The Detroit Zoo is home to more than 250 types of animals including Amur tigers, grizzly and polar bears, and red kangaroos. It’s a 125-acre (50-hectare) facility about 13 miles (21 kilometers) north of downtown.
Visit the African Grasslands habitat to see some of the planet’s most amazing wildlife. You’ll come across Simba, the zoo’s male lion, as well as two females, Bikira and Erin. There are also warthogs, giraffes, zebras, aardvarks and a pair of white rhinos.
Move on to the African Forest to watch exotic birds and some of our closest primate ancestors. You’ll see squawking spoonbills and a cast of other critters, but by far the habitat’s biggest attraction is the great apes of Harambee. See western lowland gorillas, drills and chimpanzees play within a faithfully re-created rainforest.
See Amur tigers, red pandas and a group of cheeky Japanese macaques at the Asian Forest. Discover the world Down Under at the Australian Outback habitat. Kids will love the barrier-free exhibits that let them get close to red kangaroos and wallabies.
Reptile fans should visit the snakes and crocodiles, among other species, at the Museum of Living Reptiles. You can also wander through the Amphibiville wetland to spot frogs and toads. Stroll through the butterfly garden and free-flight aviary where some of the planet’s prettiest creatures live.
You’ll see America’s largest polar bear exhibit at the Arctic Ring of Life. Walk through a 70-foot (21-meter) long clear-sided tunnel to watch three bears swim and splash above you. Find out what macaroni, rock-hopper and king penguins look like at the nearby Penguinarium.
The Detroit Zoo also has a Wildlife Interpretive Gallery, a 4-D cinema, a Wild Adventure Ride and a carousel for youngsters. You can park on site for a small fee, or take the Detroit SMART bus from downtown. It stops near the zoo, as well as other attractions. The zoo is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.
Detroit Zoo Tours
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The Inn on Ferry Street
Reviewed on Jan 27, 2026
Reviews of Detroit Zoo
4/5 - Good
Taking the train to the back of the zoo and walking toward the front gate helps you miss most of the crowds and offers a fun new view of the animal enclosures. We have been here many, many times over the years and the best time to go is in the fall when the animals are most active.
3/5 - Okay
Go first thing in the morning before the animals take their naps in the hot afternoon.
5/5 - Excellent
On a hot day, expect the animals to be hunkered down somewhere out of view.
4/5 - Good
The polar bears were inside. Can't blame them. It was a bit hot that day.
5/5 - Excellent
Loved it, great zoo!
5/5 - Excellent
Going during the winter time means there are few people around and many of the animals are still able to be seen!!
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Best Lodging Options Near Detroit Zoo
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Best time to go to Detroit Zoo
The best time to visit Detroit Zoo can depend on the weather and when visitor numbers rise and fall. The hottest average temperature around Detroit Zoo falls in July, when visitor numbers are moderately high and weather is mostly sunny with light rain. The coolest average temperature around Detroit Zoo falls in January, visitor numbers are moderately low and weather is mostly cloudy with light rain.
 Calendar Month |  Temperature |  Precipitation |  Cloudiness |  Occupancy |  Pricing |
| January | 25.3°F (-3.7°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Moderately Low | Slightly Low |
| February | 26.2°F (-3.2°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Moderately Low | Slightly Low |
| March | 36.3°F (2.4°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Average | Slightly Low |
| April | 46.8°F (8.2°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Moderately High | Average |
| May | 59.4°F (15.2°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Moderately High | Average |
| June | 68.9°F (20.5°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Average |
| July | 74.1°F (23.4°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Moderately High | Average |
| August | 72.9°F (22.7°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Slightly High |
| September | 66.6°F (19.2°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Slightly High |
| October | 54.5°F (12.5°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Slightly High |
| November | 41.9°F (5.5°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Moderately Low | Average |
| December | 32.9°F (0.5°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Average | Average |
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