Group Visit Reservations

Reservation Details

 

To qualify for the discount rates, you must:

• The rates listed above are available from April through November (Monday through Friday).  

• Groups eligible to receive these rates must also:

  • Public, private, and preschools, state-licensed day cares, homeschool groups, scouts, church groups, shelters, YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, and organized college classes (teacher bringing students for a class project).  Assisted living/care facilities for individuals with disabilities or seniors are also eligible for the discounted rate. 

  • Make a reservation at least 14 days before visiting to receive the discounted rates.

  • Have a minimum of 15 paying individuals

  • Have all student, teacher, and chaperone payments collected in advance and presented at the Admission Gate as one single payment. Please also come with an accurate headcount of students and chaperones.

  • Pay with cash, check, or Visa/MasterCard (sorry, vouchers and purchase orders are not accepted). Checks should be made out to the Washington Park Zoo.

  • Have a minimum of 1 adult per 10 students (infant through grade 12)

  • Everyone MUST enter the Zoo at one time. Individuals arriving after their group will be charged the full admission price.

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For the safety of the animals and visitors, we have set a daily capacity limit for Group Reservations from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., so some dates may be unavailable due to already processed reservations and rain dates.

 

​ Completed forms should be dropped off, emailed, faxed, or mailed.  Groups must adhere to the registration guideline download. 

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All groups must request a reservation at least two weeks before arrival. A confirmation will be mailed or emailed to you within 7 days after the submission of your registration form.  Do not assume your field trip is confirmed if you do not receive anything from us.

 

Please contact us if you have not received a confirmation within one week of submitting your form. Bring a copy of this confirmation on the day of the visit.

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About Field Trips To The Washington Park Zoo 

Group Rates: 

Adults (12 years and up) - $6.00
Children (2-11 years) - $6.00
Children (1 year and under) - FREE​

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Arrivals

Please have one contact person report to the admissions booth upon arrival and let them know you are here for a field trip.  Please have your group remain in the park or on the bus until you have finished checking in.  DO NOT unload or load buses in front of the zoo; this is a safety issue for all traffic and zoo guests.  

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At check-in, you will be given a wristband for each paid admission.  These bands must be on your group members before they will be allowed to enter the Zoo.  That must be shown to the attendant before entering. ​

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Have your CHILD VS ADULT ticket count ready for your check-in. Please only send ONE person from the group will go to the admission office to pay and collect wristbands while your group waits across the street from the zoo for safety reasons. 

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​School groups are encouraged to stay visible by wearing ADHESIVE name tags. Strings and pins often end up in animal enclosures, posing a threat to our animals' safety.

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*Group rates cannot be paid individually. They must be paid in a single transaction for the whole group.

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Parking

Parking operation is changing to an automated system so we will provide updates on process, as soon as details are available.  Parking is a separate department from the zoo, and they may charge from May through September.  These fees will be paid separately from the zoo admission fees as you enter the parking lot with a credit card or cash.  Michigan City School District buses parking will be free daily, as will those vehicles with city parking pass.

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Rainy Day/Severe Weather

Please check the weather before you depart for the Washington Park Zoo.  The Zoo is an outdoor park, but it remains open during inclement weather, so we do not offer refunds or rain checks. Consider bringing your umbrellas and ponchos for cloudy days. If you need to cancel your reservation, please contact us as soon as possible to reschedule your visit.

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Lunch at the Zoo

NO outside food, coolers, or packed lunches are allowed in the zoo. If you'd like to bring your own lunches, picnic areas are available in the adjoining Washington Park.  Sorry, we have no coolers or storage areas available for lunches during your visit.  Outside bags entering the Zoo may be checked by Zoo Staff.