Have you been to the Detroit Zoo lately? The zoo is constantly upgrading, repairing, and rethinking its exhibits. It’s possible to see something new every time you go.

BlueWaterParent.com publisher, Jennie McClelland, and business development specialist, Emily Herbert, recently took a trip to the zoo to give you the scoop on how to make the most of a day at the zoo.

Traveling to the zoo from the Blue Water Area is not difficult. It’s about an hour’s drive, depending on traffic and construction, and is not complicated: I-94 to I-696 to the Woodward Exit. You will be able to see the Detroit Zoo water tower as you approach the exit. The zoo is not actually in Detroit; it is in Royal Oak.

There is plenty of parking in the parking structure, as well as in several surface lots.

If you have little kids, a stroller or wagon is a must. If you forgot, there are rental options at the zoo. It’s a good idea to pack your own food and drinks. There are water bottle filling stations and drinking fountains throughout the grounds. There are many options for purchasing food and beverages, but prices are high and lines can be very long. There are plentiful picnic tables throughout the zoo property. The zoo is a great place to have a picnic.

Buying tickets at the gate costs more than buying them online (lesson learned by Jennie). Gate prices are $20 for kids and $25 for adults. Online prices are $19 for kids and $23 for adults. There is an $8 parking fee. If you plan to go to the zoo more than once per year, a membership is probably a good idea. The family membership is $135 for a year of unlimited visits. There are many membership and add-on options.

Speaking of add-ons, there is usually at least one special exhibit at the zoo. Through September 4th, it is “Brick Live”, which is a Lego-themed exhibit. It costs an extra $13 to view and runs from now until September 4^th. The $13 includes admission to a 4-D movie and a ride on either the carousel or the train.

There is a sizeable old-fashioned carousel at the zoo that costs $3 per ride and there is a train that runs from the front of the zoo to the back, which is also a $3 charge per ride. After a long, hot day at the zoo, the train ride from the back of the zoo to the entrance is worth every bit of the $3 upcharge, especially if your young kids are “done” with walking.

The zoo closes at 5:00 p.m. every day, so plan accordingly. Five o’clock can seem early on bright, summer days. There are no “evenings at the zoo” except for special occasions.

It’s hard to see everything at the zoo in one visit. The Detroit Zoo covers 125 acres. There are over 2,000 animals at the zoo. So, it’s wise to plan ahead. We asked each kid which animal they wanted to see and made sure to at least hit those areas. The Polk Penguin Conservation Center is designed to make you feel like you are on an Antarctic expedition. It is a world-class exhibit and our group gave it a thumbs up.

The Arctic Ring of Life is another world-class exhibit where you can try to see a polar bear up close on both land and in the water. There is no guarantee that they will be out and about when you are there, but if they are, it is truly amazing. If it’s not too crowded, just hanging out in the “underwater” tunnel is a fun way to relax and get some one-of-a-kind photos.

There is an Australian Outback exhibit where you can walk right through the kangaroo and wallaby exhibit with no fences between you and the wild animals. Kangaroos and wallabies sleep a lot, so don’t expect to see a lot of action.

The giraffe exhibit is memorable, as are the wolves and the chimps. If you have a reptile lover, there is a large reptile exhibit, and there are even farm animals in a barn, and much, much more. A full list of animals can be found here.  

The zoo can get crowded, especially during school field trip season, but it is a huge property, so it’s not hard to break away from the crowd and find some space to enjoy the grounds and the exhibits. If you do see a crowd gathered near an exhibit, it’s a clue that there is something interesting going on. We saw a peacock putting on a show for his girlfriend during our visit and it definitely drew a crowd.

Are you an expert on making the most of a trip to the Detroit Zoo? Leave us a message and let us know. What’s your favorite animal to see at the zoo?