ENCOUNTER HUNDREDS OF

ANIMALS REPRESENTING SPECIES

FROM AROUND THE GLOBE IN

Indiana’s

First Zoo!

Cultivating connections between people and nature that inspire action for our planet happens naturally at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.

Smartphones displaying digital membership cards for a zoo and an eMembership app, with text saying "Get the App".

Cultivating Connections Between People And Nature That Inspire Action For Our Planet

Happens Naturally at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.

Hours: 9am - 4pm
Admission: Summer Rates
Adults (ages 13+): $11
Children (age 3-12): $10
Children 2 and Under: Free

ZOO MAP
AMENITIES & ATTRACTIONS
DIRECTIONS & LODGING
BUY TICKETS

Where Nature & Adventure Come to Life

Located on 45 scenic acres on Evansville’s northwest side, we think you’ll enjoy being immersed in its natural beauty. From the South American rain forest of Amazonia to the Children’s Enchanted Forest, and the rolling hills surrounding Lake Victoria, connecting people with the natural world is mission accomplished when you visit Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.

VISIT

LEARN

ACT

A close-up of a gray and white Siberian Husky dog with blue eyes, standing with its body slightly turned.

DAILY EXPERIENCES

  • Close-up of a group of penguins, with one prominent penguin in focus, showing distinctive black and white plumage and pink around the eyes. The background is blurred, emphasizing the penguin in the foreground.

    Penguin Feeding: A Delightful Experience

    TOKENS: 5 per feeding
    TIMES: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, & 2pm daily while supplies lasts

  • Three budgerigars, two yellow and one green, perched on a tree branch against a blue sky background.

    Budgie Walkabout: A Colorful Encounter

    TOKENS: 2 per feeding
    TIMES: Open Seasonally 10am – 4pm
    (nighttime temps above 50 degrees)

  • A woman and a girl feed a giraffe at a zoo. The giraffe is reaching over a wooden railing to eat leaves, with green trees in the background.

    Giraffe Feeding: Reach New Heights

    TOKENS: 4 per person per feeding
    TIMES:     11am – 3pm daily while supplies last (weather permitting)

  • Close-up of a vintage carousel animal in the shape of a penguin with detailed black and white feathers, part of a carousel attraction.

    Engelbrecht Carousel Rides: Whimsical Fun

    TOKENS: 2 per person per ride
    TIMES:     10am – 4pm daily

  • An orange electric shuttle with black seats and a gray roof parked outdoors next to green bushes and trees.

    Zoo Tram: Convenient Exploration

    TOKENS: 2 per person (Zoo Members ride free)
    TIMES:     10am - 4:30pm daily (weather permitting)

  • Four children wearing yellow life jackets and sunglasses sitting on a paddle boat on a lake, with trees and blue sky in the background.

    Paddleboats: Relaxing on the Water

    TOKENS: 3 per rider, 30-minute ride
    TIMES:     Open Memorial day to Labor Day 10am – 4pm (weather permitting)

UPCOMING MESKER PARK ZOO EVENTS

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MESKER PARK ZOO NEWS & STORIES

Mesker Park Zoo News & Blog
The Discovery Center is officially OPEN again!

After a long await for a new roof, we are happy to open the doors once again to the Discovery Center at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.

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Zoo Baby Alert!

We have a new baby at Mesker Park Zoo! Meet Pistachio, our baby porcupine.

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Zoo Baby Alert!

It’s baby season here at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. We are proud to announce the hatching of this little baby penguin, Wensleydale.

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Give a Whoop!

Despite progress, Whooping Cranes still face challenges today. Habitat loss continues to threaten the wetlands they rely on for feeding, resting, and nesting. Here’s how you can play a role in supporting Whooping Crane conservation.

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Successful Three-Banded Armadillo Birth

Three-banded armadillos are classified as near threatened, with their populations facing rapid decline. Learn more about ours!

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Mesker Welcomes Endangered Toads

Mesker Park Zoo acquired 10 Puerto Rican crested toads. These individuals have been retired from the breeding program and will now be exhibit animals that spread awareness for their species.

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Orchid Escape!

Since 2010, our annual Orchid Escape event has become quite popular, drawing several thousand visitors to Amazonia during the month of February and in to March for our 5 week long Orchid Escape show.

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The Return of the Rhinoceros to MPZ

Mesker Park Zoo received a male GOH from Denver Zoo named Bandhu on October 2nd, 2024. This is his story from departing his home and arriving at his new one with us.

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Twin Baby Binturongs!

Our newest twin Binturong babies, Pretzel (male) and Poppy (female), were born to our resident mom (Vivvy) and dad (Anton) on April 15, 2023.

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What’s in Bloom? Double Take Scarlet Quince
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What’s in Bloom? The Appalachian Redbud
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Do You Want to Be Like a Keel-billed Toucan?
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Otterly Adorable!
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The Penguins Are Here!
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Who’s That Penguin?
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Getting Up To Speed on Beliza
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Working with/for Beliza: Keeper Jackie
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Hellbender Update!
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FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

If it feels like there’s something new every time you visit lately, you’d be right! We’ve been busy updating things all across the zoo! From the new roof on the Discovery Center to new planters on the grounds, and all the new babi
Join us for another Storytime at the Zoo THIS SATURDAY written in-house by our Education Curator, Jessica!! 📚🦎 On May 16th at 10:30am, we’ll be hanging out in the Discovery Center, reading Hannah and the Hellbenders! PLUS enjoy some fun them
ANOTHER! ZOO!! BABY!!! It is DEFINITELY baby season around here, and we can’t get ENOUGH. Meet Wensleydale, our baby Humboldt penguin!! (But his friends call him Dale 🐧😉) Dale was born back in February to parents Prince and Calypso, and he
KEEPER CHAT TIME 🐾🗣️ These are some of those moments your kids are going to talk about alllll summer long! At Camp Zoofari, campers get to stop by Keeper Chats throughout the zoo and hear directly from the people who work with the animals at Mesk
We’re thrilled to partner with @evscsummermusical for their 2026 Summer Musical! When you’re heading to the show this summer, keep an eye out for Mesker Park Zoo in the program. We may not have room for a full orchestra… but we do
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, dads, grandparents, guardians, caregivers, and honorary stroller-pushers out there! 💐 We’re always so impressed by the way you keep up with your little wild ones every day 🐾 Thanks for making memori
HAPPY NATIONAL BINTURONG DAY 🖤🌿🍿 Did you know binturongs smell like buttery popcorn? These fluffy rainforest ✨ weirdos ✨ naturally give off that scent thanks to a chemical compound in their urine. Come say hi to one of the best-smelling anima
YOUR FAVORITE DC FRIENDS ARE BACK IN ACTION 👏🐾 Now that the Discovery Center is back open, you can visit the langur monkeys, ocelot, red pandas, and ring-tailed lemurs again on your next zoo trip! We’ve missed these faces 🥹 Which one are y