Zoo Atlanta

An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta inspires value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family fun. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,300 animals from around the world. The Zoos newest attraction, Boundless Budgies: A Parakeet Adventure, opened in April 2009. The interactive new experience is the largest of its kind in the Southeast. Zoo Atlanta is also the proud home of Xi Lan, the only giant panda cub born in the U.S. in 2008. Other highlights include one of the nations most recognized collections of great apes and a global center of excellence for the care and reproduction of vanishing amphibians and reptiles. Zoo Atlanta is open daily with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife shows, education programs and special events run year-round.

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Visit with Santa

Saturday, December 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Celebrate the ho-ho-holiday spirit with winter festivities at Zoo Atlanta! From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Zoo Atlanta Members may stop by the Conservation Action Resource Center (ARC) to warm up with hot beverages and refreshments; frolic with costumed characters and festive tunes; and let the kids be “secret shoppers” choosing special Zoo gifts for their parents. Santa will drop in to add twinkles and nods to every child’s holiday dreams—don’t forget your camera! Free for Zoo Atlanta Members; open to Zoo Members only.  

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS & CAMPS

HomeSchool Academy

Tuesday, December 8 or Wednesday, December 2, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join Zoo Atlanta for an afternoon of learning and discovery designed specifically for home school students. The HomeSchool Academy is a unique program allowing students to explore animal and science concepts in a fun, interactive environment. Programs are grade-appropriate and include games, activities, Zoo tours and animal encounters. Wednesday sessions are a repeat from programs offered last fall. Book a program today on zooatlanta.org, or call 404.624.WILD to register or to learn more.

Keeper for a Day – Elephants & Warthogs

Saturday, December 5, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Ever wondered what zookeepers do all day? Considering zookeeping as a career? Here’s your chance to stop wondering and come find out what being a keeper is all about! Keeper for a Day is a fantastic new program at Zoo Atlanta that gives participants a first-hand look at working in the Zoo. Book a program today on zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD to learn more.  

Animal Treats & Teasers Family NightCrawler

Saturday, December 5 at 6 p.m. through Sunday, December 6  at 10:30 a.m.

Ever wonder how we keep the lives of our exhibit animals new and exciting? Enrichment! Investigate the challenging brainteasers we offer our animals - and maybe even try a few for yourself! Enjoy an exclusive tour of our Animal Nutrition Kitchen and learn all about the tasty treats we use to spice up the everyday for our animals. Make a holiday treat or two for your own animals at home!  Program participants must be at least six years of age.  Book a program today on zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD to learn more.

Keeper for a Day – Australia & Carnivores

Saturday, December 12, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Ever wondered what zookeepers do all day? Considering zookeeping as a career? Here’s your chance to stop wondering and come find out what being a keeper is all about! Keeper for a Day is a fantastic new program at Zoo Atlanta that gives participants a first-hand look at working in the Zoo. Book a program today on zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD to learn more.  

Birthday NightCrawler

Saturday, December 12 at 6 p.m. through Sunday, December 13 at 10:30 a.m.

Is your birthday coming up? Want to celebrate your birthday in a truly wild way? Join other families for an unforgettable night at the Zoo. Held monthly, participants will celebrate their birthday while learning about a Zoo Atlanta animal also born during that month. Program participants must be at least six years of age.  Book a program today on zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD to learn more.

Winter Safari Camp - Mei Lan’s New Adventure!

December 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30

We will travel through time and continents exploring the life of Mei Lan the giant panda from her ancestors to her upcoming trip to China. Campers will enjoy exclusive tours, animal encounters, arts and crafts as well as fun new educational games and activities each day! Open to children in Kindergarten to 5^th grade. Book a program today on zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD to learn more.

Mommy and Me

Three-week series runs on consecutive Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays beginning Tuesday, November 3, 10, 17; Wednesday, November 4, 11, 18; Thursday, November 5, 12, 19; or Saturday, November 7, 15, 22 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Introduce your toddler to games, crafts and animal fun just for 2 to 3-year-olds and their favorite grownups! Parent and child share art projects, songs and exciting encounters with small education animals. Dads, grandparents, nannies and other adult caregivers are welcome, too! Book a program today on zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD to learn more.

SIGNATURE EVENTS

Boo at the Zoo

Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25 and Saturday, October 31

Atlanta’s favorite family Halloween festival returns on three fun-filled days! Explore magical paths, sample sweet treats, meet whimsical costume characters and more at Zoo Atlanta’s spooktacular seasonal celebration. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for ticket information and event details. FREE for Zoo Members and children under 3; FREE with general admission.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

Zoo Atlanta is real live fun.

Don’t just see the Zoo; do the Zoo! By all means, enjoy over 1,000 of the world’s most amazing animals, but make sure to take full advantage of exciting daily activities like keeper talks, training demonstrations, wildlife shows, and up-close-and-personal animal encounters. Gorilla and orangutan feedings run at 2 p.m. and 2:45 daily; check your Zoo map for a listing of other animal feedings and opportunities available every day. 

Cost:  FREE with the price of general admission.  Visit zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD for tickets or directions.

 Golden lion tamarin free-range season

Are those monkeys in the trees at Zoo Atlanta? The golden lion tamarins are on the loose! The tiny endangered monkeys wear radio collars that enable trackers to monitor their locations in the trees outside their indoor habitat; watch the tamarins imitate life in their native Brazil! Golden lion tamarin free-range season opens in May and continues on weekends through October. Activities are weather-permitting. FREE to Zoo Members and children under 3; FREE with general admission.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS & CAMPS

Mommy and Me

Three-week series on consecutive Tuesdays, Wednesdays , Thursdays  or Saturdays, beginning Saturday, October 10, 17 and 24; Tuesday, October 6, 13 and 20;  Wednesday, October 7, 14 and 21; or Thursday, October 8, 15 and 22; from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Introduce your toddler to games, crafts and animal fun just for 2 to 3-year-olds and their favorite grownups! Parent and child share art projects, songs and exciting encounters with small education animals. Dads, grandparents, nannies and other adult caregivers are welcome, too! Visit zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD for reservations or information.

Birthday NightCrawler

Saturday, October 3 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 a.m. the next morning

Celebrate your child’s birthday in the wildest way – spend the night in the Zoo! Join other families for a nocturnal birthday adventure. Participants celebrate their birthdays while learning about a Zoo Atlanta animal also born in October. Festivities include birthday cake, ice cream, souvenirs, exclusive activities centered on the birthday animal, a nighttime scavenger hunt in the World of Reptiles and animal encounters. Sleep in climate-controlled facilities, and wake to a continental breakfast and a private guided tour of the Zoo. Visit zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD for reservations or information.

 HomeSchool Academy

Tuesday, October 13 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join Zoo Atlanta for an afternoon of learning and discovery designed specifically for home school students. The HomeSchool Academy is a unique program allowing students to explore animal and science concepts in a fun, interactive environment. Programs are grade-appropriate and include games, activities, Zoo tours and animal encounters. Visit zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD for reservations or information.

Boo at the Zoo Family NightCrawlers

October 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30 from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. the next morning

Spend the night in the Zoo! Share a Boo-themed nocturnal adventure for the entire family. NightCrawler overnights feature fun themed games and activities, animal encounters and exclusive tours. Sleep in climate-controlled facilities, and wake to a continental breakfast and a private guided journey through the Zoo. Visit zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD for reservations or information.

SIGNATURE EVENTS

Superheroes Weekend at Zoo Atlanta

Saturday, Sunday and Monday September 5, 6 and 7

Even superheroes need a day at the Zoo. Meet Spiderman™, Wolverine™, Storm™ and Green Goblin™ at Zoo Atlanta Labor Day Weekend! See the legendary Marvel Comics™ characters in six live-action performances on September 4, 5 and 6. Members of the audience enjoy an exclusive chance to meet the heroes after the show! Visit zooatlanta.org for tickets, show times and event details. Tickets are $10 for Zoo Members; $24.99 for non-Member adults ages 12 and up; $20.99 for children ages 3 to 11; free for children 2 and under. Non-Member ticket price includes Zoo admission.   

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

Golden lion tamarin free-range season

Are those monkeys in the trees at Zoo Atlanta? The golden lion tamarins are on the loose! The tiny endangered monkeys wear radio collars that enable trackers to monitor their locations in the trees outside their indoor habitat; watch the tamarins imitate life in their native Brazil! Golden lion tamarin free-range season opens in May and continues on weekends through October. Activities are weather-permitting. FREE to Zoo Members and children under 3; FREE with general admission.

Wildlife Theater Show

The great predators of the sky, the chatterboxes of the rainforest and their feathered friends take the stage! Don’t miss raptors in flight, owls on the wing, parrots with spunk, and exclusive close encounters with the Zoo’s most popular animal ambassadors. Shows run Tuesday through Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. through Labor Day; Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. after Labor Day. FREE to Zoo Members and children under 3; FREE with general admission.

Zoo Atlanta is REAL LIVE FUN.

Don’t just see the Zoo; do the Zoo! By all means, enjoy over 1,000 of the world’s most amazing animals, but make sure to take full advantage of exciting daily activities like keeper talks, training demonstrations, wildlife shows, and up-close-and-personal animal encounters. Gorilla and orangutan feedings run at 2 p.m. and 2:45 daily; check your Zoo map for a listing of other animal feedings and opportunities available every day. 

Cost:  FREE with the price of general admission.  Visit zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD for tickets or directions.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Mommy and Me

Three-week series runs on consecutive Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays beginning Tuesday, September 8, 15 and 22; Wednesday, September 9, 16 and 23; Thursday, September 10, 17 and 24; or Saturday, September 11, 18 and 25 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Introduce your toddler to games, crafts and animal fun just for 2 to 3-year-olds and their favorite grownups! Parent and child share art projects, songs and exciting encounters with small education animals. Dads, grandparents, nannies and other adult caregivers are welcome, too! Visit zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD for reservations or information.

HomeSchool Academy

Tuesday, September 15 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join Zoo Atlanta for an afternoon of learning and discovery designed specifically for home school students. The HomeSchool Academy is a unique program allowing students to explore animal and science concepts in a fun, interactive environment. Programs are grade-appropriate and include games, activities, Zoo tours and animal encounters. Visit zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD for reservations or information.

Birthday NightCrawler

September 2009

 Celebrate your child’s birthday in the wildest way – spend the night in the Zoo! Join other families for a nocturnal birthday adventure. Participants celebrate their birthdays while learning about a Zoo Atlanta animal also born in September. Festivities include birthday cake, ice cream, souvenirs, exclusive activities centered on the birthday animal, a nighttime scavenger hunt in the World of Reptiles and animal encounters. Sleep in climate-controlled facilities, and wake to a continental breakfast and a private guided tour of the Zoo. Visit zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD for reservations or information.

Family NightCrawler

September 2009

Spend the night in the Zoo! Share a nocturnal adventure for the entire family. NightCrawler overnights feature fun themed games and activities, animal encounters and exclusive tours. Sleep in climate-controlled facilities, and wake to a continental breakfast and a private guided journey through the Zoo. Visit zooatlanta.org or call 404.624.WILD for reservations or information.