With our Overnight Adventure programs, you can! Each spring and fall our Nocturnal Adventure programs are available for school groups. During the summer months bring your youth, scout, or other group to experience a Summer Safari.
Come join us on one of our thematic evenings — Adaptation Station, Conservation Connection, Habitat Junction, Orangutans, or Zoo Careers — to help assist you teach these concepts to your class!
Cost: $50 per child and $30 per adult
Available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings in April, May and October for a maximum of 100 guests.
From where they live to what they eat, animals have adaptations to aid them in their surroundings. Our nightly activities investigate how adaptations help an animal survive. The night will include an after-hours tour, an evening hike through our Deserts building and an adaptation game. Together, we will explore how certain physical or behavioral characteristics aid an organism’s fight for resources, food and survival. Recommended for grades 2-5.
Who’s endangered and why? Get connected and explore what you can do to help endangered species and habitats around the world. Participants will learn about how species become endangered and why caring for the animals at the Zoo is important to the survival of species in the wild. Over the course of the night, groups will be taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of the dolphin kitchen, participate in after-hour exploration of the Oceans building, and learn more about conservation through games and a craft. Join us to find out more about what you can do to help protect the earth and its inhabitants! Recommended for grades 2-5.
Who lives where and why? Discover the importance of habitats to animals and see what it takes for the Zoo to put together a habitat. Groups will be taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of Oceans to see what it takes to put together a habitat at the Zoo. Also, participants will go on an exploratory night hike in our Gardens, play games and make a craft. Recommended for grades 2-5.
Spend the night at the Zoo and discover the world of orangutans and orangutan conservation. In the morning you and your students will be some of the first people into the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center where you will have an opportunity to come face to face with our orangutans.
Ever wonder what it would be like to work at a zoo? Investigate the wide range of careers found at the zoo. Go behind the scenes and see how the zoo works for people and animals. Recommended for grades 6-12.
Cost: $50 per child, $30 per adult
Have you ever wanted to take an evening trek through the wild? At the Indianapolis Zoo, you can! During our Summer Safaris, you will discover the animals of Africa and beyond on this overnight adventure. This summer safari takes place at the Zoo where you will explore animals big and small. You'll take an after-hours hike in the African Plains and go behind the scenes in the Zoo Commissary while being guided by one of our knowledgeable educators. Available select dates in June, July, and August.
Arrive |
6:30pm |
Welcome & Orientation |
6:30-7pm |
Activity #1 |
7:15-7:45pm |
Activity #2 |
8-8:30pm |
Activity #3 |
8:45-9:15pm |
Snack & Movie |
9:30-10pm |
Lights Out |
10:15pm |
Wake Up Call |
7am |
Breakfast |
7:30am |
Zoo Field Trip on Your Own |
8:30am |
Nocturnal Adventures can be registered through our online reservation system. Available Oct., April, and May.
Summer Sarafis can be registered through our online reservation system. Available June, July and Aug.
Looking for something new to do with the family? Come and experience an overnight at the Zoo! With our Family Overnight program, you will get to spend the night at the Zoo and participate in a variety of different activities specifically designed for families, including a craft, games, animal stories, a special after-hours Zoo tour and catered breakfast.
Multiple families may sign up for an Indianapolis Zoo Family Overnight. We require a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 45 total participants. If fewer than 20 register, we may have to to cancel the overnight. We will notify families at least 30 days prior to the evening if we have to cancel.
Participants must be at least 6 years old to participate in any Indianapolis Zoo overnight program.
Summer family Overnight — July 17
Fall Family Overnight — Oct. 23
