Animal Experiences
See the Zoo from a new point of view! In these exclusive experiences, you'll meet some amazing animals and have your questions answered by our educational specialists.
🎁 Animal Experiences make unforgettable gifts! If your favorite one is on pause until spring, grab a ZNE gift card—perfect for gifting now and using later.
Please note that tickets are per person, not per group.
Penguin: Franklin Park Zoo
🐧 The penguins are on their way! While their new habitat is under construction, you can still give the gift of penguins with a Penguin Experience gift certificate—redeemable starting July 2026.
Waddle into your next adventure with the newest residents of Boston—African penguins! Known as “jackass penguins” for their donkey-like calls, these curious, social birds are full of personality. Join us inside the new Penguin Coast habitat to learn about these amazing animals and Zoo New England’s work to help protect penguins in the wild.
➤ Experience Details
When: Starting July 2026
Where: Franklin Park Zoo (meet at the Zebra Entrance)
Who: Ages 4 and up
Price: $125
➤ Before You Buy
- Tickets are per person, not per group.
- Experiences often sell out—purchase online at least 24 hours in advance. If sold out online, tickets will not be available at the gate.
- Penguin Experience tickets do not include zoo admission. General admission must be purchased separately.
- Experiences accommodate up to six guests per group and are not private, so you may share the experience with other visitors.
- All guests ages 4 and up must be included in the group size.
➤ Age, Accessibility & Safety
- Children must be at least 4 years old to participate.
- Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult (ticket required).
- Closed-toed shoes are required.
- This experience is not wheelchair accessible.
- Touching or petting animals is not permitted.
➤ Day-of Arrival
- Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time.
- Join your group 5 minutes before the experience begins.
- Late arrivals may not be accommodated due to animal care schedules.
➤ What to Expect
While we do our best to engage the penguins, participation is always up to the animals. You’ll still enjoy a memorable experience guided by our expert care team—bring your questions!
➤ Important Policies
- A valid zoo admission ticket is required for each guest.
- Tickets are one-time use, non-refundable, and valid only for the date and location purchased.
- You may be photographed or recorded during your visit; admission grants permission for use by Zoo New England.
➤ Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy
- Cancellations 7+ days in advance receive a full refund.
- Cancellations within 7 days are non-refundable.
- Tours may be rescheduled for a $35 fee, subject to availability.
- Arrivals more than 10 minutes late may require rescheduling.
- No-shows will not receive a refund and are subject to the rescheduling fee.
➤ Contact Us
Contact the Education Administrator at 617-989-3742 or email Education@zoonewengland.org with questions or to discuss rescheduling options.
Red Panda: Stone Zoo
Prepare to be bamboozled by the undeniable cuteness of these ring-tailed rascals! For a limited time, our resident red panda from Franklin Park Zoo has settled into his temporary home at Stone Zoo. Also known as the "firefox," "bear-cat," or "first panda," this ancient species is full of unique characteristics! You'll have the opportunity to participate in a training session and feed our red panda a healthy snack!
- When: Daily through January, Tuesday - Sunday, 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
- Where: Stone Zoo (Meet at Main Entrance)
- Who: Ages 4 and up
- Price per person: Members: $100 | Non-Members: $125
➤ Before You Buy
- Tickets are per person, not per group.
- Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate if available. Experiences often sell out—purchase online at least 24 hours in advance.
- If the experience is sold out online, tickets will not be available at the gate.
- Red Panda Experience tickets do not include general zoo admission. Admission must be purchased separately.
➤ Group Size & Age Requirements
- These encounters accommodate up to six guests per group and are not private, so you may share the experience with other visitors.
- All guests ages 4 and up must be included in the group size.
- Children must be at least 4 years old to participate.
- Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult (ticket required).
➤ Accessibility & Safety
- Closed-toed shoes are required.
- Red panda experiences are not wheelchair accessible.
- Touching or petting animals is not permitted.
➤ What to Expect
Though we do our best to engage them, it’s ultimately up to the animals as to whether they want to participate in the feeding experience. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of attention from our care team, who will guide your experience, so have your questions ready!
➤ Important Policies
- A valid zoo admission ticket is required for each guest.
- Tickets are one-time use, non-refundable, and valid only for the date and location purchased.
- You may be photographed or recorded during your visit; admission grants permission for use by Zoo New England.
➤ Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy
- Cancellations 7+ days in advance receive a full refund.
- Cancellations within 7 days are non-refundable.
- Tours may be rescheduled for a $35 fee, subject to availability.
- Arrivals more than 10 minutes late may require rescheduling.
- No-shows will not receive a refund and are subject to the rescheduling fee.
➤ Contact Us
Contact the Education Administrator at 617-989-3742 or email Education@zoonewengland.org with questions or to discuss rescheduling options.
Reindeer: Stone Zoo
Join us for an up-close, hands-on experience with our reindeer! Discover fascinating details about the myths and legends of reindeer, and if they really pull Santa’s sleigh. You'll even have the opportunity to feed our reindeer a healthy snack!
- When: Daily through March, Tuesday - Sunday, 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.
- Where: Stone Zoo (Meet at Main Entrance)
- Who: Ages 4 and up
- Price per person: Members: $40 | Non-Members: $45
➤ Before You Buy
- Tickets are per person, not per group.
- Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate if available. Experiences often sell out—purchase online at least 24 hours in advance.
- If the experience is sold out online, tickets will not be available at the gate.
- Reindeer Experience tickets do not include general zoo admission. Admission must be purchased separately.
➤ Group Size & Age Requirements
- These encounters accommodate up to six guests per group and are not private, so you may share the experience with other visitors.
- All guests ages 4 and up must be included in the group size.
- Children must be at least 4 years old to participate.
- Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult (ticket required).
➤ Safety Information
- Closed-toed shoes are required.
- Touching or petting animals is not permitted.
➤ What to Expect
Though we do our best to engage them, it’s ultimately up to the animals as to whether they want to participate in the feeding experience. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of attention from our care team, who will guide your experience, so have your questions ready!
➤ Important Policies
- A valid zoo admission ticket is required for each guest.
- Tickets are one-time use, non-refundable, and valid only for the date and location purchased.
- You may be photographed or recorded during your visit; admission grants permission for use by Zoo New England.
➤ Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy
- Cancellations 7+ days in advance receive a full refund.
- Cancellations within 7 days are non-refundable.
- Tours may be rescheduled for a $35 fee, subject to availability.
- Arrivals more than 10 minutes late may require rescheduling.
- No-shows will not receive a refund and are subject to the rescheduling fee.
➤ Contact Us
Contact the Education Administrator at 617-989-3742 or email Education@zoonewengland.org with questions or to discuss rescheduling options.
The following experiences are closed for the winter season, returning in the spring.
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