Skip to main content

Up-Close Animal Fun

Get up close with some of our most fascinating animals during special encounters that not only delight guests but also help enrich the animals by stimulating their curiosity, senses, and well-being.

Popular Experiences

  • Behind the Scenes Tour
  • Photo Safari
  • Kangaroo & Wallabies Encounter
  • Red Panda Encounter
  • Sloth Encounter
A brown and white goat with distinctive horns leans over a wooden fence, gazing curiously with a gentle expression against a green backdrop.

Family Farmyard Fun

$150 | 60-Minute Experience for 4

Meet our friendly barnyard crew! Feed and brush goats, pet bunnies, train donkeys, create enrichment, and toss treats to chickens in this hands-on experience!

Book Now(Link opens in new window)
A man and a boy crouch down, smiling as they feed a kangaroo in a sunny outdoor setting, surrounded by trees.

Behind the Scenes Tour

$150 | Private Cart Tour

Go behind the scenes at Oglebay Zoo on a 90-minute keeper-led tour! Ride by golf cart, visit the vet hospital, and enjoy hands-on animal education for up to five guests. Taxes & fees not included in overall price.

Book Now(Link opens in new window)
A boy crouches on the ground, capturing a photo of a turtle amidst greenery, immersed in nature and photography.

Photo Safari Tour

$288 | 120-Minute Experience

Go behind the scenes with keeper-only access to meet five unique species! Includes enrichment activities. Pricing for two; add up to one more guest for $125 per person.

Book Now(Link opens in new window)
A fluffy donkey stands in a sandy enclosure, its large ears perked up amidst a serene, wooded background.

Donkey Tours

$92 | 45-Minute Experience

Join our keeper for a fun walk with donkeys or an alpaca! Help with their daily stroll and learn cool animal facts. Pricing for two; add up to four guests for $26 per person.

Book Now(Link opens in new window)

Animal Experiences

  • A kangaroo stands alert in a grassy area, showcasing its strong hind legs and distinct features, embodying the essence of Australian wildlife.

    Kangaroos & Wallabies

    Pricing

    $157 | 45-minute encounter

    Discover the charm and wonder of kangaroos and wallabies—Australia’s iconic marsupials. From the powerful leaps of kangaroos to the playful hops of their smaller cousins, wallabies, these fascinating creatures capture hearts with their strong tails, curious nature, and adorable joeys nestled in cozy pouches.

    Encounter is priced for two guests. This encounter can accommodate up to five guests. Additional guests are $26 per person.

  • A close-up of a fluffy cat with prominent whiskers, bright green eyes, and a curious expression, surrounded by a blurred green background.

    Pallas's Cat

    Pricing

    $157 | 30-minute encounter

    Get up close with the elusive Pallas’s cat! Learn all about this quirky, endangered feline’s natural history and how we're helping protect this fascinating species. It’s a paws-itively wild experience!

    Encounter is priced for two guests only.

  • A cheerful red panda with fluffy orange fur and bright eyes, smiling playfully against a backdrop of green foliage.

    Red Panda

    Pricing

    $226 | 45-minute encounter

    With their fluffy red coats and playful personalities, red pandas are a favorite at the zoo! Our red pandas love cozy shelters, hammocks, keeper time, and new things to climb. Stop by and see what they’re up to—there’s never a dull moment!

    Encounter is priced for two guests. This encounter can accommodate up to five guests. Additional guests are $30 per person.

  • A close-up of a sloth with a friendly expression, featuring large brown eyes and a textured, shaggy coat, exuding a calm demeanor.

    Sloth

    Pricing

    $274 | 45-minute encounter

    Get ready for a slow and steady adventure! Meet our sloth keepers and get up close with our adorable Linne’s two-toed sloth. Feed, interact, and learn all about sloth natural history and rainforest conservation.

    Encounter is priced for two guests. This encounter can accommodate up to five guests. Additional guests are $57 per person.

  • A mother wild boar walks through sandy ground with a cute, striped piglet closely following her.

    Red River Hogs

    Pricing

    $157 | 30-minute encounter

    Feed, train, and provide environmental enrichment through protected contact to our Red River hogs while learning about the natural history of these amazing African swine.

    Encounter is priced for two guests. This encounter can accommodate up to four guests. Additional guests are $26 per person.

  • A reddish-brown animal with large ears and long legs roams through lush green grass, exuding a curious and graceful demeanor.

    Maned Wolves

    Pricing

    $157 | 45-minute encounter

    Experience a creature as mysterious as it is mesmerizing. Known for its striking appearance—long legs, fiery-red coat, and a regal mane—this unique canid is often called a "fox on stilts," though it is truly one of a kind.

    Encounter is priced for two guests. This protected contact encounter can accommodate up to three guests. Additional guest is $26 per person.

  • A close-up of a bobcat with striking yellow eyes and expressive facial features, showcasing its distinct fur pattern and keen expression.

    Bobcat

    Pricing

    $157 | 30-minute encounter

    Step into the world of bobcats—stealthy, majestic, and full of untamed beauty. These medium-sized wildcats are nature’s perfect blend of power and elegance, with their tufted ears, striking amber eyes, and signature short tails.

    Protected contact encounter is priced for two guests only.

  • A close-up of a powerful cheetah showcasing intense, piercing yellow eyes and a detailed, spotted fur pattern.

    Cheetah

    Pricing

    $288 | 45-minute encounter

    Join the fun with our cheetahs! Help feed, train, and create enrichment activities in a protected contact experience while learning cool facts and wild history about these incredible speedsters.

    Pricing is for two guests. This encounter can accommodate up to five guests. Additional guests are $125 per person.

  • A porcupine forages on lush green grass, showcasing its distinctive quills and textured fur. It exudes a sense of calm in its natural habitat.

    Cape Porcupine

    Pricing

    $157 | 30-minute encounter

    Get ready to be charmed by the Cape porcupine, Africa's largest rodent and a true wonder of the animal kingdom. With their striking quills, endearing personalities, and fascinating behaviors, these nocturnal creatures are sure to captivate wildlife lovers of all ages.

    Encounter is priced for two guests. This encounter can accommodate up to four guests. Additional guests are $26 per person.

  • A vibrant scarlet macaw displays striking red plumage with blue and yellow accents, set against a lush green tropical background.

    Avian

    Pricing

    $157 | 45-minute encounter

    Meet a variety of birds in our care while learning about the natural history and conservation of these species.

    Encounter is priced for two guests. This encounter can accommodate up to four guests. Additional guests are $26 per person.

A barred owl perched on a branch, with striking patterns and a greenish ambient light illuminating its surroundings.

Zoo After Dark: Secrets of the Night

Ever wonder what the zoo’s like after dark? Tag along with our keepers for a behind-the-scenes night adventure! Use night vision goggles to spot animals in action, explore indoor habitats, and choose your ride—go on foot or cruise by golf cart. It's a wild way to experience the zoo after hours!

Available on select dates and times throughout the year.

Pricing:
$197 | 90-Minute Experience

Encounter is priced for two guests. This encounter can accommodate up to six guests for walking tour and five guests for golf cart tour. Additional guests are $25 per person.

Book Now

A red panda reaches out to a keeper offering a treat, surrounded by a vibrant, green bamboo mural in a zoo setting.

Zookeeper for a Day

Ever dreamed of being a zookeeper? Now’s your chance to join the crew! Work side-by-side with our keepers to train animals, feed kangaroos and wallabies, prep meals, and create fun enrichment. You’ll even get a behind-the-scenes peek at our animal hospital. It’s a wild day you won’t forget!

Pricing:
$170 | 3-Hours, Per Person
This experience is limited to four guests per session.

Book Now

Know Before You Go