Field Trips at The Zoo

Spring is always our busiest season. Thursday and Friday dates are the most requested days at this time of the year and frequently sell out. For smaller crowd sizes in the spring please consider visiting earlier in the week. Or consider a visit in the fall or winter – fall is a great time to visit the zoo!

Explore the Zoo and White River Gardens with your school group to learn more about plants and animals from around the world. Exhibits at the Indianapolis Zoo highlight various habitats, including Plains, Deserts, Forests, Oceans and the new Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center. You can also explore a variety of plants in the Hilbert Conservatory and outdoor gardens.

Enjoy a dolphin presentation, which runs daily at 10:30am and 2pm (additional times may be available on the day of your trip). Presentations are included with admission, though tickets are required and are issued first-come, first-served at the admissions windows. The doors open 30 minutes prior to the presentation and will close five minutes before the presentation starts.

In the Oceans exhibit, your students will have the opportunity to touch smooth dog sharks. Please share these shark petting rules with your students and chaperones prior to your field trip:

• Touch the sharks on the side only, using two fingers.
• Do not grab the shark’s fins.
• Splashing scares the sharks.

The Indianapolis Zoo requires one adult at least 19 years of age to accompany every 10 students. Adult chaperones, including school staff, are expected to accompany students (through Grade 12) at all times. An adult must accompany students in the restrooms and the gift shops. Security staff will escort undisciplined or un-chaperoned groups from the Zoo. Include your chaperones in planning and conducting the field trip.

You may bring lunches to the Zoo, however, for the safety of our animals, food may not be carried into the Zoo. Groups can eat lunch in the picnic areas available near the bus parking or along the river behind White River Gardens. Please check with Guest Services for additional picnic areas. The Zoo is not able to store or refrigerate lunches.

Arrangements for box lunches may be made through the Zoo’s exclusive caterer, Centerplate Catering. For prices, menu selections, or to order, please view options here or call 317-488-5548.

Show us your school pride! To help keep track of your class, students and adult chaperones should wear adhesive nametags, or hats or T-shirts with your school name or logo on them. Nametags featuring pins or strings are not allowed on Zoo grounds as they can be hazardous to our animals.