Experience
The Must Do Zoo

Experience the Must Do Zoo

Behind the Scenes Tours & Experiences

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 tab 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

Three levels of experiences!

Standard Tours

Price:
Members: $15/person
Non-members $20/person


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: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri
Times: 10 a.m. (M, F) & 4 p.m. (T, R, F)



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, Tue, Thu
Times: 9:30 a.m.



Nature’s Neighborhood Animal Encounter

Meet animals from our ambassador animal collection up close and tour our goat barn.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: All ages
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Daily
Times: 3 p.m.



Sturgeon and Hellbender

Explore our conservation in action through two Ohio species the Zoo is working to protect.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Sun, Mon, Tue, Fri, and Sat
Times: 1 p.m.



Wombat

Get an up close view of our wombat and talk with one of its keepers to learn how we care for this Australian animal.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Wed
Times: 1:30 p.m.



Primate Forest

Meet a primate keeper for a guided walkthrough of the Primate Forest exhibits as the animals come out for the morning.

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



Polar Bear

Go to our VIP viewing to see “Bo”, our baby polar bear, and learn how he is an ambassador for polar bears in the wild.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Sun, Wed
Times: 4:15 p.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: Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat
Times: 10:15 a.m.


Deluxe Tours

Members: $30/person
Non-members: $35/person


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: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat
Times: 2 p.m.



Cassowary Feed

Get up close to these amazing birds and participate in a feed opportunity.

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



Tasmanian Devil

Learn about our conservation efforts to protect these animals while getting a special look at their daily care.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Tue
Times: 1:30 p.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.



Cheetah Encounter

Experience the fastest land animal up close with some of our boys’ favorite enrichment.

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



Reptile House

Explore behind the scenes of our historic reptile house and see first-hand some of the amazing animals that call it home.

Duration: 30 mins
Ages: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Sun, Thu
Times: 10:30 a.m.


Premium Tours

Members: $45/person
Non-members: $50/person


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: 5 years and older
Maximum Group Size: 6
Days offered: Sun, Mon
Times: 1:15 p.m.


Policies

Tour Guidelines and Limitations:

  • Tour experiences may vary or be cancelled based on animals' behavior/needs
  • Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult 16 years or older.
  • For the safety of our animals and guests, please follow all staff directions and remain with the tour group.
  • Please do not touch and/or feed any animals unless instructed by Zoo staff.
  • All tours are walking tours. Wagons and strollers are permitted in public areas, but you will be asked to park them during behind-the-scenes portions due to space. Wheelchairs and scooters are accommodated with advanced notice.

Cancellations & Refund Policy:

  • Please contact us to cancel a pre-booked tour. For day of questions, please call 419-385-5721.
  • Cancellation 2+ days in advance receives full refund or reschedule.
  • Cancellation less than 24 hours in advance receives 50% refund or reschedule.
  • Cancellation or "no show" the day of tour receives no refund.

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