for hours of operation
Admission:
Adults: $2.50Show Times:
Children (ages 3 to 12): $1.50
Daily: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All aboard our legendary Zoofari Express.
Tickets available at the Train Station.
Special thanks to our Safari Train sponsor:
Sky Safari
Sponsored by PNC
May 24 to September 1 – Weather Permitting
March/April and September/October - Check ride area for hours of operation
Admission:
Adults and Children: $3
Hop on the Sky Safari to get a new view of the Zoo!
Begins at the South American Yard.
Special thanks to our Sky Safari sponsor:
SkyTrail® Ropes Course, Zip Line & SkyTykes Ropes Course
Sponsored by Tri City National Bank
May 24 to September 1 – Weather Permitting
September/October weekends only; March/April - Check ride area for hours of operation
Admission:
| Ropes Course: $10 | A high ropes course featuring 24 elements on three different levels. |
| Zip Line: $12 | A 500-foot adventure that provides a new Zoo view at tree-top level. |
| SkyTykes: $6 | A scaled-down version of the full-size course for kids less than 48” tall. |
(Zoological Society members with card receive a 10% discount.)
Daily: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Special thanks to our SkyTrail® Sponsor:
Zoomobile
Sponsored by U.S. Cellular®
May 24 to September 1 – Weather Permitting
March/April and September/October - Check ride area for hours of operation
Admission:
Adults: $3Show Times:
Children (ages 3 to 12): $2
Daily: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Learn about the Zoo on a 25-minute guided tour. Tickets available at the Zoomobile Ticket Booth near the main entrance.
Special thanks to our Zoomobile sponsor:
