Today's Hours
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Today at the Zoo
Today's Hours
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Spring/summer hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., open until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays in July and August
Hours / ScheduleGeneral admission
| Online Only |
• $13-19 / Adults (19 years - 64) |
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| At Gate |
• $19 / Adults (19 years - 64) |
Construction Updates
- The Polk Penguin Conservation Center is closed through mid-June 2020 for repairs. Learn more.
Things to Know
- Members are invited to enter the Detroit Zoo at 9 a.m., an hour before it opens to the general public, on weekends through March of 2020.
- Interested in viewing a seal meal, macaque snack, wildebeest feast or bear brunch? Click on the Zookeeper Talks link below for a schedule of otterly delightful opportunities to watch as our residents are offered nutritious, delicious food prepared in the Zoo’s commissary.
- 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. 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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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
Zoo Experiences
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.
4-D Theater
Closed for the Season - Reopens Spring 2020
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 the Season - Reopens Spring 2020
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
Closed for the Season - Reopens Spring 2020
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 - Back on Track May 2020
The Tauber Family Railroad, which was established in 1931, serves nearly half a million passengers each year.
Korman Tadpole PlayVenture
Free with admission
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
Free with admission
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
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.
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 […]
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Dining, Shops and Photos
The Trading Post
Closed for 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
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
Closed through mid-June 2020
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 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.
The Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co.
Open daily
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
Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am – Zoo 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 […]
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 during Wild Lights only
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 season
Pure Greens offers a 100 percent vegan menu. The eatery is located near the Arctic Café and Carousel.
Mitten Market Snack Shop
Closed for 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
Closed for season
Located behind the National Amphibian Conservation Center near the playgrounds, this snack stop carries specialty popcorn as well as ice-cold soft drinks, funnel fries, dippin’ dots and pretzel bites.
Dippin’ Dots
Closed for season
Taste this flash-frozen ice cream sensation in four convenient locations: next to the Polk Penguin Conservation Center (Picnic Grove), by the Rackham Fountain, next to the Arctic Outpost gift shop, and next to the snow monkey habitat.
Prairie Farms Sweet Treats
Closed for season
This eatery features hand-dipped premium ice cream cones, milkshakes and floats.
Boardwalk Station
Closed for 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 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 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