What better way to spend spring break than a trip to the Zoo? Spring into action, stretch your legs, and experience the unique attractions and experiences the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden has to offer. This wild guide provides information on must-do attractions, shares how you can directly contribute to the Zoo’s conservation efforts and includes helpful tips to know before your visit.
The 10 Wildest Things to Do at the OKC Zoo:
1) Splash into Spring:
Add a splash of fun to your trip with the Zoo’s Sea Lion Presentation! Guests will learn about the importance of underwater world, while meeting the incredible sea lions and harbor seals the Zoo is home to.
Spring break presentations will happen daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Sea Lion Presentation Stadium. Cost is $5 per person. Children two and under are free.
2) Take your Zoo Trip to New Heights:
Camel rides are back at the Zoo! Enjoy a ride on a dromedary camel, and find out why this attraction rises above the rest! Camel rides are $6 per person and take place from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. daily. Free photo opportunities are included.
3) “Lettuce” Have Some Fun:
Get eye-to-eye with the world’s tallest mammal! Guests can feed leafy lettuce or sustainably-sourced browse to the Zoo’s giraffes as part of the Zoo’s giraffe feeding experience. Have you herd that the Zoo’s giraffe herd is growing by two? 20-year-old, Ellie, and 5-year-old, Julu, are expecting their calves in May 2021!
Feeding opportunities are from 11 a.m. to Noon and 2 to 3 p.m. daily. Cost is $5 per person. Meet these gentle giants, and find out why this is often guests’ favorite experience!
4) Encounter the Wild:
Go behind the scenes and listen to a private caretaker chat before interacting with some of the Zoo’s most popular animals at one of the Zoo’s five Wild Encounter experiences including grizzly bears, bison, Galapagos tortoises, California sea lions and Asian elephants. Wild Encounter prices vary. Maximum of ten individuals permitted for each experience. For additional information, go to www.okczoo.org/we.
5) Get Your Flock on with a Flamingo Mingle:
The Zoo’s Flamingo Mingle experience welcomes guests to the Children’s Zoo flamingo habitat to feed a feathered friend. Home to Chilean and American flamingos, the Children’s Zoo habitat offers the opportunity to “wing it” and make wild memories with your flock. Feedings happen daily from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m. Cost is $7 per person.
6) Connect with Rhinos
Get a “crash” course on Indian rhinos as part of the Zoo’s Rhino Feeding experience! This unique interaction allows guests to feed one of the Zoo’s three Indian rhinos. You may even get lucky and sneak a peek at the Zoo’s five-month-old rhino calf, Yabi! Feedings occur daily at 11:30 a.m. at the rhino habitat in Sanctuary Asia. Cost is $10 per person.
7) “Sea” our Stingray:
Cool off at Stingray Bay! The Zoo is home to 19 cownose stingray, one bat ray and two bamboo sharks. Watch and interact with these unique sea creatures as they swim and glide through their habitat. Stingray Bay is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with feeding opportunities available from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 2 p.m., while supplies last.
8) Lori(keep) the Fun Going at Explorikeet Adventure
This classic animal experience allows guests to step into the lorikeet habitat and feed the Zoo’s colorful birds nutritious nectar. Laugh and fall in love with the lorikeets as they sip nectar from your hand. This animal interaction is popular with feather fanatics of all ages! Explorikeet Adventure is open daily from 9 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $4 per person.
9) “All Aboard!” the Centennial Choo Choo Train
Chug along with family and friends on this historical train ride that explores an actual animal habitat! This is the only train ride in Oklahoma like it! Listen to the conductor as they tell you the history of the Zoo and share fun facts about the different animal species that live in the habitat. Guests of all ages will enjoy this whimsical experience. Rides are offered daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $3 per person.
10) Trek Through the Zoo with the Elephant Express Tram
Sit back and relax on this tram tour of the Zoo! Learn fun animal facts, while this informative ride takes you on an adventure through the Zoo. The Elephant Express Tram offers rides from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, and tram bracelets are $6 per person for all-day use!
Spring into Action at the OKC Zoo:
Those who experience the wild wonder of the Zoo may be inspired to contribute to the Zoo’s conservation initiatives during their visit. Here’s how:
• Art Gone Wild
Art Gone Wild, the Zoo’s collection of original animal paintings, are available for purchase. As part of the Zoo’s enrichment program, many animals paint during enrichment sessions with assistance from their caregivers. Peruse the Zoo’s newest selection of animal paintings on display in the Zoo’s Guest Services. Paintings range from $35 to $300, depending on size. All net proceeds benefit one of the Zoo’s local conservation initiatives.
• Round Up for Conservation:
Change for the better! Guests who visit the Zoo are able to contribute to the Zoo’s local and global conservation efforts by saying “yes” when asked to Round Up for Conservation at any of the Zoo’s dining or shopping locations. This small change creates big change by going directly to the Zoo’s Round Up for Conservation Fund.
• Collect all of the Zoo’s Conservation Wristbands:
These colorful, collectible Conservation Wristbands are available to purchase throughout the Zoo. For only two dollars, guests can pick from 11 bracelets, featuring different animals, with all proceeds benefitting wildlife conservation.
• Donate a Cellphone to Help Gorillas:
Answer the call to save gorillas! Small electronics frequently contain a substance called coltan. With 80 percent of the world's coltan supply, the gorillas’ native habitat in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is threatened by mining. Go above and beyond for gorillas by donating used or broken cellphones and small electronics now through Friday, September 24, and receive a free general Zoo admission ticket as a thank you! Donated items can be dropped off for recycling in the Zoo’s Guest Services office in the entry plaza.
Tips and Tricks to Make the Most of Your Trip:
How to Book Your Zoo Experience:
To ensure ample social distancing for all guests, reservations are required for all guests. Reservations can be made online at www.okczoo.org/tickets. Guests are encouraged to purchase attraction and ride tickets, along with their admission tickets, in advance as there is limited availability.
Mask Up:
Guests are encouraged to wear masks during their trip to the Zoo. Masks are required for indoor buildings, as well as to participate in any animal interactions or rides.
Spring Break VIP Entrance:
During the Spring Break holiday, Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 21, all guests with reservations will follow the green stickers to the VIP entrance gate located to the west of the Zoo’s main entrance, by the Jungle Gym Playground.