Loads of fun and memories to be made will be happening throughout the summer at Woodland Park Zoo where every day feels like it’s the 4th of July! Dinosaur Discovery, interesting animal keeper talks, up-close animal encounters in the Family Farm, carousel rides with ADA ramp, a sloth bear cub named Bowie, a glorious pollinator patio and more await!

Summer hours
Summer hours May 1 through Labor Day: 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. daily.

*** NEW *** Dinosaur Discovery, opens May 1 through Labor Day, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. daily
Travel back to a time when prehistoric giants roamed Earth. Experience the wonder of more than 25 life-sized dinosaurs at Woodland Park Zoo’s completely immersive Dinosaur Discovery. Walk alongside the mighty T. rex, stretch like the 23-foot-tall Brachiosaurus and learn more about all your favorite prehistoric reptiles at Dinosaur Discovery! Cost: In addition to zoo admission or membership $10; members $8; $20 unlimited visits for members.

*** NEW *** Zoomersion – A Virtual Reality Experience, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. daily, year-round
Be there. Zoomersion brings Immotion’s wildlife immersive film experience, “The Great Migration,” an epic, wildlife journey and spectacle. Experience the great migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra, antelope, and other herbivores moving in a circular trek across East Africa’s vast grasslands in search of fresh grazing and water. While many migrating animals are picked off by stalking predators—including lions, crocodiles, cheetahs and hyenas—there are also peaks such as mating rituals and births. Minimum height recommendation: 40”. Cost: In addition to zoo admission or membership $10; members $8. Tickets can be purchased online or at the experience.

Butterfly Garden closed this summer. Microsoft Pollinator Patio, open year-round
The seasonal Butterfly Garden will be closed for summer 2025, but the year-round Microsoft Pollinator Patio remains open and is a favorite respite for local wildlife and zoo visitors alike.
Stroll among a beautiful garden abounding with pollinator-friendly plants and be inspired to help pollinators such as hummingbirds, beetles and bees.

Summer programs
Programs are offered May 1 through Labor Day and are free with admission or membership except as noted. Be sure to use the zoo’s interactive map at www.zoo.org/maps for a real-time schedule of programs, animal information and more—no download required. Daily schedules and locations can also be found at the zoo’s entrances and www.zoo.org. All programs are subject to cancellation due to weather, staffing or animal needs.

Animal Keeper Talks: 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. daily; times and locations vary
Animal keepers provide exceptional care for all the animals at the zoo, ensuring they have everything they need to be healthy and happy.

Penguin Snack Time
The zoo’s Humboldt penguin colony has more than 40 individuals all with different “penguinalities.” Come and hear about the recent action, drama and comedic stories between the individual penguins while watching the colony receive their morning snacks.

Gorilla Talk
Woodland Park Zoo is home to two gorilla troops. Come see the gorillas receive their daily snacks and learn about the family structures, fantastic animal care and what you can do to support animals in the wild.

Live Trout Feeding at Penguins
Penguins may not look fast on the ground, but they are swift and agile swimmers. Watch as these charismatic birds demonstrate their expert fish-hunting abilities when buckets of live trout are added to their pool!

Tiger Training Demonstration
How do animal keepers safely work with large powerful predators? Learn how training allows tigers to participate in their own health care and discover what Woodland Park Zoo is doing to protect these iconic cats.

Make Enrichment for Animals – Kea Parrot
Animals like to solve puzzles, explore, sniff, play and tear apart. Learn what it takes to provide fun opportunities for animals to show off their natural skills and build enrichment for the zoo’s kea parrots. Head to Alvord Broadleaf Theater for this hands-on building experience.

Ask a Master Gardener Clinic
Master Gardener volunteers provide engaging gardening information that focuses on environmentally friendly practices. Free advice is available on gardening, plant problems, plant identification, pest management and soil improvement. People of all ages are encouraged to go outdoors and learn about gardening. Bring your questions on Sundays starting May 4 and select Thursdays.

Gardener Talks
The zoo’s gardeners take care of plants from all around the world right here on zoo grounds. Join a zoo gardener to learn about some of the tropical plants you’ll encounter throughout the zoo including orchids and carnivorous plants.

Arborist Talk
Learn about some of the oldest residents at the zoo—its trees! Explore some of the different species living at the zoo and learn how they are cared for by the zoo’s Horticulture team.

For younger audiences
Zoomazium: 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. daily
With different play areas for children from birth to 8, Zoomazium is an indoor place to explore, play and have fun! What could be more fun than exploring a mountain cave, crossing a rope bridge in the tree canopy, discovering what lies beneath a savanna water hole or even climbing a 20-foot tree?! All this and more await discovery as young children learn about nature through play.

Look Listen Feel Storytime
Join hands-on story time near the African Savanna overlook. Designed for young guests, this season’s story will feature one of the African Savanna aviary residents, the bowerbirds. Children can follow along with the story and help build and decorate a bower.

Shake Rattle Roar
Toddlers and caregivers are invited to sing, dance, and play instruments to animal and nature-themed music in Zoomazium. Zoo-themed songs will be shared so that you can learn and sing at home.

Zoo Veterinarians
Come learn what it takes to be a veterinarian at the zoo. Designed for younger audiences, this role-playing program will walk through some of the actual procedures our veterinary team provides to the animals that live here at the zoo.

Design to Scale
Ever wonder what it takes to build an exhibit at Woodland Park Zoo? From the zoo’s exhibit technicians to the horticulture team, guests will explore the innovative design features that help cold-blooded friends thrive. Practice some of your design ideas by building your own miniature habitat.

Bug Out!
Buzz, crawl and flutter your way into the wonderful world of bugs! Explore the different types of bugs, their adaptations and what Woodland Park Zoo is doing to help invertebrates in the Pacific Northwest and around the world.

Turtle Head Start Experience
Stop by Cathy Herzig Living Northwest Basecamp and learn how the zoo helps raise endangered western pond turtles. Being a small turtle in the wild has its challenges but with a little help from the zoo we can help the turtles thrive. This hands-on activity lets young guests learn and mimic the work the zoo’s animal keepers do in the Turtle Head Start Center to release young turtles into the wild every summer.

Animal encounter opportunities
Family Farm Contact Area
Is a goat soft? How does a sheep want to be touched? Pet a selection of domestic farm animals and learn more about them in supervised areas at the Family Farm.

Rhino Encounter
Enjoy an up-close meet and greet with rhino Glenn. Hear from rhino keepers about how they care for one of the zoo’s largest residents and learn how you can help save rhinos in the wild. Cost: $20 per person, ages 3+.

Savanna Experience
Get up close and personal with the tallest animals on the African Savanna and learn about what makes these animals so magnificent! If you’re lucky, the giraffe will take a leafy snack from your hand! Cost: $20 per person, ages 3+.

More fun…
Discover!
The call of discovery beckons! Join volunteers in an exploration of the zoo, diving into conversations about the balance of nature and the tools animals use to survive. Enjoy hands-on programs highlighting animals and their habitats. Pursue your questions and passions through hands-on activities including biofacts, fun stories and games. Plus, discover how you can help save wildlife through a few simple actions. Swing by a Discovery Station and see where it leads!

Historic Carousel: 10:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Take a whirl on Woodland Park Zoo’s Historic Carousel of classic, hand-carved wooden carousel horses. ADA ramp access. Cost: $3 a ride, in addition to zoo admission.

Senior Programs
Join the zoo for programs designed especially for seniors! Senior Zoo Walkers is back. The self-guided social walking program promotes fitness and well-being among adults ages 55 and up. Participants spend time socializing with peers in a beautiful natural setting while learning more about wildlife and the natural world while engaging in a healthy activity at the zoo. For more information and to register, visit www.zoo.org/seniorzoowalkers.

General information
Go online at www.zoo.org/visit to save time at the zoo and avoid lines! Full-priced general admission tickets purchased four or more days in advance receive a 10% discount. (Restrictions apply: may not be combined with military discounts.) Discount for persons with disabilities: $2 off regular admission, 1:1 aides are complimentary. For information about disability accommodations and other safety protocols, see the Guest FAQ at www.zoo.org/visit/faq. Visit all summer long by becoming a member: www.zoo.org/membership.

Parking: $8 first two hours, $3 each additional hour plus applicable state and local taxes. Parking fees do not apply for any vehicle displaying a valid disabled parking placard.

Location: Enter through the West Entrance at 5500 Phinney Ave. N. or South Entrance at 750 N. 50th St., Seattle, WA 98103.

Accessibility: Information about accessibility and resources, one-to-one aides, sighted guides, mobility equipment rentals, and a sensory map and tools can be found at www.zoo.org/access. ADA ramp access for Historic Carousel. For questions or to request disability accommodations for zoo programs or events, contact zooinfo@zoo.org.