Backstage Pass Tours

Backstage Pass Tours

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Backstage Pass

Travel backstage at the Zoo to learn about animal care, behavior and conservation! Backstage Pass gives you behind-the-scenes access to areas not available to the public. These special tours are filled with experiences and information you cannot get anywhere else.

We recommend purchasing your ticket in advance to secure your spot! Check out tour options and availability below.

  Face masks and closed-toe shoes are required for everyone on the tour, regardless of age. (see more COVID precautions in the "Know Before You Go" section below.)

All tours, except the Rise & Shine with Rhinos tour, are wheelchair accessible with advance notice so that accommodations can be made.

  • Each tour has a maximum of 10 people.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • No food or drink is allowed, except for water bottles with closed lids. Water bottles must remain closed and put away while visiting animal areas.
  • Most tours meet outside the Gift Shop in Entry Village 10 to 15 minutes before the tour. (Rise & Shine with Rhinos meets outside Entry Village at the Zoo logo rock; Veterinary Center tours meet at the Veterinary Center)
  • No restrooms are available on the tour. There is a bathroom located near the meeting spot in Entry Village.
  • There are no strollers permitted on the tours. You may store strollers at the Rentals building in Entry Village during the tour.
  • Service animals are not permitted on these tours.
  • No refunds or rainchecks.
  • Tours are weather dependent. Tours canceled by the Zoo because of weather will be refunded.
COVID Precautions
  • Disinfecting areas before and after each tour, including barns and shuttle.
  • Cutting off sales at 4:00 pm the day before the tour to ensure that each area is sanitized and ready. 
  • Having guests wash hands before and after each tour (hand-sanitizer will be available during the tour). 
  • Requiring everyone on the tour to wear a mask.
  • We will disinfect shoes in a foot bath before entering each animal area. Please wear closed-toed shoes. 
  • We will provide gloves if there are any feeding opportunities. 
  • For safety reasons, only one group/family per tour. All tickets will have to be purchased together. Can purchase up to 10  spots. 

Cart Tour Options

Travel by cart and on foot with your personal guide to visit behind-the-scenes areas and learn more about the animals that call the Zoo home.
  Includes Zoo admission
  Involves some walking on mostly flat surfaces
Tours are NOT suitable for children under age 8
  All tours, except the Rise & Shine with Rhinos tour, are wheelchair accessible with advance notice — Email us

 

Rise & Shine with Rhinos

$85 Members | $105 Non-Members

75-minute tour, offered Saturday & Sunday at 8:30 am

Visit our rhino barn and meet our herd before the Zoo opens

NOT suitable for children under age 8

This tour is temporarily unavailable.

Reserve your spot!

This is How We Zoo

$70 Members | $90 Non-Members

75-minute tour, offered Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, & Sunday at 2:00 pm

Visit our giraffe & okapi.

Reserve your spot!

"Getting to Know You" Tour Options

Walk to a special behind-the-scenes location for a meet and greet with an awesome animal — get up close, ask questions, take photos and more.
  Includes Zoo admission
  Involves walking to the outdoor meet and greet location
Tours are NOT suitable for children under age 8, unless otherwise noted
  All tours are wheelchair accessible with advance notice, unless otherwise noted — Email us

 

Clouded Leopard

$50 Members | $70 Non-Members

30-minute tour, offered Monday & Wednesday at 2:00 pm

Visit one of our clouded leopards

NOT suitable for children under age 12; ages 12-15 need to be accompanied by an adult (1 adult per child)

  This tour is NOT wheelchair accessible

Reserve your spot!

Sloth

$50 Members | $70 Non-Members

30-minute tour, offered Sunday and Friday at 10:00 am

Meet Fern the two-toed sloth

This is a non-contact animal and stays on her perch during the tour.

NOT suitable for children under age 8

Reserve your spot!

Veterinary Center Tour

Go inside the HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center to see more of our state-of-the-art facility, get a look at the work we're doing to rehabilitate coral with the Florida Reef Tract Project, and learn more about the extraordinary level of care our animals receive.
  Includes Zoo admission
  Involves walking inside on flat surfaces
  Wheelchair accessible with advance notice — Email us

$30 Members  |  $50 Non-Members

30-minute tour, offered Wednesdays at 1:00 pm

Meet at the Vet Center then head inside to explore with your guide!

All ages welcome

Available for purchase online at the Vet Center at time of tour only (credit card required)

Reserve Your Spot!