From bouncy tree kangaroos and red pandas in the all-new Forest Trailhead exhibit and spectacular hornbills and vibrant butterflies, summer at Woodland Park Zoo will be teeming with fun, fun, fun and memories to be made at every corner of its lush 92-acre oasis.

Summer hoursSummer hours May 1 through Labor Day: 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. daily. 

*** ALL NEW *** Forest Trailhead, opens May 1 
From the forest floor to the treetop canopy, guests can connect with iconic wildlife who are counting on us to protect, restore and sustain forests in the all-new Forest Trailhead exhibit. The interactive, multi-sensory exhibit will be home to tree kangaroos, red pandas, kea, and a variety of reptiles, amphibians and fish species. The 12,000-square-foot building and 1-acre grounds will open a window into the communities leading conservation solutions in the mountain forests of Papua New Guinea, Nepal and here in the Pacific Northwest. Forest Trailhead offers a new, hopeful view on the future of forests and the animals and people who depend on them. Free with zoo admission or membership.  

Seasonal Butterfly Garden, opens May 23 through Labor Day, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. daily
The Butterfly Garden is a magical experience where guests of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can experience the wondrous world of “flying flowers.” Stroll among hundreds of free-flying butterflies inside an enclosed space, all while surrounded by a display of beautiful flowers. Learn about the life cycle of these colorful, winged insects while watching larvae undergo a miraculous metamorphosis as they emerge as butterflies. Behind the Butterfly Garden, the year-round Microsoft Pollinator Patio abounds with pollinator-friendly plants. Be inspired to help pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, beetles and bees. 
Costs: $3 per person, $2.40 members, free kids 2 and under. 

Zoomersion – A Virtual Reality Experience, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. daily, year-round
Be there. Join Emmy award-winning documentary filmmakers on an incredible journey! Strap in for an unforgettable virtual adventure and be transported straight into the action of some of the world’s wildest moments, from Shark Dive to Gorilla Trek. These experiences offer the perfect mix of excitement, discovery and education. Cost: $10 per person, $8 members. 

Summer programs
Programs in Forest Trailhead will begin May 1; other programs will start on different dates. Be sure to use the zoo’s interactive map at www.zoo.org/maps for a real-time schedule of programs and locations, animal information and more—no download required. Daily schedules and locations can also be found at the  zoo’s entrances and www.zoo.org. Programs are free with zoo admission or membership except as noted. All programs are subject to cancellation due to weather, staffing or animal needs.

Forest Trailhead
Visitors can enjoy daily programs and activities in the all-new Forest Trailhead exhibit. Learn about the care of tree-dwelling red pandas and tree kangaroos, how they’re acclimating to their new, beautiful home 
and how Woodland Park Zoo supports preserving their future and how you can join in taking action.   

Penguin Snack Time
The zoo’s Humboldt penguin colony has more than 40 individuals all with different “penguinalities.” Come and hear about the recent action, drama and comedic stories between the individual penguins while watching the colony receive their afternoon snacks.  
Gorilla and Orangutan Enrichment
See the gorillas and orangutans receive their daily snacks and learn about the family structures and individual animals, exemplary animal care and what you can do to support great apes in the wild. 

Patas Monkey Enrichment
Patas monkeys are more comfortable living on the ground than up in the trees. Very fast on the ground, these long-legged monkeys can sprint up to 34 miles an hour! Discover more about these fast monkeys. 

Live Trout Feeding at Penguins 
Penguins may not look fast on the ground, but they are swift and agile swimmers. Watch as these charismatic birds demonstrate their expert fish-hunting abilities when buckets of live trout are added to their pool!  

Sloth Bear Snack
Meet the sloth bears and see their unique feeding adaptations in action as they suck down their food. Be ready to be amazed at their extraordinary strategy for dining.  

Make Puzzles for Parrots 
Animals like to solve puzzles, explore, sniff, play and tear apart. Learn what it takes to provide fun opportunities for animals to show off their natural skills and build enrichment for the zoo’s kea, alpine parrots native to New Zealand. 

Ask a Master Gardener Clinic 
Master Gardener volunteers provide engaging gardening information that focuses on environmentally friendly practices. Free advice is available on gardening, plant problems, plant identification, pest management and soil improvement. People of all ages are encouraged to go outdoors and learn about gardening. Select Sundays starting May 17 and select Thursdays starting June 11.  

For younger audiences
Zoomazium: 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. daily 
With different play areas for children from birth to 8, Zoomazium is an indoor place to explore, play and have fun! What could be more fun than exploring a mountain cave, crossing a rope bridge in the tree canopy, discovering what lies beneath a savanna water hole or even climbing a 20-foot tree?! All this and more await discovery as young children learn about nature through play. 

Look Listen Feel Storytime
Join interactive story time near the African Savanna overlook. Designed for young guests, this season’s story will feature a favorite summer critter: butterflies! After the story, children’s imaginations can soar as they choose their wings and do a butterfly dance.  

Shake Rattle Roar
Toddlers and caregivers are invited to sing, dance, and play instruments to animal and nature-themed music in Zoomazium. Zoo-themed songs will be shared so that you can learn and sing at home. 

Design to Scale
Ever wonder what it takes to build an exhibit at Woodland Park Zoo? From the zoo’s exhibit technicians to the horticulture team, guests will explore the innovative design features that help cold-blooded friends thrive. Practice some of your design ideas by building your own miniature habitat.    

Turtle Head Start Experience
Stop by Cathy Herzig Living Northwest Basecamp and learn how the zoo helps raise endangered western pond turtles. Being a small turtle in the wild has its challenges, but with a little help from the zoo we can help the turtles thrive. This hands-on activity in the Turtle Head Start Center lets young guests learn and mimic the work of the zoo’s animal keepers to release young turtles to a protected site every summer.  

Animal encounter opportunities
Family Farm Contact Area: 10:00 a.m.–noon and 1:00–5:00 p.m. daily 
How soft is a goat’s coat? How does a sheep say hello? Meet a selection of domestic animals in a supervised area at the Family Farm.  

Savanna Experience
Get up close and personal behind the scenes with the tallest animals on the African Savanna and learn about what makes these animals so magnificent! Cost: $19 per person, $15.20 members, free kids 2 and under.  

Wild Connections
Discover a diverse lineup of ambassador animals in an interactive, up-close encounter that brings the experience straight to you. Look up as a bird glides overhead. Spot an arboreal animal climbing on over. Feed a snack to an enthusiastic armadillo. Join animal keepers during live training sessions and discover the art of how animals train and learn. Cost: $29 per person, $23.20 members, free kids 2 and under. 

More fun…
Discover! 
The call of discovery beckons! Join volunteers in an exploration of the zoo, diving into conversations about the balance of nature and the tools animals use to survive. Enjoy hands-on programs highlighting animals and their habitats. Pursue your questions and passions through hands-on activities including biofacts, fun stories and games. Plus, discover how you can help save wildlife through a few simple actions. Swing by a Discovery Station and see where it leads!  

Historic Carousel: 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Take a whirl on Woodland Park Zoo’s Historic Carousel of classic, hand-carved wooden carousel horses. ADA ramp access. Cost: $3 a ride, in addition to zoo admission. 

Senior Programs
Join the zoo for programs designed especially for seniors! The self-guided social walking program promotes fitness and well-being among adults ages 55 and up. Participants spend time socializing with peers in a beautiful natural setting while learning more about wildlife and the natural world while engaging in a healthy activity at the zoo. For more information and to register, visit www.zoo.org/seniorzoowalkers.

General information
Go online at www.zoo.org/visit to save time at the zoo and avoid lines! Discount for persons with disabilities: $2 off regular admission, 1:1 aides are free. For information about disability accommodations and other safety protocols, see the Guest FAQ at www.zoo.org/visit/faq. Visit all summer long by becoming a member: www.zoo.org/membership.  

Parking: Visit www.zoo.org/directions for parking fees. 

Location: Enter through the West Entrance at 5500 Phinney Ave. N. or South Entrance at 750 N. 50^th St., Seattle, WA 98103. 

Accessibility: Information about accessibility and resources, one-to-one aides, sighted guides, mobility equipment rentals, and a sensory map and tools can be found at www.zoo.org/access. ADA ramp access for Historic Carousel. For questions or to request disability accommodations for zoo programs or events, contact zooinfo@zoo.org.