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)Animal Experiences
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
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)
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)
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tortoise
Pricing
$92 | 45-minute encounter
Meet a variety of tortoises that we care for here at the zoo and learn about each species’ natural history and conservation efforts.
Encounter is priced for two guests. This encounter can accommodate up to four guests. Additional guests are $25 per person.
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.
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.
Creature Connection
This special encounter is specially designed for children ages 2 and up. During this interactive experience, you'll meet three animals that could include snakes, toads, ferrets, rabbits, tortoises, guinea pigs, or armadillos.
Pricing:
$106 | 45-Minute Experience
Encounter is priced for four guests. This encounter can accommodate up to 10 guests. Additional guests are $15 per person.