Today at the Zoo

Today's Hours

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Spring/summer hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Hours / Schedule

General admission

Online Only	• $14-19 / Adults (19 years - 64) • $10-15 / Children (2 - 18) / Seniors (65+) / Active military with ID • Parking / $8 All guests ages 2 and up are required to have a reservation prior to their visit.
At Gate	• $19 / Adults (19 years - 64) • $15 / Children (2 - 18) / Seniors (65+) / Active military with ID • Parking / $8 *A limited number of general admission tickets will be available at the gate each day. The best way to guarantee your Detroit Zoo visit is to book your visit in advance online.

Plan Your Visit

• 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.

• Zookeeper Talks and Animal Feeds

  Zookeeper talks are temporarily unavailable.

  BLACK – ZOOKEEPER TALKS
  BLUE – FEEDING/ENRICHMENT  

• Zoo 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.

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  4-D Theater

  Back in action soon

  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.

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  Simulator Ride

  Back in action soon

  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!

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  Carousel

  Back in action soon

  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.

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  Tauber Family Railroad

  Back in action soon

  The Tauber Family Railroad, which was established in 1931, serves nearly half a million passengers each year.

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  Korman Tadpole PlayVenture

  Back in action soon

  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 […]

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  Rissman PlayVenture

  Back in action soon

  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 […]

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  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.

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  Science On A Sphere

  Back in action soon

  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 […]

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• Frequently Asked Questions

  Do I need a reservation to visit the Detroit Zoo?

  Yes, all visitors (ages 2 and up) are required to have a reservation prior to their visit in order for us to maintain capacity limits within the Detroit Zoo.

  Book Reservations

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  Does purchasing a membership automatically guarantee me a specific reservation at the Detroit Zoo?

  Temporarily, due to the pandemic and capacity limits within the Detroit Zoo, purchasing a membership does not guarantee you will be able to select any time and date slot to visit. While you may see openings for general admission tickets, that may not necessarily mean membership slots are available for those same dates and times. General admission tickets are available in order to give people who may not be able to afford a membership a chance to visit. However, we continue to open up date and time slots for members each day.

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  Why are there general ticket slots available?

  General ticket admission is currently available because we don’t want to exclude anyone from visiting who may not be able to afford a DZS membership. Each day, we open up more date and time slots for members. You will be able to visit your Detroit Zoo, we just ask that you check detroitzoo.org/reservations often.

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  If I’m a member, can I book more than one reservation at a time?

  Currently, we’re asking members to only make a reservation once every two weeks in order to give other members the chance to visit.

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  Can I make a reservation in person?

  All guests are required to make an advance reservation prior to their visit. If you need reservation assistance, please contact us at info@dzs.org or call 248-541-5717. Please be advised we are experiencing high traffic on our reservation site and through our call center. Please try again if you have issues. Thank you for your patience as we do our best to support all of our members and guests. A limited number of general admission tickets will also be available at the gate each day with pricing of $15 per child or senior, and $19 per adult. The best way to guarantee your Detroit Zoo visit is to book your visit in advance online.

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  Do I have to show up for my selected time and date slot?

  Please only make a reservation for a day and time you are planning to come. Unfortunately, we have a high percentage of members who are not showing up for their reservations, which is preventing other members from visiting.
  Visitors purchasing general admission tickets will be required to pay a change fee per ticket to visit the Zoo on a different date.

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  How do I cancel my reservation?

  Members can fill out the form here or email info@dzs.org to cancel reservations. Please provide your order confirmation number.

  All ticket purchases are non-refundable. Visitors purchasing general admission tickets will be required to pay a change fee per ticket to visit the Zoo on a different date.

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  Can I enter through the member-only entrance?

  Due to the pandemic, the members-only entrance at Rackham Fountain is temporarily closed. All guests must enter through the main admission gates at the front of the Zoo.

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  When will the rides and attractions be open?

  At this time all rides and attractions are temporarily closed and will reopen in phases. Check detroitzoo.org/health for updates.

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  What are the dining and gift options available?

  Buddy’s Pizza is open with outdoor seating allowing for physical distancing of at least 10 feet between groups. Walkup food locations: Pure Greens, Boardwalk Station, Dippin’ Dots and Cup & Cone, is also open. The Zoofari Market is closed, but there are outdoor kiosk carts for merchandise, and online ordering is also available. Credit or debit cards are strongly preferred as means of payment to reduce transmission risk of handling cash.

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  Is the Giraffe Encounter open?

  For the safety of our animals, the Giraffe Encounter is temporarily unavailable.

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  Will convenience rentals be available?

  Currently, convenience rentals are unavailable due to the public health crisis.

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  Do I have to wear a face mask when I visit?

  -Masks are in this year. Wear yours.

  • We all have a shared responsibility to keep guests, volunteers, staff and the animals who live here safe. Guests who do not comply with the Detroit Zoo’s policies may be escorted from the Zoo.
  • Unless otherwise prevented by a medical condition, the Detroit Zoological Society requires that all guests 5 and older wear a mask at all times while at the Zoo, including inside Zoo buildings and restrooms, and when less than six feet from other guests, staff and volunteers – especially when passing others on the pathways throughout the Zoo.
  • Face masks must fit properly and securely cover your mouth and nose. Face masks with vents or valves are not permitted as they do not help prevent the spread of the virus, according to the CDC. Face shields are not accepted as substitutes for masks, but they may be worn as an added layer of protection.
  • Face masks are for sale at the Detroit Zoo’s Zoofari Market.
  • Guests may temporarily remove their masks when they are more than six feet from others not in their party, and when eating and drinking.
  • As individuals infected with Covid can often be “asymptomatic” and still spread the virus, we encourage individuals who cannot wear a mask to rethink their Zoo visit.
  • In order to protect other guests, staff and volunteers, guests who cannot wear a mask should minimize their time in indoor spaces, and must maintain at least six feet from other guests, staff and volunteers while outdoors.
  • Enjoy our weekly Zooper Hero posts on the Detroit Zoo’s Facebook page featuring guests of all ages sporting their masks. Share your picture with us from your last visit to the Zoo for a chance to be featured!

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  Where can I find your full list of safety guidelines?

  You can read the current safety guidelines at detroitzoo.org/health. We are updating the page often.

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  Can I find out which habitats are open prior to my visit?

  Yes, check out Zoo Treks to find out which habitats and indoor areas are currently open.

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  Why aren’t visitors allowed to feed the animals?

  Visitors are strictly prohibited from feeding any animal at the Detroit Zoo. Animals have specialized and nutritionally balanced diets, and throwing food and other objects into habitats risks their health and safety. Guests who violate this rule will be escorted from the Zoo.

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  Is the Polk Penguin Conservation Center temporarily closing for repairs?

  The Polk Penguin Conservation Center is expected to reopen in fall 2020.

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  Can I bring my own food/picnic?

  Yes, you can bring in your own food, non-alcoholic beverages and cooler. Grilling on Zoo grounds is prohibited. We have a large number of picnic tables throughout the Zoo for guest use, some of which are under tents. Feel free to sit at any that are not reserved.

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  Can I bring my dog/pet?

  For the safety of your pet and our animals, pets are not allowed on Zoo grounds.

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  Are you open during certain holidays or in the winter?

  The Detroit Zoo is open 362 days a year; we are only closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Starting in October we switch to our winter hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

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  I would like to have an event at the Zoo. How do I get information?

  We offer a large variety of unique opportunities for private events. Please visit here for more information.

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  Can I rent an animal? Can I touch an animal?

  Zoo animals are cared for by specially trained keepers who, in most cases, do not come in direct contact with them. So while it isn’t possible for anyone to pet a Zoo animal or volunteer to work with them, we do have a couple of suggestions. Also, our WildLife Preserver’s “Adopt-an-Animal” program allows you to make a donation in someone’s name. It is a symbolic adoption – the donation will be used for the care of that animal – and he or she will receive a certificate and information about the animal they love.

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  How long does it take to walk around the Zoo? How far is it?

  The Zoo is 125 acres. If you walk all the primary pathways on the main route, it is a 1.7-mile trip. Adding in smaller paths increases your distance.

• Dining, Shops and Photos
  

  Detroit Zoo Online Store

  Open 24/7 online

  If you are looking to bring a piece of the Zoo to you, the Zoofari Market has gone digital! Explore our online shop to find a great selection of eco-friendly products, stylish apparel and unique souvenir keepsakes.

  

  The Trading Post

  Closed for the season

  Located across from the rhino habitat, the Trading Post offers a wide product line that features fair trade and eco-friendly products from around the world as well as from Michigan.

  

  Zoofari Market

  Open with limited service

  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 […]

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  Drake Passage Gifts

  Closed for the season

  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

  Closed until further notice

  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.

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  The Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co.

  Closed until further notice

  The Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co. is now brewing inside the Detroit Zoo. In addition to their signature espresso drinks, the coffee company is introducing its frozen cappuccino, the Polar Cap. This Detroit Zoo exclusive is brewed fresh and available for purchase in 12-oz. bags.

  

  Buddy’s Pizza

  Open 11am to close

  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 […]

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  Wild Burger Detroit

  Closed for season

  Similar to the Arctic Café, this location features gourmet Angus beef burgers, turkey burgers and veggie burgers. Wild Burger Detroit is located in the back of the Zoo across from the Africa Train Station.

  

  American Coney Island

  Open 10:30am - 2pm

  This favorite with native Detroiters and visitors alike is located across from Rackham Fountain. The café serves chili cheese fries, as well as draft Michigan beer.

  

  Pure Greens

  Closed for the season

  The eatery is located near the Arctic Café and Carousel. Now serving pretzels, craft beer and snacks.  

  

  Mitten Market Snack Shop

  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.  

  

  Dippin’ Dots

  Weekends only

  Taste this flash-frozen ice cream sensation in 2 convenient locations: Boardwalk Station and next to the Arctic Outpost gift shop.

  

  Cup and Cone

  Open 9am to 3pm

  Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co. coffee, Espresso, and specialty lattes. For the sweet tooth try our hard scoop ice cream. If you can’t decide try a Polar Cap, ice cream and cold Brew coffee blended to together.

  

  Boardwalk Station

  Open 10am - 4pm

  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, 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

  Available

  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.  

• Directions and Construction

  Address

  Detroit Zoo • 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48067

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  Maps

  Google Maps
  Bing Maps

  Google Maps
  Bing Maps

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  Construction Updates

  Avoid the dreaded orange barrel (Aurantiaco cupa horribilis) … get up-to-the-minute road construction and traffic updates from Mi Drive.

  Mi Drive

  Avoid the dreaded orange barrel (Aurantiaco cupa horribilis) … get up-to-the-minute road construction and traffic updates from Mi Drive.

  Mi Drive

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  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

  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
• Stay Connected

  Sign up to receive This Month at the Zoo!

  The Detroit Zoological Society’s monthly newsletter keeps you up to date on what’s new and exciting at the Detroit Zoo!
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