Indianapolis Zoo

We took the kids to the Indianapolis Zoo during a weekend trip, and it was a great time all around. The place is huge — you could easily spend half a day wandering around without realizing it. We saw all the big hitters: elephants, giraffes, kangaroos, and a bunch of others that I’m pretty sure my kids renamed halfway through (“Look, it’s a long-necked horse!”). We splurged on feeding the giraffes and flamingos, and it was totally worth it — the kids were thrilled, and we got some great photos out of it. We also took them on the little rollercoaster, which they absolutely loved (and which gave us a much-needed break from walking). The dolphin show was definitely the highlight — entertaining, well done, and a nice break from all the walking. The zoo was packed since the weather was perfect and they were handing out candy to kids dressed up for Halloween, so it had a fun, festive vibe (and a sugar-fueled chaos energy). We grabbed some food from one of the stalls expecting the usual overpriced “theme park” meal, but honestly? It wasn’t bad at all. The fries, chicken tenders, and nachos actually hit the spot — maybe we were just starving, but still, solid effort. All in all, 4 stars — great experience, awesome for families, and bonus points for not charging $20 for fries. Just be ready for crowds if you go on a nice day!

What’s not to love about the Indianapolis Zoo? Having a membership for two years now, my family has fully experienced all the finest parts of the zoo over and over again. The membership pays for itself after only two visits a year, and we’ve gone at least 10-12 times each year. From ZooBoo to Christmas at the Zoo are the iconic ones, but the times during the weekdays when there are no field trips or herds of children are the best for my part-time home wife. My daughter has fed giraffes, pet kangaroos, had her face painted and ate Dippin’ Dots on her birthday, rode the train, watched dolphins splash her, gave high-fives at the plexiglass at the orangutangs, smelled flowers, asked why Flamingos are pink, and almost has a visual map in her head of the entire park. Have I mentioned she just turned three years old? My son is 9 months old, and he’s had a handful of times already at the zoo, and the amount of experiences the zoo has provided has sustained into our home with imagination zookeeping, making animal noises, reading out of picturebooks her favorite zoo animals, and instead of “Old MacDonald had a farm” it is now “Old MacDonald had a zoo!”. As a former educator for 15 years, I have witnessed students who have had experiences outside of the home greatly enrich their education and their overall social capital. Having my daughter exposed to so much of the world in the middle of the heartland of Indiana, through the Indianapolis Zoo, I know that she will find her passions in helping conserve and create a better world for the next generations with the education she’s learning here. I am inspired to continue inviting her into these spaces, and I look forward to seeing the wanderlust my son will have for these escapades to the jungle and prairie and everywhere in the park. If I could give 10 Google reviews with 5-stars, I would give so much emphasis on how essential it is to get a membership, show up and provide the story of the Indianapolis Zoo to embed into your children, and watch them become fuller with each visit. And you, as the parent of course, can have unlimited soft drinks while you mosey! THANK YOU, Indy Zoo! You have members for life!

What a great experience, went during the week, less crowded. It was our first time at the zoo. It was gorgeous. I loved all the places that you can and just sit and observe the animals. The park was so clean. I can't say enough great things about the staff, they were so kind and offered up all the events coming up at the zoo. You must take the time to visit the chimpanzees and the orangutans. They so much room to move around, you always have to be on the lookout. Love Indianapolis zoo can't wait to go back.