Things to Do

Come and Play

At Central Virginia's Zoological Park

From feeding giraffes to relaxing on the train to ziplining above kangaroos, the Metro Richmond Zoo has an adventure waiting for each member of the family! 

Feed the Animals

Keeper Talks

Rides

Shopping & Eating

Treetop Zoofari

Behind the Scenes

Animal Experiences

Feed the Giraffes

Feed the world’s tallest mammal from the palm of your hand! Enjoy this incredible experience by purchasing zoo treat cups for just $3.00 each at the front entrance or inside the zoo.

Feed the Budgies

Enter the budgie aviary and watch as colorful, lively budgies fly around and land on you! Feed the birds by purchasing $2.00 budgie sticks.

Keeper Talks

Learn more about animals from the professionals who take care of them! Join us for our daily Keeper Talks and ask questions about your favorite animals. Keeper Talks are fun, educational, and free with zoo admission.

Keeper Talk Schedule
Penguin Feeding 11:00 AM + 3:30 PM
Otter Feeding 10:30 AM + 3:00 PM
Siamang Feeding 2:30 PM
Cheetah Talk* 11:30 AM

*Cheetah Talk takes places at Kumbali and Kago’s exhibit.

Children's Petting Area

Meet, greet, and feed the zoo’s barnyard animals: goats, camels, sheep, llamas, chickens! Purchase zoo treats to participate in this animal feeding area. Young children and people of all ages love interacting with these friendly, domesticated friends. 

Face-to-face with the Wild

Feel the intensity of a tiger’s stare with nothing but a 3 inch glass in between. Our habitats provide guests with spectacular, close-up views of the animals. Unforgettable, educational encounters with wildlife are waiting for you.  

Ride the Rides

 

 

 

Safari Train Ride

All aboard!! Ride the train into an 8 acre area with free ranging animals to explore a section of the zoo not accessible by foot. You will see African antelope, ostrich, chimpanzees, and more. The 15 minute safari is narrated by a knowledgeable conductor who will share unique facts about the animals.

Ride Ticket Price and Rules

  • $4.00 per rider ages 2 and older
  • FREE with gold/goldX membership
  • Anyone can ride: babies and young children must be held and/or supervised
  • Unaccompanied rider height: 54″ tall & responsible
  • No height restrictions for children accompanied by a responsible person (ages 12+)
  • Stroller parking is available at the station
  • Train Schedule:
    • Train runs every 30 minutes
    • First train ride: 10:30 AM
    • Last train ride: 4:30 PM
    • On slow days, the train may operate on request

Safari Sky Lift

Tired of walking? Enjoy a relaxing, bird’s eye view of the animals and scenery by taking the Safari Sky Lift over the park. The ride lasts about 15 minutes and circles back to the place you loaded.

Ride Ticket Price and Rules
  • $4.00 per rider ages 2 and older
  • FREE with gold/goldX membership
  • Anyone can ride: babies and young children must be held and/or supervised
  • Unaccompanied rider height: 42″ tall & responsible
  • No height restrictions for children accompanied by a responsible person (ages 12+)
  • Stroller parking is available near the loading station
  • Weight limit: 450 lbs. per chair
  • Sky Lift Schedule:
    • Sky Lift runs continuously throughout the day
    • Sky Lift opens: 10:30 AM
    • Sky Lift closes: 4:45 PM
    • On slow days, the Sky Lift may operate on request

Penguin Falls Drop Tower

Dive like a penguin on the drop tower! Riders raise 30 ft into the air and experience a series of drops and twists. It’s fun for all ages.

Ride Ticket Price and Rules
  • $4.00 per rider
  • FREE with gold/goldX membership
  • Minimum height: 40″ tall accompanied by a responsible person (ages 12+)
  • Unaccompanied rider height: 51″ tall
  • Maximum rider height: 6′ 5″ tall

Jungle Carousel

Lions and tigers and monkeys, oh my! Your child will love taking a ride on the carousel.

Ride Ticket Price and Rules
  • $2.00 per rider ages 2 and older
  • FREE with gold/goldX membership
  • Parents can stand with their child during the ride for no additional cost
  • Unaccompanied rider height: 36″ tall
  • No height restrictions for children accompanied by a responsible person (ages 12+)

Shopping and Eating

Shopping

Take home a souvenir to remember your zoo adventure!

The gift shop is located at the entrance and exit of the zoo. We sell plush animals, toys, t-shirts, animal print pottery, hats, magnets, and more.

Zoo members receive a discount on most merchandise.

Eating

Pick up lunch or a snack at our food locations:

  • Penguin Falls Café located by the penguin exhibit
  • Cheetah Eat Café located by the front entrance
  • Banana Breeze located by the budgie aviary
  • Rhino Breeze located by the rhino exhibit

There are multiple covered pavilions, picnic areas, and benches to rest and eat lunch. Outside food and drink is allowed. Coolers are welcome. No grills, alcohol, or glass containers.

Not all food locations are open every day and hours vary. Zoo members receive a discount on food items.

ZIP THE ZOO

Treetop Zoofari

 

Experience the zoo from the trees. Zip over animals, the lake, and through the forest.

 

More InfoBuy Tickets

Treetop Zoofari Course

Challenge yourself to a tree-to-tree adventure!

  • 15 zip lines
  • 25 challenges
  • Minimum height: 54″ tall
  • Minimum age: 8 years old
  • Zoo members receive a discount

Junior Explorer Course

Calling all little ones with a brave spirit!

  • 2 zip lines
  • 21 challenges
  • Minimum height: 40″ tall
  • Minimum age: 4 years old
  • Zoo members receive a discount

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Animal Encounters

Schedule a private visit with one of our animal ambassadors: penguin, parrot, armadillo, or snake and learn more about them from their caretakers

DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN

Summer Safari

Does your child love animals and want to be a zookeeper? Sign them up for Summer Safari, and they will get an exciting behind-the-scenes look at how we care for the zoo animals!

BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR

The Orangutan Experience

Learn more about orangutan behavior and conservation efforts while seeing orangutans up close and personal

MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Animal Encounters

 

 

Schedule a private visit with one of our animal ambassadors:

penguin, parrot, armadillo, or snake and learn more

about them from their caretakers

More Info
DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN
Summer Safari

 

Does your child love animals and want to be a zookeeper?

Sign them up for Summer Safari, and they will get an exciting

behind-the-scenes look at how we care for the animals at the zoo!

 

More Info
BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR
The Orangutan Experience

 

 

Learn more about orangutan behavior and conservation efforts

while seeing orangutans up close and personal

More Info

BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR

The Orangutan Experience

Learn more about orangutan behavior and conservation efforts while seeing orangutans up close and personal

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Animal Encounters

Schedule a private visit with one of our animal ambassadors: penguin, parrot, armadillo, or snake and learn more about them from their caretakers

DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN

SUMMER SAFARI

Does your child love animals and want to be a zookeeper? Sign them up for Summer Safari, and they will get an exciting behind-the-scenes look at how we care for the animals at the zoo!