Today at the Zoo
Today's Hours
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Gates close at 4:30 p.m.
Fall/winter hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Hours / ScheduleGeneral admission
| Online Only |
• $14-23 / Adults (19 years - 64) |
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| At Gate |
• $25 / Adults (19 years - 64) *Buy early and save by purchasing your tickets in advance online. |
Support
Help the Detroit Zoological Society as we continue to care for and save wildlife. Get 100% of your yearly dose of Vitamin Z by purchasing a membership to the Detroit Zoological Society or please consider making a donation to support our mission. We are grateful for your support during this unprecedented time.
Health Updates
The Detroit Zoo is happy to welcome you back! There are a few safety guidelines and Zoo updates we would like you to review before your arrival. Learn More.
Construction Updates
- Construction along I-696 will lead to lane and ramp closures from I-275 to US-24. When visiting the Zoo, please plan your commute ahead of time and allow yourself extra driving time. For more information, visit Michigan.gov.
- The Wildlife Interpretive Gallery Rotunda and Butterfly Garden are currently closed for construction. The Matilda R. Wilson Free Flight Aviary remains open and can be accessed through the building’s south side entrance. Please follow the posted signage to find your way to the habitat. As a reminder, service animals are not permitted in the Matilda R. Wilson Free-Flight Aviary.
- Portions of main trail through the Zoo are closed as construction work is ongoing to improve infrastructure near the Holden Reptile Conservation Center. Please follow the posted signage and detours as you travel throughout the Zoo. All animal habitats will remain open and accessible during construction.
Things to Know
- Due to early morning events, the Detroit Zoo anticipates increased traffic and limited parking on the following dates:
Sunday, May 21 | Saturday, June 10 | Saturday, June 17 | Saturday, Sept. 23
To ensure all our guests can park and enjoy the Zoo, we offer extended parking at the Oakland Community College Parking Structure with shuttle service to and from the Zoo. Click here for offsite parking directions and information. - The Rackham Fountain Entrance will now open for daily operation beginning Monday, 4/10/23.
- Beginning Friday, April 7, the Grotto will be closed for the season.
- The Wildlife Interpretive Gallery Rotunda and Butterfly Garden are currently closed for construction. The Matilda R. Wilson Free Flight Aviary remains open and can be accessed through the building’s south side entrance. Please follow the posted signage to find your way to the habitat. As a reminder, service animals are not permitted in the Matilda R. Wilson Free-Flight Aviary.
- The Polk Penguin Conservation Center is open as of Feb. 14, 2022.
- All general admission guests are required to purchase their tickets in advance so that we can maintain capacity limits. Tickets can be purchased here.
- Member reservations are no longer required.
- Face masks are encouraged indoors for the well-being of each other, staff and the animals who call the Detroit Zoo home.
- Navigate the Zoo from the palm of your hand! Our interactive mobile map system called Detroit Zoo Treks offers guided routes through the Zoo’s 125 acres. Visit dzoo.org/treks before or during your next visit.
- As part of our award-winning Greenprint initiative, the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) no longer sells bottled water, a decision that is keeping 60,000 plastic bottles out of the waste stream annually. Visitors may bring their own water bottles or purchase inexpensive reusable bottles at Zoo concessions, which can be refilled for free at one of 21 filtered-water stations throughout the grounds. Additionally, the DZS no longer provides plastic bags for gift shop purchases; visitors are encouraged to bring their own bags or purchase wildlife-themed reusable bags at Zoofari Market, Arctic Outpost, Drake Passage Gifts or any of the souvenir stands.
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Taking The Bus?
SMART and the Detroit Zoo have a plan to make your trip quick, easy and affordable.
- From the north/south, take Routes 461/462 or 450/460.
- From the east/west, take Route 730 or 740 (Sundays only).
Did you know that using public transportation is one of the most effective actions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint? As a thank you for helping the environment by Zooming to the Zoo, you will receive $2 off of admission, free fountain drinks, and a free ride home. For more information, visit SMART’s Zoom to the Zoo page.
For more information on SMART public transportation, see SMART’s Trip Planner.
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Zoo Attractions
4D Theater
Open daily
Part of the Detroit Zoo’s Wild Adventure Zone, the 126-seat 4D Theater is the first and only theater of its kind at any Michigan zoo. Experience a variety of shows in the theater found inside the Ford Education Center.
Tauber Family Railroad
Open weekends only throughout May
The Tauber Family Railroad, which was established in 1931, serves nearly half a million passengers each year.
Carousel
Open daily
Located adjacent to the Arctic Café is the 36-foot custom-made, wood-and-brass Carousel, adorned with 33 brilliant hand-carved, hand-painted figures, including traditional carousel horses as well as a colorful collection of other mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, snakes, fish, seahorses, dinosaurs and an ADA-compliant peacock chariot.
Korman Tadpole PlayVenture
Open daily (weather dependent)
In a day and age when kids and families are spending more screen time than outdoor time, the Korman PlayVenture is an outdoor space your kids won’t be able to pass up! Kids will be able to climb through a spider web, crawl through animal burrows and engage in imaginative play throughout the area. Native flowers […]
Rissman PlayVenture
Open daily (weather dependent)
Parents, you can cut yourself a break and let your kids have some fun on our Rissman PlayVenture. Our landscape team has done a tremendous job of enhancing and adding to the play area by landscaping with native plants and installing log steppers, toad stools and climbing rocks for kids to play on. We want everyone […]
Rackham Fountain
Back in action soon
The historic and famed Horace H. Rackham Memorial Fountain, located in the center of the Zoo, was built in 1939 and dedicated to the first president of the Zoological Commission. The fountain features two 10-foot-tall bronze bears in a 75,000-gallon pool with life-sized sea lions, turtles and frogs and is one of the Zoo’s most-photographed attractions.
Zoo Experiences
Back in action soon
Public feeding opportunities are available at the Giraffe Encounter, an elevated viewing platform overlooking the giraffe habitat, bringing guests to eye level with the Detroit Zoo’s tallest creatures.
Science On A Sphere
Closed due to construction
Science On a Sphere is an amazing spherical display system that projects dynamic simulations of the Earth, its atmosphere, oceans and land. Simply put, it’s a global display system that uses computers and video projectors to display planetary data onto a 6-foot diameter sphere, analogous to a giant animated globe. It allows visitors to easily […]
Giraffe Encounter
Open for the season
Have an encounter like no other on an elevated viewing platform that overlooks the giraffe habitat and brings guests to eye level with the tallest creatures at the Zoo. Visitors have the opportunity to feed the giraffes, weather permitting, from late spring through early fall. The Giraffe Encounter is open 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. […]
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Dining, Shops and Photos
Old World Snacks
Open weekends only 11 a.m. to close
What’s made us unique since 1984 is not only in our recipe and technique, but in the Old World Bavarian-style roasters we’ve used from day one. Whether it’s sweet, salted or cinnamon-candied. We roast the finest almonds, cashews, peanuts and pecans.
Zoofari Market
Open daily
Take home your favorite animal! Zoofari Market has a wide variety of plush animals, many of which you will see during your visit. Located at the main entrance/exit of the Zoo, this shop also has a great selection of eco-friendly products, stylish apparel and popular souvenir keepsakes that will be the perfect reminder of your […]
Drake Passage Gifts
Open daily
Located near the exit of the Polk Penguin Conservation Center, Drake Passage Gifts offers a wide variety of penguin-themed plush, gifts, toys, T-shirts, books, coffee mugs and other treasures to commemorate your expedition to Antarctica at the Detroit Zoo!
Arctic Outpost
Closed for the season
Specializing in arctic-related gifts not found anywhere else in the Zoo, this newly expanded store offers many different souvenir gifts, toys and plush. Located at the exit of the Arctic Ring of Life.
Table 28
Open daily from 11 a.m. to close
This cafeteria-style restaurant is the first of its kind across the country in a zoo or aquarium setting that is Green Certified by the Green Restaurant Association, having earned distinction for its eco-friendly practices. An expansive menu includes deli salads and sandwiches, traditional grill favorites, pizza and vegetarian options.
Cup & Pint
Open weekends only from 10 a.m. to close
In partnership with Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company, part of Table 28 features espresso, hot coffee, draft cold & nitro brew coffee as well as local draft beer.
Buddy’s Pizza
Open daily 11 a.m. to close
The best place for Detroit-style pizza is where it was invented. Buddy’s Pizza offers pizza by the slice, 8-square pizzas, breadsticks, salads, desserts, craft beer and other cold beverages.
Wild Burger Detroit
Open weekends only 11 a.m. to close
This location features burgers, chicken tenders, snacks and cold beverages. Wild Burger Detroit is located in the back of the Zoo across from the Africa Train Station. Patio seating is available.
Coney Corner
Open weekends only 11 a.m. to close
Located across from Rackham Fountain, the restaurant serves Detroit-style chili dogs, chili-cheese fries, as well as draft Michigan beer. Be sure to sit in the shade at the new DTE Solar Pavilion located behind Detroit-Style Coney Dogs.
Mitten Market Snack Shop
Open weekends only 11 a.m. to close
Located between the Arctic Ring of Life and Grizzly Bears, this is the perfect location to cool down and quench your thirst with ICEEs or soft drinks. If you need a snack, we off soft pretzels and bear tracks (fried dough with cinnamon sugar).
Dippin’ Dots
Open weekends only 11 a.m. to close
Taste this flash-frozen ice cream sensation in 3 convenient locations: On the Rackham Fountain, near snow-monkeys and next to Arctic Outpost near the exit of the Arctic Ring of Life.
Cup and Cone
Open weekends only 11 a.m. to close
Sure to satisfy your sweet tooth! Try our hard scoop ice cream or milkshakes. Located on mall road next to the carousel.
Boardwalk Station
Open daily 10 a.m. to close
Located along the main pathway between the Edward S. Mardigian Sr. River Otter Habitat and the Holden Reptile Conservation Center, Boardwalk Station offers soft pretzels, bacon-and-cheese fries, ICEE’s and more.
Kaman’s Art Shoppes
Closed for the season
Kaman’s has various specialty carts throughout the Zoo that offer fun activities including face painting, caricatures, and photos. Located at the front gate, Rackham Fountain, and outside of the Polk Penguin Conservation Center.
Photographs
Closed for the season
Kaman’s Art Shoppes has photographers around the Zoo to take pictures of your group so you can focus on having fun. Visit their website to pick up your photos. You can also look for the photo booth just outside the entrance gates.
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Directions and Construction
Address
Detroit Zoo • 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Maps
Construction Updates
Avoid the dreaded orange barrel (Aurantiaco cupa horribilis) … get up-to-the-minute road construction and traffic updates from Mi Drive.
Directions
The Detroit Zoo is located at 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067, at the northwest corner of the intersection of Woodward Avenue and 10 Mile Road (I-696).
- If you are traveling from the east, take I-696 to Exit 16 for Woodward Avenue, Main Street and the Detroit Zoo.
- From the west, take I-696 to Exit 16 for Woodward Avenue, Main Street and the Detroit Zoo
- From I-75 north or south, take Exit 61 to I-696 west; follow I-696 west to Exit 16
- The Zoo is entered from either Woodward Avenue or 10 Mile Road; just look for the Detroit Zoo Water Tower