Great Plains Zoo
Visiting the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History
During your visit to this South Dakota attraction, discover amazing animals in the Great Plains Zoo. In Delbridge Museum of Natural History, explore a unique collection of mounted animals including 38 of which are going extinct. From camel to carousel rides, attractions abound at the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History. The Zoo and Museum also houses the Maasai Market Café and a gift shop.
Great Plains Zoo
The Great Plains Zoo is home to over 1,000 amazing animals. See bison and pronghorn grazing or black and brown bears from North America. The Zoo’s Africa exhibit let’s you get up-close to animals like reticulated giraffes and imperial zebras. Primates at the Great Plains Zoo include black and white colobus monkeys, squirrel monkeys and ring-tailed lemurs. Asian cats such as snow leopards and manul cats also call the Zoo their home. From white-eyed assassin bugs to newts and gouldian finches, a variety of birds, bugs and amphibians live at the Zoo. Additionally the Great Plains Zoo breeds 18 endangered species including black rhinos, Siberian tigers and siamang gibbons.
Delbridge Museum of Natural History
Walk through the Delbridge Museum of Natural History’s jungle of animals, listen to the sounds they make and learn interesting facts about how they live. Approximately 150 mounts collected by Mr. Brockhouse from six continents are featured in the Museum and grouped geographically and by habitat. Information throughout the Museum focuses on how different animals are adapted to their particular environments and on their current status in the wild.
Attractions at the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History
In addition to the amazing animals and the impressive collection of animal mounts in the Museum, attractions abound at the Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History. From the end of May to the beginning of September, ride a camel at the Zoo. Take a spin on the Sanford Carrousel featuring six horses, three zebras, an elephant, a white rhino, a gorilla, a dolphin, a deer, a rooster, a cheetah and two panda bears. Board the Savannah Express, the Zoo’s train, and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the Africa exhibit. The Koi Dock allows you to get up-close to Koi Fish.
Dining at Maasai Market Café
Enjoy a snack or lunch at the Maasai Market Café. Hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, potato wedges, chicken tenders, ice cream and smoothies are featured on the Maasai Market Café menu.
Shopping in the Gift Shop
Be sure to stop by the Gift Shop featuring a large assortment of plush animals, clothing, games and jewelry. Snack items can also be purchased in the Gift Shop.
Travel Tips
- Visitor Services at the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum are located inside the Gift Shop and include first aid and information on Zoo and Museum seasonal shows and events.
- Complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis from Guest Services.
- Don’t forget your camera. From the amazing animals to Mr. Brockhouse’s collection displayed in the Museum, there are exciting photo opportunities you do not want to miss.
Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History
Visit the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History as part of this group motorcoach vacation package. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History originated with Henry Brockhouse’s mounted animals which he collected throughout the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s and displayed in his Sioux Falls hardware store. After the death of Mr. Brockhouse in 1978, his collection was sold to the C.J. Delbridge family who donated the collection in its entirety to the City of Sioux Falls, stipulating that a proper building be constructed to house the animal mounts. It was decided that the Delbridge Museum of Natural History would become part of the Great Plains Zoo to enhance the recreational and educational value of both facilities. Today the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is dedicated to fostering a greater understanding of our natural world through education, conservation, recreation and discovery.
