Summer Feedings and Tours

Animal Feeding Experiences

Pay at the gate same-day before the time of the feeding. No online reservations for Animal Feeding Experiences.

• You feed an animal with a trained guide.

• 30-minute session, including time for questions and pictures.

• Must be age 9 or older to participate. 10 people maximum.

• Youth ages 15 and under must have a paid parent or guardian present.

• Non-member rate: $30 per person plus zoo entry fees.

• Zoo members receive a $10 discount per person on feedings.

• Pay at the gate same-day, no online reservations.

Feeding Animals and Times (subject to change):

• Feeding Experiences are offered seasonally May 21 through September 1, 2026.

• Saturday through Wednesday weekly at 10:30am: Moose and Muskox Feeding.

• Saturday through Wednesday weekly at 12:30pm: Alpaca and Camel Feeding.

• Daily at 2:30pm: Black Bear Feeding.

Explore the Zoo: Guided Tour Experiences

Tours are offered May 26 through August 29, 2026. We may offer tours which extend beyond August 29th. If you are interested in booking a tour past our summer ending date, email us at education@alaskazoo.org. Please note that zoo members receive a 50% discount on the tours offered below, with the exception of the VIP tour.

VIP Tour

$1,000 (up to 4 people), includes entry and private tour · 2 hours · Online reservations only

This tour is an exclusive VIP experience designed for true wildlife enthusiasts. Your morning begins before the gates even open - giving you rare, peaceful access to the zoo while the animals are at their most active. This tour is led personally by the zoo’s Education Director Rich Capitan. The VIP tour is an intimate look beyond what the public sees with stories, conservation insights and up-close moments you won’t find anywhere else. The main zoo portion of the tour is 1.5 hours with an additional 30-minute Polar Bear Encounter - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an unforgettable experience.

• Focus: A deep dive into the Alaska Zoo’s animals, facility and history with a senior manager.

• Includes: Insider look at the zoo, extensive behind-the-scenes and a full Polar Bear Encounter. $20 Zoo-venir Gift Shop vouchers for each VIP participant.

• Best for: Private groups, one reservation allowed per date. You choose your group, up to 4 people. Best suited for adults and older children.

• Time: Online reservation required. 8am start at the gate, offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays weekly throughout the year.

• Price: $1,000 for up to 4 people in this private tour (no member discount).

• Reserve: Tour must be reserved 24 hours or more in advance online.

The Big 6: Icons of the North

$75/person, includes entry · 1.5 hours · Max 15 guests · Online reservations or pay at the gate same day

Meet the giants, the icons, the legends—all in one unforgettable tour! The Big 6 brings you face-to-face with six of the Alaska Zoo’s iconic species: Polar Bears, Brown Bears, Amur Tiger, Snow Leopard, Wolves, Moose. Along the way, you’ll hear the real stories behind each animal, discover how they adapt to their environments, and learn what makes each species truly unique. This tour blends storytelling, observation and engaging discussion to make it memorable for all ages. 

• Focus: Observations of the Big 6! Polar Bears, Brown Bears, Amur Tiger, Snow Leopard, Wolves and Moose.

• Includes: Behind-the-scenes visits to the Polar Bear Habitat, Amur Tiger/Wolf Area and Moose Habitat (subject to change for animal needs). You will never forget these experiences!

• Best for: Families, first-time visitors, tourists and anyone who wants to see the “must-see” animals in one guided experience. 

• Time: 12:30pm start at the gate, Mondays through Saturdays weekly.

• Price: $75 per person ages 3 and up. Zoo members receive a 50% discount when booking online or purchasing at the gate. To receive the discount online, you must be logged into your membership account before you purchase.

• Reserve: Online reservations are open until 8am on the day of the tour. After 8am, you may pay same-day at the gate before 12:30pm.

Wild Hearts: Rescue and Rehabilitation Stories

$50/person, includes entry · 1.5 hours · Max 15 guests · Online reservations or pay at the gate same day

This tour follows the wild, unexpected and occasionally unbelievable journeys that bring the animals to live at the Alaska Zoo. Along the way, your guide will share behind-the-scenes stories, animal personalities and conservation facts. Expect storytelling, close-up views, hands-on elements and interactive moments where you will find yourself guessing animal behavior trivia or having unexpected realizations about species you thought you knew! This tour truly highlights the Alaska Zoo’s mission in action. No two tours are the same, mostly because the animals refuse to follow scripts.

• Focus: Animal personalities, rescue/conservation stories, and immersive learning.

• Includes: Behind-the-scenes, up-close animal observations, hands-on artifacts (fur, bones, enrichment items), interactive experiences and storytelling.

• Best for: Families, schools and guests seeking a light-hearted and in-depth experience.

• Time: 11am start at the gate. Tour is held on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays weekly.

• Price: $50 per person ages 3 and up. Zoo members receive a 50% discount when booking online or purchasing at the gate. To receive the discount online, you must be logged into your membership account before you purchase.

• Reserve: Online reservations are open until 8am on the day of the tour. After 8am, you may pay same-day at the gate before 11am.

Little Explorers: Cutest Animals Tour for Kids

$30/adult and $15/youth, includes entry · 1 hour · Max 15 guests 

Little Explorers is a tour experience designed for just that - the youngest of our zoo visitors with parents or guardians along for the fun. This playful tour introduces children to the Alaska Zoo’s cutest and most engaging animals. Our tour focus will be on movement and storytelling, creating high engagement between kids and the animals they meet. The tour guide will provide simple facts with plenty of “aww” moments along the way. The pace and content are tailored to shorter attention spans, making it an awesome guided experience for young children. 

• Focus: Playful animals, simple storytelling and engaging learning. 

• Includes: Interactive elements, movement-based activities and guided exploration. 

• Best for: Families with young children and those who are young at heart. Paid adults must accompany children.

• Time: 11am start at the entry gate. Little Explorers Tours are held weekly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through August 26th. Plan ahead on Wednesdays for our weekly free Community Storytime program at 10:30am, sponsored by ConocoPhillips Alaska. Join a Little Explorers tour after! Please note that, unlike our other tours, this tour is only 1 hour and it ends at the café (mid-zoo). You may continue exploring or return to the entrance. 

• Price: $30/adult and $15/youth ages 3-15. Zoo members receive a 50% discount when booking online or purchasing at the gate. To receive the discount online, you must be logged into your membership account before you purchase.

• Reserve: Online reservations are open until 8am on the day of the tour. After 8am, you may pay same-day at the gate before 11am.