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Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis, IN

Photo: IU Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

AttractionsFamily Favorite

Indianapolis Zoo

1200 W Washington St · Indianapolis, IN

Why you should go…

The Indianapolis Zoo sits in White River State Park near downtown and houses more than 1,400 animals arranged by biome: Oceans, Deserts, Forests and Plains. You can catch dolphin presentations, see orangutans in the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center and watch chimpanzees travel an elevated trail at the Penny & Jock Fortune International Chimpanzee Complex. White River Gardens adds a botanical side, and in 2000 the zoo recorded the first successful artificial insemination of an African elephant.

  • #zoo
  • #aquarium
  • #dolphins
  • #orangutans
  • #botanical garden

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Indianapolis Zoo, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    Rainy-Day Pick

    Indiana State Museum

    Under $25

    Explore Indiana's natural and cultural history, from Fred the mastodon to Lincoln artifacts, plus an IMAX theater.

    0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums
    Rainy-Day Pick

    Eiteljorg Museum

    Under $25

    See Native American art and Western paintings and bronzes in a museum building in White River State Park.

    0.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Date Night

    Gainbridge Fieldhouse

    $25–$50

    Downtown Indianapolis arena where you can catch Indiana Pacers and Fever basketball, Big Ten tournaments and major concerts.

    1.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Indiana War Memorial

    Under $25

    Climb the steps of a limestone memorial to see military artifacts and the 110-foot Shrine Room with its red marble columns.

    1.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

    Under $25

    Docents lead you through the 16-room Indianapolis home of President Benjamin Harrison, filled with memorabilia that belonged to his family.

    1.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

    $25–$50

    Explore five floors of hands-on exhibits, from the dinosaur fossils of Dinosphere to a historic carousel and outdoor sports areas.

    3.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums