RWPZ Insider Tours

Now with an option to include access to the Asian Lantern Experience!

Join a zoo professional for this special experience! Guests will learn about how Roger Williams Park Zoo started and some of the insider knowledge that only zoo staff can provide! You will first explore our newest exhibit, The Faces of the Rainforest! Between the playful monkeys and the giant river otters, there is always lots of action! From there, your private safari will continue through The Amazing World of Adaptations, our Marco Polo Trail and our North America sections of the zoo! After that, pack your trunks, because guests will venture to the Textron Elephant & Giraffe Pavilion to try and catch a glimpse of the world’s largest and tallest land animals! Before departing, visitors will swing by the Alex and Ani Farmyard for an encounter with our beloved goats! All along the way your personal guide will be there to answer your questions and share stories from across our zoo’s rich history and provide you with some insider knowledge you did not know you needed to know! Like, did you know our oldest resident is 170 years old!

Tour groups will be limited to a single booking capped at 10 individuals. Other groups will not be combined with yours. Ample space will be provided for social distancing. All participants will be required to wear a face mask during the entirety of the tour. The only exception we are able to offer for this special experience is for children under two.

Tour Options, Details & Pricing

Standard RWPZ Insider Tour Dates, Hours and Pricing

Cost:

Members: $120 for the first two people and $30 for every additional person (max of 10)*
Non-Members: $130 for the first two people and $35 for every additional person (max of 10)*

*Guests under the age of two are admitted free of charge, but still count towards the 10-participant cap.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Date Availability:

Daily through April 12^th: 4:00pm and 4:10pm
April 19- June 29^th Mondays and Tuesdays: 4:00pm and 4:10pm

Please note: Not all animals will be visible and species availability can change daily depending on their needs and weather forecasts. We cannot guarantee any specific animal will be viewable on the tour. All tours are rain or shine, except for instances of severe weather or lightning.

Standalone Insider Tours are only offered for Mondays and Tuesdays to accommodate the Asian Lantern Spectacular. For all other days, please check out our RWPZ Insider + Lanterns Spectacular Bundled Experience that includes admission to the Asian Lantern Spectacular following your Insider Tour.

To book or for more information, contact us at programs@rwpzoo.org or (401)-785-3510 ext. 352

RWPZ Insider Tour + Asian Lanterns Spectacular Dates, Hours and Pricing

Book our popular RWPZ Insider tour experience for a private after-hours guided tour that inlcudes visits to our state of the art Rainforest exhibit our World of Adaptations building a goat encounter and more! After your Insider Tour concludes, say goodbye to your guide and spend the rest of your evening exploring the Asian Lantern Spectacular as you take in all of the sights, sounds and tastes in this multi-sensory international experience! The show, which is produced by Hanart Culture, will feature over 50 spectacular glowing lantern displays, kids interactive lantern area, savory Asian-inspired cuisine and drinks, hand-crafted keepsakes, and more! Guests can explore the dazzling displays as long as they wish up until 10:00pm. More information on the Asian Lantern Spectacular can be found here: http://rwpzoo.org/lantern

Cost:

Members: $166 for the first two people and $53 for every additional person (max of 10)
Non-Members: $176 for the first two people and $58 for every additional person (max of 10)

* This package includes the RWPZ Insider Tour AND access to the Asian Lantern Spectacular, guests under the age of two are admitted free of charge.

Duration: 1.5 hours + Access to the Asian Lantern Spectacular

Date Availability:

April 15^th-July 4^th Wednesday-Sunday: 3:50pm and 4:00pm

Standalone Insider Tours are only offered on Mondays and Tuesdays to accommodate the Asian Lantern Spectacular, see above.

To book or for more information, contact us at programs@rwpzoo.org or (401)-785-3510 ext. 352

Insider Tour FAQs

Can we purchase food or souvenirs?

Standalone Insider Tours will be touring the zoo when the zoo is technically closed, the Discover the Wild Gift Shop and our other concessions will be closed for the day. For tours that include access to the Asian Lanterns Spectacular, food and souvenirs will be available to purchase.

What should we wear?

Because this experience is rain or shine, you should dress for the weather. Closed toe shoes are required, and comfortable walking shoes are strongly encouraged.

Will we see the whole zoo?

Insider Tours will explore our Faces of the Rainforest Exhibit, Adaptations building, in addition to our Marco Polo Trek, the North America region of the zoo, The Textron Elephant and Giraffe Pavilion and our farmyard! Guests that also purchased access to the Asian Lantern Spectacular will have an opportunity to explore the rest of the outdoor spaces of the zoo for that evening event.

How much walking is there?

This is a walking tour of the zoo and will cover around a mile as we explore exhibits and the zoo’s history. Guests that have also purchased access to the Asian Lantern Spectacular will obviously walk a bit more, but as that is a self-guided experience can choose to rest or enjoy dinner or snacks as they enjoy the show at their own pace. We highly recommend comfortable walking shoes.

Will we see lots of animals on exhibit as we tour?

We will see animals on your tour, especially in our Rainforest and Adaptations buildings! Each species in an outdoor exhibit has their own restrictions regarding outdoor access that are dependent on temperature, weather and other wellbeing factors. As always, animals that do have outdoor access always have the option to be inside if they choose, so who and what we see will be different every time!

Do you need to provide contact information for every person in your party?

When making the reservation we will collect contact info from that guest. When you arrive, we will collect basic contact information from at least one person in every household for the purpose of contact tracing. This information will not be used in any other way.

What if I have a medical condition, do I still need to wear a mask?

Due to the nature of this special experience, and for the safety of you, your guides, and our animals, we must require masks for all visitors over the age of 2.

What age restrictions are in place for the Insider Tour?

Currently, guests of any age can participate in this special experience! All children must be accompanied by a paid adult and one adult must be present for every two children under the age of 11. Strollers and wheelchairs can be accommodated.

We have changed our minds; can we get a refund?

Cancellations of more than 2 weeks in advance of your booked tour are eligible for a full refund.

Cancellations with notice of at least one week, but less than 2 are eligible for a 75% refund.

Cancellations made with less than one week, but more than 48 hours are eligible for 50% refund

Cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice are not eligible for any refund in whole or in part.

Where do we check in?

Please refer to your confirmation email for your specific check-in location and time! You can email programs@rwpzoo.org with further questions. Please be sure to include the name on the reservation as well as the date and time of your tour.

Will we be the only guests at the zoo?

Most Insider Tours end up being a very private experience as your party will be the only one with your personal tour guide. We could have up to two Insider Tour groups on grounds at the same time but work to keep those groups in different areas while touring. For tours with Asian Lantern Spectacular access, general admission for the show is scheduled to begin at 5:30pm

Will we have special access?

Yes! You will be part of a select group of guests that get to tour the zoo after the other guests have gone! That is a privilege usually reserved only for our peacocks! You will also have an opportunity explore the Faces of The Rainforest Exhibit and our Wild World of Adaptations building which are both closed during the Lantern Spectacular to other guests. And don’t forget your knowledgeable guide who will be there to help answer any questions you have and provide some insight into zoo operations!

Will we get to touch animals?

Yes! Weather permitting, you will have an opportunity to visit and interact with our animated goat trip! (A group of goats is called a trip)

What if I am feeling ill?

We ask that any guests that feel unwell or have any symptoms of COVID-19 (including cough, fever, or shortness of breath), they kindly stay home.

Is the experience ADA accessible?

Yes! All of the indoor exhibits and main paths are ADA accessible. Be advised that this experience does cover some changes in elevation and due to social distance requirements, zoo staff will not be able to assist in maneuvering manual wheelchairs. Manual wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $5.

Are wheelchairs available?

Wheelchair rentals may be available during your tour, availability for after hours events are limited. Please reach out ASAP or mention this during the reservation process for special arrangements.

Manual wheelchairs are generally available on a first-come, first-served basis for $5

An EZ Cart automated wheelchair may also available for rental by reservation. Please contact the us at (401) 785-3510 x352 or x394 at least 72 hours in advance of your visit to check availability and to reserve the EZ Cart. The rental fee is $25.

I have additional questions about the Asian Lantern Spectacular

Please visit http://www.rwpzoo.org/lantern for more information including our Frequently Asked Questions for this event.

Animal Encounters