What a Great Place! John Ball Zoo is for Everyone
Nestled in the heart of the city, John Ball Zoo is one of Grand Rapids, MI most beloved attractions.
Over 2,000 animals call this 100-acre park home, including tigers, monkeys, lions, penguins and more.
Head to John Ball Zoo for the perfect combination of exotic animal exhibits, special events and experiences that have visitors coming back to this place again and again.
Use this guide to the zoo and you may just find yourself buying a membership by the end!
in this article
Exciting Zoo Events & Experiences for 2025
John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids is set to dazzle and educate with its lineup of events for 2025.
There’s the exciting and immersive Wild Explorer Gorilla Trek Virtual Reality Theatre, transporting guests to the forests of Rwanda for an unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas.
The popular Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is back, too, offering a dazzling display of handcrafted Asian lanterns that beautifully merge wildlife with Asian culture.
These events, alongside several new animals, Summer Nights, member only nights, Wildlife Exploration Days, and Zoo Goes Boo, promise a year filled with discovery and fun at the zoo.
Take a look!
Grand Rapids Lantern Festival
Our Grand Rapids Zoo will host the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival again in 2025.
The lantern festival runs April 9 – June 15, 2025
Wed – Sun: 7:30 – 11:30 PM (Apr 9 – May 18)
Tues – Sun: 7:30 – 11:30 PM (May 18 – Jun 15)
Handcrafted Asian lanterns illuminate the Zoo, telling the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture. Interactive displays, fun activities, and endless enchantment, this event returns for its third season.
Summer Nights and Member Only Nights
Gather up your friends and family and head out to the zoo to enjoy a beautiful evening strolling the park and enjoying the animals. Lots of food and beverage choices available for an easy and fun night out.
| Summer Nights 6 – 9 PM | Th June 19 Th July 31 Th August 28 |
| Member Only Nights 6 – 8 PM | Wed June 25 Wed July 23 Wed August 20 |
Locked Zoo
Get ready to embark on an epic adventure at LOCKED ZOO! Experience the zoo in this exhilarating, after hours event.
John Ball Zoo transforms into a thrilling escape game room. Work against the clock as you and your team unravel nature-related mysteries, solve intricate puzzles, and explore the Zoo like never before.
For ages 18 and up.
Locked Zoo 2025 Dates:
July 11 & August 15, 6 – 9 PM: Cryptic Cats
September 5 & 26, 5 – 8 PM: Fab Forest
get tickets
Wildlife Exploration Days
Once a month, join John Ball Zoo for a unique opportunity to celebrate Earth’s biodiversity and learn how to take action to make a difference.
Find educational activities, entertainment, plant giveaways, and animal programs. Grab your Wildlife Explorer Passport when you arrive and collect a badge for each day you attend to become a Wildlife Explorer.
| Sat April 26 | Party for the Planet |
| Sat May 31 | Michigan Wildlife Day |
| Thu June 26 | World Ocean Day |
| Fri July 18 | Pink Flamingo Day |
| Wed August 13 | Safari Day |
| Sat September 13 | Monarch Day |
Wild Strides 5k
April 22, 2025
Kids fun run – 6 PM, registration $20
5K race/walk – 7 PM, registration $50
Experience a magical evening running or walking through the zoo and the breathtaking Grand Rapids Lantern Festival. This scenic, family-friendly event is open to all ages, with every stride supporting wildlife conservation.
Registration fee includes:
– Official race bib & timing
– Finisher medal
– Exclusive “Wild Strides 5k” t-shirt
– Ticket to the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival
Spots are limited—sign up today and make your Earth Day unforgettable!
The Power of the Pollinators: Tiny Creatures That Make BIG Things Happen! (exclusive exhibit)
Arriving July 14, 2025, and staying until November 23, 2025.
Come and see over 20 huge animatronic bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinating species showcased throughout the Zoo.
Learn about the importance of these small creatures and how they have a huge impact on our environment and the world around us!
John Ball Zoo Goes Boo 2025
Your family friendly trick-or-treat destination is back!
Behold the enchanting transformation as the Zoo turns into the ultimate Halloween destination. Enjoy bewitching decorations, twisted treat stations, and an endless supply of animal fun.
Immerse yourself in the festivities, grab your best cape, and be captivated by magicians, fire performers, jugglers and more. You may even catch a glimpse of some villains, too!
A wickedly fun family tradition. Zoo Goes Boo: your place for spooky kooky fun for the whole family.
Three weekends: Friday – Sunday (10 AM – 5 PM, Members Only 9 AM – 10 AM)
October 10-12
October 17-19
October 24-26
Other Exciting 2025 Events
Visit the zoo on these days to enjoy fun themed days:
Thursday, August 7: WGVU Kids Day
Sunday, September 7: Safety Day
Saturday, September 20: STEAM Day
New Animals at John Ball Zoo
This year, John Ball Zoo welcomes several new members to its animal family.
John Ball Zoo welcomed a male/female pair of lions.
Amara & Upepo joined the family from the Knoxville Zoo.
They will be seen here and there as they get acclimated to their new home here in Michigan.
Mera the snow leopard cub joins her mother Yuki in their outdoor habitat this spring.
Exciting expansion is in the works for the zoo, expanding the Africa habitat and adding Giraffes next! To learn more, head here.
John Ball Zoo Map
1300 W Fulton, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
From the amusing tamarins and the pygmy hippo exhibit to the high-flying zip line, this place is brimming with adventure!
2025 Camps & Classes at John Ball Zoo
John Ball Zoo Summer Camps
For over 27 years, West Michigan kids have flocked to John Ball Zoo’s Summer Zoo Camp, and JBZ is excited for the 2025 season!
Camps fill up almost instantly when registration opens.
So how do you even land a spot in a JBZ Summer Camp? Become a member and book your spots the minute registration opens, plus get a member’s only discount!
Preschool Zoo Classes
John Ball Zoo doesn’t leave preschoolers out of the fun! Three and four year-olds can enroll in the Zoolittles nature-play program.
These three hour classes are designed for the child only and offer a fun, enriching learning environment where they can explore the animal world.
Kids Day Out
At the monthly Kids Day Out, parents enjoy a break while kids enjoy an afternoon of super fun zoo time and crafts.
Kids Day Out gives children ages four – ten time to have at the zoo, make crafts and enjoy pizza and snacks.
Classes are announced seasonally and fill up quickly.
Best Things to Do on a John Ball Zoo Day Trip
It’s easy to spend hours at John Ball Zoo and still not experience it all. Here are a few visitor favorites to help you narrow it down:
Find Penguins & Fish at the Aquarium
Join the frenzy in the Living Waters Aquarium building during a penguin feeding.
Find Your Favorite Animals at John Ball Zoo
Popular animals at the Grand Rapids zoo include:
Pygmy Hippos
Red Pandas
Chimpanzees
Spider Monkeys
Tigers
Snow Leopard
Meerkats
Lemurs
Flamingos
Lions
Bear
Otters
Penguins
Wallabies
Capybara
Anteater
Bongos
Warthogs
Tamarins
Barnyard Petting Zoo
Frogs & Snakes
Mountain Lion
Bald Eagle
Porcupine
Bobcat
Sharks
Hornbills
Attend a Daily Animal Program
Animal trainings, animal feedings, and animal enrichment are all on the calendar at John Ball Zoo.
Check the board when you arrive or the online event calendar to see what’s scheduled for that day.
Brush a Goat in the Petting Zoo
Give the sheep and goats a comb down in the Petting Corral at Red’s Hobby Farm.
But be sure to remove dangling items and keep an eye on your skirt – goats love to nibble on them.
Enjoy the Extra Attractions
These bonus zoo attractions are available for an added fee.
Get Up Close Through Virtual Reality
You’ll be transported to the jungles of Rwanda to get in the mix with a herd of mountain gorillas with the Wild Explorer VR Experience.
Wild Explorer Gorilla Trek Virtual Reality Theatre (open March – November)
This thrilling paid experience puts guests in the middle of the forests of Rwanda, courtesy of Virtual Reality.
Hop on the ride and you’ll feel like you’re sitting alongside mountain gorillas, watching adorable baby gorillas frolic while the powerful silverback protects the herd.
Take a Turn on the Ropes Course
Brave the four-story tall Sky Trail Ropes Course, open on weekends. With over 15 obstacles, you’ll spend your turn seeing just how high and how far you can go.
Guests must be 48 inches tall. $10 per ride.
Ride the Zipline
Don’t Look Down! Soar over the zoo as you cruise down the 600-foot Zip Line. The Zip Line starts above the waterfall and ends on the Wild Way Trail. $10 per ride. (Ropes Course/Zip Line Combo $16).
Ride the Funicular for the Easy Way Up to the Top
Admire the view as you ride the Idema Funicular. Board the funicular near the zoo entrance at the bottom of the hill. Strollers and wheelchairs are allowed on the funicular. This is a great option if you’d like to walk downhill for the bulk of your visit.
Strike it Rich at the John Ball Zoo Gem Company
Choose from three different Gem Bags and then pour them into your screen to reveal your treasures. Use the provided Gem ID card to figure out what treasures are now yours. Treasure bags are $8.99 – $29.99.
Ride a Camel
Make any day a hump day when you take a ride on a camel at the top of the Western Valley Pathway. Up to three riders per camel ride.
Must be 34″ tall to ride without a guardian. 300 pound weight limit. Opens early May. $8
Included with Admission
Find All of the Play Areas
Rope Playground: Explore the ropes and nets along the Wild Way Trail. Anyone can monkey around on this smaller rope course and net tunnels all along the Wild Way Trail.
Treetop Outpost play area: To reach these play areas, you’ll need to take the boardwalk or the funicular to the top of the hill in the back of the zoo.
Children’s Nature Play Zone: Explore beyond the tigers to find a play area made from nature.
Tune Into the Frog Hut
Don’t skip the Frog Hut! Inside this little place, you’ll find 50 or so frogs, toad, and salamanders. Press the buttons to listen to native Michigan frog songs so you’ll be able to identify them at home later on.
Surround Yourself With Butterflies
Head to the bottom of the waterfall to find Backyard Butterflies, typically open mid-May through September and included with zoo admission.
This immersive walkthrough habitat experience allows guests to get up close to butterflies native to Michigan and spark their curiosity about conservation.
Pop Up Into the Meerkat Habitat
The meerkat exhibit has little tunnels for kids that invite you to pop into plastic viewing bubbles, just like the meerkats!
Watch a Bear Eat Breakfast
Hightail it to the bear habitat when the zoo opens and you might just get to see the bear eating breakfast.
Keepers give the bear food in a clever, enriching way that is often entertaining to watch.
Treat Yourself to Special Zoo Animal Experiences
Go beyond a typical daytime visit to the Grand Rapids Zoo with these immersive experiences. Must be booked in advance.
Close Encounters
Winter, spring, summer, and fall, John Ball Zoo’s close encounters can get you up close and personal with multiple different animals. Be aware that availability changes with seasonal animal behaviors, like bear hibernation or penguin molting.
| Animal Experience | Min Age & Number of People |
|---|---|
| Penguin Feeding | 13 years, 1 person |
| Penguin Encounter | 6 years, up to 4 people |
| Brown Bear Encounter | 6 years, 2-6 people |
| Red Panda Encounter | 8 years, up to 2 people |
| NEW Sloth Encounter | 13 years, up to 2 people |
| NEW Pygmy Hippo Feeding | 13 years, 1-4 people |
Sneak a Peek Tours
Get a special look at the zoo on a sneak peek behind-the-scenes tour of the habitats.
Groups of up to 10 people join zoo staff to see where the animals spend their time while not on exhibit and learn how the animals at the zoo are cared for.
Choose Under the Sea to learn how John Ball Zoo keeps an aquarium up and running for the fish, penguins, sharks, and marine invertebrates that you see in the habitats.
You will also have an opportunity to touch a sea star and an urchin while behind the scenes. Available 7 days a week, year round.
Guided Tours
Start your day with a guided tour of your favorite area of the Zoo.
Have the whole place to yourself while also having a Zoo Educator guide to answer all of your Zoo questions.
Each tour lasts about 45 minutes.
Tour options are North American & Aquarium, Natural Treasures & Chimpanzees, or Red Pandas & Meerkats.
$100 per group of up to 6 people ($75 for zoo members). $10 for each additional person. Maximum of 20 people per group. Available only when the Zoo is closed for the season.
Tips for Navigating John Ball Zoo
Stroller: A stroller is highly recommended if visiting with little kids. The zoo is built on a hill, so there is lots of uphill walking. The zoo offers pull-wagon and tiger stroller rentals.
Hand Sanitizer: Pack hand sanitizer. The zoo has several hand sanitizer stations throughout, as well as many bathrooms, but having your own stash of sanitizer is helpful.
Lunch: Bring or buy lunch. You can bring a brown bag lunch and eat it inside the zoo at the picnic pavilion. There are also several concession stands serving everything from ice cream to sandwiches to slushies and beer.
John Ball Zoo Tickets & Hours 2025
Open dates for 2025: March 21 – November 23, 2025
HOURS: The zoo’s hours vary with the time of year. During the summer they are open from 9 AM – 6 PM seven days a week. However, there are exceptions so be sure to check their calendar before going.
TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in advance online.
ADDRESS: 1300 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Admission Rates for John Ball Zoo
| May 11 – Sept 29 (M-Th) | May 11 – Sept 29 (F-Su) | Spring/Fall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults (ages 13 – 61) | $22 | $25 | $20 |
| Youth (ages 3 – 12) | $17 | $19 | $15 |
| Seniors (ages 62 +) | $17 | $19 | $15 |
| College Students (with valid student ID) | $17 | $19 | $15 |
| Military (with valid military ID. Available to active & Veteran US Military personnel and their spouses) | $17 | $19 | $15 |
| Kids under 2 | Free | Free | Free |
For more information on tickets and memberships, visit John Ball Zoo’s website. You can also call (616) 336-4300 or email info@jbzoo.org.
John Ball Zoo Memberships
If you live in West Michigan, a membership can often the best way to experience the Grand Rapids zoo.
In addition to free admission for a year, the membership comes loaded with bonus perks.
10 Reasons a John Ball Zoo Membership is a Great Idea for West Michigan Residents
1 – Free Every Day! Let’s say it again! With zoo membership, you get free regular admission for one calendar year. Since memberships start at $85, they usually pay for themselves by the second visit.
2 – FREE POLLINATOR VISITS: Unlimited FREE visits to the zoo’s pollinator exhibit are in your future if you’re a member in summer 2025. “The Power of Pollinators: Tiny Creatures that Make BIG Things Happen.” Starting in July.
3 – Free Admission to Local Museums: John Ball Zoo members get in free at other West MI attractions all summer long – here’s the list: Impression 5 in Lansing in May, GR Art Museum in June, GR Public Museum in July, GR Children’s Museum in August, Lakeshore Museum in Muskegon in September.
4 – 20% Discount: Members receive 20% off food, beverages and gift shop purchases at each ZOO visit.
5 – Members Only E-Newsletter: Get the inside scoop on all things Zoo related from activities, camps, animals and more.
6 – First Dibs on and Discounted Grand Rapids Lantern Festival tickets: Be the first to choose your best night to see the incredibly popular and beautiful Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo.
7– CAMP Discounts and First Dibs: Save $30 on Camp registration and get first dibs on camps.
8 – MEMBERS ONLY NIGHTS: Back by popular demand, join us for two Members Only Nights in 2025: June 25 and August 20.
9 – BONUS Privileges: Visit Potter Park in Lansing for free. Enjoy 50% off of your visit to Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek and Detroit Zoo. (Consult John Ball Zoo’s reciprocal membership FAQ for the most up-to-date information.)
10 – Help Save Animals: Your membership helps John Ball Zoo fund their extensive conservation efforts in Michigan and around the world. Their team works tirelessly to help some of the smallest and most vulnerable species come back from near extinction. Your membership plays a big part in JBZ continuing this important work for our planet.
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