Fun for everyone!

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Carousel Ride

Experience the fun of a real old-fashioned carousel ride! Children of all ages will enjoy this famous classic. Carousel rides are $6 per rider ($5 for Zoo Members). The carousel operates daily, weather permitting, during the regular season and is accessible. Children under 2 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

PLEASE NOTE: Safety is our priority and the carousel may occasionally be closed without notice for maintenance or severe weather.

Jones Falls Zephyr Train Ride

train ride

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. Rides are $6 per rider ($5 for Zoo Members) – in order to receive member pricing you need to present your membership card. The train is wheelchair accessible but cannot accommodate strollers or motorized scooters. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

PLEASE NOTE: Safety is our priority and the train may occasionally be closed without notice for maintenance or severe weather.

We offer also offer a “Conductor Ticket” for $20 per person. This special train ticket can only be purchased at the train depot and allows the guest (age 5+) to ride with the train driver for one ride around the track. Adults are required to accompany their child on the ride with a regular train ticket 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 judgment and act in a responsible manner while participating, and follow all verbal and written instructions
NEW! Jones Falls Gems

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 ($6 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.

Wildlife Quest VR

Wildlife Quest is an immersive VR simulation ride that will transport you deep into the jungles of Rwanda where mountain gorillas traverse their native habitat. Experience the magic of coming face to face with these amazing creatures through the use of VR headsets and seats with multidirectional movement. Located in Zoo Central next to Penguin Coast.

More Info and Tickets

Zoo Experiences

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!

View Zoo Experiences

Wild Things Gift Shop

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.

NEW! Purchase a souvenir online from the Zoo’s Wild Things Gift Shop.

Shop Online

Face Painting

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.