Fun for everyone!
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Experience the fun of a real old-fashioned carousel ride! Children of all ages will enjoy this famous classic. Carousel rides are included with Zoo admission. The carousel operates daily, weather permitting, during the regular season and is accessible. Children under 2 must be accompanied by an adult. Children aged 17 and under are permitted to occupy any available seat. Adults may utilize the chariots, stationary animals (giraffe and camel), or stand alongside their child.
Safety is our priority and the carousel may occasionally be closed without notice for maintenance or severe weather.
The Zephyr’s 10-minute ride will leave the train station near the Zoo’s Farmyard and move on the one-mile track behind the African Journey returning to the station through a beautiful section of the Jones Falls Watershed. The locomotive is a detailed scale replica of the original CP Huntington Train built in 1863 and was manufactured by Chance Rides Manufacturing, Inc., Wichita, KS.
The train is open daily from 10am-4pm year round, weather permitting. Train rides are included with Zoo admission. The train is wheelchair accessible but cannot accommodate strollers or motorized scooters. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
PLEASE NOTE: Safety is our priority and the train may occasionally be closed without notice for maintenance or severe weather.
Best Value!
Children ages 5+ can now enjoy three great experiences at the Zoo for one great price of $20!
Kids Trio includes:
- Conductor Ticket: Where your child can ride with the train driver for one ride around the track at the Jones Falls Zephyr Train Station. (Adult chaperone is required to accompany the child on the train ride).
- Gems Paydirt: Souvenir bag where your child can pan for gems at Jones Falls Gems, located near the Jones Falls Zephyr Train Station.
- Souvenir Zoo Key: Visit 10 audio boxes throughout the Zoo that provide English or Spanish narrations about animal and conservation messages.
The Kids Trio package is available for purchase mid-March through December. The following disclaimers may apply:
- Inclement weather or temperatures below 35 degrees
- Equipment malfunction
- Adults are required to accompany their child on the ride and sit in the passenger seat behind the driver
- Rider should be in good health to ride
- Rider must be able to maintain proper riding position and appropriately utilize the seatbelt on the driver’s seat
- Rider must be able to step up into the ride or be assisted into the ride by a responsible adult
- Rider must be able to remain sitting up straight, keeping their head upright during the duration of the train ride, and their arms, legs, and feet inside the train at all times
- Rider has a duty to exercise good judgement and act in a responsible manner while participating, and follow all verbal and written instructions
Located in Zoo Central behind Whistle Stop Grille, this fun, hands-on activity is perfect for guests of all ages and wheelchair accessible. Bags of paydirt can be purchased at the Jones Falls Zephyr Train Station and brought directly to the sluice. Simply pour the bag of mining rough into the sluice tray of your choice, then watch as the waters rinse away the sand and debris to reveal special treasures! Each bag is $9 ($8 for Zoo members) and guaranteed to hold fun treasure.
PLEASE NOTE: Jones Falls Gems will be operational only when weather permits. In order to receive member pricing, please present your membership card.
BEST VALUE: Kids’ Trio ticket including a conductor ticket, paydirt Jones Falls Gems bag, and a Zoo Key.
Zoo Keys activate ten audio boxes throughout the Zoo. These recordings are available in English and Spanish narration and focus on animal and conservation information. Zoo Keys are available to purchase for $4 at the Zoo’s Main Gate, carousel, train station, or Giraffe Feeding Station.
BEST VALUE: Kids’ Trio ticket including a conductor ticket, paydirt Jones Falls Gems bag, and a Zoo Key.
Zoo Experiences bring you even closer to the animals. From Penguin Encounters to goat brushing at Goat Corral, explore what the Zoo has to offer!
Take home a souvenir from the Zoo’s Wild Things Gift Shop, open all Zoo hours until the last guest exits the park. Plush animals, toys, apparel, gifts, books and more – all with a wildlife conservation theme. You may also inquire at the gift shop for stroller and wheelchair rentals.
Don’t just see wildlife, be wildlife with amazingly lifelike face painting at the Zoo! Face painting, provided by Not Just Faces, is $7 for glitter tattoos, $9 for half face painting, and $14 for full face painting. There is also new handprint animal art! Guests make a handprint and watch as our artists turn them into an animal of your choosing. Single and multiple options available. Matboard upgrade available, starting at $18. You can find this attraction at Zoo Central on weekends only in April, May, September, and October, weather permitting, and daily Memorial Day through Labor Day.
