What a great place to spend a day! There's so much to see with the large variety of animals from the land to the oceans as well as an option to interact with several too, for example the dolphins, the birds, the sting rays and small sharks or the giraffes . I love the Indianapolis zoo! They are always adding cool features so I look forward to going every single time! There's a nice gift shop and places to eat. Plus who wouldn't want to see the beautiful gardens and the butterflies? Then to have the opportunity to experience other close by attractions is so convenient! We went today and it was such a lovely day with sunshine and the animals were out and were boca and playing. read more

The zoo is set up really well! It is not the best zoo I have ever been but it offers a lot! For example, I have been able to pet elephants, feed giraffes, and "hug" dolphins during my time at the Indy zoo! I will say that as a mid 20 year old, I get through the zoo pretty quick. I can see how if you have kids it may take longer but it's definitely not huge. I felt like it was reasonably priced for what you get! The extra activities do cost a little extra but they are worth it. When I went previously I think it only cost $2-$3 to feed the giraffes and I think it was $15 for the dolphin "hug"! read more

We had a great time at the zoo! We live in Milwaukee and go to that zoo all the time and this one lived up to what we expected and more. We walked in and immediately were wowed at the Macaws flying over us to their trainer. It was super neat. There is tons to do, lots of rides, and tons of family fun. The way they have their displays are very interactive. The place is very clean, and just a great full day experience. We will be back. read more

What a lovely mid sized zoo. Plenty of parking. Excellent exhibits. Elephants, big cats, birds, otters, snakes ... My favorite is the dolphin tank. Love the conservation stories that efforts that the staff will happily chat with you about. Recently saw the sloths on their special exhibit, and you can get within about 3 feet of them! #ReviewsByRL read more

Indianapolis Zoo - Indianapolis Zoo #ReviewsByRL - Zoos Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Wow! Absolutely worth the nearly $33 price of admission. It's a zoo, aquarium and botanical garden. They have several shows included in the price: Macaus, Dolphin, etc. Two of my favorite attractions were the bird houses where the birds were free to come and land on your shoulder. So cool. And the dolphin show was very good too. They have a huge Pinguin section, and their aquarium is quite nice. There are a few rides too: train, roller coaster, and arial gondolas. But it is the layout of the park that is truly fantastic. There is plenty of shaded seating, almost all the walkways are through lush greenery, and there are plenty of places to grab refreshments and take a rest. I think they did a good job of making the zoo accessible for seniors and those with disabilities, so it is easy to take along loved ones who might face challenges at other attractions. You could easily spend the entire day there with the family, so it is an excellent deal for the price. I am not a big fan of zoos, but I really liked this one. The display areas seemed very "natural", and it was one of the few zoos I have been too where the animals didn't seem like they were ready to commit suicide. Tip: If you are planning to visit any of the museums and the zoo, look at online for the Indy Pass. You can get into the zoo and several museums for around $50 for an adult, an excellent bargain. read more

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In the past, I've really enjoyed the Indianapolis Zoo. We have purchased a yearly membership for the past 10 years or so, and have been pleased with that... However, it seems that, as with many businesses, Covid times have been an excuse for businesses to offer less services, while charging even more money. Not only did they not give any sort of compensation for the almost full year membership we were unable to use due to Covid , but they have also shuttered many of the vendors and concessions within the park, meaning that more people are vying for very few facilities. Their Covid "safety" measures all seem like a lot of security theatre (and this is coming from someone who has taken the virus very seriously and has religiously worn masks and socially distanced from the beginning). In fact, the queues to enter exhibits along with directional restrictions seemed to actually lead to increased congestion, which made social distancing even more difficult. There's also zero mask enforcement, despite signs posting that masks are required in certain areas. They are presently operating on a timed entry system, which also seems to add to the problem... because people are basically entering as massive groups. Finally, while they claim to be limiting capacity, you'd never guess that based on how packed it was! You even had to wait in a 75 person line to exit through the gift shop. Overall, even without my Covid concerns, I feel like the zoo continues to raise prices, but hasn't added substantially in value. read more

Our zoo membership has revolutionized my life. My two year old is obsessed with fish and all marine life - so it is so nice to be able to drive 30 minutes and walk around looking at all the fish. My son is happy and I'm happy he's happy. The dolphin exhibit and snakes are also a huge hit with him. Meanwhile, I love the aviaries and the forest area. This is definitely a nice zoo with something for everyone. If you live in the Indy area, and think you might come to the zoo more than once in a year - I definitely recommend a membership. We got the one that includes our family plus 2 other guests for $230. Since getting it four weeks ago, I have come four times - and with a different friend/family member ever time. So, all that to say, the membership has definitely been a great value for us. I can imagine that if my son was older, it might get old going to the zoo every week - but right now it's a hit and I'm just so grateful for it. read more

Went to the Zoobilation event last night and it was absolutely a good time. There's so many restaurants to choose from and it's all you can drink and eat. I kept hurting myself with the st Elmo shrimp cocktail before cooling off ans getting ready to be hurt again. The animals were all still out while the sun was up. When the sun went down, the concerts were awesome. There's something for everyone at this one if a kind event. read more

Love the exhibits and the attention needed for endangered species but the bathrooms had no soap and very filthy . Afraid of the kids need to go :-( read more

We go to a lot of zoos when we travel. I especially like the Indianapolis Zoo because it has unique enclosures, walkability from downtown, and a nice assortment of animal species. The orangutans enclosure at this zoo is probably the best enclosure I have seen for this species. Very big and unique, it allows the animals to venture outside and inside and has many neat interactions that people can watch and partake in. There is even a 150 foot beacon that the animals light each night. Another cool enclosure is the dolphin tank. There is a large circular enclosure in the pool that gives you a really cool view of the dolphins at play and swimming around, it is very cool to see and allows you to get very close to these animals. The zoo has other big ticket animals such as lions, rhinos, and elephants and an assortment of other critters scattered throughout the park. Since you can walk to the zoo from downtown, it is very easy to get to when you are staying in Indianapolis. The walk to the zoo follows the river and is a really enjoyable walk. The price for the zoo is pretty standard and you get to see a lot for what you pay for. They also do fun events in the season including Zoo Boo which my kids love to participate in. If you are looking to spend an afternoon outside, this is a great place to spend some time with the family. read more

Spent today with two of my friends. What an incredible place! While not overly large, the set up of the zoo offers a full day of experiences and fun. There are activities for both kids and kids at heart. Highlights were the walrus exhibit, the gibbon exhibit (new baby!), giraffe exhibit (another baby!), and the macaw/bird show. The focus of this zoo is clearly on preservation/conservation and it is supported ay every level. The kindest and most knowledgeable staff as well. Absolutely worth the trip! read more

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Kind of pricey when you consider the price to park, admission, and food/drinks. Do to them keeping things the same, I wouldn't say this would be somewhere I would visit often. Seems silly to pay that much to keep seeing the same thing every so often. The zoo was clean. There was only one exhibit where it had signage saying the animals were unavailable. I do like that they have times set up for certain animals where you can meet the animal & trainer. We did some of those, although its somewhat difficult when the exhibits are spread out. Being here, reminded me of some childhood memories, but as an adult I wasn't 'wowed'. Especially for the cost for a couple. Sad to see they no longer have polar bears tip: buy tickets online before coming (you can do so same day) it will save you money. Also their prices change daily so keep that in mind when choosing a day to visit. read more

Great flow through the exhibits, easy to get around, fairly flat terrain overall. The Ocean and Dolphin exhibits are wonderful. The Desert was a fun and has some fascinating animals and plants. The Plains were interesting, the male ostrich was being honery. The Gondola lift is a short ride, but it provides some great views. The Lorikeet and Budgie encounters are fun, the birds were very interactive. read more

Clean and kept updated. Easy to bring stroller around the areas. We loved the orangutans and the dolphin show! We also enjoyed feeding a giraffe and seeing a elephant perform some cool tricks with the trainers. Buying tickets and parking was easy in advance. We will be back. read more

Indianapolis Zoo - Orangutan cuddles - Zoos Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

We went to the zoo during Zoo Boo. It was so much fun watching the kids running around in their costumes picking up candy at each stop. There were so many places for photo opportunities. There is a Pumpkin Town with spooky building you can have fun in. You can bowl with pumpkins and knock down big candy corn. Also a magician. Can't wait till next year when the new monkey exhibit opens. Our zoo is amazing with so many animals and fun things to do. read more

I have been attending the indy zoo since it opened in 1988. My wife an I love it so much that we have been members for 7 or 8 years. First off, it is not so big that a visit feels overwhelming. You can enjoy a nice day at the zoo in about 4 hours if you take your time, but the quality of that 4 hours will be great. The exhibits all have great viewing from multiple angles and the environments the animals are in look roomy and comfortable. The zoo as a whole looks clean and well maintained and a visit feels more like a walk in the park than a trip downtown. The improvements they have made for the tigers and the new orangutan area are fantastic. They allow some up close and personal interactions with the inhabitants. The zoo puts in some great events every yet. My family always takes part in the zoo boo for Halloween and the Christmas at the zoo event. They decorations and atmosphere during those events are always a joy. I recommend a visit here. With or without kids in tow it will be a really good experience. read more

This zoo is beautiful, don't get me wrong. We have been coming here for years, and each year it has gotten better and better. And while there are a lot of pros, there are some cons, too. The exhibits: The animal enclosures vary depending on the animal. The lion's was spacious, so was the giraffe's. Lots of the animals enclosures were based off of where they live in real life, which was very cool to see. The zoo has recently added a new exhibit about sloths and it is very cool. They also upgraded the snake exhibit. The animals: The zoo has a very wide range of animals, from sloths to walruses. Speaking of walruses, I have to, just have to, talk about the walrus. It's enclosure was very tiny, and it kept smacking the glass and squealing like it wanted to be freed from its very small home, and wanting attention. One of the glass walls surrounding the walrus was broken, and was being repaired. That made me sad, and I feel like the walrus is one of the least viewed animals here since it's exhibit is tucked away. (The walrus is near the aquarium and the macaques, in the blue building.) But all of the other animals seem to be in good condition. Misc: The zoo must have changed its policy since our last visit (Christmas At the Zoo), because after their 5:00 closing, you are allowed to still view the animals for one hour. So it very much surprised us when we were there at 5:15 they closed their bathrooms and their gates to the zoo. By then employees were telling us another exit to the zoo since the gates were closed. Usually the gates are open until at least 5:50. Very nice zoo, though cons. read more

Spent a fun afternoon walking around the zoo. It's well marked and lays out easy, though the construction kind of screws things up at the moment. You'll find the usual animals around here: lions, cheetahs, rhinos, elephants, zebra, wild dogs (which I totally dig as the best hunters) and a large aviary. There was a tiny elephant and I geeked out at the cheetah that was resting on it's hill that overlooked the surrounding area. It was crowded the day we went, like most zoos are. No problem though. Saw what we needed to and were on our way. Go early to avoid crowds and see the animals that hide away from the afternoon heat. read more

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Probably one of the worst zoos that our family has been to. Lack of shuttles from parking had us walking 1.3 miles to the park. Luckily shuttles were available at the end. A lot of zoo exhibits were closed for building/renovating. Fewer big elephants than many other zoos. The entrance fee was high ($121 for 3 military adults and 1 child) and once you got in every excursion then cost more money. There were long lines for food, but the food was good and cheap. Save your money and go to St Louis zoo or anywhere else. I live in Indy, but this one is a miss. read more

Okay Zoo, but the animal enclosures were small. The male walrus seemed especially unhappy, crying out for more room. I will not be returning. You should expect more from a city the size of Indianapolis. Parking was $8.00 and admission for one was $28.00. read more

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I am not a fan of the zoo anywhere, with that being said this zoo was amazing. It was like an all inclusive child wonderland. I was able to see all the animals from the Lion King (LOL). The aquarium which is inside the zoo was cute and the dolphin show is everything especially if you love dolphins! The food prices are not great, but are they ever at places like this. The zoo is very interactive. read more

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Zoos seem to be very divisive. We've been coming to the Indy zoo for nearly 15 years, and now that we live in the greater Indianapolis area, we bought an annual membership, which (I believe) has easily paid for itself. The times we enjoy the most tend to be around the holidays. Halloween is a guaranteed visit, and the decorations never disappoint. And, they really go all-out at Christmas, with all of the lights and winter-themed decoration. Here's the deal: When it comes to the zoo, people either "get it", or they don't. Yes, it's expensive, and yes, the food and drinks inside are over priced. Isn't that pretty much a fact of live these days? You go there to see and interact with animals, and to spend quality time with family. For that purpose, the Indy Zoo fits the bill. read more

This is my COVID update; pleas also see my previous review! They just reopened with limited capacity, and you have to reserve tickets with a specific 30 min entry window online ahead of time. We opted for the earliest time available, 9AM on a drizzly Sunday, hoping the crowds would be minimal and this did seem to work as planned! We headed for the far end of the zoo to not be with the others entering at 9 who all went for the sea lions first. It was quiet and we had no trouble keeping distance from others. There are signs encouraging social distancing, but mask use among patrons was maybe around 25%, and there didn't seem to be any efforts to try to boost this (eg no signs encouraging it, no disposable masks available and I didn't even see any cute zoo branded masks for sale). Masks are not even required in buildings so we did not go in any of those. I so wish they'd at least require masks inside the buildings. We are not out of the woods with COVID yet! Staff are required to wear masks to protect patrons, and I wish they were offered the same protection in return. The animals were active on a cool, overcast day, and it sure was nice to see them again. read more

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I've visited the zoo quite a few times (read: my family had a membership when I was a youngster, so we frequented the zoo). The Indy Zoo is a great facility that also sits adjacent to the White River botanical gardens. Things I love: shark touch pool, underwater dolphin exhibit, the new orangutan center, and the layout of the zoo. Provides for a day of entertainment for all! Things I don't love: the new pricing system (tix cost more $$ on higher traffic days & weekends), lack of diversity of animals (no pandas? c'mon, they're cute) and the overall commercialization of the zoo. Perhaps it's because I visited the zoo so much as a kid and it's changed in recent years. The train ride isn't as exciting and you don't see as much, and there are kiosks and food stations everywhere selling you something. I understand it's an experience, but I'd like more animals and less retail, please :) read more

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Great place. Good social distancing procedures in place. Early morning visits will probably be the best if you are wanting to beat the crowds. Only major concessions open and available for purchases during morning hours. I'm not sure if that applies throughout the day. read more

Indianapolis Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

This place is really entertaining we had a lot of fun. However the canned drinks where not cold. They are taking precautions during covid by allowing limited numbers of people into the inside exhibits. read more

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$20 for an adult and no student discount. The zoo is pretty sizable and has a number of interesting animals. Cheetah, tiger, grizzly bear, lion (many!), orangutan, otter, penguin, walrus, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and many more. The dolphin presentation (8-9 dolphins!) was by far my favorite. Don't miss this! The dolphin trainers also dressed up for halloween which was cute. Erica (our MC) and her dolphin did an amazing job. You can sit in front in the splash zone if you wanna get wet. The presentation is included in the general admission. read more

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Visited while in Indy for a work trip! Easily one of the best I've been to. Saw everything in 2 hours since that was my limit but I could have spent more time. The employees are very knowledgeable about the animals they work with. Many of the exhibits are set up so you can get very close to the animals. It's both a zoo and an aquarium, they have nearly every animal you could think of. They also have a roller coaster for kids that even looked fun to me. read more

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I went here for the first time for the Winter Lights and everything exceeded my expectations. Not only were the lights beautiful, and the animal shaped lights were so creative, but the zoo itself does a wonderful job. They have so many different types of animals I haven't seen at Brookfield zoo or Lincoln park zoo in Chicago. My favorite was the ocean building because there were so many dolphins and penguins you could get so close to. I also adored Rocky, the funny and smart orangutan. Not only that, but the staff was so well versed in all information about the zoo. They frequently came up to my group to tell us about the exhibits and animals. They were friendly and clearly passionate about the animals and their health/safety. I absolutely plan on returning in the day time to see more of the animals when they're awake. The zoo does a fantastic job of informing people about how they take care of the animals who are endangered, which I appreciated. read more

Indianapolis Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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We are members of the zoo, and I feel like the price of membership is worth it because you get access to the White River Gardens as well, which is a separate structure that sits off to the right of the zoo. Between the zoo and the gardens, you really can spend all day here. Or, like me, you can come for an hour or two and just hit up a few specific places. It's fun to visit the zoo during the winter because there are fewer people there, fewer crowds. It's nice to walk around and see whatever animals are out in the cold air, then pop into the few indoor exhibits and warm up (like the orangutang area). I especially like the desert area because it's nice and hot and humid in there, which isn't interesting in the summer, but it is a nice respite from the bitter cold during the winter. The desert area is also fun to hang out in and just be still. If you're still and watchful, you'll notice lots of different creatures moving about, like lizards and birds, that you probably wouldn't have seen if you walk through the exhibit. I have to say: Thank goodness they have a playground here. I don't know about your children, but mine can only look at animals for so long before they have to do something "fun." So yes, there is a playground here. It's right outside of the cafe area. During the summer, there is also a splash pad, so bring your swimsuits. Another fun thing to do: In the African animals exhibit, there are a group of boulders that attract kids like flies. Every child that I see MUST climb on them, and jump from them, and play hide-and-seek behind them. I don't think those boulders were placed there to be played on, but nobody says NOT to play on them, and there are no signs that say as such, either, so kids climb, jump and play as kids are wont to do. There is also a train that you can ride, and it'll take you for a behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo. It costs extra, though. Regarding food: This is definitely NOT a dining destination. You are not missing out on anything if you bring your own lunch. I've ordered food here twice (a cheeseburger and tater tots, and a sandwich), and each time I'm like, "Why am I eating this?" But when you're hungry, sometimes you'll eat anything. read more

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I have to say that the Indianapolis Zoo has really stepped up their game! I just went to Christmas at the Zoo and it was amazing! I went a couple years ago and remember being a little disappointed in the presentation. I went into this thinking it was going to be the same but when i walked in and saw the new pavilion all lite with lights and decorations, I was so happy! I got to take a picture with Santa and my whole class which added to the fun. An extra perk that I didn't remember was seeing Mrs. Santa Clause! She was so adorable and sweet with her many accessories and played the part so well. The hot chocolate was the perfect amount of sweetness and chocolate! A lovely touch was being able to add your own personal syrups and sprinkles! Over all, it was so good to see the zoo adding more amazing features to make the experience worth our wild! read more

Indianapolis Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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As far as zoo's in general are concerned, this zoo is probably somewhere lost in the middle. I grew up in a city with one of the best zoos in the US. Then I spent a few years in St Louis where our zoo was free and amazon. This zoo (although it has improved over the past few years) isn't really worth what they charge. $8 to park and almost $19 a person? Then you get charged left and right to do anything once inside. Since I am a monkey lover myself I will say I was (and still am) impressed with their habitats. You are able to get up close and interact with them. Love them so much! Tonight we visited the lights which are the same every year it seems but still pretty to look at. My daughter had fun in the "town" area with Santa's workshop. She loves the mirror house! read more

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We love this zoo. The animals are very close the layout is easy to walk with families and young children. The zoo was exceptionally clean the staff was friendly we enjoyed a great day. read more

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This is the perfect size zoo! Not too big, not too small. They just introduced sloths and a new exhibit for snakes. The sloths are adorable and they get to decide if they want to be out or not which is very neat. I fed one of the giraffes while I was there which was also very fun (super great for kids). Personally, I love all the big cats and the otters, but whatever your favorite animal is it will probably be represented here. read more

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==Service: 5 Star== when you buy a ticket on the ticket booth, you can ask them for an information. The staff there are very nice. It feels that they are willing to help you. This staff characteristic shows that they have good customer service. ==Food: 4 Star== I believe the food was good, and the cost is about normal as going outside and eat. ==Atmosphere: 4 Star== Typical normal zoo, nothing fancy nothing to get excited about. ==Cleanliness: 4 Star== Zoo cleanliness is hard to maintain but so far it is clean. ==Cost: 3 Star== 25 Dollars entrance fee. I believe that is too much, but it is worth it. You can really see the animals close up. Which is better than other zoo, where you can only see the animals in a distance. Food is affordable. Note: This is my opinion and it does not affect others. You may agree or disagree, it is not my responsible for your actions if any circumstances occur. Thank You. read more

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What's not to love about this zoo? While tickets are expensive , it is completely privately supported and very clean and well maintained. They make the experience as user friendly as possible, starting with their website. Few websites I have seen provide as much information in an easily accessible way. Before we even left the house, I knew exactly where I wanted to go, how much we would spend, what special events to attend, and the fact that you could bring in refillable water bottles. Once inside, they give you a map of the zoo and a list of all the free feedings and events. Penguin feeding, alright. Dog training, ok. Komodo Dragon chat, yes please! One ticket price gets you access to the zoo and White River Gardens. On my next summer trip, I will remember to do the gardens FIRST. While not as fun as the zoo, they are very beautiful to see, especially with the butterfly exhibit. However, after walking for three hours and then going into a greenhouse in the hottest part of the day, some of the magic was lost. read more

This zoo is small but impressive, their habitats hands down for all the animals are the best I've seen especially for a smaller zoo. You can get really close visuals of all the animals where there is literally just glass between you and the animals. The pricing for the "extras" are extremely cheap $3 for the giraffe feeding which was an AWESOME experience and the giraffe caretaker was wonderful to interact with. The only complaint I have was I was very troubled by one of the Walrus's behavior, there were disrespectful people at the zoo slapping the glass of this habitat and the Walrus was very obviously distressed, I would like to see the zoo have an attendant be there to ensure this doesn't continue to happen for the sake of the poor beautiful animal. Other than that I had a great time and would recommend this zoo highly. read more

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Great zoo! Beautiful Africa area. You are going to do a LOT of walking and there is not a ton of shade covering so come prepared. The aesthetic and decor was beautiful and well done. Parking was way simpler than expected. read more

I recently went to the Indianapolis Zoo and had a wonderful experience from start to finish. I was able to easily purchase the tickets on the website ($26 for an adult ticket, $8 parking pass). You could pull up the tickets/parking pass on your phone to get scanned, which was super helpful! The line to get in was very short and the staff working admissions provided me with a map as well as told me times for the Dolphin show (which is free and has several time slots throughout the day). I went to the Oceans, Desert, Forests, Plains, and the Orangutan Center. This zoo has so much to offer in terms of variety of animals to see and experiences to have! There are a variety of engaging activities that you can participate in. I was able to touch a shark in the Oceans building touchtank, as well as feed a Bungie (small bird) in one of the bird walk through locations. There are also options to feed Giraffes or Flamingos, but neither of those were available when I went (they have dedicated time slots for feedings, rather than doing it continuously). In each of the spaces I visited the animals appeared in a clean and safe environment. The orangutans in the orangutan center were incredibly active and moving around/playing! This made my zoo experience super engaging! Also, the restrooms were incredibly clean, which doesn't often occur in a park. I bought Dippin Dots and water from one of the concession stands around the grounds. The water comes in cans, which I had never seen before. Apparently, this is part of the Zoo's work to eliminate plastic usage, which I thought was amazing. The signage throughout the park was very helpful. I never got lost and felt I was able to see clearly where each exhibit was and directions to move around. Additionally, the educational information on signage near exhibits was very informative and had lots of interesting facts about the animals. I also saw lots of signs up for Zoo Boo, which is a Halloween themed event going on currently! Overall, I had a wonderful experience at the Indianapolis Zoo and would definitely recommend taking the time to go. I am already planning to go back for Christmas at the Zoo starting in November! read more

Indianapolis Zoo - This was the Rhino exhibit! There were festive pumpkins on display! Also ft. the canned water that is environmentally friendly! - Zoos Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Visiting with my niece's Girl Scout troop. Excellent educational program - lots of information presented in a way that 8 year olds can absorb. read more