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Up-Close Encounters

Get closer to your favorite animals and experience your Zoo in a whole new way! Your Up-Close Encounter will start with a personal mini-tour with one of our Educators.  Once you reach your location, one of our Animal Care staff will facilitate a unique experience with your favorite animal. 

Pricing:
Gold Experiences: $150 per person
Silver Experiences: $100 per person
Bronze Experiences: $75 per person
Price includes Zoo admission.

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Programs are limited to no more than 6 participants.  If you have fewer than six in your party, you may be joined by other participants, not to exceed six people total. All ages are welcome to attend Up-Close Encounters.  Children must be at least 3 to feed animals.  Every group must include at least one adult (ages 18 and up), and everyone ages 2 and up must be registered to attend the program.  

 

For available dates and to register, click here. Registration closes 24 hours before the start of the encounter. 

The following schedule is subject to change to accommodate holidays and staffing needs.  Experiences may not be available due to weather or other considerations.
Gold Experiences
Rhino Feeding Experience: Second Monday of the month at 11 a.m.
Feed one of our rhinos in the Rare Rhinos of Africa day room.

African Painted Dog Training Demonstration: Fourth Friday of the month at 2:30 p.m.
Watch a training session on exhibit, from a closer vantage point. (We are not currently offering this experience, please check back soon!)

Silver Experiences
Kitchen and Hay Barn Tour: Second and Fourth Saturdays of the month at 11 a.m.
Tour one of our hay barns and our animal kitchen and see how animal diets are made.

Bronze Experiences
Miniature Horse Meet-and-Greet: Second and Fourth Tuesdays of the month at 2 p.m.
Interact with Raindancer, our miniature horse, and her keepers!

  • Love this zoo! Great place to get a walk in and the animals are everywhere! The museum/indoor part is very educational too. Has a lot of shade for when it's hot out. Very clean. Friendly staff.

    Taylor F.

  • We love to visit the zoo. They have great outdoor exhibits and lots to do inside as well. Great for kids and adults.

    Robin A.

  • Lots of great exhibits and animals to see! Fun gift shop and learning center.

    Stephanie N.

  • The museum gives you a break from the sun on hot summer days and has a great selection of animal exhibits from around the world.  The zoo keeps growing and adding new animal habitats or improving existing ones.  Membership offers reciprocal benefits to other zoos around the country.

    Bill T.
Admission