White River Gardens

Originally a separate facility that was a collaboration between the Indianapolis Zoo and the White River State Park, today the 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 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.

Butterflies in the Hilbert Conservatory are now gone for 2024 and will return in spring of 2025!