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Indianapolis Zoo White River Gardens

Sea lions kiss-Sandi Sookoo

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Located in White River State Park downtown, The Indianapolis Zoo proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2004. Since opening in 1964, the Indianapolis Zoo has grown into a world-class facility hosting a million visitors each year and playing a major role in worldwide conservation and research, including accomplishing the world’s first successful artificial insemination of an African elephant.  The Indianapolis Zoo is located in White River State Park downtown and is the only attraction accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Association of Museums as a zoo, an aquarium and a botanic garden.  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. Click here for information on accessibility.

The Indianapolis Zoo Art and Nature programming is supported by the Arts Council of Indianapolis and the City of Indianapolis.
Photo by Sandi Sookoo.

Continued (includes History of the Zoo)...

White River Gardens continues the Indianapolis Zoo’s mission of connecting animals, plants and people.  This stunningly beautiful 3.3-acre landmark botanical attraction combines the best of gardening ideas, plant information and inspirational design to serve the needs of all visitors.  With over one thousand plant varieties on display plus entertaining special exhibits throughout the year, White River Gardens is an international showplace for Indiana where visitors can enjoy and learn about the bounty of the natural world.  Whether collecting plant information from the resource room, staging a wedding in the most attractive location in the city, or simply strolling through the flowered pathways, visitors to the Gardens will be inspired, impressed, enlivened and entertained. Click here for information on accessibility.

The Indianapolis Zoo Art and Nature programming is supported by the Arts Council of Indianapolis and the City of Indianapolis.

Continued (includes History of the Gardens)...

The Indianapolis Prize
The world's largest animal conservation award to a single person - is making news worldwide.  Learn more about the endangered species of the world and the people who are helping to save them.

Current Hilbert Conservatory Show
Butterflies presented by Citizens Energy Group opens March 20 and runs through Labor Day. Don't miss this spectacular show featuring hundreds of free-flying butterflies.

Zoo Grounds Map
Download a pdf printable copy of the Zoo map for 2010. Or, download a pdf printable copy of the Zoo brochure for 2010. Please note that these are large pdf files.  Special thanks to Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance for sponsoring the 2009 Zoo map.

White River Gardens Map
Use our interactive map of the White River Gardens.

Gardening Resources
Check out tons of valuable articles on gardening and get inspired for your home garden.

Zoo Exhibits and Animal Information
Take a look at what the Indianapolis Zoo has to offer! You will learn more about how the Zoo exhibits its plant and animal collections and what animals you will see when you visit the Zoo. Look for the special panoramic views of selected biomes!

The Gardens
Take a look at what the White River Gardens has to offer! You will learn more about the Gardens' exhibits you can expect to see during your visit.

Zoo Web Cams
Check out the animals as they go about their daily activities.

Speaker's Bureau
Book a Zoo speaker for your next meeting or event & get the "inside scoop."

What's Blooming at the Gardens
What's Blooming at the Gardens is back for 2010! You can click here to find out what spring flowers are blooming now. It's a great way to get some inspiration for your home gardens. Tulip fans - stay tuned for late breaking news on this year's display!

White River State Park
The Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens are located in White River State Park, one of the most unique state parks in the country. Find out all about the Park and its attractions and be connected directly to their web site!

Gardener's Notes
While on grounds, be sure to check out the handwritten "Gardener's Notes" that offer some interesting and valuable information about some of the most unusual plantings in the DeHaan. Tiergarten.


Image Gallery

The Indianapolis Zoo maintains an extensive library of images of animals in our collection. For a sampling, check out these outstanding photos of our animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to many common questions are just a click away!

Thanks to Our Sponsors

We at the Zoo appreciate all of our sponsors and contributors. Click to see a list of those kind enough to care.


The Indianapolis Prize
Go Green
Special Zoo Experiences
Dare to Discover OCEANS

INFOLINE - (317) 630-2001
1200 W. Washington St.
Indpls, IN 46222
Thru Labor Day
9am-5pm Mon-Thur
9am-7pm Fri-Sun
As of Sept. 8:
9am-4pm Mon-Thur
9am-5pm Fri-Sun

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