Today's Hours
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Today at the Zoo
General admission
| Online Only |
• $13-18 / Adults 19 years - 61 |
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| At Gate |
• $18 / Adults 19 years - 61 |
Construction Updates
- The red panda and tiger habitats are being dramatically transformed to create an engaging new space for the animals and exciting experiences for guests. Learn more about the Holtzman Wildlife Foundation Red Panda Forest and the Devereaux Tiger Forest. The animals are not viewable during construction.
Things to Know
- We need your help to make Wild Lights the Best Zoo Lights! Click here, vote and share this link every day through December 10 (you can do so from multiple browsers and devices too!): https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-zoo-lights-2018/wild-lights-at-the-detroit-zoo-detroit/
- Now open: Buddy’s Pizza at the Detroit Zoo! This 5,200-square-foot restaurant is serving up its iconic Detroit-style square pizza, along with a variety of other menu items. It seats 163 guests and offers picturesque views of the Zoo’s historic Rackham Fountain from the dining room, an outdoor patio and a rooftop terrace that boasts the highest vantage point in the Zoo. Buddy’s will be open daily year-round from 11 a.m. until the Zoo closes.
- Detroit Zoo visitors may be able to catch a glimpse of little Jane in the Great Apes of Harambee. The baby chimpanzee (born July 14) may be challenging to spot but she’s often seen clinging to mom Abby or nestled in her arms. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as we continue to share photos and videos of this little cutie as she grows and explores her new world!
- Navigate the Zoo from the palm of your hand! Our new interactive mobile map system called Detroit Zoo Treks offers guided routes through the Zoo’s 125 acres. Choose among several timed treks, explore the Detroit Zoological Society’s long history of saving animals or maximize your step count with our Fitness Trek. 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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Zoo Attractions
Winter Rink
Open during Wild Lights
$7 with skate rental – $3 bring your own skates The Winter Rink is not made of ice, but of a synthetic plastic known as Glice – a material composed of heat-pressed layers of polymers – so no water or electricity is required for operation. Choosing environmentally friendly options is part of our Green Journey. […]
Science On A Sphere
Free with admission
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 […]
4-D Theater
Open during Wild Lights • Closed for season
Part of the Detroit Zoo’s Wild Adventure Zone, the 126-seat 4-D 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.
Simulator Ride
Closed for season
Part of the Detroit Zoo’s Wild Adventure Zone, the Simulator Ride allows you to feel the action. The 30-person cabin moves and shakes along with the movie. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Carousel
Open during Wild Lights • Closed for season
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.
Tauber Family Railroad
Closed for the season
The Tauber Family Railroad, which was established in 1931, serves nearly half a million passengers each year.
Rackham Fountain
A top photo opp!
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.
Korman Tadpole PlayVenture
Closed for season
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
Closed for season
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 […]
Giraffe Encounter
Closed for the season
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.
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Dining, Shops and Photos
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 plushes, 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.
Arctic Café
Open daily
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.
Starbucks
Open daily
The Detroit Zoo proudly serves Starbucks coffee! Start your day off with a latté or espresso and cool down in the afternoon with a specialty Frappaccino or iced coffee! Other Starbucks favorites are available including a variety of specialty Tazo Teas. Conveniently located inside the Arctic Café.
Buddy’s Pizza
Open daily at 11 a.m.
This 5,200-square-foot eatery is serving up a variety of its iconic Detroit-style square pizzas, along with gluten-free pizza, antipasto salad, Buddy Brew and other cold beverages. It seats 163 guests and offers picturesque views of the Zoo’s historic Rackham Fountain from the dining room, an outdoor patio and a rooftop terrace that boasts the highest […]
Safari Grill
Closed for the season
Similar to the Arctic Café, this location features gourmet Angus beef burgers, turkey burgers and veggie burgers. Safari Grill is located in the back of the Zoo across from the Africa Station.
American Coney Island
Closed for the season
A favorite with native Detroiters and visitors alike, the famous American Coney Island hot dog is now available at the Detroit Zoo! Located across from Rackham Fountain, the cafe serves favorites including chili cheese fries, gyros, and Greek salads as well as draft Michigan beer.
Pure Greens
Closed for the season
Pure Greens offers a 100 percent vegan menu. The eatery is located near the Arctic Café and Carousel.
Sweet Treats
Closed for the season
Cool down and satisfy your sweet tooth at this location with ice cream and Icees. Hand-poured funnel cakes are also available at this stand, located across from the bear dens at the west end of the Arctic Ring of Life.
Detroit Popcorn
Open during Wild Lights • Closed for the season
Located behind the National Amphibian Conservation Center near the playgrounds, this snack stop carries specialty popcorn from the local company of the same name, as well as ice-cold soft drinks, funnel fries and pretzel bites.
Dippin’ Dots
Closed for the season
Taste this flash-frozen ice cream sensation in four convenient locations: next to the Polk Penguin Conservation Center (Picnic Grove), across from the PlayVenture picnic site, next to the Arctic Outpost gift shop, and next to the Trading Post gift shop.
Prairie Farms Ice Cream
Closed for the season
This eatery features hand-dipped premium ice cream cones, milkshakes and floats.
Boardwalk Station
Closed for the season
Located along the main pathway between the river otters and the Holden Reptile Conservation Center, Boardwalk Station offers soft pretzels, bacon and cheese fries, soft-serve ice cream, floats 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
Google Maps
Bing Maps
Construction Updates
Avoid the dreaded orange barrel (Aurantiaco cupa horribilis) … get up-to-the-minute road construction and traffic updates from Mi Drive.
If you are traveling to the Zoo from the east, be advised that I-696 is closed from I-94 to I-75 until November 4, 2018.
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 to the Zoo from the east, be advised that I-696 is closed from I-94 to I-75 until November 4, 2018.
- I-696 is closed until November 4, 2018. If you are traveling from the east, take 12 Mile Road or 16 Mile Road to Woodward Avenue and head south.
- 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