During your visit to the Indianapolis Zoo and White Gardens meet animals living in habitats closely resembling their native regions of the globe, see exciting shows, and explore the stunningly beautiful 3.3-acre White River Gardens. Enjoy a snack or lunch at one of the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Garden’s eateries offering traditional zoo fare and new culinary creations. Shopping is available in the Indianapolis Zoo’s two gift stores, Indianapolis Zoo Gift Shop and E. Andrew Steffen Gardener’s Pride Gift Shop.
Animals and Exhibits
Animals at the Indianapolis Zoo are grouped into five different biomes, or living habitats that resemble their native regions of the globe. Travel the Zoo’s innovative exhibits and move from one fascinating ecological system to the next from dry deserts to oceans.
Deserts
Merrkats, several species of birds, tortoises and over a dozen types of reptiles are on exhibit in Deserts. In addition, around 250 species of plants flourish in the Deserts Dome. As you step into Deserts, you will leave Indianapolis and arrive in a real desert environment. Planters constructed inside the rocks will give you the impression that the plants grow from within the terrain and temperatures regulated at 85 degrees in the summer and 82 degrees in the winter reflect a desert climate and encourage some of its residents to maintain their hibernation schedule just as they would in the wild.
Forests
Explore temperate and tropical forests of trees and wooded vegetation in Forests. Among the flora and fauna, a diverse animal species call Forests their home. See the African straw-colored fruit bats of the night and island flying foxes, Alaskan brown bears peering at you from high in the trees, Amur tigers with their reddish-rusty or rusty-yellow coat with narrow black diagonal stripes, Asian small-clawed otters playing by the water, majestic bald eagles resting on tree limbs, fluffy red pandas nibbling at bamboo, or Reeve’s muntjac, the oldest known species of deer. If you catch a white-handed gibbon at the right time, you might hear this endangered ape singing a duet with its significant other.
Plains
Experience a slice of Africa in Plains. As you journey through this unique biome, you will see a large vista where you will find African animals such as kudu, zebra and vultures grazing. Around the corner gigantic giraffes pluck leaves from trees, cheetahs show off their speed and elephants lazily roam around a waterhole. East African crowned cranes and Marabou storks can be found at the edge of a pond that runs under a wooden bridge and carves a trail through the remainder of the Plains Biome with exhibits of lions, wild dogs and baboons.
Flights of Fancy
Five aviaries including: Budgies, Out of Africa, Lorikeets, Splash of Caribbean Color and the Backyard Habitat are home to a brilliance of colorful and curious birds from around the world and are designed to give visitors the opportunity to get close to the animals. As you stroll through the first three aviaries enjoy interactive feedings as you delight in hundreds of friendly and curious budgies, helmeted guinea fowl and wood partridges scampering along the ground, and colourful, tropical and playful lories and lorikeets. In Splash of Caribbean Color you will find Caribbean and Chilean flamingos on a sandy beach and among lush plants. In the Backyard Habitat, birds native to Indiana are attracted through landscaping and other features. If you prefer to observe the Zoo’s feathery friends from a distance, there are many landing-free zones outside the aviaries that allow you to enjoy all of the sights and sounds of the interactive aviaries and habitats.
Oceans
Discover a diverse collection of animals of unusual shapes and brilliant colors in Oceans including both water-breathing aquatic animals and air-breathing marine mammals including :bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, coral, cownose rays, gentoo penguins, green moray eels, grey seals, harbor seals, king penguins, moon jellyfish, pacific walruses, reef fish, rockhopper penguins, sea anemones, sea horses and smooth dogfish sharks. You can pet the Indianapolis Zoo’s smooth dogfish sharks in the Firestone Gallery, the nation’s largest shark touch pool, or visit Marsh Dolphin Theater to see the bottlenose dolphins in the Dolphin Show.
White River Gardens
Adjacent to the Zoo is the White River Gardens. This stunningly beautiful 3.3-acre landmark botanical attraction, combining gardening ideas, plant information and inspirational design, supports the Indianapolis Zoo’s theme of connecting animals, plants and people. Enjoy and learn about the bounty of the natural world as you discover hundreds of plant varieties on display and special Conservatory Shows throughout the year.
Bud Schaefer Rotunda
Begin your time at White River Gardens in the Bud Schaefer Rotunda where “Midwestern Panorama,” a magnificent mural by Miami-based muralist Andrew Reid, depicts gardening themes. In addition to the impressive and important work of art, you will find various art exhibits in the Schaefer Rotunda throughout the year.
Hilbert Conservatory
Next, navigate your way through the shinning centrepiece of the White River Gardens, the Hilbert Conservatory. With its gleaming shape visible in the night sky, the Conservatory is a prominent architectural feature of the downtown skyline while inside its lush, tropical foliage encourages visitors to liven up their living spaces with greenery. Delight in exotic palm trees and flowering plantscapes throughout a warm tropical environment. Sounds of water trickling from the center font by sculptor Dale Enochs can be heard. In addition, small ponds with coloful fish liven up the atmosphere.
DeHaan Tiergarten
Continue on your journey in the unique outdoor spaces of White River Gardens composed of five distinctive elements: design gardens, a shade garden, a sun garden, a water garden and wedding garden. A beautiful ornamental allee and belvedere can also be found just outside the Hilbert Conservatory. Helpful handwritten “Gardener’s Notes” throughout the DeHaan Tiergarten offer interesting and valuable information about some of the most unusual plantings in the outdoor spaces.
Dining at the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens
Enjoy a snack or lunch at one of the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Garden’s eateries offering traditional zoo fare and new culinary creations with a focus on farm-to-table practices. Traditional fare such as burgers, barbeque and salads can be found at Café of the Commons, located at the heart of the Zoo. Nearby, Nana’s Gourmet Snack Shop features snack and light lunch options such as hot dogs and gourmet treats. Near Plains Biome is Westside Café, the perfect place to pick up a cool beverage on a warm day, or favorites like Donatos pizza and breadsticks. During the summer season the Farm-To-Table Stand, near White River Gardens, offers healthy and delicious salads and snacks like yogurt parfaits, veggies with hummus and fruit cups. At White River Gardens, Flora Café at the Gardens you will find a seasonal menu of light lunch options, sides and delicious deserts. In addition to the Indianapolis Zoo’s eateries, dining carts are situated throughout the Zoo during the summer offering bottled drinks, frozen treats, pretzels and other savory and sweet snacks.
Shopping at the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens
Enjoy a unique shopping experience in the Indianapolis Zoo Gift Shop or in the E. Andrew Steffen Gardener’s Pride Gift Shop. In the Indianapolis Zoo Gift Shop gifts and keepsakes unique to the Indianapolis Zoo are available to purchase and include everything from educational items such as books and board games, to plush toys, to apparel. Situated inside the entrance of the White River Gardens, Andrew Steffen Gardener’s Pride Shop features original collections of gifts and accessories for every home and garden including gardening toys and tools, home décor items and other fun, garden-themed merchandise.
- Check the day’s weather forecast and dress accordingly. The Indianapolis Zoo recommends dressing in light layers and wearing comfortable shoes.
- Daily Dolphin Shows are one of the Zoo’s most popular features and they are included free with regular Zoo admission. Inquire at the admission window when you arrive at the Indianapolis Zoo to get tickets and learn more about the Dolphin Show.