Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden®

Home of the world famous hippo Fiona. Family friendly Zoo committed to inspiring visitors with wildlife and saving species.

Family & Adult After Hours Programs

Our After-Hours Education programs take place when the zoo is closed! We offer a variety of experiences including Overnight Adventures, Sunset Safaris, Family Night Hikes and Private Cart Tours. Come ready to learn more about our amazing animals, the Zoo’s sustainability & conservation efforts, and more!

Evening Programs for all ages.

Evenings only or Spend the Night!

Family Night HikeHistory and HijinksFamily OvernightAdult OvernightPrivate Cart Tours

three manatees swimmingFamily Night Hikes

Join us each season for a special night hike around the Zoo. Families with kids  of all ags, and adults who love learning, will hike the Zoo after hours. Engage in fun, educational activities and meet some of our animal ambassadors up-close and personal!

Dates: Select Saturdays this spring and summer. Check below under More Details.
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm
Cost: Members $20; Non-Members $25

Note: One adult must register per group. For all ages. All participants must be registered, except children under 2 years old who are free.

Register Today!

MORE DETAILS

Hey Baby!

Spring is for Zoo Babies! Join us to explore the different families we have at the Zoo. Participate in fun, educational activities, hike the zoo, and meet some of our animal ambassadors up-close and personal! All while learning about the current Zoo babies and fun families we have at the Zoo.

Dates: Saturdays, March 25, April 22, May 6, or May 20
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm

Some Like It Hot

Join us as we explore the animals that thrive in the heat!  We will hike to see our warm-weathered-loving Zoo animals, and meet some of our hottest animal ambassadors up-close and personal!

Dates: Saturdays, July 1, or August 26
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm

Amazing Animal Adaptations: Family Overnight Adventure

During this family-friendly overnight, we will discover the adaptations animals have to survive in their unique habitats. Why do wolves hunt in packs? Why are penguins black and white? Why do snakes stick out their tongue? We will answer  these and so much more! Throughout the night we’ll explore a few places in the Zoo, participate in fun, educational activities, get a behind-the-scenes sneak peek, and meet some of our animal ambassadors up-close and personal! Then, after the fun, curl up in our private education classrooms overlooking our rainforest.

Children must be at least 5 years old at time of the program. All participants must register. Each family will have their own room for up to 10 people.

Register Today

MORE DETAILS

Dates: May 13, June 17, July 8th, August 5
Time: 7:00pm-9:00am the next morning
Cost: $55 per person

Note: Children must be at least 5 years old at time of the program. All attendees must register, including adults. At least one adult must register with a family group. Due to the nature of the experience, we are unable to allow children under the age of 5 attend the program.

African Sundowner:  Adult 21+ Overnight Adventure

A truly one-of-a-kind experience, the African Sundowner makes a great date night, friend group outing or (adult) family adventure! An interactive social hour will start the night with two drink tickets, light bites, strange zoo games and a visit from a unique animal. Then, we will break out into small tour groups led by Zoo Educators to traverse through Africa, listening to tales of innovation for living harmoniously with wildlife. Such as how a flashlight can shield you against lions, or why a puppy raised with goats can save cheetahs. On our Zoo safari, we will go behind the scenes of Hippo Cove and uncover secrets of our world-famous bloat. We’ll finish up our night at our Twiga Tents, gathered round a roaring campfire roasting smores. Then, this unique adventure ends with a relaxing night in our safari tents on cozy cots and waking up to breakfast overlooking Giraffe Ridge. And it doesn’t end there! One last special animal guest will join us in the morning to say goodbye.

You won’t want to miss this wild night!

All attendees must be 21+ at time of program.

Register Today

MORE DETAILS

Date: June 10th, June 23rd, July 15th, August 12th, September 8th, October 6th
Time: 6:00pm-9am the next morning
Cost: $190 member/$200 non-member, per person

Social Hour: The interactive social hour will include: an animal visitor, themed music around the fire and a unique “who done it” game. Also included are…

  • Two drink tickets that can be used for beer, wine, or soda.
  • Light bite fare of cheese and charcuterie boards provided by Urban Stead Cheese, a local cheese company making cheese in-house.

Hike and Behind-the-Scenes: Make sure to wear your walking shoes, as after our social hour, we’ll be walking through the Zoo to see our African animals. During the tour, attendees will go behind-the-scenes and see what life is like in our Hippo Cove, seeing indoor spaces, prep areas, and kitchen.

End the Night: Your evening will end with meeting some more animal friends up-close-and-personal and then s’mores around the campfire! Then, you can tuck in for the night in one of our safari tents on cozy cots.

Wake Up: You will wake up to the sounds of the zoo for a lovely breakfast overlooking Giraffe Ridge. Plenty of coffee, tea, juice, pastries, bagels with jam or cream cheese, and muffins will be served. Then, one last animal will come for a visit and we will end the adventure by attempting to feed the giraffes.

Note: All attendees must be 21+ at time of program.

group of adults listen to Gary Denzler in front of animal habitat

History and Hijinks 

How well do YOU know your Cincinnati Zoo? The honor of “second oldest Zoo in the nation” comes with a lot of history and some epic tales! Step back in time with former Zookeeper and bird trainer, Gary Denzler, as he leads you on a fun and factual story-based historical tour of the Cincinnati Zoo. Gary’s 50 years of experience is perfect for sharing tales of the people and animals that have made this Zoo what it is today.

This program is geared towards participants 16 years and older.

Register Today

MORE DETAILS

Date: Wednesdays, June 14, June 21, July 12, July 26, August 9, August 23
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Cost: $20 member/$25 non-member, per person

Private Cart Tours

Imagine spending an evening at the Zoo, zipping around to your favorite destinations. This two-hour private tour will take you and five of your friends all around the Zoo choose-your-own-adventure style. Led by an experienced Zoo Educator, your group will learn all about the Zoo, its amazing animals, conservation projects, and more! Come ready to ask questions and get the inside scoop. 

*Click “Learn More” below to see date options and pricing.

You and your group will book out an entire cart. Carts can accommodate up to 6 passengers. Attendees must be at least 12 years old at the time of a program. Children must be accompanied by an adult.  

Request a Tour Today

Learn More

Date/Time: Tuesdays – Saturdays, starting at 5:30pm
Cost: $550
Duration: 2 hours
Group Capacity: 6 person group, adults or groups with ages 12+. All groups must include one adult.

Mobility: For those with mobility concerns, cart tours may be the ideal way to learn about our Zoo! Please note there may be times when your party will need to move on/off the cart and walk a short distance.

Note:  Submitting this request does not guarantee that the date and time you have requested will be fulfilled. The Education Department will be in contact with you within 2-5 days of your request to officially book your experience. Once you have booked an experience, you have secured your exclusive reservation. No refunds will be issued. Program may be rescheduled at no extra cost if rescheduled at least 48 hours in advance. This unique offering is not a behind-the-scenes tour. 

FAQ and Policies

General FAQ

What should we bring for the family/adult program?

Attendees should wear closed toed shoes and weather appropriate clothing. Please bring a refillable water bottle to use at our water refill stations.

How old must participants be?

For Family Night Hikes: All ages welcome. All participants should be registered, except children under 2 years old who are free. One adult must register per group

For Family Overnights: Children must be at least 5 years old at time of the program. All attendees must register, including adults. At least one adult must register with a family group. Due to the nature of the experience, we are unable to allow children under the age of 5 attend the program.

For Adult Overnights: Attendees must be at least 21 years old at the time of the program.

For Private Cart Tours: Attendees must be at least 12 years old at the time of a program. Children must be accompanied by at least one adult.  

What is the earliest/latest we can arrive?

The Education Building entrance will open 15 minutes prior to your program beginning. If you arrive early, please wait patiently in the Education Parking Lot until we are ready for you.

You are attending a Zoo program when the Zoo is closed. Late arrivals can only be accommodated via a previously discussed arrangement.

What is your weather policy?

Programs happen rain or shine. Rain & wind may affect some program activities, such as where activities take place. If severe weather is imminent, we have safety locations we will remain until it has passed. Your safety during a program is our top priority!

Cancellation Policy

The Zoo reserves the right to cancel a program. Every effort will be made to contact registrants if this occurs. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Education Department will offer refunds for all eligible programs cancelled by the participant up to two weeks before the date of the Programs. No refunds or credits will be given for eligible programs cancelled by the participants within two weeks of the program date.

For Family and Adult Overnights:
Reschedule Policy

  • If you need to reschedule, you may reschedule up to two weeks prior to your program date. Your program fee will be applied to your new date.
  • We cannot reschedule participants within two weeks of the program start date.

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellations must be made at least two weeks in advance to receive a refund.
  • If you choose to cancel your program within two weeks of the program date, no refund or credit can be given.

To cancel or reschedule, please email [email protected].

For Private Cart Tours:
No refunds will be issued. Program may be rescheduled at no extra cost if rescheduled at least 48 hours in advance.

Safety FAQ

What is the masking policy?

  • Mask may be required for specific animal encounters. If needed, they will be provided.

Will I be grouped with other attendees?

For Family & Adult Overnight: Yes, Education Instructors will lead small tour groups on hikes and for live animal encounters. You and your registration group may be placed with other attendees. For Family Overnights, each family will have their own room for up to 10 people. For Adult Overnights, you will share a safari tent with other participants.

For Cart Tours: No, your group will have a private cart tour with your tour guide. No other groups will join you.

Will time be spend time indoors?

Programs will have a variety of indoor and outdoor experiences. However, your group will spend the majority of the program outdoors for activities, hikes, and games.

CALL OR EMAIL: 513-559-7730 OR [email protected]

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