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
- Birds of Prey Show
- Carousel
- Kohl’s Wild Theater
- MillerCoors Giraffe Experience
- Oceans of Fun Seal & Sea Lion Show
- Safari Train
- Sky Safari
- Sky Trail® Ropes Courses & Zip Line
- Zoomobile
Animal Feeding Schedule*
May 1 through September 1
| 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
Memorial Day through Labor Day – 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.
The Birds of Prey Show
Memorial Day through Labor Day – 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
April through October – Weather Permitting
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 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 information below about feeding schedules and purchasing tickets).
Giraffe Feeding:
When:
May through October, two giraffe feedings are offered daily at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
*Weather permitting. Giraffe feedings do not take place during Zoo A la Carte.
Tickets:
Ages 4-11: $5 each (every two children must be accompanied by one paying adult.)
Ages 12 and up: $5 each
Ages 3 and under: $5 with paying adult (one child per adult).
Where/when to purchase tickets:
Tickets go on sale for both feedings at 9:30 a.m. at the Giraffe Deck. Tickets must be purchased the same day as feeding. All participants must be present at time of purchase. There are a limited number of tickets sold per feeding, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Kohl's Wild Theater
Memorial Day through Labor Day
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
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
Memorial Day through Labor Day – Weather Permitting
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.
All aboard our legendary Zoofari Express.
Tickets available at the Train Station.
Special thanks to our Safari Train sponsor:
Sky Safari
Sponsored by PNC
April through October – Weather Permitting
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:
Sky Trail® Ropes Courses & Zip Line
Sponsored by Tri City National Bank
May 7 through September 5: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Weather Permitting
October: Weekends only
Admission:
| Zip Line: $15 | Soar 500 feet in the air for a tree-top level adventure! |
| Sky Trail® Ropes Course: $12 | Explore 4 stories of rope elements like zig zag beams, cargo nets and more. |
| Sky Tykes® Ropes Course: $6 | Kids less than 48 inches tall can experience a scaled-down version of the full-size course. |
Special thanks to our Sky Trail® Ropes Courses & Zip Line sponsor:
Zoomobile
Sponsored by Meijer
April through October – Weather Permitting
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:
