Adult getaway
Reconnect with your inner child at the zoo!
Want to feel like a kid again? Return to the wild at the Oregon Zoo! Enjoy an urban oasis in the scenic west hills of Washington Park just minutes from downtown Portland.
It’s time to break boring routines and rewild your life with more than 160 amazing species at the zoo. Reconnect with the childlike wonder of witnessing wildlife up close.
Ready to embrace adventure, and your inner child? Here’s your guide to a perfect day at the zoo.
Timing is everything: Try visiting on a weekday. The zoo is less crowded and it’s easier to explore.
Travel smart: Skip the traffic and parking fees and take the MAX! The blue and red lines stop within steps of zoo gates.
Fuel up: Grab a coffee, cold drink or a snack at Cascade Café to fuel your adventure through the zoo. Check out the menu.
See it all: Use the zoo map to guide your adventure. Follow the path on the map starting at the Great Northwest and you’ll be sure to see every habitat in the zoo.
Get a lift: There’s a lot to see, so consider renting a scooter from the gift shop if you want help covering more ground.
Peek behind the scenes: Keeper chats and animal activities occur daily. Check the schedule and be sure to stop by and listen to zoo experts give an inside look into iconic species from penguins, condors and chimps to polar bears, sea otters, elephants and more!
Make new friends: The zoo also offers animal encounters, where keepers provide a closer interaction with zoo wildlife. Whether it’s a python, tarantula, hawk or another interesting species, you can watch care staff work up close while they share amazing information about the animals. You’ll walk away with plenty of fun facts, and maybe a photo or two!
Raise a toast: When happy hour hits the zoo has you covered. Enjoy beer and wine from vendors throughout the grounds. Check out our calendar for special 21+ only evening events all year long.
Treat yourself: Enjoy a sweet treat! Grab one of the zoo’s famous elephant ears or get some soft-serve ice cream. View food and beverage offerings
Don’t miss a thing: Be sure to see all the attractions slightly off the beaten path. Check out the Insect Zoo, step inside the Family Farm and take a ride on the zoo train.
Take home memories: End the day at the gift shop and grab something to commemorate a great getaway!
Join us: Become a zoo member! Membership pays for itself in just a few visits and ensures you’ll have an entire year to come back and see anything you might have missed. The zoo is alive with thriving wildlife, and every day is different. Become a member so you don’t miss a thing!
Plus, member support helps the zoo continue its important conservation work both here and around the world.
Start planning your adventure and visit today!
