Visitor Experiences

Visitor Experiences

Zoo Tours

Experience the Zoo through a different view: behind the scenes or on four wheels. Reservations are required.

Backstage Experiences

Now is your chance to join us on a backstage tour to see what it takes to run one of the best zoos in the world. See you behind the scenes!  

Pricing

Cost is $65 per person, $50 per member. Price includes admission to the Zoo. Tickets are non-refundable. 

Ages

All participants must be at least 8 years old. Participants 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Arrival Time

Participants should check-in at the Robert B Daugherty Education Center at least 15 minutes before their tour begins.

Aquarium Backstage Experience

Saturdays (Year-round) and Wednesdays (May-September) at 10:30 AM

Have you ever wondered how much water is above your head as you walk through the tunnel of the Walter Scott Aquarium, or how we feed the sharks and rays who call the aquarium home?  Join us behind the scenes to explore the aquarium from the other side of the glass.

Giraffe Backstage Experience

Sundays at 1:30 PM (April 1st-September 3rd)

Get to know the Zoo's herd of reticulated giraffes during a tour of the Syd and Betty Cate Family Giraffe Herd Rooms.  Learn how we care for animals that stand 15 feet above the ground, and how our herd rooms are specially designed for the Zoo's tallest residents. 

Sea Lion Backstage Experience

Fridays at 1:30 PM (April 14th-September 1st)

Now's your chance to see these magnificent marine mammals up close! Head behind the scenes of our Sea Lion Care Quarters to find out how we care for our resident pinnipeds, then head out to the Sea Lion Amphitheater for a training demonstration.

Elephant Backstage Experience

Friday-Sunday at 11 AM (April 28th-May 28th); Thursday-Sunday at 11 AM (June 1st-September 3rd)

Take a behind the scenes tour of the largest family herd room in North America and learn about the colossal care we give our growing African elephant herd. Visitors will have a chance to hear from our animal care staff about how they train and enrich the lives of our largest Zoo residents. 

Center for Conservation and Research Backstage Experience

*Private bookings only. Visitors must reserve 3 weeks in advance and book at least 6 spots. Please contact the Education Department at educate@omahazoo.com or call 402-738-2092 to reserve your tour!

Head behind the scenes of our Center for Conservation and Research to learn about the work Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is doing to help protect animals both in the wild and in Zoos and Aquariums around the country. 

Register Here

 

Private Backstage Experiences

Don't see what you're looking for? Call today to book a private Backstage Experience! Special arrangements can be made by contacting the Education Department at educate@omahazoo.com or 402-738-2092. Groups must have at least 6 participants and contact the Education Department at least 3 weeks in advance. 

Virtual Backstage Experiences

Looking to go behind the scenes virtually? Book one of the above experiences for your group by contacting educate@omahazoo.com or 402-738-2092. See you virtually behind the scenes!  

Pricing: 

  • $350 for up to 30 device connections. 
  • $450 for 31-100 device connections.
  • $500 for 101-250 device connections.

How Does It Work?

  • A Zoom link will be sent to all participants prior to the program. 
  • Connection is easy.  Particpants at home only need a computer or mobile device, audio and internet connection. (a webcam and microphone are optional). 
  • Programs will be delivered via Zoom through a secure platform. Zoo staff will deliver a live tour and will answer questions from our virtual participants! 
  • Program Duration: 45-60 minutes.

Golf Cart Tours

If you can’t make it around the Zoo in one day, you’re not alone. Let us take you to some of our most popular exhibits on the far side of the Zoo from the comfort of our golf cart. Visitors will have the chance to journey behind-the-scenes during their tour and learn how we care for over 30,000 animals at the Zoo.

This tour is available for visitors of all ages and will include some walking.

Offered daily (April through October) 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Off season bookings taken upon request. 

Pricing

Cost is $70 per person, $55 per member. Price includes admission to the Zoo.  Tickets are non-refundable.  

Ages

All ages.

Arrival Time

Participants should check-in at the Robert B Daugherty Education Center at least 5 minutes before their program begins.

Register Here

NEW! Animal Discoveries

LIMITED EDITION Animal Ambassador Discovery

Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 PM until May 14th

Get an up-close meet and greet with some of our resident animals! During this experience, animal care staff will introduce visitors to two of our amazing animal ambassadors. Visitors will meet a small reptile and mammal or a small reptile and bird.

*The animals you meet will depend on animal care schedules and availability. We are unable to guarantee a specific animal or species. 

Pricing

Cost is $40 per person, $35 per member. Price includes admission to the Zoo. Tickets are non-refundable. 

Ages

All ages.

Arrival Time

Participants should check-in at the Robert B Daugherty Education Center at least 5 minutes before their program begins.

LIMITED EDITION Early Morning Cheetah Discovery

Mondays and Wednesdays at 8:30 AM until May 17th

Meet one of our cheetah ambassadors during an early morning encounter at Meadowlark Theater! Visitors will learn about the amazing adaptations of the world's fastest land mammal, and have the opportunity to watch a private training session with our animal care staff. 

*This experience is weather dependent. Please be sure to check your email the day before your booking.

Pricing

Cost is $50 per person, $45 per member. Price includes admission to the Zoo. Tickets are non-refundable. 

Ages

All ages.

Arrival Time

Participants should check-in at the Robert B Daugherty Education Center at least 5 minutes before their program begins.

Register Here

Group Walking Tours

Have one of our informative guides give your group a tour! Customize your experience by selecting your exhibits and timeline. 

Visitors must reserve 3 weeks in advance and have at least 10 people in their group. Please contact the Education Department at educate@omahazoo.com or call 402-738-2092 to book your tour!

Offered Year-round. 

Pricing

$10 per person for a one-hour tour. This cost does not include Zoo admission. Tickets are non-refundable. 

Ages

All ages.

Some patron memberships or philanthropic gift levels include the benefit of a donor experience tour. To schedule your experience, please contact the Omaha Zoo Foundation at info@omahazoofoundation.org.

Animal Encounters

As you're going about your day, happen upon the animals going about theirs. See how the animals are fed, sit in on a training demonstration or experience the different ways the animals explore their environment with enrichment.

  • Penguin Feeding at the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium: Daily at 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
  • Shark Feeding at Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:00 a.m.

Interactive Experiences

Have a hand in the lives of some of our animals with an up-close and personal experience on your next visit. 

  • Stingray Beach near the Harper Event Center
  • Touch Tank at the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium