Don’t just go to the zoo. Experience it.
At Blank Park Zoo, every visit can look a little different. Maybe that means hand-feeding a giraffe with its giant purple tongue inches away from your face. Maybe it’s getting up close with sea lions during a behind-the-scenes training session. Or maybe it’s slowing things down with a laid-back stroll through immersive exhibits, train rides, and hands-on family attractions.
Whether you’re chasing animal encounters, kid-friendly fun, or unforgettable summer events, Blank Park Zoo makes it easy to make the trip yours.
For Animal Lovers: Get Closer Than Ever
Some zoo visits are about observing animals from afar. At Blank Park Zoo, many experiences put you right in the middle of the action.
One of the most popular attractions is giraffe feeding, where guests can come face-to-face with the zoo’s towering giraffes during scheduled feedings every day at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. For just a few dollars, you can hand-feed the giraffes and snap the kind of photos that instantly become the highlight of your camera roll.
Looking for something even more interactive? The Aldabra Tortoise Experience gives guests ages 6 and older the chance to meet the zoo’s massive tortoises up close, scratch their shells, and chat with zookeepers about conservation efforts happening both locally and around the world.
And for marine animal fans, the Harbor Seal, Sea Lion, and Penguin Experience offer one of the zoo’s most memorable behind-the-scenes encounters. Guests ages 12 and older can step inside the habitat area during a training demonstration and see these playful animals from an entirely different perspective.
Insider Tip: Many of the behind-the-scenes experiences have small group limits and sell out quickly during peak summer weekends, so booking ahead is highly recommended.
For Curious Explorers: Dive Into Discovery
Blank Park Zoo isn’t just about seeing animals. It’s about discovering how they live, interact, and connect to the world around us.
The Aquatics Experience takes guests behind the scenes of the zoo’s aquatic department, where you’ll explore tropical fish habitats, rescued coral connected to the Florida Coral Rescue Plan, and interactive reef tanks. Guests ages 8 and older can even witness coral feedings and help feed the fish themselves.
Throughout the zoo, hands-on attractions help keep younger visitors engaged between exhibits. Cross the rope bridges in the Discovery Center, pan for gemstones at the Mining Sluice, hop aboard the train, or spend time inside Kids Kingdom. There, kids can get up close with Nigerian dwarf goats, llamas, koi fish, and Papa the donkey in the contact area, while also exploring castle playgrounds, tunnels, slides, monkey bars, sand pits, and fossil digs designed just for them.
And later this year, Blank Park Zoo will debut the new Marjorie A. Foster Lion Conservation Center, bringing three new lions to an expanded habitat in the zoo’s Africa section near the giraffes and rhinos. Set to open in late summer 2026, the new space will be nearly three times larger than the current lion habitat and include two connected outdoor habitats along with multiple immersive viewing experiences. Designed with an airplane hangar theme, the exhibit will even feature a real airplane that both guests and lions can interact with, creating one of the zoo’s most unique attractions yet.
For Summer Nights & Special Events
Blank Park Zoo keeps the fun going long after a typical zoo visit ends.
Zoo Brew returns this summer with after-hours events featuring live music, drinks, local vendors, and the chance for adults to experience the zoo in a completely different atmosphere. It’s one of Greater Des Moines’ favorite summer traditions and an easy way to turn a casual night out into something memorable.
Families looking for daytime adventures should also check out Discover the Wild Days, where themed programming, animal encounters, educational activities, and interactive experiences make every visit feel a little different.
And no matter when you visit, there’s always something unexpected waiting around the next corner. One minute you’re watching penguins dart through the water, the next you’re feeding goats, spotting red pandas, or waving at divers inside the coral reef exhibit. Blank Park Zoo is the kind of place where a quick stop can easily turn into an all-day adventure.
Insider Tip: Want the best experience? Arrive early in the day when many animals are most active, then plan some of the behind-the-scenes encounters or indoor exhibits during the hottest afternoon hours.
For more information, visit Blank Park Zoo’s website.
Address: 7401 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50315
Admission:
Adults (13+): $20 and up
Children (2–12): $15 and up
Children under 2: Free
Senior discounts, memberships, and special experiences available.
Hours: Summer hours typically run daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Parking: Free on-site parking available.
