Indianapolis Zoo: Visitor Guide

Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center

The world's largest orangutan exhibit — a 47,000 square foot facility where orangutans move freely overhead on cables and towers while visitors walk below. You can watch them swing directly above you. This is genuinely unlike anything at most zoos and is worth the trip by itself. Don't miss it.

Dolphin Adventure

Live dolphin shows run multiple times daily in the outdoor dolphin pavilion. The underwater viewing area lets you watch dolphins swim and interact up close. Check the daily schedule at the entrance — shows sell out seating quickly during busy summer weekends.

Oceans — Sharks & Marine Life

One of the few zoos in the country with a genuine shark exhibit. The walk-through tunnel puts you eye-level with sharks, rays, and large fish overhead and on both sides. The aquarium section also features touch tanks where kids can handle sea stars and rays.

Deserts Dome

A climate-controlled biome housing desert species from North America, Africa, and Australia. Year-round comfortable temperature regardless of Indiana weather. Worth building your visit around on cold or rainy days.

White River Gardens

An award-winning botanical garden adjacent to the zoo, included with zoo admission. Themed gardens, a 5,000 square foot conservatory, and a stunning interactive butterfly garden in season. A calm counterpoint to the busier zoo areas — families with younger kids love the garden sections.

Rides, Petting Zoo & Play Areas

Multiple rides (carousel, train, skyfari) are available for an extra fee. The Children's Zoo has a petting area with domesticated animals — goats, sheep, small animals. Splash parks operate in summer. Plan for at least an hour in this section if you have kids under 8.

General Admission (online) — Starting at $26.75 per adult. Children and seniors are discounted. Prices vary by season — summer is the highest tier. Always cheaper online than at the gate.

Rides & extras — Individual rides cost extra beyond admission. The carousel, train, and skyfari are not included in base admission. Budget $5-10 extra per kid if they'll want rides.

Parking — Paid on-site parking in the zoo's dedicated lot. Typically $10-15 per day. See the parking section below for alternatives.

Membership — If you're a local or planning multiple visits, the annual membership pays for itself after 2-3 visits and includes reciprocal access to hundreds of AZA-accredited zoos nationwide.

Rideshare (recommended for most visitors) — Uber or Lyft from the Convention Center or Monument Circle runs $7-12 and takes about 5 minutes. Easiest option if you're not renting a car. Pick-up on the return trip is straightforward from the main entrance.

Walk via the Canal Walk — A scenic 25-minute walk from the Convention Center area following the Indianapolis Canal Walk through White River State Park. Flat, paved, and pleasant on good-weather days. Follow the Canal Walk west and south — the zoo is at the end of the park.

Drive — About 5 minutes from downtown. Parking is on-site. On busy summer days, arrive early — the lot fills by 10 AM on peak weekends.

Bike/Scooter — The Cultural Trail and Canal Walk route is bike-friendly. Bike rack storage at the zoo entrance. Lime and Bird scooters are typically available near the Convention Center.

Zoo parking lot — Most convenient, typically $10-15. Fills fast on summer weekends.

White River State Park lots — Multiple surface lots throughout the park at varying rates. A short walk to the zoo entrance. Check the park's signage on arrival.

Convention attendees: If you're parked downtown for an event, ridesharing to the zoo avoids paying for both convention parking and zoo parking. A $10 rideshare each way often beats $15 zoo parking plus downtown event parking fees.

Start with the Orangutan Center
It tends to get crowded as the day goes on. Go first thing in the morning when orangutans are most active and the viewing areas are least crowded.

Check the dolphin show schedule at the entrance
Shows are at set times and seating fills up. Pick a show time when you arrive and work your day's schedule around it.

Budget $5-10 extra per child for rides
The carousel and train are crowd favorites for younger kids. They cost extra. Don't be surprised by the ask — just budget for it.

Bring a stroller or rent one on-site
64 acres is a lot of walking for small legs. Stroller rentals are available at the entrance. The zoo's paths are smooth and stroller-friendly throughout.

Pack snacks and water
Zoo concessions are expensive. Outside food is allowed. A cooler bag with snacks and drinks saves $20-30 for a family visit.

Arrive early, leave by early afternoon
The zoo is most pleasant before noon. Summer afternoons can be hot, animals are less active during peak heat, and crowds peak from 11 AM to 2 PM. An 8:30 AM arrival with a 1-2 PM departure is the local formula.

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art — World-class collection of Native American and Western art, adjacent to the zoo. A natural pairing with a zoo visit for families. Usually 2-3 hours.

NCAA Hall of Champions — Five minutes from the zoo. Free entry with certain passes. Worth a stop for sports fans.

Indianapolis Canal Walk — The scenic canal path connects White River State Park back to the Convention Center area and Broad Ripple. Paddle boats available for rent in season.

Indiana State Museum — Indiana history and science museum inside the park. Planetarium on site. Good rainy-day backup if the weather turns.

How much time to budget: 3-4 hours for a focused adult visit covering the main exhibits. 4-6 hours for families with kids who want rides, splash areas, and the petting zoo. The White River Gardens can add another 45-60 minutes.

Best days to visit: Weekday mornings are the least crowded. Summer weekends — especially Saturday midday — are the busiest. If you're visiting during a convention week, Wednesday or Thursday morning before the convention floor opens is ideal.

Seasonal notes: The zoo is open year-round. Winter hours are shorter and some outdoor exhibits have reduced access in cold weather. Summer has the most activity, the most visitors, and the highest prices. Spring (April-May) is often the sweet spot — mild weather, lower prices, and the botanical garden in bloom.