Experience
The Must Do Zoo

Experience the Must Do Zoo

Behind the Scenes Tours

Make your next Zoo visit the most wild one ever by adding a behind the scenes tour to your day*. During this unforgettable adventure you will not only see the Zoo from the keeper perspective, but also learn how we care for your favorite animals!

Please review our policies below prior to reserving a tour.

Questions? Please contact the Zoo’s education department at 419-385-5721 ext. 2042.

*Additional fee applies – not included with Zoo admission

Pricing varies by tour, select reserve to see specific pricing

Toledo Zoo Behind the Scenes Tours Gift Certificates

Are you looking for a unique gift this year? Give the gift of an amazing animal experience at the Toledo Zoo. Behind the Scenes Tour Gift Certificates are a great present for any animal lover and provide multiple options and flexibility in scheduling their experience.

Three options available:
$125 – for 6 participants in one of the following areas: Aquarium, Ostrich, Cassowary, Galapagos Tortoise, or Stingray
$180 – for 6 participants in one of the following areas: Penguins and Rhinos
$250 – for 6 participants in one of the following areas: Red Panda and Elephant

Experiences require registration and are subject to availability and any restrictions and requirements of the experience. Gift certificates are only valid for the experiences listed and cannot be applied to a different Zoo purchase. Gift certificates are non-refundable.

Expires December 31, 2021

Combo Tours

Want a tour experience but can’t decide which area to explore? Take a Combo Tour! These extended experiences visit multiple areas in a 90-minute visit. These tours can accommodate up to 6 participants and take place when the Zoo is closed to visitors for an extra exclusive experience.

Combo Tours for Winter 2020-2021

Reindeer Feed and Penguin
• Offered Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat at 1:45 p.m.
Red Panda Feed and Galapagos Tortoise Encounter
• Offered Sat, Sun at 9:00 a.m.
Stingray Feed and Galapagos Tortoise Encounter
• Offered Tue, Thu at 9:30 a.m.

Single Area Tours

Single Area Tours are offered March through November

Reef Tank and Aquarium

Tour the Zoo’s historic Aquarium including a unique view of our 90,000 gallon reef tank.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Wed, Fri, Sat
Times: 9:30 a.m.

Galapagos Tortoise Feed and Encounter

Meet our adult Galapagos tortoise, Emerson, in his exhibit and participate in feeding the baby Galapagos tortoises in the Conservatory.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Wed, Fri, Sat
Times: 10:15 a.m.

Red Panda Tour

Meet our red pandas up close and participate in a feed with the keeper!

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Days offered: Sat, Sun
Times: 9 a.m.

Ostrich Feed

Get eye to eye with the largest bird in the world as you offer them an afternoon snack.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum group size: 6
Days offered: Thu, Fri
Times: 1:30 p.m.

Stingray Feed and Reef Tank

Feed our stingrays at our touch tank then go behind the scenes for a unique view of our 90,000 gallon reef tank.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Sun, Thu
Times: 9:30 a.m.

Penguin

Meet and greet our tuxedoed penguin colony on a guided tour of Penguin Beach.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Wed, Thu, Sat
Times: 2 p.m.

Rhino Encounter

Stand eye to eye with our Indian rhino as you learn about the excellent care our keepers provide!

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 8 years and older
Days offered: Sat
Times: 9:30 a.m.

Nature’s Neighborhood Animal Encounter

Meet animals from our ambassador animal collection up close.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: All ages
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
Times: 3 p.m.

Elephant Training Session

Discover what it takes to care for the largest mammals, meet the elephant team and view a training session up close.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 8 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Fri, Sun
Times: 1:15 p.m.

Cassowary Feed

This special encounter allows you to get up close to the Zoo's cassowary and participate in a feed experience.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Wed, Thu, Sat
Times: 2:30 p.m.