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.
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!
Discover stunning views and breathtaking beauty throughout the outdoor gardens, known collectively as the DeHaan Tiergarten.
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The Indianapolis Zoo is also an accredited botanical garden. Come escape to nature!
published May 22, 2023 The Indianapolis Zoo will open a new entry on Memorial Day Weekend that reshapes a...
Published April 16, 2022 Travel with us to the tropics. Some spectacular orchids are currently blooming inside the Hilbert Conservatory....
Published Sept. 8, 2021 Big changes are in the landscape at the Zoo and White River Gardens, including a new...
Summer is the perfect time for kids to go outside and explore, which is why we are hosting a Nature...
By Greg Holthaus and Nina Evans Horticulturists In the spring of 2016 the Zoo’s Horticulture Department established a honey bee...
By Nina Evans Horticulturist Some great fruits and vegetables, along with some tasty herbs, were grown in the White River...
by Nina Evans Horticulturist If you’re like me, once you get a few good plants placed in your garden,...
By Nina Evans, Horticulturist Have you ever seen an elephant ear plant that looks like a manta ray? You...
By Nina Evans Horticulturist The White River Gardens is a National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Certified Wildlife Habitat garden. You can...
