ENCOUNTER HUNDREDS OF

ANIMALS REPRESENTING SPECIES

FROM AROUND THE GLOBE IN

Indiana’s

First Zoo!

Cultivating connections between people and nature that inspire action for our planet happens naturally at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.

Smartphones displaying digital membership cards for a zoo and an eMembership app, with text saying "Get the App".

Cultivating Connections Between People And Nature That Inspire Action For Our Planet

Happens Naturally at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.

Hours: 9am - 4pm
Admission: Summer Rates
Adults (ages 13+): $11
Children (age 3-12): $10
Children 2 and Under: Free

ZOO MAP
AMENITIES & ATTRACTIONS
DIRECTIONS & LODGING
BUY TICKETS

Where Nature & Adventure Come to Life

Located on 45 scenic acres on Evansville’s northwest side, we think you’ll enjoy being immersed in its natural beauty. From the South American rain forest of Amazonia to the Children’s Enchanted Forest, and the rolling hills surrounding Lake Victoria, connecting people with the natural world is mission accomplished when you visit Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.

VISIT

LEARN

ACT

A close-up of a gray and white Siberian Husky dog with blue eyes, standing with its body slightly turned.

DAILY EXPERIENCES

  • Close-up of a group of penguins, with one prominent penguin in focus, showing distinctive black and white plumage and pink around the eyes. The background is blurred, emphasizing the penguin in the foreground.

    Penguin Feeding: A Delightful Experience

    TOKENS: 5 per feeding
    TIMES: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, & 2pm daily while supplies lasts

  • Three budgerigars, two yellow and one green, perched on a tree branch against a blue sky background.

    Budgie Walkabout: A Colorful Encounter

    TOKENS: 2 per feeding
    TIMES: Open Seasonally 10am – 4pm
    (nighttime temps above 50 degrees)

  • A woman and a girl feed a giraffe at a zoo. The giraffe is reaching over a wooden railing to eat leaves, with green trees in the background.

    Giraffe Feeding: Reach New Heights

    TOKENS: 4 per person per feeding
    TIMES:     11am – 3pm daily while supplies last (weather permitting)

  • Close-up of a vintage carousel animal in the shape of a penguin with detailed black and white feathers, part of a carousel attraction.

    Engelbrecht Carousel Rides: Whimsical Fun

    TOKENS: 2 per person per ride
    TIMES:     10am – 4pm daily

  • An orange electric shuttle with black seats and a gray roof parked outdoors next to green bushes and trees.

    Zoo Tram: Convenient Exploration

    TOKENS: 2 per person (Zoo Members ride free)
    TIMES:     10am - 4:30pm daily (weather permitting)

  • Four children wearing yellow life jackets and sunglasses sitting on a paddle boat on a lake, with trees and blue sky in the background.

    Paddleboats: Relaxing on the Water

    TOKENS: 3 per rider, 30-minute ride
    TIMES:     Open Memorial day to Labor Day 10am – 4pm (weather permitting)

UPCOMING MESKER PARK ZOO EVENTS

ZOO EVENTS
Animal Enrichment Family Fun Day
Jul 25

Join us for a day filled with Enrichment, games, and animals! Animal Enrichment Family Fun day is the best day of the year to come to do the Zoo and learn all there is to know about enrichment.

Learn how enrichment differs from animal to animal. Discover how these techniques create healthy happy animals. Experience great info from the mouths of the experts themselves as our keepers conduct multiple keeper chats throughout the day and the zoo!

Wild Summer Lights 2026
Jul 30

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Wild Summer Lights 2026
Jul 31

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Wild Summer Lights 2026
Aug 1

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Wild Summer Lights 2026 (Accessibility Night)
Aug 2

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Wild Summer Lights 2026
Aug 6

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Wild Summer Lights 2026
Aug 7

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Wild Summer Lights 2026
Aug 8

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Wild Summer Lights 2026
Aug 9

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Wild Summer Lights 2026 (Accessibility Night)
Aug 13

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Wild Summer Lights 2026
Aug 14

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Wild Summer Lights 2026
Aug 15

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Wild Summer Lights 2026
Aug 16

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Wild Summer Lights 2026
Aug 20

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Wild Summer Lights 2026
Aug 21

Experience Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden like never before during Wild Summer Lights, an immersive after-hours event featuring more than a mile of stunning Chinese lantern displays!

Explore larger-than-life illuminated scenes that blend art, culture, and nature into a magical nighttime journey. Guests can also enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks. Check our social media pages to stay up-to-date on vendors.

Solid teal color background.

MESKER PARK ZOO NEWS & STORIES

Mesker Park Zoo News & Blog
Meet Reba, the New Jaguar!

Mesker Park Zoo is excited to welcome Reba, a young female jaguar born in October 2024 at the Baton Rouge Zoo!

Read more →
Thank You for an Incredible Zoo Brew 2026!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Evansville Zoological Society at Zoo Brew 2026: Tropical Takeover this Saturday, June 13th!

Read more →
The Discovery Center is officially OPEN again!

After a long await for a new roof, we are happy to open the doors once again to the Discovery Center at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.

Read more →
Zoo Baby Alert!

We have a new baby at Mesker Park Zoo! Meet Pistachio, our baby porcupine.

Read more →
Zoo Baby Alert!

It’s baby season here at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. We are proud to announce the hatching of this little baby penguin, Wensleydale.

Read more →
Give a Whoop!

Despite progress, Whooping Cranes still face challenges today. Habitat loss continues to threaten the wetlands they rely on for feeding, resting, and nesting. Here’s how you can play a role in supporting Whooping Crane conservation.

Read more →
Successful Three-Banded Armadillo Birth

Three-banded armadillos are classified as near threatened, with their populations facing rapid decline. Learn more about ours!

Read more →
Mesker Welcomes Endangered Toads

Mesker Park Zoo acquired 10 Puerto Rican crested toads. These individuals have been retired from the breeding program and will now be exhibit animals that spread awareness for their species.

Read more →
Orchid Escape!

Since 2010, our annual Orchid Escape event has become quite popular, drawing several thousand visitors to Amazonia during the month of February and in to March for our 5 week long Orchid Escape show.

Read more →
The Return of the Rhinoceros to MPZ

Mesker Park Zoo received a male GOH from Denver Zoo named Bandhu on October 2nd, 2024. This is his story from departing his home and arriving at his new one with us.

Read more →
Twin Baby Binturongs!

Our newest twin Binturong babies, Pretzel (male) and Poppy (female), were born to our resident mom (Vivvy) and dad (Anton) on April 15, 2023.

Read more →
What’s in Bloom? Double Take Scarlet Quince
Read more →
What’s in Bloom? The Appalachian Redbud
Read more →
Do You Want to Be Like a Keel-billed Toucan?
Read more →
Otterly Adorable!
Read more →
The Penguins Are Here!
Read more →
Who’s That Penguin?
Read more →
Getting Up To Speed on Beliza
Read more →
Working with/for Beliza: Keeper Jackie
Read more →
Hellbender Update!
Read more →

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

Want to spend your summer hanging out at the zoo?! 🐾☀️ Camp Zoofari might be the perfect fit for you! We’re still hiring Camp Counselors for a fun, hands-on seasonal role at Mesker Park Zoo. • Up to 39 hours per week • Monday&ndas
After 27 years at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, our Guest Services Manager, Stephanie, is retiring! Today, Stephanie was presented with a Key to the City for spending the last nearly three decades creating an incredibly welcoming environment
Zoo Brew is THIS SATURDAY 🍻🍹🌴 Join us for a Tropical Takeover filled with island vibes, live music, great food, drinks, raffles, and fun all across the Zoo. Throw on your favorite Hawaiian shirt and get ready to party! Don’t miss our Half
Did you know the carousel you enjoy today is actually Mesker Park Zoo’s second carousel? 🎠 The original carousel found its home at Carowinds in North Carolina in 1979, but the Engelbrecht Carousel that greets guests today is a much newer addi
Happy Ungulate Day! “What’s an Ungulate?” you may ask…. Well you’ve definitely seen one before! Ungulates are hoofed mammals that walks on four legs. They are also usually herbivores! They include animals like pigs,
HE’S HEEEEEEREEE!!! 🐧   Wensleydale (yes, like the cheese) has officially made his debut! You can come see him NOW at the Penguin Habitat!   If you’re trying to spot him, look for the little guy with the yellow band on his wing
Don’t miss your chance to win big at Zoo Brew with our Half Pot Raffle!   Guests can purchase raffle tickets in person during the event for a shot at taking home half of the total pot.   🎟️ Raffle ticket pricing: • 3 tickets fo
Hello Rojo!! 👋🦜 In honor of World Parrot Day yesterday, we wanted to highlight one of the most colorful residents at Mesker Park Zoo! Rojo, our Scarlet Macaw, is estimated to be around 38 years old, though her exact age is unknown due to being co
PADDLE BOATS ARE BACK!! ☀️ Grab your crew and head down to the dock at Port Victoria to set sail (or at least pedaling in circles for a while). Each 30-minute ride is just 3 tokens per rider, and tokens can be purchased at any of the token boxes th
SAY HELLO TO BANDHU!! 👋 You may have already met him, but there’s nothing wrong with another introduction to this big guy! Bandhu, our Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros, is a bit on the shy side. He loves spending time in his habitat, but if thi
Want to be a part of our Zoo Crew? 🐾 Good news, we’re hiring! See the list of available positions on our website: https://meskerparkzoo.com/about-us/job-opportunities #WeAreAza #Zoo #MeskerParkZoo #FindYourWild