Plan Your Visit to the Maryland Zoo

Bring your spirit of adventure for an up-close look at some of the world's most impressive wildlife.

What To Do

Museums & Attractions

Tucked into bucolic Druid Hill Park, a 745-acre expanse in the heart of the city, the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore feels like a secret find of the best possible variety. Home to more than 1,500 animals from 200 species, the zoo is not only impressive in its range, but it’s also one of the country’s oldest, dating back to 1876. Ready to check out some wildlife? Read on for all the info you’ll need for planning your day at the zoo.

Hop Around

Must-See Exhibits

Penguin Coast

The zoo’s award-winning penguin exhibit is home to nearly 60 African black-footed penguins and white breasted cormorants. They waddle around a recreation of their natural South African habitat—the most successful breeding colony of this endangered penguin species in North America. The experience includes an underwater viewing window and view of a tidal pool area. Want even more penguin action? Make time to see one of their fish feedings and learn more about the endangered birds—the feedings happen each day in late morning and mid-afternoon.

African Journey

The recently renovated African Journey exhibit gives improved viewing areas for eye-level sightings of the animals from the African continent, including elephants, giraffes, lions, chimpanzees, zebras, ostriches and a rhinoceros. You can even help feed a giraffe!

Up close photograph of a lion at The Maryland Zoo.

The Farmyard

Make sure to swing by the farmyard exhibit to get close to animals like alpacas, miniature donkeys, pigs, peacocks and sheep. Enter the goat pen to help groom and pet the goats.

Up-Close Encounters

The Maryland Zoo’s calendar is loaded with animal education programs ranging from otter training to goat grooming. Plus, special events like breakfast or yoga with the animals. Check out the zoo’s website for specifics on timing, tickets and more details.

Other Attractions

Little ones will love the fun of an old-fashioned carousel ride, the thrill of face painting and a trip on the Zephyr, a 10-minute locomotive ride that departs from the zoo’s farmyard exhibit. Ask about the zoo’s many conservation efforts to save wildlife and protect wild places throughout the world. And be sure to check the Zoo’s calendar of events for special behind the scenes activities like breakfast with animals, penguin yoga or Brew at the Zoo, a beer festival on the zoo grounds.

Off-Season Tips

The Maryland Zoo is open year-round, but the weather does impact which animals are most visible. If it’s cold or raining, try the indoor Penguin Education Center, visit the alpacas in the farmyard or hang out with the primates and crocodiles at the indoor Chimp House.

Some animals, like river otters, leopards, flamingos and polar bears are relatively unbothered by the chill—so layer up and visit!