Today at the Zoo
General admission
| Online Only |
• $14-22 / Adults (19 years - 64) |
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| At Gate |
• $23 / Adults (19 years - 64) *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. |
Important Notice
Admission booths continue to have limited services. Those who are able to do so are strongly encouraged to purchase admission tickets in advance at https://detroitzoo.org/tickets/. Guests purchasing advance tickets online receive discounted admission.
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
- The Arctic Ring of Life (ARL) is open for guests to enjoy; however, the main entrance of the habitat is currently closed for construction. Polar bear and sea otter viewing will be possible by entering the ARL along the south and west sides of the habitat. Please follow the posted signs to locate the alternate entrances to the ARL, or ask a Detroit Zoological Society associate for assistance during your visit.
Things to Know
- 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.
- Face masks are encouraged indoors for the well-being of each other, staff and the animals who call the Detroit Zoo home.
- All outdoor areas of the Zoo are accessible with the exception of the prairie dog bubbles. Indoor areas are gradually reopening. The Detroit Zoo currently has one-third of its pre-pandemic volunteer base. More buildings within the Zoo will reopen as staffing allows.
- 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
NOW SHOWING IN THE 4D THEATER
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
The Tauber Family Railroad, which was established in 1931, serves nearly half a million passengers each year.
Carousel
In October, the Carousel is open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturdays and Sundays, the Carousel will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The attraction will reopen from 2 to 6 p.m. for our evening event, Zoo Boo.
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 from 10 a.m. to close (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 from 10 a.m. to close (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
The Rackham Fountain is shut off for the season.
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
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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Dining, Shops and Photos
Old World Snacks
Open weekends only from 11 a.m. to close (weather dependent)
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.
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 daily 10 a.m. to close
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 10 a.m. to close
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 (formerly Arctic Café)
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 11 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 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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.
Detroit-Style Coney Dogs
Open weekends only from 11 a.m. to close (weather dependent)
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.
Za’atar Mediterranean Street Food
Closed for the season
This Mediterranean style restaurant serves up salads, wraps and a delicious vegan grain bowl. Be sure to enjoy our shaded and relaxing patio located behind the carousel.
Mitten Market Snack Shop
Open weekends only from 11 a.m. to close (weather dependent)
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 from 11 a.m. to close (weather dependent)
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 from 11 a.m. to close (weather dependent)
Sure to satisfy your sweet tooth! Try our hard scoop ice cream, milkshakes or Sno-Cones. Located between on mall road next to the carousel.
Boardwalk Station
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (weather dependent)
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