The Indianapolis Zoo is loaded with activities for the entire family, with an aquarium and botanic garden as well as a wide variety of animal exhibits. It’s home to 300 species housed within five biomes, large areas designed to mirror the habitats of the animals.
Explore the forests and observe red pandas hanging from the trees and Amur tigers prowling in the undergrowth. Step into the desert to see rare reptiles such as the Jamaican iguana, or roam the African plains where you’ll encounter zebras, cheetahs and giraffes. Kids will thrill to reaching out and actually touching the coarse skin of the sharks as they cruise by in the Ocean Biome.
If you arrive early, make the Forest Biome your first stop. Mornings are when the songbirds and insects are at their most vocal. And be sure to visit the Plains Biome before evening falls, as many of the animals head inside at dusk.
Don’t miss the entertaining daily shows in the Marsh Dolphin Adventure Theater. Children will also love the Kroger Splash Park, open in the warm months, when the temperature averages over 70 F (21 C). A change of clothes is advisable if you intend to visit this attraction. Jump aboard the White River Junction for an informative 10-minute train tour of the zoo, or test your nerves on the Kombo Family Roller Coaster these rides cost extra.
After you’ve explored the wildlife in the zoo, head next door to the White River Gardens and soak up the serenity in the Hilbert Conservatory or find a spot to relax in the Shade Garden.
The Indianapolis Zoo is located on the riverbank within the White River State Park, one mile (1.6 kilometers) from downtown Indianapolis. The admission price includes entry to the garden and aquarium. The zoo is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in the cooler months, and on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Café on the Commons is open year-round there are other places to buy food and drink but they are open only in summer.
Indianapolis Zoo Tours
Visit Indianapolis Zoo
Best Lodging Options Near Indianapolis Zoo
Check availability on hotels close to Indianapolis Zoo
Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
601 West Washington Street Indianapolis IN
Omni Severin Hotel
40 West Jackson Place Indianapolis IN
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
601 West Washington Street Indianapolis IN
JW Marriott Indianapolis
10 S West Street Indianapolis IN
Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
350 W Maryland St Indianapolis IN
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
501 W Washington St Indianapolis IN
Hyatt Regency Indianapolis
One South Capitol Avenue Indianapolis IN
Home2 Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown
115 N. Pennsylvania Street Ste 150 Indianapolis IN
Hyatt Place Indianapolis Downtown
130 South Pennsylvania St Indianapolis IN
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Best time to go to Indianapolis Zoo
The best time to visit Indianapolis Zoo can depend on the weather and when visitor numbers rise and fall. The hottest average temperature around Indianapolis Zoo falls in July, when visitor numbers are slightly high and weather is mostly sunny with light rain. The coolest average temperature around Indianapolis Zoo falls in January, visitor numbers are slightly low and weather is mostly cloudy with light rain.
 Calendar Month |  Temperature |  Precipitation |  Cloudiness |  Occupancy |  Pricing |
| January | 28.4°F (-2.0°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Slightly Low | Slightly Low |
| February | 31.5°F (-0.3°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Slightly Low | Slightly Low |
| March | 42.6°F (5.9°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Average | Average |
| April | 52.5°F (11.4°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Slightly High |
| May | 63.5°F (17.5°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Slightly High | Slightly High |
| June | 72.0°F (22.2°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Average |
| July | 74.8°F (23.8°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Slightly High | Average |
| August | 73.4°F (23.0°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Slightly High | Slightly High |
| September | 67.6°F (19.8°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Slightly Low |
| October | 55.9°F (13.3°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Average |
| November | 43.2°F (6.2°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Sunny | Average | Average |
| December | 34.9°F (1.6°C) | Light Rain | Mostly Cloudy | Slightly Low | Average |
Explore a world of travel with Expedia
- Romantic Hotels in Central Indiana
- Family Hotels in Noblesville
- Shopping Hotels in Downtown Indianapolis
- Farmstay in Carmel
- Vacation Homes in North Indianapolis
- Luxury Hotels in Indiana Avenue
- Boutique Hotels in Noblesville
- Plainfield Hotels
- Hotels near University of Indianapolis
- Greenwood Hotels
- Hotels near Murat - Egyptian Room
- Aparthotels in Fortville
- Hotels with an Indoor Pool in Downtown Indianapolis
- Hotels with Early Check-in in Downtown Indianapolis
- Fountain Square Hotels
- Mooresville Hotels
- Hotels with Early Check-in in Indianapolis
- Hotels with Bars in Downtown Indianapolis
- Hotels near Fort Harrison State Park
- Inns in Carmel
- Cheap Hotels in Indianapolis
- Hotels near IU Health North Hospital
- Resorts & Hotels with Spas in Carmel
- Carmel Hotels
- Hotels with smoking rooms in Indianapolis
- Hotels near Children's Museum of Indianapolis
- Fishers Hotels
- Rv Parks in Indianapolis
- Downtown Indianapolis Hotels
- B&B in Fishers
- Boutique Hotels in Carmel
- Shopping Hotels in Northeast Indianapolis
- Aparthotels in Indianapolis Cultural Trail
- Resorts in Fishers
- Motels in Carmel
- Family Hotels in Franklin
- Resorts in Carmel
- Adults Only Resorts & in Indianapolis
- Hotels near White River State Park
- Villas in Avon
- Resorts & Hotels with Spas in Indianapolis
- Hotels near Indianapolis Intl.
- Inns in Indianapolis Station
- Inns in Beech Grove
- Boutique Hotels in Broad Ripple
- Hotels near Indiana State Museum
- Cheap Hotels in Downtown Indianapolis
- Luxury Hotels in Camby
- Cheap Hotels in Near Northside
- Hotels with Hot Tubs in Indianapolis
- Hotels near Indianapolis Zoo
- Waterpark Hotels in Indianapolis
- Noblesville Hotels
- Boutique Hotels in Camby
- Rv Parks in East Indianapolis
- Aparthotels in Indianapolis
- Cheap Hotels in North Indianapolis
- Waterpark Hotels in Southport
- Hotels near Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
- Gay friendly Hotels in Speedway
- Motels in Westfield
- Hostels in North Indianapolis
- Romantic Hotels in Downtown Indianapolis
- Cheap Hotels in Monrovia
- Luxury Hotels in Indianapolis
- Hotels near Indiana Convention Center
- Luxury Hotels in Downtown Indianapolis
- Resorts & Hotels with Spas in Downtown Indianapolis
- Hotels near Key Stadium
- Indianapolis Hotels
- Hotels near Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Hotels near Fashion Mall at Keystone
- Romantic Hotels in Indianapolis
- Adults Only Resorts & in Speedway
- Zionsville Hotels
- Hotels near Carmel Visitor Center
- Hotels near Indianapolis Station
- Hotels near Lucas Oil Stadium
- Hotels near Clay Terrace
- Hotels near Mass Ave Cultural Arts District
- Speedway Hotels
- Inns in East Indianapolis
- Adults Only Resorts & in Near Eastside
- Inns in Fishers
- Adults Only Resorts & in Near Northside
- Hotels near Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- Rv Parks in Central Indiana
- Hotels near Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
- Hostels in Fishers