Daily Activities
Located within Gene C. Reid Park just minutes from downtown Tucson, the Zoo has been a local favorite for generations. We invite you to visit this wild oasis with over 400 animals from around the world.
Experience the fun at your Zoo!
Take a ride on the Cox Wildlife Carousel and the Reid Park Zoo Railway. Venture behind-the-scenes for a once in a lifetime tour. Get up close to your favorite animals during daily presentations and keeper chats, or enjoy an unforgettable experience as you feed a giraffe.
Check out Reid Park Zoo’s daily activities below and make your trip to the Zoo unlike any other!
Friday, April 11, 2025
Today’s Schedule
9:00 aM
Zoo Opens!
10:00 AM
Giraffe Habitat
Giraffe feeding experience.
10:30 AM
CHECK FRONT ENTRANCE FOR LOCATION
Zoo Keeper chat
11:00 AM
CONSERVATION LEARNING CENTER
Animal Encounter
12:00 pm
SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS ONLY Giraffe Habitat
Giraffe feeding experience.
2:00 PM
Check front entrance for location
Zoo Keeper chat
4:00 PM
Zoo Closes
Last entrance at 3:30 p.m.
Reid Park Zoo Railway
All aboard for adventure!
Located inside the Zoo (from May – February) and just outside the front gates (March and April), this Reid Park Zoo Railway takes riders on a fascinating journey past animal habitats or the beautiful Gene C. Park pond. The train has spacious cars and also has a roomy caboose for riders in wheel chairs. You can buy tickets or a multi-use pass at the admissions gate with cash, check, or a credit card.
Price:
$4 per guest
Hours:
October – May:
Daily 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
June – September:
Daily 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
(The train runs during most business hours, depending on visitation levels)
Cox Wildlife Carousel
Take a ride on a gibbon, anteater, or hummingbird!
Located in the Zoo’s front plaza, this American-made carousel features 30 different animal species from around the world. You can buy tickets or a multi-use pass at the admissions gate, or pay at the carousel entrance. Cash, check, or credit cards are accepted at both locations.
Price:
$4 per guest
(Kids under 42″ tall must have an adult on the carousel with them to ride, but the adult can stand alongside the rider at no charge.)
Hours:
October – May:
Daily 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
June – September:
Daily 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
(During peak temperatures in the summer months, the carousel may close at noon)
Giraffe Encounter
Get up-close to the tallest land mammal in the world!
This experience is sure to become a favorite destination spot on your visit to the Zoo. You can buy tickets or a multi-use pass at the admissions gate, or pay at the Giraffe Encounter platform. Cash, check, or credit cards are accepted at both locations.
Price:
$4 per guest
(Children must be accompanied by an adult)
Hours:
October 1 – May 31:
Monday to Friday 10 – 10:45 a.m.
Weekends 10 – 10:45 a.m. and noon – 12:30 p.m.
June 1 – September 30:
Monday to Friday 9 – 9:45 a.m.
Weekends 9 – 9:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – noon
Animal Presentations
If you’re looking to enhance your Zoo experience, check out one of our animal presentations at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m!
These opportunities are free with Zoo admission and give you the chance to get your questions answered by our animal care staff. Keeper Chats and animal presentations are an important part of Reid Park Zoo’s conservation mission of saving wild animals and wild places by providing educational and fun experiences for visitors of all ages.
Price:
FREE with Zoo admission
Schedule:
Keeper Chats and animal presentations last approximately 15 minutes. All presentations are subject to cancellation due to animal needs or inclement weather. We encourage all guests to look at the activity board located at the front plaza to see the updated schedule.
Photo Experiences
Picture yourself as beautiful butterfly, snap a shot of the kids atop a bronze elephant sculpture, or jump into the jungle with an easy to use augmented reality photo experience as a golden lion tamarin looks down upon you from a leafy tree overhead.
Placed throughout the Zoo, these fun photo opportunities are free with your Zoo admission and provide a way to capture unforgettable Zoo memories.
Price:
Free with Zoo admission
