Photo of Indianapolis Zoo in Indiana
Zoos & Wildlife

Indianapolis Zoo

πŸ“ Indianapolis, IN

β˜…4.5(21,700 Google reviews)πŸ‘ΆAll ages

Compact and densely packed zoo in Indianapolis featuring dolphin presentations, ray and giraffe feeding, lorikeet encounters, and keeper talks across themed exhibit zones including Oceans, Plains, and Flights of Fancy.

βœ“ Unique dolphin viewing roomβœ“ Giraffe feedingβœ“ Hands-on encountersβœ“ Well-organized layoutβœ“ Good zoo foodβœ“ Weekdays recommended

πŸ† Family Action Verdict

Best for families with children of all ages who want hands-on animal encounters, not just passive viewing. The dolphin underwater viewing room is a standout that most zoos don't offer. Giraffe and flamingo feeding experiences consistently earn praise. Weekday visits on cooler days keep crowds manageable and animals more active.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

πŸ’‘Visit on a weekday or in cooler weather for more active animals and smaller crowds
⏰Budget for giraffe, flamingo, and other feeding experiences β€” these are the standout moments
🎟️The dolphin underwater viewing room is unique β€” don't skip it
πŸš—Food quality is reportedly good and reasonably priced for a zoo

πŸ’¬ What Families Are Saying

View all reviews β†’
4.5
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21,700 Google reviews

G Reviews from Google

T

Tatiana Daguillard

a month ago

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β€œI visited while in town for a sorority conference, and I had an amazing experience from start to finish. The zoo is incredibly well laid out, clean, and easy to navigate, which made it enjoyable to explore at a relaxed pace without feeling overwhelmed. For a zoo with a relatively small footprint, I was genuinely impressed by the incredible wildlife diversity, engaging education programs, and the variety of events and learning opportunities happening throughout the space. Every area felt intentional, immersive, and thoughtfully designed. The animal habitats felt well cared for, and you can tell there’s real attention given to both animal welfare and the visitor experience. I appreciated how close you can get to many of the exhibits while still feeling respectful of the animals’ space. The grounds were beeeautiful, with plenty of shaded areas, seating, and spots to pause and just enjoy the vibe. Staff throughout the zoo was friendly, helpful... maps and signs are clear and easy to read, but I get easily turned around and staff was easy to access and talk to. ***RECIPROCAL MEMBERSHIP: This Zoo does not participate in the reciprocal Zoo programs, however because I have a memberahip with a different AZA zoo, I was able to get a discount on my admission ticket. As someone visiting from out of town, I highly recommend!!!”

M

morganhorse java

2 months ago

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β€œI've never been to a zoo with such a unique dolphin viewing room!! For sure the highlight of the day! We were there on a cloudy snowy day but it made it better because the walruses and other cold loving critters were being pretty active!! Also made it more fun because we felt like we had the zoo all to ourselves!! All the staff we encountered were so incredibly sweet!! The cafe was open surprisingly and thankfully we stopped in for some coffee and hot chocolate!”

J

june

2 months ago

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β€œI LOVE LOVE LOVE the zoo! it was pretty chilly out the day I went so not many animals were out but I saw the orangutans and the giant tortoises and the tigers and seals and walruses and penguins oh my! :) I do wish the red pandas had been out though they are by far my favorite animal and I've heard a lot about them!”

πŸ’¬ What parents mention

Unique dolphin underwater viewingExcellent layout and diversity of exhibitsHands-on animal feeding experiences

Overview

Indianapolis Zoo organizes exhibits into themed zones: Oceans includes dolphin presentations and a unique underwater viewing room; Plains features giraffe and kangaroo feeding; Flights of Fancy hosts lorikeet encounters. Daily keeper talks, animal chats, and interactive feeding experiences run throughout the day. The zoo also offers seasonal events and educational programming.

πŸ• Opening Hours

Monday09:00 – 16:00
Tuesday09:00 – 16:00
Wednesday09:00 – 16:00
Thursday09:00 – 16:00
Friday09:00 – 16:00
Saturday09:00 – 16:00
Sunday09:00 – 16:00

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