Potawatomi Zoo opens March 31 for the 2023 season

Potawatomi Zoo

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Spring is upon us, and that means it's also time for the reopening of the Potawatomi Zoo! The zoo season officially kicks off Friday at 10 a.m.

This year, zoo hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

From June 1 to August 31, the zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Regular admission is $12 for adults, $10 for kids ages three to 14, $10 for seniors ages 62 and older and free for kids ages two and under.

Potawatomi Zoological Society members get in for free during regular and extended summer hours.

Zoo favorites, the Potawatomi Zoo Express Train and Endangered Species Carousel, will return for the 2023 season. Tickets for both attractions are $3 each.

New to the zoo's daily events is giraffe feeding.

“We can’t wait to start giraffe feeding this year,” says Josh Sisk, executive director of the Potawatomi Zoo. “Last year the giraffes weren’t ready for the public, but after a lot of conditioning and with help from the public, we anticipate that the boys will be willing to participate in daily feedings with visitors.”

Just like the carousel and train, visitors can purchase attraction tickets for two pieces of lettuce to feed the giraffes.

Also this season, the Zoo's Education Department will host a range of classes and camps for eager learners. Details about these opportunities can be found here.

A number of animals and species will also be welcomed into the zoo this year, including a new lion habitat. More information about other new animals will be released at a later time.

“We’ve been planning to bring lions back to the Zoo for two years now, and we’re finally putting the finishing touches on their new habitat,” says Sisk. “We’ll be making a big deal as soon as they arrive, and visitors will get to see them immediately.”

Finally, the zoo will bring back a number of community-loved events this year, like Eat and Drink at the Zoo on May 20, Children's Day on June 14, Brew at the Zoo on September 30, Zoo Boo from October 20 to 22 and the Gift of Lights starting November 24.

All details about the zoo's 2023 season can be found on its website.