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Behind the Scenes Opportunities

Add a wild encounter to your Zoo visit today! Get up close and personal with some of your favorite animals! We’re bringing you close enough to care with these special animal experiences. These experiences support the animals in our care and conservation efforts for their wild counterparts.

Certificates available in $250, $500 and $1,000 values. Email [email protected] for questions.

icon of elephantTours with Admission Included

giraffe sticking tongue out

Gentle Giants - Runs April-October

VIPenguin - Runs April-October

Slow Down with our Sloth - SOLD OUT - Runs April-October

man and woman standing in front of mai thai the elephant with a painting she made

Elephant Extravaganza - SOLD OUT

two kids giving mai thai elephant a bath

Elephant Bath - Returns April 2025

baby hippo fritz in the water with his head popping out looking at the caemra

Hangin’ with the Hippos - SOLD OUT - Runs April-October

close up of a kangaroo

Kickin’ it with the Kangaroos - Runs November-February

red panda sitting in the grass

Roam’n with Red Pandas - Runs November-February

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Gentle Giants - Runs April-October

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Stroll behind-the-scenes of the Giraffe Barn and stand toe to toe with the Zoo’s tallest residents – the Maasai Giraffe! Marvel at their long eyelashes and even longer purple tongue as they grasp their favorite fresh leaves from your waiting hand. Come learn about giraffe behavior, nutrition, and husbandry practices. Don’t miss this mesmerizing experience!

This experience supports Wild Nature Institute. The Wild Nature Institute researches Masai giraffe in Tanzania to help ensure the species’ survival.

Ticket Release: Tickets go live February 28, 2024.

Group Size: Semi-private tour reserved for 1-6 guests

Availability: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Cost:$140 per person

Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 5 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend alone.
  • You must wear closed-toed shoes.
  • This experience is partially ADA accessible (includes an incline path that guests must be able to travel).
  • This experience is non-refundable and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

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VIPenguin - Runs April-October

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The ideal experience for the penguin lover who has it all! Join our knowledgeable penguin keepers in the Birds of the World bird house and get to know their handsomely feathered friends. The fun begins with a meet-and-greet, featuring a Magellanic, Rock Hopper or King penguin. After the meet-and-greet, your group will marvel as a talented penguin artist creates a one-of-a-kind canvas art piece for you to take home and enjoy.

This experience supports SANCCOB. SANCCOB’s main objective is to reverse the decline of seabird populations through the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of ill, injured, or abandoned seabirds.

Ticket Release:  Tickets go live February 28, 2024.

Group Size: Tour reserved for 2-5 guests.

Availability: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday

Cost:  $140 per person, 2-person minimum ($280 for 2, $420 for 3, $560 for 4, $700 for 5)

Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 10 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend alone.
  • You must wear closed-toed shoes.
  • This experience is ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.
  • A proposal option is available to add-on this experience. For more information on this option, please call 513-487-3359.

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Slow Down with our Sloth - SOLD OUT - Runs April-October

Get ready for a heartwarming encounter with our Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth sensation! One of our laid-back lads or ladies is ready to hang out, offering you the chance to learn about their personalities, diet, and species. This exclusive meet and greet tour with one of our sloths is designed for those seeking a personal connection with these gentle creatures. You’ll be in for a treat with the most adorable residents of the rainforest, providing an exclusive opportunity to observe, feed, and learn about sloths.

This experience supports the Sloth Institute. The Sloth Institute rescues, rehabilitates and releases hand-raised and injured sloths as well as conducts vital research, conservation and education programs to ensure their survival.

Ticket Release: Tickets are sold out
Group Size: Tour reserved for 2-5 guests.
Availability: Tuesday and Thursday
Cost: Tickets are $140 per person, 2-person minimum
Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes
Restrictions:

  • Children must be 5 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend experience alone .
  • You must wear closed toe shoes.
  • This experience is ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.
  • Gift Certificates cannot be purchased for this experience

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Elephant Extravaganza - SOLD OUT

Tours are run April-June

Have you ever dreamed of meeting an elephant up close and personal? Come and enjoy this jaw-dropping experience! The Elephant Extravaganza includes a tour of our historic Elephant House and the opportunity to learn about our three Asian elephant cows (Jati, Mai Thai and Schottzie). Following your stroll around the building, watch one of our elephants paint a custom masterpiece, featuring the colors of your choice, for you to take home and enjoy. Leave the paint to dry as you help our elephant staff give one of our elephants a bubble bath while learning about her daily care routines.

This experience supports Asian Elephant Support, International Elephant Foundation, and research for the cure of the Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus(EEHV).

Ticket Release:  Tickets are sold out

Group Size: Tour reserved for 2-5 guests

Availability: Wednesday and Saturday

Cost: $325 per person, 2-person minimum

Length of Tour: Approximately 60-75 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 5 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend alone.
  • You must wear closed-toed shoes.
  • This experience is not ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.
  • A proposal option is available to add-on this experience. For more information on this option, please call 513-487-3359.

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Elephant Bath - Returns April 2025

Certificate Holders Please Contact [email protected]

During this private experience, groups will enter our historic elephant house to participate in the largest bath of their life! Learn all about how we care for elephants while working side-by-side with care staff to bathe the largest land mammal on earth!

This experience supports Asian Elephant Support, International Elephant Foundation, and research for the cure of the Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus(EEHV).

Ticket Release:  Tickets go live February 28, 2025.

Group Size: Private tour reserved for 2-5 guests.

Availability: Join the notification list for 2025

Cost: $125 per person, 2-person minimum ($250 for 2, $375 for 3, $500 for 4, $625 for 5)

Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 5 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend alone.
  • You must wear closed-toed shoes.
  • This experience is not ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

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Hangin’ with the Hippos - SOLD OUT - Runs April-October

During this experience, groups will be led around Hippo Cove to get a closer look at what it takes to care for our hippos. Groups will have the opportunity to see Fiona, Fritz, Bibi and Tucker’s habitat inside the hippo building as well as the care team’s prep areas, including the kitchen space. After viewing the indoor areas, groups will venture outside where they will have the opportunity to meet all four hippos and watch them participate in a feeding. Groups will walk away with painting masterpiece created by one of our resident hippo artists. Our hippos are managed through protected contact and groups will not have the opportunity to touch the hippos during the tour.

This experience supports VulPro and the Uganda Waterways Project. VulPro supports the rescue, rehabilitation and release of ill and injured vultures. The Uganda Waterways Project supports the patrols of rivers to prevent poaching of hippos and other African wildlife.

Ticket Release: Tickets are sold out

MUST JOIN THE NOTIFICATION LIST BELOW IN ORDER TO HAVE A CHANCE TO PURCHASE

Group Size: Tour reserved for 2-5 guests

Availability: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday

Cost: $325 per person, 2-person minimum

Length of Tour: 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 10 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend alone.
  • You must wear closed-toed shoes.
  • This experience is partially ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

Gift certificates cannot be purchased for this experience.

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Kickin’ it with the Kangaroos - Runs November-February

Put on your best jumpsuit and hop on down to Roo Valley to meet your favorite mob of marsupials. You will get an up-close experience and get to know our wonderful Kangaroos. During this experience, our keepers will take groups into the Kangaroo Barn located in Roo Valley for a private interaction with our Kangaroos. Guests will learn all about the natural history of these beautiful ambassadors as well as the conservation efforts the Zoo is involved with to support tree kangaroos in their natural environment.

This tour supports the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program. The Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program works with local communities in rural Papua New Guinea to protect the endangered Matschie’s tree kangaroo and the habitat in which it lives.

Ticket Release: Tickets will go on sale fall 2024

Group Size: Private tour reserved for 2-3 guests

Availability: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Cost: $125 per person, 2-person minimum ($250 for 2, $375 for 3)

Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 10 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend alone.
  • You must wear closed-toed shoes.
  • This experience is ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

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Roam’n with Red Pandas - Runs November-February

Spend time hanging out with these awesome arboreal animals on our Red Panda Encounter. During this experience, guests will meet with the Red Panda’s care team and learn all about our scarlet friends. Guests will also have the chance to view a Red Panda feeding during this encounter. What’s their favorite food? How much do they sleep? Is it true that they are the only real panda? Find out all this and more on our Red Panda encounter.

This tour supports Red Panda Network. Red Panda Network works with the people who live along side red pandas to secure sustainable livelihoods and live harmoniously with local wildlife.

Ticket Release: Tickets are sold out for the 2023 season.

MUST JOIN THE NOTIFICATION LIST BELOW IN ORDER TO HAVE A CHANCE TO PURCHASE 2024 SLOTS

Group Size: Private tour reserved for 2-3 guests

Availability: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday

Cost: $125 per person, 2-person minimum

Length of Tour: 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 10 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend alone.
  • You must wear closed-toed shoes.
  • This experience is not ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.
  • Gift certificates cannot be purchased for this experience.

Admission Not Included

hippos underwater

Hippo Barn Tours - Runs Year-Round

galapagos tortoise eating greens

The Tremendous Tour-toise - Runs Year-Round

African Penguin Feeding - Runs April-October

group of little blue penguins on the sand running toward the water

Little Blue Penguin Experience - Runs April-October

Sloth Feeding Experience - Runs April-October

flowers in front of the Zoo's main entrance

Go-Green Sustainability Tour - Runs April-October

photo of cryobiobank at crew

CREW Tours - Runs Year-Round

Animal Hospital Tour - Runs April-October

blue parrot

Feathered Friends - Runs October-February

Incredible Insects - Runs November-February

brown, black and white goat

Van Goat - Runs November-February

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Hippo Barn Tours - Runs Year-Round

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This experience does not include the private feeding or painting included in our Hangin’ with the Hippo experience.

Are you Fiona’s biggest fan? Have you ever wanted to know what it takes to be a full-time hippo keeper? Well, now you’re in luck! On the Hippo Barn Tour your group will get a semi-private tour of a world class hippo barn. Chat with a hippo expert as you learn all about, diets, enrichment and Fiona’s incredible story. Grab some photos with Fiona’s baby bottle and early childhood toys. This tour promises to teach you something new about the world’s most famous hippo.

This experience supports Vulpro – Saving our Vultures and the Uganda Waterways Project. VulPro supports the rescue, rehabilitation and release of ill and injured vultures. The Uganda Waterways Project supports the patrol of rivers to prevent poaching of hippos and other African wildlife.

Ticket Release: Tickets are live.

Group Size: Hippo Barn Tours are semi-private tours reserved for up to 6 guests.

Availability:  Monday, Wednesday and Saturday

Cost: Tickets are $40 per person.

Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 7 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend experience alone .
  • You must wear closed toe shoes.
  • This experience is ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

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The Tremendous Tour-toise - Runs Year-Round

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During this experience, one of our animal care staff members will introduce you to our resident Galapagos tortoises and fill you in on everything that goes into taking care of the largest species of tortoise in the world! Guests will get a hands-on experience while they learn all about the history of these amazing animals as well as the conservation efforts that the Zoo supports to help preserve their precious native islands.

This experience supports the Turtle Survival Alliance. The Turtle Survival Alliance protects and restores wild populations of tortoises and freshwater turtles through science-based conservation, global leadership and local stewardship.

Ticket Release: Tickets are live year-round.

Group Size: Tremendous Tour-toise tours are semi-private tours reserved for up to 5 guests.

Availability:  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Cost: Tickets are $50 per person.

Length of Tour: Approximately 20 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 8 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend experience alone .
  • You must wear closed toe shoes.
  • ADA accessibility is weather dependent.
  • This experience is non-refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

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African Penguin Feeding - Runs April-October

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Put your fish-tossing abilities to the test as you help feed breakfast to the birds at penguin point. African Penguins and Cormorants will dive in to see what you’ve brought to the daily menu.

This experience supports SANCCOB. SANCCOB’s main objective is to reverse the decline of seabird populations through the rescue, rehabilitation and release of ill, injured or abandoned seabirds – especially endangered species like the African penguin.

Ticket Release: Purchase Tickets

Group Size: African Penguin Feedings are semi-private tours reserved for up to 6 guests.

Availability:  Wednesday through Sunday

Cost: Tickets are $15 per person.

Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 5 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 10 years of age to attend experience alone .
  • You must wear closed toe shoes.
  • This experience is ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

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Little Blue Penguin Experience - Runs April-October

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Waddle on over to meet the world’s smallest penguin! Standing about a foot tall, our Little Blue Penguins are ready to make a big splash with this encounter.

During this experience, groups will go behind-the-scenes to meet some Little Blue Penguins from our colony. A member from their care team will help guide this experience as you learn all about these pint-sized penguins!

This experience supports SANCCOB. SANCCOB’s main objective is to reverse the decline of seabird populations through the rescue, rehabilitation and release of ill, injured or abandoned seabirds.

Ticket Release: Tickets go live February 28, 2024.

Group Size: Little Blue Penguin Experiences are semi-private tours reserved for up to 6 guests.

Availability: Tuesday and Thursday

Cost: Tickets are $50 per person.

Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 10 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend experience alone .
  • You must wear closed toe shoes.
  • This experience is ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

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Sloth Feeding Experience - Runs April-October

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Slow down and enjoy a semi-private feeding experience and learn about the delightful dining habits of our sloth. Give one of our Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths some of their favorite fruit treats from ground level on their custom-made feeding poles. It’s a sight to behold, and your camera will be working overtime to capture the charm of these snack-loving sloths.

This experience supports the Sloth Institute. The Sloth Institute rescues, rehabilitates, and releases hand-raised and injured sloths as well as conducts vital research, conservation and education programs to ensure their survival.

Ticket Release: Tickets go live on February 28th.

Group Size: Sloth Feedings are semi-private tours reserved for up to 6 guests.

Availability: Saturday and Sunday

Cost: Tickets are $50 per person.

Length of Tour: Approximately 20 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 5 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend experience alone .
  • You must wear closed toe shoes.
  • This experience is ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.
  • This tour option provides no hands-on opportunities with our sloths
  • Gift Certificates cannot be purchased for this experience

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Go-Green Sustainability Tour - Runs April-October

Purchase Tickets

Proclaimed the “Greenest Zoo in America®” in 2010, the Zoo has continued to lead the way in sustainability and green initiatives by greening its daily operations and reducing its impact on the environment. From this tour you will learn about green building, solid waste management, renewable energy, water conservation, storm water management, energy efficiency and community outreach. The Cincinnati Zoo has strengthened its sustainability program to have a positive impact on the planet.

Ticket Release: Tickets go live February 28, 2024.

Group Size: Go-Green Sustainability Tours are semi-private tours reserved for up to 10 guests.

Availability: Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Cost: Tickets are $10 per person.

Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 10 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend experience alone .
  • You must wear closed toe shoes.
  • This experience is ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

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CREW Tours - Runs Year-Round

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Come on a tour of one of the few places in the world that is combining cutting-edge science with wildlife conservation efforts in hopes of saving endangered species. Learn more about the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s efforts to help protect Polar Bears and Sumatran Rhinos. Get hands on while you perform an ultrasound on Charlotte, our life-sized rhino replica. This experience is perfect for all those who aspire to help save the world’s endangered plants and animals.

This experience supports CREW. CREW is leading the way to secure a positive future for endangered species. They employ a multi-pronged approach that includes research, propagation, in situ protection, education and public engagement to save targeted plants and animals.

Ticket Release: Tickets are live.

Group Size: CREW Tours are semi-private tours reserved for up to 10 guests.

Availability:  Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Cost: Tickets are $15 per person.

Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 10 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend experience alone .
  • You must wear closed toe shoes.
  • This experience is ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

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Animal Hospital Tour - Runs April-October

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Take a tour of our state-of-the-art animal hospital facility. Learn about our staff’s veterinary expertise in our surgery and examination rooms. See the cutting-edge diagnostic tools that help our staff do vet checks and ultrasounds on everything from salamanders to Fiona the Hippo. Lastly, see our EEHV labs and learn how our staff is building up an elephant blood bank to protect  against disease. Join us to discover how we preserve the health of our planet’s magnificent creatures!

This experience helps support veterinary care here at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Ticket Release: Tickets go live February 28, 2024.

Group Size: Semi-private tours reserved for up to 6 guests.

Availability: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Cost: Tickets are $15 per person.

Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 10 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend experience alone .
  • You must wear closed toe shoes.
  • This experience is ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

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Feathered Friends - Runs October-February

Get up-close with some of the stars of the Wings of Wonder summer bird experience! During this tour, you will have the opportunity to meet some of our feathered friends and learn about their amazing counterparts in their natural habitats. If you’re a fan of squawkers and talkers, then this tour is perfect for you! Bird species featured in this program are dependent on keepers and animal availability. We cannot take requests of birds featured during the program.

This experience supports the World Parrot Trust. The World Parrot Trust addresses urgent threats facing parrots and brings about meaningful, long-term change for parrots through groundbreaking field research, hands-on conservation programs, habitat protection, education and awareness programs and supporting the rescue, rehabilitation and release of parrots caught in illegal trade.

Ticket Release: Tickets are released on a month-to-month basis.

Group Size: Feathered Friends tours are semi-private tours reserved for up to 6 guests.

Availability:  Varying dates per month

Cost: Tickets are $30 per person.

Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 5 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 13 years of age to attend experience alone .
  • You must wear closed toe shoes.
  • This experience is ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

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Incredible Insects - Runs November-February

Great things come in small packages! Spend time with a World of the Insect keeper and get a hands-on interaction with some incredible insects. Guests are given the opportunity to hold a Thorny Devil Stick Insect, Giant African Millipede and much more. This tour is perfect for bug lovers of every age!

This experience supports the Xerces Society. The Xerces Society protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. They focus on pollinator conservation; endangered species conservation and the reduction of pesticide use and impacts.

Ticket Release: Tickets will go on sale fall 2024

Group Size: Incredible Insect tours are semi-private tours reserved for up to 6 guests.

Availability:  Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Cost: Tickets are $50 per person.

Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 5 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend experience alone .
  • You must wear closed toe shoes.
  • This experience is ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

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Van Goat - Runs November-February

Come on down to Blakely’s Barnyard and meet up with some of the most talented painters at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Each guest will get to help create their own one-of-a-kind painting along with one of our resident goat artists. This could get a little messy since our goats are very abstract painters!

This experience supports Raptors Inc. Raptors Inc. is dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey via rehabilitation, education, research and community service.

Ticket Release: Tickets will go on sale Fall 2024

Group Size: Van Goat tours are semi-private tours reserved for up to 6 guests.

Availability:  Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Cost: Tickets are $50 per person.

Length of Tour: Approximately 30 minutes

Restrictions:

  • Children must be 5 years of age or older and must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Must be at least 15 years of age to attend experience alone .
  • You must wear closed toe shoes.
  • This experience is ADA accessible.
  • This experience is non-refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.

icon of worldVirtual Tours

Squawk and Talk

a blue bird with yellow eyes

$250

Ring in the Reds

red panda sticking tongue out

$500

Llama on the Line

a close up of a camel

$150

Speed Dial

a cheetah in a field

$500

Goat-2-Meeting

Front view of a goat

$100

Mystery Animal

a close up of a raccoon

$150

To book a virtual experience, please contact [email protected]

Missed out on a Behind-the-Scenes experience?

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