Zoo Tours
There are so many ways to experience the Zoo! Embark on an exclusive Zoo tour on foot or aboard the quintessential zoo transport, a golf cart! You can even add VIP access to this year’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular!
Private Insider Tours
Join a zoo professional for this special experience and discover fun 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 World of Adaptations, Marco Polo Trail and North America. After that, pack your trunks and venture to the Textron Elephant & Giraffe Pavilion to 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 fun animal facts. Like, did you know our oldest resident is 170 years old!
Insider Tour Options:
Take a private tour of the zoo either on foot or from the comfort of a golf cart. Tours are private experiences, see below for package details.
Date Availability: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 4:00-5:30 pm
Package Costs:
- Private Walking Tour (includes up to 3 people)
Members: $135 Non-Members: $150
*Walking Tours can add up to 7 additional participants for a total of 10.
Members: $45 Non-Members: $50
- Private Golf Cart Tour (includes up to 3 people)
Members: $200 Non-Members: $250
- Private Golf Cart Tour (includes up to 5 people)
Members: $300 Non-Members: $350
Duration: 1.5 hours
Capacity:
Walking tours can accommodate up to 10 total people. Your initial reservation includes up to 3. To add additional participants call us at 401-785-3510 ext. 358 after your initial purchase. This must be completed at least 4 days prior to your tour date.
*Golf cart tours have a fixed capacity and cannot accommodate additional participants.
Register Here >
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. Some walking will be required to access certain exhibits during a golf cart tour. Golf carts may not be able to accommodate walking aids and/or strollers. Please reach out to us with any specific mobility questions.
See our FAQs below. Still have questions? You can reach us at programs@rwpzoo.org or (401)-785-3510 ext. 358.
Stay-tuned for dates coming fall 2024!
Book our popular RWPZ Insider tour experience for a private after-hours guided tour that includes 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 skip the line as you enjoy VIP access to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular with thousands of expertly carved pumpkins, dazzling displays, and dramatic storytelling. More information on the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular can be found here: www.rwpzoo.org/jols
Date Availability: Select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays September 30-October 29 at 4:00 pm.
**This package includes the Insider Tour AND VIP access to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. These sell out quickly and we recommend you purchase in advance.
Cost:
- Members: $70 per person
- Non-Members: $75 per person
- *Guests under the age of two are admitted free of charge
Duration: 2 hours + Access to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
Capacity: Tours can accommodate up to 10 people. Groups with fewer than 10 people may be combined with other parties. Timeslots that do not have at least two registrants will be cancelled/rescheduled. Tours are not guaranteed to be private unless you purchase all 10 available spots.
Register Here >
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.
See our FAQs below. Still have questions? You can reach us at programs@rwpzoo.org or (401)-785-3510 ext. 352.
Stay-tuned for dates coming fall 2024!
Book our popular RWPZ Insider Tour experience for a private after-hours guided tour that includes 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 explore our Holiday Lights Spectacular. More information on the Holiday Lights Spectacular can be found here: www.rwpzoo.org/holidaylights
Date Availability: Select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in December beginning at 3:30pm.
* This package includes the RWPZ Insider Tour AND admissions to the Holiday Lights Spectacular. Guests under the age of one are admitted free of charge.
Duration: 1.5 hour tour + Access to the Holiday Lights Spectacular
Capacity: Tours can accommodate up to 10 people. Groups with fewer than 10 people may be combined with other parties. Timeslots that do not have at least two registrants will be cancelled/rescheduled 48 hours prior to their scheduled tour time.
Booking: Insider Tours can only be booked online at least 36 hours in advance. If you would like to book and you are within that 36-hour window, please reach out to us to see if we can accommodate your group.
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.
For more information, contact us at programs@rwpzoo.org or (401)-785-3510 ext. 358.
Insider Tour Frequently Asked Questions
Insider Tours provide special after-hours access to the zoo after the crowds of the day have dissipated. You will also have a trained guide to answer your questions and provide you with all of the insider knowledge. This tour does not go into behind-the-scenes animal areas.
All tours are rain or shine; you should dress for the weather. Closed toe shoes are required, and comfortable walking shoes are strongly encouraged.
This is your experience, so every effort will be made to prioritize specific exhibits that are of interest to you. We will for sure be visiting Faces of the Rainforest, World of Adaptations, Marco Polo’s Adventure Trek, The Textron Elephant and Giraffe Pavilion, and the Alex and Ani Farmyard! While we don’t usually see every exhibit, we see most exhibits that might afford some quality animal viewing.
Cancellations made at least 2 weeks in advance of your original tour date are eligible for a full refund.
Cancellation requests made less than 2 weeks in advance of your originally scheduled tour date are not eligible for a refund unless the experience is cancelled by the zoo.
Yes, well, probably! Weather permitting, you will have an opportunity to visit and feed our herd of goats at the Alex and Ani Farmyard.
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.