Today at the Zoo
General admission
| $14 |
Adult 15+ years |
| $10 |
Child 2-14 years |
| FREE |
Child under 2 years |
|
+ Parking $7 per car |
Things to Know
- The Edward Mardigian Sr. River Otter Habitat is undergoing a renovation and expansion; the otters will not be viewable during construction.
- The Rainforest Immersion Gallery in the National Amphibian Conservation Center is closed for renovations. It is being converted into a new habitat for the Japanese giant salamanders.The animals – including the agouti, sting ray and turtles – have been moved to areas behind the scenes and will not be viewable to the public. Homer the sloth has been moved to a new home near the rhinos and snow monkeys. While construction is under way, the area beyond the gallery will be inaccessible (including the building’s exit), and visitors will be asked to exit through the entrance.
- The prairie dog habitat is currently closed and under construction.
- The Penguinarium is permanently closed. Visit the macaronis, rockhoppers, kings and gentoos in the Polk Penguin Conservation Center – now open!
- As part of our award-winning Greenprint initiative, the Detroit Zoo 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 20 filtered-water stations throughout the grounds. Additionally, the Zoo 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
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 daily
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
Open daily
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 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.
Tauber Family Railroad
Open daily (weather permitting)
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
Free with admission • Open April to October
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, relax in a giant bird nest, crawl through animal burrows and engage in imaginative […]
Rissman PlayVenture
Free with admission • Open April to October
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
Open Tuesday through Sunday (weather permitting)
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 Gift Shop
Open daily
Located near the exit of the Polk Penguin Conservation Center, the Drake Passage Gift Shop 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
Open daily
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.
Safari Grill
Open daily
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
Open daily
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
Open daily
Pure Greens offers a 100 percent vegan menu. The eatery is located near the Arctic Café and Carousel.
Sweet Treats
Open daily
Cool down and satisfy your sweet tooth at this location with ice cream, Icees, and Sno Cones. 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 daily
Located across from Rackham Fountain, 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
Open daily
Taste this flash-frozen ice cream sensation in four convenient locations: next to the Polk Penguin Conservation Center, across from the PlayVenture picnic site, next to the Arctic Outpost gift shop, and next to the Trading Post gift shop.
The Mitten Market
Open daily
Visit this kiosk near the Carousel to cool down with your favorite flavor of Treat Dreams hand-dipped ice cream or house-made milkshake! Grab a bag of fresh-popped popcorn or some cotton candy to snack on as you walk through the Zoo.
Boardwalk Station
Open daily
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
Open daily
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
Open daily
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.
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).- From the east and 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