indianapolis zoo school field trip

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From an all-new chimpanzee exhibit to meeting the newest member of the rhino herd to bathing an elephant, there are so many reasons to visit in 2024!

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Indianapolis Zoo

General info and tips.

Located in White River State Park along the scenic riverbanks, the Indianapolis Zoo offers 64 acres of both indoor and outdoor animal attractions as well as three additional acres of outdoor gardens.  The Zoo protects nature and inspires people to care for our world, with a portion of each ticket funding wildlife conservation. Hang out with orangutans, Extreme Snakes, and dolphins, or explore the newest exhibit, Kangaroo Crossing. There are several biomes to enjoy: experience the Deserts, soar with Flights of Fancy, climb in the Forests, swim in the Oceans, or Roam the Plains! Can’t make it to the physical zoo? No problem! Animal webcams are available 24/7.

Top Exhibits:

• International Orangutan Center:  Designed to stimulate the apes' physical, social and intellectual abilities, the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center is home to one of the largest groups of orangutans in any American zoo.
• Extreme Snakes: Hang out with more than 20 species from around the world, including some of the largest and most dangerous. Brave guests can then get as close as they dare to an animal widely regarded as one of the deadliest snakes on the planet.
• Magnificent Macaws: With one of the largest flocks of macaws in North America, Zoo guests can watch as Magnificent Macaws soar overhead in the summertime. Opportunities await to get up close with long-tailed macaques, orangutans, tigers, walrus, dolphins and so many other iconic species.
• Special experiences including the Dolphin In-Water Adventure and Animal Art Adventures invite visitors behind the scenes to learn more about incredible animals while also helping to advance the Zoo’s animal conservation mission.

Tips for Visiting:

Tickets are $15-$34.75 for adults, $15-$31.75 for children ages 2-12, $15-$32.75 for seniors 62+, and children under 2 are free. Combine and save on Indy’s top attractions with a 1-day or 3-day Indy Attraction Pass . Save up to 50 percent when you buy tickets online before your visit. Be sure to wear weather- and walking- friendly attire and shoes. The Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens are fully ADA accessible. Learn more on our Accessible Indy guide .

Upcoming Events the Zoo

You might also like:, the children's museum, conner prairie, eiteljorg museum, indiana historical society, indiana state museum, indianapolis motor speedway museum, ndy sculptures, monuments memorials, indy racing experience.

The Indianapolis Zoo | Plan a Wild Day at This Essential Indy Attraction

Written by Sara Keller

What kid doesn’t love a day at the zoo? I challenge you to find a child who can’t find a single creature that doesn’t enchant, intrigue, or inspire them. Whether you’re a visitor from out of town, a local showing off the city to guests, or a parent or caregiver entertaining the kids for the morning, the Indianapolis Zoo is a key destination that should always be on your list.

The Indianapolis Zoo is one part gardens, one part educational interpretation, and one part venue for some of our favorite annual Indy events. But of course, the main attraction is and always will be the animals.

This classic Indy landmark is jam-packed with amazing creatures, programs, and entertainment and we don’t want you to miss a single thing. Dive into our ultimate guide to the Indianapolis Zoo and get all the details you need to plan a wild day out.

A Warm Welcome – New in 2023

From the plaza, step inside the Hilbert Conservatory to immerse yourself in a display of vibrant tropical plants and, seasonally, butterflies from around the world. Finally, as you leave the Welcome Plaza to enter the zoo, peek into the Global Species for Species Survival to learn about the conservation experts working to protect our planet and catch glimpses of wildlife on the video screen in the rotunda.

Animal habitats are divided by environment or ecosystem at the Indianapolis Zoo, with a few outlying creatures occupying their own stand-alone exhibits. Check this list to get an idea of where you might find your favorite animals during your visit.

The Oceans building is the first you’ll encounter after entering the zoo. You’ll likely hear the braying of the sea lions from their rock perches as you approach. Inside, you’ll find a dark environment that allows visitors to easily see brightly colored tropical fish in their tanks. Kids especially love the “bubble window” which allows them to feel as if they’re underwater amongst the fish.

For many, the highlight of the Oceans building is the shark and stingray touch tank. Gently use two fingers to feel the animals’ smooth skin as they glide beneath you. Hand driers are provided.

Other exhibits in this building include an underwater view of the sea lions, a penguin habitat housing multiple species, and macaque monkeys.

Enter the Forest exhibit to meet an adorable red panda, powerful tigers, noisy gibbons, colorful macaws, and often-snoozy brown bears.

Other creatures considered part of the Forest environment are located outside of the main Forest path. Check out the alligators and crocodiles, and definitely don’t miss Kangaroo Crossing. Walk along a sidewalk in an enclosure where red kangaroos roam at will. Visitors are even allowed to gently touch the kangaroos if they are within reach of the walkway.

Even in the dead of winter, the desert building is toasty warm. See a host of scaly reptile friends, many of whom mingle together in shared enclosures. Kids are immediately drawn to the lively meerkats, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot an elusive sand cat. You can also see some of the most deadly snakes on the planet in a hall dedicated to these slithering creatures.

International Orangutan Center

Even before you enter the zoo, you may find yourself wondering about the poles and wires towering above the other exhibits. These are an oversized jungle gym built especially for the zoo’s daredevil orangutans. Look up on nice days – you may find a huge primate swinging high above your head.

For a closer look, stop by for a quick “hello” at one of several outdoor windows, or head inside to watch the inhabitants play, eat, cuddle, and best of all, swing!

When you think of the zoo, what animals first come to mind? Chances are, whatever you thought of is found in the Plains. Cheetahs, lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and zebras are all in this section at the very back of the zoo. You can also see porcupines, warthogs, guinea fowl, and baboons.

A central plain greets you when you first enter. This is a great spot to view the ostriches, wildebeest, antelope, and other animals, but if it’s busy, know you’ll have other viewpoints as you make your way around.

Flights of Fancy

You can’t miss the flock of bright pink, squawking flamingos as you make your way toward the Plains! The rest of this exhibit is comprised of contained aviaries housing a dozen other bird species. The budgies and lorikeets are especially lively and colorful! Guests can pass through a double-door entry to walk through the enclosures.

The arctic foxes also currently live in Flights of Fancy.

Rides and Attractions

Dolphin show.

While visitors can always stop by to see the dolphins from their underwater viewing area, one of the best ways to experience these incredible creatures is by watching the dolphin presentation. Watch the dolphins’ spectacular jumps and flips while learning more about their conservation through an accompanying video.

Be sure the check the zoo’s schedule for times, but there are typically 1-2 shows scheduled daily. Seating is first-come, first-served, so arrive when the doors open 30 minutes prior to show time if the zoo is busy!

The Indianapolis Zoo offers four exciting rides to enjoy on your visit: The Endangered Species Carousel, the Kombo Family Coaster, the Skyline, and the White River Junction Train. Tickets for rides are $4 each. If you’re attending with the whole family or planning to try several in one day, save some money by purchasing a 10-pack for $35.

Animal Feeding and Chats

Before you go, check the zoo’s daily schedule to see what animal feeds are happening that day. Most of these experiences require a $4 ticket. Animal chats are included with admission. Learn more about an amazing animal from a friendly, knowledgeable zookeeper!

Premium Experiences

The Indianapolis Zoo does offer several premium animal encounters that can be added on to your admission. These range from a $20 dolphin meet-and-greet to animal art experiences and dolphin in-water adventures in the $200-300 range. May we suggest these as the most unforgettable birthday or special occasion gift for the animal lover in your life?

Annual Events

These annual events are local favorites and are included with admission. Members attend for free!

ExZOOberance

Spring (Dates in March-April)

As we get excited about the warmer spring temperatures, so do all the zoo animals! Enjoy beautiful floral displays, entertainment, and spring-themed activities.

Zoopolis 500

The Indianapolis Zoo celebrates the Greatest Spectacle in Racing with a twist: Join real Indycar and IMS celebrities one day in May to see giant tortoises race to reach bowls of delicious fruit.

Animals and All That Jazz

Thursday Evenings, June-August

Listen to live jazz, blues, and R&B while enjoying specialty food for purchase and a full bar. Enjoy visiting the animals later in the day, when the temperatures are cooler.

Kids are encouraged to come in costume for an evening of spookiness at ZooBoo! Every year includes festive fun in Pumpkin Town and a trick-or-treat trail around the zoo.

Christmas at the Zoo

Dates in November and December

One of the nation’s premier zoo holiday lights displays, Christmas at the Zoo is truly magical. Visit Santa, walk the Polar Pathway, meet penguins up close, and enjoy your stroll through a twinkling wonderland.

Indy with Kids Exclusive Tips

Members of our team of local contributors have been playing at the Indianapolis Zoo with their families for years. They’ve picked up some tips and tricks along the way and are thrilled to share them with you. We hope these secrets help you plan a fantastic, wrinkle-free day at the zoo!

“Go early to beat the heat. Use the viewing area (below the auditorium) to see the dolphins if the dolphin show is at capacity.” – Jessica Deubner

“If you go early, head to the Plains first because everyone tends to go to the Oceans first. I also prefer going through the exhibits backward. Sit near the exits at the dolphin show. It gets hot and humid in there and you’ll want to get out asap after the show.” – Stephanie Greenwald

“Prioritize the elephant encounter in the Plains. It is so cool and included with admission. During a festival, go during the day and then stay for the evening event for free. For example, visit for the day in October and then stay for Zoo Boo. You’ll get to do the themed stuff before it gets super busy.” – Erin Dague

“Check out the add-on option to high-five a dolphin (at a Meet-and-Greet). It’s the cheapest up-close add-on and so neat. Pack a lunch and get stamped to be able to go eat outside the zoo, then return when you are finished. The best time to go is when it is a little drizzly. Just grab your umbrella and rain boots. There are significantly fewer crowds and the animals are way more active.” – Ashley Toler

“We like to go Sundays after the home Indians games. We park at the zoo and walk to the game and afterward go to the zoo. It’s not as crowded going an hour or so before they close.” – Ashley Dykton

“Be sure to visit White River Gardens in the summer. They have wonderful fountains and cool shaded areas to explore. When it’s super hot, get to the misters in the Plains to cool down. My kids (and I) love it there and get drenched!” – Melanie Quinlan

“Go in the winter! Different animals are active, and between the Oceans, dolphin show, and Deserts, you can warm up in between outdoor exhibits. We really enjoyed seeing the bears when it was colder.” – Audrey Walters

“Our favorite place for a snack break is the Adirondack chairs just outside the budgie aviary. It’s fully shaded and the birds are so entertaining to watch. If you can plan around one of the macaw presentations, do it! Meet in the Bicentennial Pavilion and watch as the birds soar in from their habitat in Forests.” – Sara Keller

Tickets and Parking

When purchasing tickets for the Indianapolis Zoo, you will typically save some money by buying in advance online. Prices at the time of publishing range from $15-$32.75 depending on the day, but you will always pay the highest possible price at the gate.

Parking is $10 and large vehicles like campers cost $20. If the main lot is full on busy days, you may be redirected to an overflow lot nearby. A free shuttle is provided back to the zoo gates.

Memberships

Local families often find an annual membership is the most cost-effective way to experience the Indianapolis Zoo, if you plan to go several times throughout the year. Go for an hour or for the whole day. Parking is free for members, and the zoo offers several members-only events and previews throughout the year.

Infant Care and Accessibility

Find a Mamava Lactation Suite inside the International Orangutan Center.

Strollers, wheelchairs, and electric scooters are available for rent for a fee on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Indianapolis Zoo is fully ADA-accessible. You’ll find ramps, elevators, accessible bathrooms, and picnic tables with wheelchair access throughout the zoo.

The Indianapolis Zoo’s hours change regularly with the seasons, and hours vary by day. Beginning in April, the Indianapolis Zoo opens daily at 9, but closing times vary between 4-9 pm. Winter hours beginning mid-November are more limited and also vary, so be sure to check the schedule online and plan ahead before you go.

The Indianapolis Zoo just keeps getting better year after year. Every visit yields a new experience, as you just never know what the animal residents will be up to each day. Fill the car with the little wild things in your life and get ready for a day of adventure with all the zoo’s incredible creatures.

Visit the world’s best Children’s Museum or step back in time at Conner Prairie.

The Indianapolis Zoo and so much more made our 1 01 Days of Summer list!

Learn about animals native to Indiana for FREE at local nature centers.

The Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend is Indiana’s OLDEST zoo.

Visit The Indianapolis Zoo | Plan a Wild Day at This Essential Indy Attraction

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Zoo Lesson Plan

Please note, this lesson plan was created by FieldTripDirectory.com as a general guide and is not specific to any particular venue listed on our site.

The giraffe’s tongue is black to prevent sunburn while eating in the hot sun. Their spots, which are as unique as humans fingerprints, are designed for camouflage. And they need less sleep than any other mammal, using the time instead to browse for food.

When you go to the zoo, be on the lookout for the clever ways animals adapted to their surroundings and developed traits that help them survive.

OVERVIEW Students act like scientists to observe animal life while focusing on the diets and eating habits.

OBJECTIVES Students will observe animals and note their habitats and diets. Students will understand the connection between diet and habitat.

MATERIALS • K-W-L Chart of Diets and Eating Habits.

• Pencil and clipboard

KEY VOCABULARY/CONCEPTS Habitat                 Carnivore                      Herbivore                     Omnivore

Hook:  How do you get your food? (Student answers may include the store, my family, a restaurant). How would your eating habits change if you didn’t have a microwave? Would it change if you had to grow and prepare all your own food? Why? (Discuss that what we eat depends on our surroundings and abilities, just like animals).

Step 1:  Explain to students that we will be observing animals in their habitats to discover what diets and eating habits they have and why.

Step 2:  Create a K-W-L chart to assess prior knowledge. Have students list examples of eating habits of animals they already know in the “Know” column.

Step 3:  Have students observe 5-10 animals. On paper, they will note the animal name, describe the habitat and the diet, and include any notes on eating habits. **You may want to assign students 5 animals to observe or allow them to choose before they visit the aquarium.

Step 4:  With younger students, you may need to model how to observe exhibits in the aquarium. Look carefully and slowly at all parts of the exhibit – animals, plants, rocks, sand. Notice the colors, textures, and amount of organisms in the exhibit, as well as what they are doing. Read the informational signs around the exhibit. Ask questions and make hypotheses. Focus on one animal and take descriptive notes.

Step 5:  Allow students to move around the zoo, observing and making notes.

Step 6:  After viewing the exhibits, ask students to share their findings. What animals did they learn about? Where do these animals live, what do they eat, and what habits do they have? Add these to the “Learn” column of the K-W-L chart.

Step 7:  Discuss the following questions:

– How are an animal’s diets related to their habitats? – How are an animal’s diets related to their eating habits? – Compare and contrast two animals’ diets and habitats. What do you notice? – Some animals have special traits that make finding food easier. Did you see any examples?

EXTENSIONS 1. Students view the interactive lesson about carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores .

2. Students create a menu for an animal they studied, including options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

3. A great lesson about animal instincts vs. learned behavior: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/animal-instincts.cfm

Walking by the Way

the road to inspired learning

Indiana Field Trips: Zoos, Animal Parks, Gardens

March 10, 2016 by ami 1 Comment

 A huge thanks to my friend and co-op cohort, Heidi Rider , for contributing her gigantic list of Indiana field trips; she spent hours and hours compiling the trips around our great state. Another thanks to the Interest Led Homeschooling Facebook group as well as the IAHE Facebook group for sharing more great field trip ideas. Feel free to thank these people in the comments below!

Zoos, Animal Parks, & Gardens

All American Rose Garden (Richmond)

Black Pine Animal Park (Albion) A non-profit exotic  animal  rescue center dedicated to life-time  animal  care and educating the public about responsible pet ownership.

Columbian Park Zoo (Lafayette) The zoo is home to more than 190 animals from over 90 species.

Exotic Feline Rescue Center (Center Point) One of the largest rescue centers in the United States for exotic felines, the  EFRC  features nearly 200 big cats from eight species.

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory (Ft. Wayne) Our three indoor gardens cover over 25,000 square feet and showcase 1,200 plants (over 500 species) and 72 different types of cacti.

Fort Wayne Zoo (Ft. Wayne) This 1,000-animal zoo has is located on 40 acres in Fort Wayne's Franke Park

Garfield Park Conservatory & Sunken Gardens (Indianapolis) Park includes a 4-season conservatory of global plants & 3 acres of European formal gardens.

Hayes Regional Arboretum (Richmond) Regional arboretum in Richmond presents information about walking trails, nature center, the preserved old-growth forest, and the collections of trees, ferns, and native woody plants.

Indiana Raptor Center (Nashville) Indiana Raptor Center  is a hospital for birds of prey located in Nashville, Indiana. Offers educational programming for students.

Indianapolis Zoo & White River Gardens (Indianapolis) This zoo experience brings the best of three worlds together; it's a zoo, an aquarium, and a botanical garden!

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanical Garden (Evansville) One of the oldest and largest zoos in the state.

Minnetrista  (Muncie) Your garden experience at Minnetrista is always FREE! Browse our themed gardens to see examples of different techniques and plantings.

Potawatomi Zoo (South Bend) The oldest zoo in Indiana, Potawatomi Zoo features more than 400 animals. With plenty of things to see and do, including educational classes, special events and facility rentals, the zoo has something for everyone.

Purdue University Horticulture Gardens (West Lafayette)

Quilt Gardens (Elkhart County)

Red Wolf Sanctuary & Raptor Rehab (Rising Sun) Dedicated to the preservation and continued existence of North American wildlife. 

Shoiojiri Niwa Japanese Gardens (Mishawaka)

Sunken Gardens (Huntington)

Washington Park Zoo (Michigan City) Encompasses 15 acres on a hilly sand dune and located near the southern shore of beautiful Lake Michigan. The zoo exhibits more than 90 species originating throughout the world. 

Warsaw Biblical Gardens (Warsaw) Our one hour tour follows a meandering garden path and provides botanical information along with Scriptural references and Bible stories about our plants. Tour passes through six micro-climates which represent the main environments of which the Bible speaks – the Meadow, the Orchard, the Forest, the Desert, the Wet and Dry Brook, and the Crop area.      

Wildlife in Need (Charlestown)

Wolf Creek Habitat (Brookville) Interact with the wolves, look on from an observation deck, and listen as they sing .

Wolf Park (Battle Ground) Group tours and a few different educational programs are offered.

Other Fun Things to Do

Artist Within, The (Muncie) Paint your own pottery.

Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana (Hammond)

Garfield Trail (Grant County) Visit eleven unique statues of America’s favorite lasagna-loving fat cat, Garfield. Located in Marion, Indiana and surrounding Grant County cities, the fiberglass statues each measure approximately five feet in height and depict Jim Davis’s Garfield in hilarious costumes or situations.

Go Ape Zip Line & Treetop Adventure  at Eagle Creek Park  (Indianapolis) The adventure course is made up of numerous rope ladders, 39 crossings to include the Log Balance, Flying Carpet and Tic Tac Toe, two Tarzan swings, and five zip lines.  There are five individual sections within the course, each section taking you higher into the forest canopy and finishing with a zip line more exciting than the previous one!

The course is surrounded by endless amounts of activities such as sailing and boat rentals, 22 miles of hiking trails, two nature centers, two retreat centers, a fitness course, TONS of picnic areas and shelters, a swimming beach, state nature preserves, cross-country skiing paths, waterfowl sanctuary and even a shooting range. 

Holiday World (Santa Claus) The world's first theme park! It also includes a water park.

Indiana Beach (Monticello) Amusement park and resort located on Lake Shafer; includes a water park.

Indiana Central Canal (Indianapolis) The Canal Walk is part of the Indiana Central Canal, which was dug in the early 1800s, in an effort to facilitate interstate commerce. Sightsee the canal by walking next to it or by renting a paddle boat.

Painting Fun Spot (Fort Wayne) Paint and take pottery, canvas, plaster, and ceramics.

Paoli Peaks (Paoli) Paoli Peaks is for skiers, snowboarders, snowbladers, and tubers.

Perfect North Slopes (Lawrenceburg) Perfect North Slopes is a ski area consisting of 4 magic carpets, 2 rope tows, and 5 chairlifts.

Rawhide Ranch (Nashville) This dude ranch will give you a taste of the Old West.

SkyZone   (Fishers and Ft. Wayne)

Tropicanoe Cove (Lafayette)

Whitewater Canoe Rental (Brookville) Offers scenic canoe trips, kayaking, tubing, rafting, and riverside camping on the Whitewater River

Whitewater Valley Railroad (Connersville)

World’s Largest Ball of Paint (Alexandria) The World's Largest Ball of Paint hangs from an industrial-size hook: a solid mass of microscopically-thin layers, painted on top of each other day after day, year after year. Go learn the story and add a layer of paint to the ball!  

Looking for more Indiana Field Trip ideas? Check out The Ultimate List of Indiana Field Trips

December 17, 2017 at 5:05 am

Nice post! There’s a lot to do in Indiana, looking forward to visiting Indiana soon. Thanks for sharing!

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Today's Hours: 9am - 5pm

School Trips

If you’re planning a trip to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for your school class, you may qualify for special field trip rates.

School groups must meet the following criteria for the rates to apply:

• A minimum of 15 in your group
• A state-certified curriculum
• Plan your visit during specified field trip times  

Finding the best rate for your school trip is easy. Just follow these three steps.

• Tell us about your group by moving the toggles below.
• Review the pricing information.
• Follow the instructions to prepare for your trip to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium!

Partners in Conservation

Learn about the Zoo’s financial commitment to holistic conservation efforts in Central Africa.

Donate to the Wildlife Conservation Fund!

At the Zoo, the Manatee Coast is not your average exhibit:  It’s a rescue and rehabilitation facility.

Everyday Actions

Learn about actions YOU can take to protect endangered species like the manatees.

Summer Zoo Camps

Summer day camps for Zoo enthusiasts ages 3 all the way to 7th grade! 

Teen Eco Summit

Register your team and make a difference at your school!

Become a Zoo member!

Volunteer at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium!

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• FAQs and Policies

Visit the Zoo with Your Group Today!

Enhance your students’ learning with a field trip where the Zoo is your living classroom! Field trips to the Zoo are available year round every day of the week.

Field Trips to the Zoo are a great way to observe animals and feel a connection to wildlife. Students will discover and learn at a world-class zoo that is actively engaged in conservation and sustainability, and filled with opportunities to get up-close and personal with wildlife. Field Trips are available year-round every day of the week.

Have you already booked your field trip and need more information?

General Field Trip Information

Dates :  Sunday-Saturday, year-round.  

Time :  10:00am-5:00pm; Early Entry 9:00am during spring/summer.  See  Zoo Today  for hours of operation.

Cost :  Students $8; Adults $8.  

Note :  We require 1 adult for every 7 students. Required adults are free. Required 1:1 student aides and bus drivers are always free.  

Payment :  Final numbers are not due until check-in the day you arrive. Once you check-in, payment is due (check, credit card, cash, or purchase order).  

Parking :  $10-$50 All vehicles parking at the Zoo must purchase a bus parking pass. Please see  diagram  for bus parking fee. Members driving separately may use Zoo membership for free car parking.  

All Day Train & Carousel Rides :  Students $4; Adults $4.  Must be purchased by check-in to receive a discount.     

School Lunches :  Group lunches are available Monday-Friday, with a lunch pick-up times at 10:30, 11:00 or 11:30. Lunches must be booked at least two weeks in advance.    School lunch details & request form 

Lunch Options 

• Options: Cheese, Pepperoni
• Max: 12 pizzas
• Min: 10 Hot Dogs
• Max: 100 Hot Dogs
• Min: 10 Chips & Waters
• Max: 100 Chips & Waters
• Reservations must be made at least 2 weeks in advance. There is a 10-person lunch minimum.
• All school lunches are required to be paid for via credit card. We are not able to accept any other forms of payment such as checks or purchase orders.
• Once this form has been submitted, you will receive an email confirmation with a credit card authorization form attached. The credit card authorization form must be completed and sent back via email within 72 hours of receiving. If credit card authorization forms is not received within 72 hours, your lunch request will not be processed.
• Any changes or cancellations must be made at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled visit.

Close Encounters

No stuffy lectures here! The Adaptations Close Encounters programs focus on participatory learning through students’ observations of the behavioral and physical adaptations of two special animal ambassador visitors! These programs are designed to be fun and engaging while remaining developmentally appropriate and supporting Next Generation Science Standards.

Dates :  Monday-Friday, October 1-May 19  

Time :  10:45-11:15, 11:30-12:00, 1:00-1:30 (afternoon program March-May only)  

Cost :  $25 per program  *Schools that register for a Close Encounter are committed to a $25 per program fee, unless cancelled 48hrs before arrival to the Zoo.

Audience :  students PreK-8 th  grade. 8-35 students per program, depending on availability.  

Sustainability Tours

The tour highlights the Zoo’s sustainability efforts in terms of green building design, energy efficiency, water conservation, stormwater management, solid waste management, and land stewardship. Go Green Challenges throughout the tour present tangible suggestions for how visitors can address the same issues at home.

Dates :  Tuesday-Friday, October 1-November 30, Monday-Friday, February 1-May 19  

Time :  10:30-11:15, 1:00-1:45  

Cost :  $0 per program  

Audience :  students 6 th -12 th  grade. 8-20 students per program, max 10 chaperones per program.  

Through advanced animal and plant research, CREW is leading the way to secure a positive future for endangered species. During this 30-minute guided tour of the CREW building, students will have the opportunity to see scientists in the labs and gain a better understanding of the science taking place every day, right here at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

Dates :  Monday-Friday, year-round  

Time :  10:30-11:00, 11:15-11:45, 12:00-12:30  

Audience :  students 7 th  grade-college. Max 15 participants per program.  

Thanks to our sponsors and the Living Classroom Education Access Fund, qualified schools can apply for financial assistance for educational school programs.

The Living Classroom Education Access Fund supports underserved youth from the Greater Cincinnati Metropolitan Area receive free programs and field trips where they can experience the wonder of wildlife and wild places, many of whom have never had a Zoo experience.

Field Trip Programs

Get more from your field trip with interactive and engaging educational programs designed specifically for school groups. Programs are offered for preschool-college ages, and are aligned to state education standards.

All programs must be pre-registered. Programs must be booked two weeks in advance.  For information on financial aid, please visit our Living Classroom Education Access Fund .

Cost : $25 per program *Schools that register for a Close Encounter are committed to a $25 per program fee, unless cancelled 48hrs before arrival to the Zoo.

Audience : students PreK-8 th grade. 8-35 students per program, depending on availability.  

Cost : $0 per program  

Audience : students 6 th -12 th grade. 8-20 students per program, max 10 chaperones per program.  

Audience : students 7 th grade-college. Max 15 participants per program.  

Time :  10:00am-5:00pm; Early Entry 9:00am during spring/summer.  See Zoo Today for hours of operation.

Payment : Final numbers are not due until check-in the day you arrive. Once you check-in, payment is due (check, credit card, cash, or purchase order).  

Parking : $10-$50 All vehicles parking at the Zoo must purchase a bus parking pass. Please see diagram for bus parking fee. Members driving separately may use Zoo membership for free car parking.  

Lunches :  Group lunches are available Monday-Friday, with a lunch pick-up times at 10:30, 11:00 or 11:30. Lunches must be booked at least two weeks in advance.   School lunch details & request form 

*Each lunch has a 22% service charge.

• All school lunches are required to be paid for in advance via credit card. We are not able to accept any other forms of payment such as checks or purchase orders.
• School lunches are limited to 100 lunches per day across all group orders. Any changes or cancellations must be made at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled visit.

All buses that are parking at the Zoo must purchase a bus parking pass.

Schools wishing to come to the Zoo after 2pm during PNC Festival of Lights (November 19th-January 8th) must book through Group Sales .

School Resources

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is committed to supporting teachers, students, and families around the world. Below, you will find resources to engage learners in grades pre-K to 12 with science, the natural world, wildlife and conservation.

Get your students involved in learning while at the Zoo! These standards-based, multi-curricular activities are meant to be a la cart so teachers can choose which topics and subjects they want their students to explore. See how these activities  align our Ohio’s state standards and NGSS .

In the Classroom

There are thousands of wildlife and conservation organizations across the United and around the world that are doing amazing work to conserve wildlife and wild places and educate the public.

Stay in the Loop!

Call us at 513-559-7730 or email [email protected]

Texas school bus returning from field trip crashes, killing at least 2

A t least two people are dead following a Texas school bus crash with an 18-wheeler truck on Friday upon returning from a field trip to a zoo, officials said. 

A Hays Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) bus rolled over around 2:15 p.m. near Texas State Highway 21 and Caldwell Road in Bastrop County, FOX Austin reported. 

There were 44 students and 11 adults on the bus, the school district said.

The bus was carrying Tom Green Elementary pre-K students as they were returning from a field trip to the Bastrop Zoo.

"Parents of students on the bus have been notified directly from the campus. The district is in the process of conducting reunification. Hays CISD transportation staff, counselors, safety and security personnel, and other administrators have all joined first responders either at the accident scene or at the reunification location," Hays CISD said in a statement.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the school district, Texas Department of Public Safety and local authorities. 

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Original article source: Texas school bus returning from field trip crashes, killing at least 2

‘They just wanted their moms:’ Mother survived deadly Hays bus crash, recounts tragic day

Victoria Limon stood next to the idling school bus after three hours of chaperoning a long-awaited field trip. She pulled her phone from her pocket at 1:36 p.m. and texted her co-workers: On the bus, driving off.

The special education aide at Tom Green Elementary in Buda had helped gather the group of more than 40 children into a single-file line, including her 5-year-old daughter. She guided them to their green vinyl seats before settling into hers, two rows behind the driver.

She and 54 other teachers and prekindergarten students on the bus then eased from the Capital of Texas Zoo parking lot in Bastrop County on their 40-minute return trip to campus.

As the bus turned started chugging down busy Texas 21, Limon and several teachers traded cellphone photos, whispering as many children drifted to sleep.

About five minutes later, another staff member told the 43-year-old mother of five that her daughter, Diana, also had dozed off. Limon glanced to see Diana’s head hanging into the aisle and that she was squeezing out her young seatmate. Limon traded seats with the other girl, placing Diana’s head in her lap as the bus rumbled on.

Twenty-five minutes into the trip, as the bus drove west in a single lane with a 65 mile-per-hour speed limit, a parade of eastbound cars whisked past them with no lane between.

Limon had left her backpack and cellphone in the seat she had been sitting in, so she stared out the window at the passing cars. Then, as her heart jumped into her throat, she saw the 33-ton concrete truck barreling down the highway, veering from his lane into theirs.

Limon heard the sound of twisting metal and felt the crush of a violent impact. She realized she and the bus were being hurtled onto their right sides, spinning counterclockwise as the bus screeched off the highway.

Her survival and maternal instincts kicked in instantly as they came to a rest upright, but leaning, down an embankment. She saw some of the children, including Diana, tossed into a pile, many of them crying and bloody.

Limon is wearing a “Tom Green Strong” T-shirt with its hornet logo and sitting on her living room sofa.

She is the first passenger from the bus to publicly speak, and the aftermath of the trauma pierces through any normal conversation. Limon cheerfully answers the door to her home, offers guests water or a soft drink and a place to sit. 

Then she starts talking about that day. Her body tenses, and her hands shake slightly. Her husband, Eddie, stands feet away, reminding her that she’s OK. Diana was at school.

Limon is among multiple families who have brought lawsuits stemming from the crash against the driver of the truck and his employer. Accounts such as Limon’s will likely be critical evidence as the cases move through the courts in coming months.

More: Hays school bus with 44 pre-K students, 11 adults rolls over in Bastrop County; two dead

Limon divides her life before the crash and after. But Tom Green Elementary has been — and will always be — an anchor for her family, she says. Three of her five children have attended it.

The community around the campus is close-knit and family-focused. Four neighborhoods of single-family homes surround the school, which has a majority Hispanic student body of 850 children. The school, built in 1985, is named for a Hays County agriculture teacher. Because of the closeness to campus, most children walk to school or are driven by parents a short distance.

For some, a first-time bus ride that day added to the sense of adventure.

Limon left a job she had for a decade working as a financial analyst to spend more time with her children, who range in age from 24 to a 1-year-old, and she started working as a Tom Green substitute teacher in January 2021. It turned into a full-time staff position in a special education class soon thereafter. Limon instantly knew she was in the right place, doing the right thing.

“I love the school,” Limon says. “I love the teachers, my classroom, and my students. I love my job.”

Six hours before the crash, Limon stood in the kitchen of her family’s two-story home putting the final touches on sack lunches – an H-E-B lunchable with raspberry flavored water for Diana and a chef salad and turkey sandwich for herself. Her daughter bounded down the tan-carpeted stairs beaming with a Christmas morning-like joy.

“I am so excited!” Diana exclaimed.

The day had been weeks in the works with growing excitement as teachers made sure the parents of each child signed a permission slip and knew to send lunches. 

As they packed the yellow 2011 model International bus — each child wearing special-ordered $7 green tie-dye shirts with the school’s name and yellow lanyards with name tags — the ride was filled with a cacophony of children's chatter.

Once they pulled into the zoo’s parking lot around 10 a.m., many parents who had carpooled were already there waiting. The zookeeper gave them maps of the exhibits, and the children squealed as he did a one-man show with an otter. They petted goats and reptiles. Limon snapped a picture of a handler draping a boa constrictor around her daughter’s neck as Diana sheepishly grinned.

About an hour into the trip, students and chaperones sat at picnic tables for lunch and began winding down the tour shortly before 1 p.m. – nap time for many of the children.

In the seconds immediately after the crash, Limon took only a second to absorb the shock. 

Even though they had been in the same seat, Diana now appeared tossed into a different row. Limon could see and hear her crying — relieved to know that she was not badly hurt.

In what seemed like only a few moments, bystanders showed up to the bus and started rescuing passengers through doors and windows. 

Limon remembers helping lift some of the children, including Diana, to the strangers before they pulled her out of the same window. 

She saw a bloody fellow staff member lying on her side, but she didn’t recognize her because she was so badly injured. 

She also saw a bystander carrying a limp boy, covered in what seemed like a white T-shirt or towel.

Once on the side of the sun-drenched road, Limon gathered with the children around her, including Diana. Some asked if she had any Band-Aids.

“They just wanted their moms,” she says.

Paramedics divided them into groups based on the seriousness of their injuries and the need to go to the hospital.

Limon and Diana were among those loaded into an ambulance. Once at the hospital, she and other staff began piecing together information that someone — they didn’t know if it was a staff member or student — died.

She later realized that the boy she saw being carried by the bystander was 5-year-old Ulises Rodriguez Montoya, who died at the scene. 

Limon cried on the emergency room gurney. She had no seriously broken bones, only a broken heart. 

“I can’t imagine what that mom is going through,” she said. “I just can’t imagine. It makes you thankful to have them, and it makes you think about all the times you take for granted, that they are going to come running down the stairs.”

The crash also killed University of Texas doctoral student Ryan Wallace, who was traveling in a separate car on his late lunch break to pick up his two nephews at another school for a Friday night family night.

Today, Limon is still in pain. 

Glass slashed her left leg, and she fractured four vertebrae, requiring her to walk with a cane for now.

“I was bruised from head to toe,” she says. “I couldn’t move. I couldn’t sit without help.”

It took three days of showers for her and Diana to get all the glass out of their hair, she says. Her daughter also was badly bruised and had cuts.

She is concerned for Diana. Right after the crash, her daughter drew marks on the face, legs and arms of her dolls to resemble her own wounds. Diana seems to be returning to normal now, but Limon fears delayed post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms could show up later. 

“These things just last,” she says.

Limon is also angry. In the days after the crash, she learned with other passengers and parents that the driver of the concrete truck, a 42-year-old man named Jerry Hernandez, told investigators that he had smoked marijuana and done “a small amount” of cocaine 12 hours before the crash.

Police have charged Hernandez with criminally negligent homicide. At the time of the crash, Hernandez also had warrants out of Hays County for bond violations on past, unrelated charges of assault/family violence and criminal mischief.

“It is incredibly egregious,” Limon’s attorney, Scott Hendler said. He said that as lawsuits mount, he fears the trucking company — which has declined to comment — won’t carry enough insurance to pay for all the damages to the injured children and staff.

More: DPS report provides new details of fatal Hays district school bus crash

Limon hopes to return to work, but right it now is too soon. She still wakes from nightmares, swinging into the darkness of her bedroom as if trying to grab a child. She hates riding, even in a car, since the crash, especially on a two-lane road. She braces when she sees oncoming traffic.

Limon’s mind keeps flashing back to the moment just before impact. She desperately wants to rewrite the story of that day.

“These kids had so much fun,” she said. “It is so unfortunate that this is their first experience being on a bus, being on a field trip.”

She paused.

“I just wish it could have gone differently,” she said.

Field Trips

Field trips to zoo knoxville offer students an opportunity to learn about wildlife and wild places from all over the planet, right here in east tennessee. we offer three learning experience options. , knox county, tennessee, students receive free admission on school field trips, field trip rates, pre-k – 8th grade.

$10.00 per student

9TH GRADE AND UP

$12.00 per student

CHAPERONES, TEACHERS & PARENTS

$20.00 in advance or $22 day of event per individual One free chaperone ticket provided for each 10 students Accredited schools, preschools, year-round daycare, head start programs and organized home school co-ops are eligible for reduced field trip admission rates.

To Plan Your Field Trip:

• Complete and return the field trip reservation form at least 3 weeks in advance of your trip.
• Once registered, you will be emailed a confirmation packet which includes arrival information and suggested activities.
• To receive discounted field trip rates, schools must make one payment for the entire group in the form of cash, credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover), or school/business-affiliated check. Please note that anyone paying separately will be charged the full price of admission. Zoo Knoxville cannot give cash back on checks.
• Buses park for free; parking for other vehicles is $5.
• For cancellations and reservation changes (including rain dates) contact our Admissions Department at 865.637.5331 ext. 1443.

2024 Reservation Form

Group Reservation Form

LEARNING EXPERIENCES

Make the most of your visit by adding a special learning experience with a zoo educator!  Not only are these programs fun and engaging, they also fulfill Tennessee State Standards on a variety of topics.

SCIENCE CONCEPT INTRODUCTION PROGRAM

• Start your students thinking about a curriculum point before they explore the zoo with this 10 minute program with biofacts (animal skins, skulls, feathers, etc.).
• $1 per student for up to 150 students (minimum 15 students).

LEARNING TOURS

• Take your 8th grade or older students on a zoo tour with a dedicated zoo educator for an unforgettable fun and educational trip.
• Learning Tours are $2 per person for groups up to 35 (minimum 15 people).
• Tours are 45 minutes in length.

CLASSROOM PROGRAM

• Explore your educational topic in a zoo classroom setting with one of our educators and an ambassador animal.
• Classroom Programs are $5 per student (minimum 15 students-max 60 students per program.
• Up to 3 programs per day
• Classroom programs are 45 minutes in length.
• Select a topic below to match your curriculum.

Program Topics

Please note that we limit group sizes to give each student a more personal experience. If your group is larger than our maximum, you may schedule a second class at no minimum charge.

Contact us for more information on field trips and learning experiences at  [email protected] or call 865.637.5331.

Click here to download the Field Trip Risk Management Plan PDF . 

Museum and Exhibition Center

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Museum and Exhibition Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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