The Detroit Zoo is a great place for families to spend the day, no matter what season it is. Opened since 1928, this beloved local attraction offers so many fun activities and exhibits that can entertain and educate visitors of all ages.
From the immersive animal habitats and lively seasonal events, there is always something new and exciting to explore. We created a family guide to help you out when visiting the zoo including the best things to do and tips when visiting with kids. Have fun exploring!
This article was recently updated on Aug. 2, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Manager, Katina Beniaris. The update included adding more 2024 family events at Detroit Zoo and more tips when visiting the zoo with kids. Questions? Please reach out to katina@chicagoparent.com.
Quick details about the Detroit Zoo
- Address: 8450 W. Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. September; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. October-March; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April-August
- Cost: Online Admission: $14-$23/ages 19-64, $12-$19/ages 2-18, seniors ages 65-plus and active military with ID, free/under 2 and members; At the Gate Admission: $25/ages 19-64, $20/ages 2-18, seniors ages 65-plus and active military with ID, free/under 2; $8/parking
Things to do at Detroit Zoo with kids
- Snap a photo. Make sure to head to Rackham Fountain (also known as the bear fountain) and take a family picture in front of it to commemorate your day. Make a wish by throwing coins into the fountain, which is always popular with the kiddos.
- All aboard! Take a ride on Tauber Family Railroad, which is open daily. It’s $3 per person for a one-way ride. It will take you from Chrysler Main Station to Africa Station.
- Book a unique experience. Sign up for a zoo experience such as Nocturnal Adventures, Breakfast with a Favorite Animal, Resident Reptiles, Mingle with the Macaronis and Private Photo Safari. Although these may seem a bit expensive, the price is for a whole group of people. You can get your friends and families together for these experiences.
- Take a break outside. View the art exhibition or see a 4D movie at the theater in the Ford Education Center.
- Ride the carousel. Let your kids choose their favorite animal and take a ride on the zoo’s carousel, which is open daily.
- Play and relax. Take a break or end your day with some play time at Rissman PlayVenture and Korman Tadpole PlayVenture. Both play areas are open daily, depending on the weather. The PlayVentures are located west of the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery and south of the Main Picnic Grove.
Tips for families when visiting the Detroit Zoo
- Stay hydrated. Bring your own water bottles or you buy inexpensive reusable water bottles at the zoo. The zoo no longer sells bottled water to cut back on the number of plastic bottles in the waste stream. It offers 21 filtered-water stations throughout the grounds so you can keep filling it up throughout the day.
- Plan your meals. You may pack your own lunch or dine at one of the great spots the zoo has to offer. If you’re planning on dining there, check out the list of dining options and dates/times they’re open.
- Rent a stroller. The zoo offers rentals of single strollers, double strollers, wagons, wheelchairs or electric convenience vehicles. If you’re looking to rent one of these items, go to the Main Train Station (near the front of the park) and at the Africa Train Station (in the far corner of the park when the train is operating). You cannot take these rented items on the Tauber Family Railroad, though.
- Download the map. It’s easy to get lost here, so make sure you have the map of the Detroit Zoo on your phone.
- Buy a souvenir. Grab a memento from the gift shops, including Drake Passage Gifts (by Polk Penguin Conservation Center), Arctic Outpost (by Arctic Ring of Life) and Zoofari Market (by the exit).
Family-friendly events at Detroit Zoo
Dinosauria
- When: Through Sept. 8, 2024
- Cost: $6
This immersive walk-through experience takes you along a trail teeming with lifelike, animatronic dinosaurs, from a towering Brachiosaurus to a massive T. rex.
Tons of Trucks
- When: Sept. 14, 2024, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Cost: $3/members, $5/non-members
At Tons of Trucks, you’ll touch and climb trucks, lifts and carts used by Detroit Zoo staff. Vehicles from local police and fire departments, construction companies and more will also be present.
More Family Events at Detroit Zoo
Throughout the year, Detroit Zoo hosts various kid-friendly events like Zoo Boo, Wild Lights and Bunnyville. When upcoming events dates are released, we’ll add them to our calendar of family events.
Things to do near the Detroit Zoo
- Use our family neighborhood guide to explore Royal Oak with your kids.
- Stop by Creative Arts Studio if you’re feeling artsy. It offers pottery painting, glass fusing and mosaics all day long.
- Grab a scoop of ice cream at Ray’s Ice Cream. Choose from more than 50 flavors including Bear Claw, Superman, Cookie Monster, Fat Elvis, Chocolate Malt Crunch, Praline Pecan and many more.
- Grab a bite to eat (and drink) at a kid-friendly brewery, such as Jolly Pumpkin, Brown Iron Beer, The Royal Oak Brewery or Lily’s Seafood Grill & Brewery.
- See a movie, go bowling or play arcade games at Emagine Theatres Royal Oak. It’s also just a short walk from the downtown area, which has many great stores like Rail & Anchor, Toyology Toys, hihi, Inkcourage and Sidetrack Bookshop.
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