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Useful Lansing area tidbits for families
Potter Park Zoo is a hidden gem in the heart of Lansing and it’s a blast to visit year-round – winter, spring, summer, and fall!
The magnitude of fun, events, and learning opportunities that Potter Park Zoo offers the Lansing community throughout the year will bring you from appreciation to adoration.
Kids will think it’s a hidden oasis for precious moments with family. Parents will love the way they not only create year-round opportunities for your kids, but also plan community engagement and events for all ages and phases.
Potter Park Zoo is right here, accessible for all Lansing families to enjoy.
Did you know there’s more to Potter Park Zoo than hoping animals look your way and engage with your family?
You can become a zookeeper for a day, feed animals, and even have a slumber party!
Read on to find out why Potter Park Zoo is worth visiting year-round + tips for your next visit.
SUMMER: Summer zoo visits mean a full day of fun.
Walking the grounds in the warm sun, taking a camel ride, having a picnic, playing on the playground, and summer camps are all a “go” during the summer season at Potter Park Zoo.
FALL: Fall means Boo at the Zoo
Trick or treat through the grounds, wear your costume, ride the wagon, and go through the maze. This season is perfect because this is peak weather for taking your leisurely time walking through the grounds.
WINTER: Winter means free parking at Potter Park Zoo.
We love free, plus during the wintertime, the animals are very active.
The beloved event Wonderland of Lights is another bonus for this time of year when the whole grounds are covered in lights and the magic of the season gets Lansing excited for the holidays.
SPRING: Spring means it’s time for “Night at a Living Museum”.
Night at a Living Museum is an event where families get to explore all kinds of museums and destinations in the evening with interactive family activities.
No matter the day of the year, if you’re looking to get the kids out and have a good time – Potter Park Zoo is clutch. It’s a guaranteed good time. Yes, it may require a bit of prep and planning, but it’s so worth it.
Here are some things you’ll love:
If you’re an Ingham County resident, you get FREE admission to the Zoo every Monday between open and 12 PM with the exception of holiday Mondays.
NOTE: Parking is $3 during peak months and FREE during winter (off-peak.)
Be a zookeeper for a day. Get up close and personal with your favorite animal. Choose from otters, penguins, big cats, or the black rhino.
If you or your little one have dreamed about working closely with animals, these encounters are a perfect way to start.
Through peak months, you’ll enjoy Zoo in Your Neighborhood. Presentations include animal facts, pelts, artifacts, and more.
Enjoy some of the “wildest” weeks of your summer at Potter Park Zoo’s Zookambi Summer Camp program.
PRO TIP: These fill up quickly so keep an eye out for next year’s information to drop early in the year.
The Falconers program is designed to allow children and adults with special needs and unique challenges access to the zoo along with their families. This program is seriously AMAZING.
Through a sponsorship received, there will be one sensory friendly event per month through the end of the year. Many of those events include hands-on activities.
There will also be sensory-friendly nights for Boo at the Zoo and Wonderland of Lights.
Step into a world where wellness and wildlife come together at Potter Park Zoo’s Wild Wanderers Club.
Enjoy peaceful morning walks on smooth paths, surrounded by nature and a welcoming community.
This program runs April 1 – Labor Day, 8 – 9 AM.
Dress up for Boo at the Zoo, bundle up during Wonderland of Lights, and relax through the year during Zoo Nights plus many additional fun outings!
You can also hold your event, birthday party, or even wedding on their grounds.
Spend time with the animals in a way you’ve never experienced.
Volunteering is so helpful to Potter Park Zoo, but it always blesses us more when we give – bringing extra joy to our lives. If you love animals and nature, you should look into this. No previous experience is necessary.
The camel rides are a big hit with kids. Their smiling faces light up as they circle around the loop.
They’ll love getting an up-close and personal experience with the camels.
Farmyard EdVentures is another highlight. You can pet the goats and say hi to the other farm animals like pigs and llamas.
For a quarter, you’ll get a handful of food to feed the goats.
Going to the zoo is a great way to bond with all ages.
It’s interactive and Potter Park Zoo has a lot of places along their pathways where families can sit down, talk, and play together.
Have you visited the moose, red panda, and the rhino exhibits? The zoo adds new animals through its conservancy program.
Potter Park Zoo loves sharing this with families and also gives the opportunity for you to adopt some of them.
Membership to Potter Park Zoo gives you free admission plus more on each membership level.
You’ll also receive FREE admission to John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, half-off admission to the Detroit Zoo, Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, SEALife Aquarium in Auburn Hills, and discounted or FREE admission to over 100 zoos and aquariums across the country.
Just 2.5 visits for residents or 1.5 for non-residents is the equivalent to a year membership – it pays for itself!
With the membership, it takes the pressure off and you can visit for a few minutes or all day.
The Potter Park Zoo playground is outside of their grounds and can be accessed anytime for free! Park in their parking lot or walk/ride up on your bikes.
It’s located on the Riverwalk Trail and has a variety of play areas for different ages and play levels. Plus the Riverwalk Trail has a story walk so you can enjoy a story as you walk.
Potter Park Zoo is Michigan’s first certified sensory-inclusive zoo, offering a welcoming experience for visitors with sensory sensitivities.
With trained staff, sensory bags available for checkout, designated quiet areas, and resources like a sensory map and social stories, the zoo ensures a comfortable visit for all guests.
Potter Park Zoo is committed to accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that all guests have a welcoming and enjoyable experience.
Accessibility Programs include:
Potter Park Zoo provides a clean, comfortable, and private nursing room in the Discovery Center for breastfeeding and pumping mothers.
Take it from us, if you follow these three tips, your next trip to Potter Park Zoo will be less stressful, more fun, and a nice treat for your whole family:
No matter the time of day or how many times we go to the zoo, snacks are always a plus. Lots of walking means hungry tummies.
Head to the bathroom as soon as you walk through the gate.
Rushing back to the nearest bathroom can be avoided most times if you try to go first thing.
Grab your mini-diaper bag or mini-stroller with compartments.
There’s nothing wrong with the big bags and big strollers, but when you’re dealing with crowds and multiple kiddos, it’s so much easier to be hands-free with little to tote around the grounds.
Potter Park Zoo is open 364 days a year! Be sure to check Potter Park Zoo’s website before heading out to see if any beloved animal exhibits are closed.
| April 1 – Labor Day | 9 AM – 5 PM daily |
| Day After Labor Day – October 31 | 9 AM – 4 PM on weekdays and 9 AM – 5 PM on weekends |
| November 1 – March 31 | 10 AM – 4 PM daily |
| April 1 – October 31 | *Resident – $3 / Annual Parking Pass – $35 |
| Non-Resident – $5 / Annual Parking Pass – $45 | |
| School Bus Parking – Free | |
| November 1 – March 31 | All parking is free |
* Resident refers to anyone living in Ingham County
* Oversize vehicle rates same as all other vehicles
Entry tickets can be purchased online before your visit or you can purchase tickets at the gate.
NOTE: Any special discounts, free admission days, etc. require tickets to be purchased at the gate.
| April – October | *Resident – $8 |
| Non-Resident – $15 | |
| *Resident Senior (age 60+) or Military – $6 | |
| Non-Resident Senior (age 60+) or Non-Resident Military – $13 | |
| All Children (ages 3-12) – $5 | |
| All Children Under 3 – Free |
| November – March | All Adults – $5 |
| All Children (ages 3-12) – $4 | |
| All Children Under 3 – Free |
Prices are valid as of February 24, 2025.
*Resident refers to anyone living in Ingham County.
*Kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
*Residents are admitted on non-holiday Mondays from 9 AM – 12 PM for FREE.
We’d love to hear from you! What does your family like best about a visit to Potter Park Zoo?
Have fun on your next visit to Potter Park Zoo!
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