9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays; 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekends. Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Adults $11.50; children ages 3-11 $8.50; seniors $10.50
The Kansas City Zoo is located in Swope Park at 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Missouri. Just off I-435 and US-71 highway, the Zoo is easily accessible from any part of the metropolitan area.
Due to the extreme weather conditions the construction schedule has been altered. Please continue to watch the web site for updates. Polar Bear Passage will be opening soon.
Recreated glaciers, a large sandbox and open spaces along the banks create a Polar BearEnvironment of Fun for digging, plunging and napping. This awesome Arctic adventure creates an interactive public connection to these magnificent northern species through above and below water viewing in the 140,000 gallon pool and a climate controlled viewing area with multiple viewing angles. Host your next cocktail party or intimate dinner reception in the coolest place in town – opening in summer 2010.
Zoo Director Randy Wisthoff adds, "We not only are committed to polar bears and their conservation through education and outreach programs; we are committed to bringing the best Zoo exhibits to the citizens of Kansas City. You (the public) wanted polar bears, and we hope to create the most mesmerizing exhibit for you to enjoy year-round."
A 800 pound, almost year-old male polar bear from the Toledo Zoo will be calling the Kansas City Zoo home. The polar bear will arrive this spring and will be the "star" of the Zoo’s new awesome arctic adventure opening summer of 2010. The $10 million world-class, mesmerizing Polar Bear project is thanks to the Kansas City, Missouri voters who passed a bond package in 2004 with the promise of bringing these large white bears back to their city. With multiple indoor and outdoor viewing angles, guests will admire these magnificent northern species through 2.25 inch thick glass windows.
Polar bear habitat is quickly shrinking. Zoo’s nationwide are working together to educate and communicate the need to reduce greenhouse gases, reuse our resources and reverse global climate change in order to help polar bear populations as well as other species. Located directly inside the front entrance, the polar exhibit will meet the Manitoba Standards for polar bear husbandry, ensuring that the polar bears receive excellent care both physically and on an enrichment level.
Beaks and Feet Bloulevard Opened in June
Across from the Tropics, the new Beaks and Feet Boulevardhighlight the differences and similarities in how animals use their beaks and their feet.
Birds have no teeth, feet, hands or horns – they have beaks. Beaks are used as tools, fish nets, hammers, straws, eating utensils and so much more. Some animals without beaks use their feet as tools, paddles, shovels and trampolines to help jump through trees. Stroll down Beaks and Feet Boulevard to find out more.
On the Boulevard, watch as the toucan and macaws crack their nuts with their beaks; see how the small primates called tamarins use their feet for holding, grabbing and climbing. Observe the agouti using his short digging feet for burying his nuts, saving them for later. From magpies and peacocks to the iguana and tamandua, can you tell how each uses their feet and beaks? Are their feet webbed, do they run on their toes; are their beaks long and thin or are they curved. Expand your knowledge of all these Beaks and Feet animal adaptations.
Snakes opened at the Kansas City Zoo on Thursday, April 1. Snakes Alive bring these sensational super serpents to you – to B-U-S-T their Myths!
Thanks to a generous donation from a private donor, over a dozen of these reptiles will move into what was the Birthday Bungalow near the Endangered Species Carousel. In the fashion of recycling and responding to the request for the magnificently shiny slithering animals, we remodeled the bungalow to bust the myths of snakes. (Birthday parties are being held in the new and modern ZooLearningCenter.)
Snakes get a bad rap! Diverse in size and color, with an important role in the web of life, snakes can be appreciated for their beauty and respected as fellow dwellers on this planet. Imagine if snakes didn’t help control the populations of certain rodents that reproduce often. Venom is also being used in medicine research.
Slither, slide, walk or run to the Kansas City Zoo to busta-myth about these glistening ornate patterned creatures. Did you know snakes don’t have eyelids or ears and their “noses” are also found on the roof of their mouths?
Tropics, an indoor rainforest!
Open May 2009, this new exhibit affords visitors additional indoor exhibit space no matter what the weather. It's Primate-Palooza! Get nose to nose with primates, watch while otters swim underfoot and enjoy the lush tropical surroundings. The action is non-stop!
Located near the Sea Lions, this building is the original Zoo building that opened in 1909 and housed the entire animal collection. It is home to a multitude of animals: Saki monkeys joined by golden lion tamarins, white-cheeked gibbons, small-clawed otters, capybara, and a variety of birds, including crested screamers and toucans, and more. A plethora of plants emulate the natural surroundings of these tropical animals. There are several varieties of palms and banana plants, vines, Bird of Paradise plants, and for color, orchids and bromeliad. Waterfalls, colorful murals, trees and vines will adorn each exhibit along with a few other favorites.
Visit the Tropics at the Kansas City Zoo!
You think you're hot?
You think you’re hot in the summer. These guys get heat stroke at 85 degrees!
Recreated glaciers, a large sandbox and open spaces along the banks create a Polar Bear Environment of Fun for digging, plunging and napping. This awesome Arctic adventure creates an interactive public connection to these magnificent northern species through above and below water viewing in the 140,000 gallon pool and a climate controlled viewing area with multiple viewing angles. Host your next cocktail party or intimate dinner reception in the coolest place in town – opening in summer 2010. 
Beaks and Feet Bloulevard Opened in June
Snakes get a bad rap! Diverse in size and color, with an important role in the web of life, snakes can be appreciated for their beauty and respected as fellow dwellers on this planet. Imagine if snakes didn’t help control the populations of certain rodents that reproduce often. Venom is also being used in medicine research. 
Open May 2009, this new exhibit affords visitors additional indoor exhibit space no matter what the weather. It's Primate-Palooza! Get nose to nose with primates, watch while otters swim underfoot and enjoy the lush tropical surroundings. The action is non-stop! 
A plethora of plants emulate the natural surroundings of these tropical animals. There are several varieties of palms and banana plants, vines, Bird of Paradise plants, and for color, orchids and bromeliad. Waterfalls, colorful murals, trees and vines will adorn each exhibit along with a few other favorites. 
