Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Indianapolis Zoo

    3.9 (497 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Services - Indianapolis Zoo

    Bartending services

    Catering services

    Event lighting services

    3 More Services

    On-site management services

    Post-event cleaning services

    Venue rental

    Indianapolis Zoo Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Indianapolis Zoo

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Penguin
    Christina M.

    Absolutely worth it! We went in the middle of the week in late January and it It had been years since I went to the zoo so I wasn't totally sure what to expect. Despite the time of year, there was so much to do and see! Between the dolphin show and the nature talks, we learned so much about these beautiful creatures, saw some of their personalities, and learned some of the small things we can do in our own lives that could make a big difference to those in the wild. It is very easy to spend all day there so take it all in!

    Patricia Abigail H.

    We love going to our local zoo, yes it's pricey if you don't have a membership but after 3-4 visits the membership pays for itself! It's a great place to meet friends up. We love seeing the animals and we're starting to recognize some of the animals we see all the time, we love the dolphin show and the chimpanzee exhibit. As it is cold currently some animals are not visible or visitable but I cannot wait until the weather gets warmer to see them!

    Staci W.

    Visited on a free day (MLK day). It was surprisingly not that busy but maybe that's thanks to the 10 degree weather. They have updated the entrance/exit area of the zoo since I had last been so that was cool to see. They have you enter through the gardens and there is a very cool video of animals on a 365 screen. We mainly hit up the indoor spots. Thanks for having a free day Zoo!

    Tiger
    Aaron D.

    Great way to spend an afternoon with the family. The zoo has a great selection of attractions and rides for the kids. The skyline was down during our visit. Other than that, it was a great time.

    Aquarium
    Aimee B.

    Came here on a Monday at opening 9 AM, with my youngest son. He is nine years old. We got through the entire zoo in two hours, which is perfect. We were able to see everything. The crowds really didn't pick up until Friday as we were leaving And even then it was quite manageable. The Indianapolis zoo is small, but really nice especially if you have younger kids. Overall, the food pricing was pretty good. My son and I had a great time looking at all the animals and laughing and just really enjoying a nice morning together. The Indianapolis zoo is the perfect size And you could probably finish it in a few hours.

    !
    Breck F.

    Zoo in Indianapolis is a great outing. We went when the weather was sub par (cloudy and t-storms) but there are tons of exhibits and things to see. Lots of variety in animals from Lions to Tigers and Bears (yep I went there) as well as Penguins and Flamingos. Bird show was super cool as well - birds fly in from afar.... Hang with the crowd for a bit on stage and then depart back to their place. Even saw an Eagle as well! Booze selection is a choice of local IPAs as well as sodas. Recommended if you're visiting Indy!

    Cheetah

    The Indianapolis zoo is 40 minutes from where I live and has a lot of brand new animals and a lot of fun with family and friends

    Rhonda W.

    Usually love this zoo but this visit was not worth it. As a zoo member i was expecting more of a discount. I'm a member at the Cincinnati Zoo which is 2 to 3 times the size. Both zoos I think are the same price to get in but I was really surprised that this Zoo is one of the few that do participate in the reciprocity for Zoo memberships. so instead of being half price and free parking they only gave like a dollar or two discount. That was disappointing but the biggest disappointment was I came to see the orangutans and especially the baby. Well for some reason the baby wasn't coming out all day that day which was the only day that I was going to be in town. The regular orangutan area was being cleaned I walked over there three times and the orangutans still weren't out in their area so that was just very disappointing. I did see a baby elephant which that was cute but I'm really all about primates the other primates they were in the area that the glass was so scratched and dirty that you really couldn't hardly see them. Plus the weather was way too hot and it was uncomfortable I literally thought I was getting heat stroke I felt dizzy. The animals just kind of seemed lethargic and sad because they were uncomfortable I didn't even stay and see everything because I didn't feel good and I wasn't having a great time. When I arrived in the zoo I had trouble finding my way out of the garden area they didn't have signs and I was just trapped in the garden area I just wanted to see the animals I don't know this was just not a good zoo visit. Traffic was awful and construction...it was all just a mistake.

    Butterfly Area
    Hannah S.

    The Indianapolis Zoo is the best! It's such a great size and always very well kept. Definitely love visiting during Zoo Boo and during Christmas when the lights are up!

    Baby changing table
    Phillip Y.

    We didn't expect too much from this zoo. I got early season ticket and parking with discount of around 50% so it was under $40. Weather was perfect and able to see dolphin show at opening. We got in early for good seating. Overall, we were impressed since our como zoo has not so good sea lion show. Rest of zoo is nicely laid out and able to finish in 2 hours.

    Orangutan Exhibit

    See all

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of T M.
    0
    12
    0

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 3
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tami P.
    6
    295
    173

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - Indianapolis Zoo

    I will be stopping here on the way to the airport. Is there a place to store a suitcase?

    I am going to say no, but you could call them and ask.

    I am considering doing the $20 meet and greet with the dolphins with my kids (not full in water dolphin experience). Is it worth it?

    I'll assume you've made up your mind by now, but for others considering it it's really dependent on how much you love dolphins. It's a brief encounter at the edge of the water. Also, kids have to be at least six years old. You are not allowed to do… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Indianapolis Zoo

    The next time I went, it was on Memorial Day and the dolphin show was a lot shorter and only two dolphins were in the show.

    Mentioned in 123 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Broganville’s Farm - country livin'

    Broganville’s Farm

    (2 reviews)

    This farm was awesome! The owner Kadeem is very personable, friendly, and loves interacting with…read morethe kids. The farm land is huge and the animals are all well behaved so even if you're scared, you won't be for long. We took the Girl Scout troop on an outing here and the girls loved it. Kadeem is really eager about introducing farm life to city kids and helping make the comfortable and knowledgeable. I loved the way he allowed them to interact with the animals in ways they would never be able to other places. He does not restrict the kids and uses everything as a learning opportunity. My daughter was upset we had to leave without the alpaca. We will definitely be returning again. They also do petting zoo and horse rides for parties. He was so nice to even walk with my daughter bc she was scared to ride. 10/10 I definitely recommend to anyone looking for an up close, personal. Memorable animal experience!

    Omgggg I absolutely love this farm! It really brought out the kid in me and brought up so many…read morememories from childhood fieldtrips! Broganville is a family owned farm and the atmosphere gives just that! Kadeem Brogan (the owner) was so nice and welcoming. He gave us a full tour of the grounds as well as a horse and buggy ride. We got to meet all of the animals and we even got to feed some of them. This is definitely a great place for children and adults alike to really connect with nature and learn about the farm life!

    Indianapolis Canal Walk

    Indianapolis Canal Walk

    (206 reviews)

    Mile Square

    Goodness, have I walked the canal about 50 times now?!…read more It's such a unique experience for Indy to have some water space in the middle of the city. This 3 mile loop will take you from 11th Street down to White River State Park to access the green space and extra trails down there. The canal water itself is not super cute, where there can be litter, and the water is rather opaque. They do drain the canal every so often to keep it from getting too uncute. The sidewalks are kept nicer, though a few spots in front of apartment buildings could use some TLC. There are also a few spots where the sidewalk is not level, so take caution if that is an issue. It's mostly stair access to the canal, but I *think* I've seen an elevator around the Ohio street basin. The canal has a few businesses along it for your merriment. Notably, there is Fresco on the Canal (I have a separate review for this) which is open March-October. Eiteljorg museum cafe is open daily around the lunch hours (11-3) and can be accessed through their patio gate. Entertainment wise, there is more going on. I've done the swan boat rentals, where you can pedal around on the canal. This is quite a workout! Rental of swan boats and kayaks is near the Ohio Street basin. There is also the gondolas, where your gondolier can sing, and they've always sounded marvelous. There's also a few stations for the Pacers Bikeshare around the canal, which is free for Marion County residents. Any time the weather is right, you can find me getting my steps in!

    Nice river walk nearby center city area. It's refreshing looking at the water flowing through…read more We saw some fishes so definitely clean water for the city. Love the greens, bridges, arts around it. It would better with warmer weather for sure. I couldn't walk far because of the cold. But overall I love the scenery.

    White River State Park

    White River State Park

    (109 reviews)

    White River State Park is one of the most popular parks in the city, and for good reason! The…read morenickname for it is Indy's backyard. With riverfront and canal-front trails, a pedestrian bridge to the zoo, proximity to the city, and the amphitheater, so much goes on down here. Over the years, my favorite special events have been the food truck festival and the solar eclipse festival. The area is kept to be pedestrian friendly, with parking being underground to the park and wide walking and biking lanes. During warmer weather, I often see a hotdog vendor for a nice and easy lunch. There's lots of sculptures around the park too, which helps to keep things scenic. There's also a huge lawn space for running around.

    This park is such a gem! As I write this review while listening to "Here Comes The Sun" by The…read moreBeatles, I feel like I'm right back walking through the beautiful pathways and taking in skyline views. From the canal and trails to the open green spaces, there's something here for everyone to enjoy. Plenty of smaller festivals and walks/runs are held at this park, and it truly seems like the perfect spot for them. My favorite festival that happens here is the Taste of Indy, which takes place in the summer and the MS Walk is always a well organized event here. I also really enjoy walking the paths behind the zoo, especially in the spring when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom. Absolutely gorgeous! Ps - As beautiful as it is, be sure to stay alert while on the pathways!

    The Children's Museum - Greece at Children's Museum of Indianapolis

    The Children's Museum

    (577 reviews)

    The The Children's Museum of Indianapolis absolutely lives up to the hype. We arrived right when it…read moreopened and stayed as long as we could before naptime, but honestly we could have spent the entire day there. The parking is extremely easy and you are also able to rent a stroller pretty cheaply there which is a plus. Our kids especially loved the space exhibit and the exhibit (on the top floor I believe) that showcases a lot of the nature surrounding Indiana. There's so much to explore and everything feels thoughtfully designed for kids to really interact and play, not just look. Even moving through with little ones felt manageable because there are so many engaging areas to stop and explore. If you have young kids and are in Indianapolis, this is an easy five-star outing. We're already looking forward to going back.

    One of largest children's museum. Many floors and sections to explore. It has Dinosphere,…read morespace/earth, power of children (Ann Frank, Malala etc), Egyptian discovery and more. Carousel is on the top floor (separated tix). It's a Historic Landmark originally located at White City Amusement Park (Broad Ripple Park) from the segregation era. Strong history going behind that wheel. You can easily spend a whole day there. Many hands on activities. Benches around for adults. Bathroom is clean. I definitely have a great time as well as my kid. Free parking lot. Highly recommend to get the tix online (extra $1 fee). Highly recommend to stop by if you are in the area.

    Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens - Dragon for the castles  and dragon theme this year.

    Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens

    (150 reviews)

    This is a great spot for locals and visitors alike! We stopped by from out of town thinking it…read morewould be a good winter activity for our little one while it's too cold to walk much outside. The conservatory exceeded our expectations! Admissions is affordable at $5 per person, but it was free the day we visited because of a reptile show! We got to see tortoises, skinks, salamanders, tarantulas, snakes, and more! Inside the conservatory, there are fish and a couple other critters permanently on display. The signage around the gardens is informative and interesting- and the plants are simply beautiful! So well cared for and healthy. I could have walked around the loop 5 times and noticed new things each time. There are several places to sit and relax throughout the gardens (we fed our baby on one of the benches). There is a restroom and coat racks- which you'll need because the gardens are quite warm! What a great find for the afternoon! Bonus that it's located right in a park, by a library, several cute places to stop and eat, and public art. The only downside I can think of is that there wasn't a ton of parking- probably more accessible when there isn't a special event going on!

    There is something about plants and nature that brighten up my mood. I came here on a gloomy rainy…read moreday, and it was the perfect decision to lift up my spirits. It's close to the highway so easy access and near my house - double plus. The admission to get in was $4 per person, and they take card - another plus for being inexpensive. They have plants for sale and host events/activities, the lady working was friendly and explained all of that. They have brochures in the front as well. Inside is so astonishing, there is so much to see. It's so beautiful, I adore and admire all of it. I love how things are labeled and have informational tidbits about the plants. They have ponds with live fish and waterfalls around. They have a restroom and it had a window so of course there is a plant inside, I love it. I'll have to take note next time I go here that it was very warm inside, I felt very hot so dress accordingly. There is parking available. Check hours before coming, holidays vary.

    Natural Valley Ranch - Ranch signage

    Natural Valley Ranch

    (22 reviews)

    We had my daughter's 6th birthday party here and it was such a great experience. The package…read moreincluded two hours with the horses, where the kids got to pet and ride them, plus time in the petting zoo. They even provided a cake, which made things so much easier. The venue itself was really nice, and everything felt well organized. The staff was kind, helpful, and made the whole process smooth from start to finish. Overall, it was a fun and memorable day for the kids. We'll definitely be back!

    We decided to go horseback riding to celebrate my birthday. My children (10 & 12) have never been…read morehorseback riding before and, though nervous, were excited to experience it. I rode quite a bit many years ago. I had a service expectation in my mind for how things would go and unfortunately the team at this ranch did not deliver. On arrival, parking was not clearly marked (broken signs and no arrows to direct you). Once out of the car, there was no one to greet us or give next steps. We were told by visitors already waiting to step inside the barn to sign a waiver. Once inside, the staff member who wondered out of the dark handed the waiver to me and explained it. Yet she never said hello or introduced herself. It all felt very transactional or as if we weren't welcomed. I can only assume how many trail rides are provided in a day or week but the experience is still special to visitors. I would like to think they still remember this. My children were assigned horses (Cherokee and Widow) and given basic riding instructions from other staff members (they stated afterward the women providing them were not very warm). I was given a horse named Stitch that I did not enjoy or recommend to anyone who has never ridden before. He was headstrong and unfriendly. I can say: The 60 minute ride through the wooded trails was beautiful and very quiet. Our group totaled six so I guess I assumed there would be conversation from the trail lead but there was none. No water was provided or information about the land we were on. I was grateful for the instructor stopping before bigger hills to describe what was ahead and how to best handle it, it helped my kiddos, but I can't say as I would come to this place again. The horses looked thin and tired. Not to mention the barn bathroom was exactly what you'd expect: dusty dirty and rusty. Perhaps our expectations were too high? One big plus: the friendliness of my children's horses and the barn cats.

    Indianapolis Zoo - zoos - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...