Have you ever wondered "what does a penguin feel like" or "how cold is it inside the penguin habitat" or "how do you take care of a penguin?" For the first time ever, the Zoo is offering some of our guests the opportunity to visit with our penguins "up close and personal." Under the guidance and supervision of a penguin keeper, you will be able to interact with the penguins in their chilly habitat. Your visit will last approximately one hour and will include a behind-the-scenes tour of the keeper area and the incubation/nursery area. Once inside the penguin habitat, you will get to know some of our 60-plus penguins. You will also hand-feed them and there will be plenty of photo opportunities, too!

Tours must be scheduled two weeks in advance. Tours will be conducted between the hours of 1 and 2:30 p.m. Groups are limited to four participants. Children must be 7 or older and accompanied by an adult . Participants must be able to climb stairs. "Mingle with the Macaronis" is offered year-round unless penguins are molting or breeding. Cost is $750 per group. 

Hoppy Hour

Happy hour only lasts an hour, but "Hoppy Hour" at the Detroit Zoo will leave you with memories that last a lifetime. The experience includes an after-hours behind-the-scenes tour of the Zoo’s award-winning National Amphibian Conservation Center (NACC). Enjoy Leap Frog cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres prepared by the Zoo’s talented catering staff. Those who dare can feed a Japanese giant salamander, and an amphibian curator will offer educational and entertaining talks about the creatures housed at the NACC. A take-away bag with amphibian-themed gifts is included.

Experiences take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday year-round and must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.  This experience is for persons ages 21 and older. Cost is $150 per person.


Hoppy Day

Children can hop along to the Detroit Zoo’s National Amphibian Conservation Center (NACC) for a special after-school behind-the-scenes tour. Situated on a two-acre wetland village called Amphibiville, the NACC houses a spectacular diversity of frogs, toads, newts, salamanders and caecilians from around the world. You'll see why the Wall Street Journal dubbed the attraction “Disneyland for toads!”  An expert will offer informative and fun facts about our amphibian friends, and participants will have an opportunity to feed a Japanese giant salamander. When the young ones have worked up an appetite of their own, they can prepare an edible treat with gummy worms and insects in Oreo “dirt.” A take-away bag with frog-themed surprises is included.

Experiences take place from 4 to 6 p.m. year-round and must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. This experience is for children 7 and older accompanied by an adult. Cost is $125 per person.

A non-refundable 50% deposit is due at the time of reservation for all Zoo Experiences.

For further information and to reserve your date for one of these special opportunities, please contact the Development Department at (248) 541-5717 ext. 3703 or msinger@dzs.org.