White River Gardens
Explore the Beauty of Nature as part of the Zoo's New Guest Entry Experience

White River Gardens

About White River Gardens

Transport yourself far away from the urban cityscape, and surround yourself with lush greenery and native wildlife!

White River Gardens is part of the Zoo’s new guest entry experience that creates a total immersion into nature from the very first steps inside the Zoo. As visitors first walk through the Indianapolis Colts Welcome Plaza, they will now enter the Zoo through the White River Gardens. This beautiful 3.3-acre landmark attraction includes the Hilbert Conservatory, a 5,000 square-foot tropical oasis inside a glistening glass building, as well as the outdoor DeHaan Tiergarten that combines the best of gardening ideas, plant information and inspirational design that continues its tradition of connecting animals, plants and people.

 

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Wild Encounters
Get Up-Close with a Variety of the Zoo's Animal Ambassadors as part of our New Guest Entry Experience!

Amidst the colorful flowers, plants, playful sculptures and fountains, guests will encounter delightful surprises as they have the chance to meet a variety of Wild Encounter animal ambassadors like a chatty parrot, sleepy sloth, slithery snake, adorable aardvark, pouched rat – you never know who you will meet!

Explore White River Gardens
Experience everything the Gardens have to offer!
The Buzz About Our Honey Bees

White River Gardens is home to more than 20,000 honey bees. Go inside the hives with our experts and how you can help these important pollinators.

Buy tickets and see the botanical beauty!

The Indianapolis Zoo is also an accredited botanical garden. Come escape to nature!

White River Gardens News
Learn more about White River Gardens
Zoo’s New Entry Now Open
Zoo’s New Entry Now Open

The Indianapolis Zoo’s new entry is officially here! Officially opened on Memorial Day Weekend, this new guest entry experience that...

Biodiversity in Bloom
Biodiversity in Bloom

Published April 16, 2022 Travel with us to the tropics. Some spectacular orchids are currently blooming inside the Hilbert Conservatory....

Changes in the Landscape at White River Gardens
Changes in the Landscape at White River Gardens

Published Sept. 8, 2021 Big changes are in the landscape at the Zoo and White River Gardens, including a new...

Nature Play Day
Nature Play Day

Summer is the perfect time for kids to go outside and explore, which is why we are hosting a Nature...

The Buzz About Bees
The Buzz About Bees

By Greg Holthaus and Nina Evans Horticulturists In the spring of 2016 the Zoo’s Horticulture Department established a honey bee...

Tasty Plants for Small Spaces
Tasty Plants for Small Spaces

By Nina Evans Horticulturist Some great fruits and vegetables, along with some tasty herbs, were grown in the White River...

The Clowes Coral Reef Garden
The Clowes Coral Reef Garden

By Nina Evans, Horticulturist   Have you ever seen an elephant ear plant that looks like a manta ray? You...

Gardens Attract Wildlife
Gardens Attract Wildlife

By Nina Evans Horticulturist The White River Gardens is a National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Certified Wildlife Habitat garden. You can...