The Indianapolis Zoo
There is a gem attraction in the heart of downtown Indianapolis located in the White River Park, The Indianapolis Zoo. It opened in 1964 and has grown to house over 3,800 animals and over 320 different species. It covers a sprawling sixty-four acres of beautiful parkland with indoor and outdoor habitats that remain open year-round. It rates as a top city attraction with well over one million visitors each year.
The Zoo carries a unique triple rating as a zoo, an aquarium, and a botanical garden. The White River Gardens is home to over 47,000 plant species. The glass Hilbert Conservatory houses a tropical plant oasis with over 5,00 square feet to explore. The outdoor DeHaan Tiergarten beautifully highlights inspired original garden designs. For Bee lovers, the garden houses over 20,000 honey bees. Now that is a lot of honey!
The Zoo is also known for its contributions to worldwide conservation efforts and research. The Indianapolis Prize is the leading animal conservation award and is known throughout the world. It was created to improve, support, and ensure continuing conservation programs by awarding the first prize of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to the most successful animal conservationist. Five other finalists each receive a ten thousand dollar prize.
The Indianapolis Zoo is designed and separated into five biomes. Each one hosts a wide variety of animals and plants from the same climates. The five biomes are the Oceans, Forests, Deserts, Plains, and Flights of Fancy.
A trip through the Oceans biome will offer a chance to view the magnificent St. Vincent Dolphin Pavilion. Guests can meet dolphins in the nation’s first underwater dolphin viewing dome, 17 feet underwater in their environment.
The biome also offers a vivid array of vibrant, colorful sea life, including angelfish, corals, lionfish stingrays, starfish, and sea anemones. And is home to Dogfish sharks ( you can even get a chance to pet one). Some fantastic creatures that dwell in the biome but live above the water include penguins, walrus, long-tailed macaques, grey seals, and sea lions.
The Deserts Dome is an arid hot, dry environment where the temperature remains above 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The creatures in the Dome thrive in this climate. The Dome is home to everything from turtles to meerkats and includes many reptiles such as lizards, bearded dragons, iguanas, pythons, vipers, Boas, and toads. The sun-filled space allows visitors to catch a glimpse of the free-roaming lizards resting on the sunny rocks.
The Forest Dome is dense with enchanting greenery and the animals that live among it. Visitors are transported from the city to temperate and tropical forest surroundings with various trees and plants. Some unique foliage to observe is the maidenhair fern, hazel lacebark pine, spicebush, sassafras, yellow groove bamboo, winterberry, columbine, and bottlebrush buckeye.
Animals that dwell in the Forests exhibit include tigers, flamingos, lemurs, giant Kodiak bears, red pandas, American bald eagle, turkey vultures, and ravens. There is an exhibit of the Asian small-clawed otters, the smallest in the world at only two feet. They are one of the very few animals that mate for life and have formed their families at the Zoo, and are a favorite of young and adults visitors alike.
The Plains biome is home to many notable species from the arid savannahs of Africa. Visitors enter through tall grasses and trees opening to sprawling fields full of various African animals grazing the savannah. It gives you the feeling you have arrived at an authentic African Safari! The widely designed habitats allow for excellent viewing of animals like the African Lions, Grant’s Zebras, African elephants, Cheetahs, Eastern White-Bearded Wildebeest, baboons, giraffes, and vultures rhinoceros.
Inside the Plains Biome is the new Wild Encounter Station, where guests get the opportunity to come face to face and interact with some of the smaller African Wildlife. Curious visitors may get the chance to meet or touch parrots, turtles, hedgehogs, or even snakes.
Have you ever wanted to bathe an elephant? Well, now is your opportunity; the Zoo has a new program, the Elephant Bathing Experience, which allows guests to help scrub and learn how to care for an elephant. This experience requires an extra cost and must be booked in advance.
Flights of Fancy features birds from around the globe soaring throughout the Zoo. The biome is filled with plumage of every color and sound and will surely satisfy the most seasoned bird-watchers. Many of the species exhibited are from warm climates such as South America, Australia, Asia, and Africa. Some species must remain indoors in climate-controlled areas for the winter. There is a vast assortment of vibrant exhibits, including a Budgie Aviary, a Lorikeet Aviary, a Flamingo Pool, Cockatiels, Hornbills, Superb Starlings, Taveta Golden Weavers, and mysterious Vulturine Guinea fowl. There are opportunities to feed the Flamingos, Budgies, or Lorikeets.
The Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center opened in 2014 as an exhibit for guests to enjoy and as an Orangutan research and conservation facility. It is meant to stimulate the orangutans’ intellectual, physical, and social abilities and provide education to help conserve this endangered species. The orangutans roam in an impressive, open 90-foot tall atrium habitat called one of the most significant Zoo exhibits in the world.! A highlight is an aerial cable ride that allows visitors a one-of-a-kind overhead view of the animals.
There is the Zoo Babies Program for those who love little animals, where you can meet and learn about the most recent baby animals born at the Zoo. Feed a Giraffe is also a great program that lets visitors get up close and touch a giraffe.
A trip to the Zoo would not be complete without checking out the adventurous, family-friendly rides. The Endangered Species Carousel is a beautiful hand-carved ride that is wheelchair accessible and a favorite with guests of all ages. If you are looking for a bit more of a thrill ride, the Kombo Coaster hits speeds of 21 mph with just enough twists and turns for some family fun. Kids will love riding in the Kombo Coasters 13 individual-themed safari jeeps. The White River Junction Train Ride takes visitors on a 10-minute journey showing and telling what goes on behind the scenes at the Zoo, such as the Zoo’s veterinary hospital, the greenhouse, gardens, and Zoo maintenance.
Hidden in the Flights of Fancy are the Tots Treehouse and play area for those 0-5 years. Hours of fun can be spent swinging, jumping, and climbing in the safe oversized playground.
The Zoo also offers several dining options, such as the Pavilion Cafe with pulled pork, tacos, fries, beer, and wine. The Cafe on the commons is the main eatery serving healthy options such as fruits, salads wraps, and drinks. If you have a taste for a gourmet burger, the Gourmet Grill is the place to go. The Westside Cafe serves breadsticks and pizza.
The Indianapolis Zoo provides a day of fun and learning in three different settings; the Zoo, the aquarium, and the botanical gardens. It is like visiting three major attractions in one day and all for the price of one, making it a favorite Indianapolis destination!
Check out the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis which is in Indianapolis too.
Back Home – Excalibur Water Systems – Water Treatment & Purification in Indianapolis, IN
