Potawatomi Zoo

Potawatomi Zoo We are open for the season 3/28/26-11/29/26 (closed Thanksgiving Day). See hours & ticket details on our website.

Potawatomi Zoo, located in South Bend, is home to over 400 species on 23 acres. The Zoo is a regional destination serving and educating all who visit. Our history is rich, and we are proud to be a special part of this community.

A tiny takin tongue out Tuesday! Sichuan takin kids start eating solid food after a month or two, but they also continue...
06/02/2026

A tiny takin tongue out Tuesday!

Sichuan takin kids start eating solid food after a month or two, but they also continue to nurse for about nine months before they're fully weaned.

Heads up, it's the summer hours change! The Zoo's summer hours start today! You can stay a little longer, walk around wh...
06/01/2026

Heads up, it's the summer hours change! The Zoo's summer hours start today! You can stay a little longer, walk around when it's a little quieter, and see what the animals are up to in the evenings.

The Zoo is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm. Last entry is 6 pm, and the Zoo will be cleared by 7 pm.

Wednesday through Sunday, through June 28, the Zoo will re-open for Zoo Luminate admission at 7 pm.

We've got BIG news! Like 5000 pounds big! We've opened up new rhino encounters in June, so you can meet Frankie, our sou...
05/31/2026

We've got BIG news! Like 5000 pounds big! We've opened up new rhino encounters in June, so you can meet Frankie, our southern white rhinoceros, on Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 pm. You'll get up close with Frankie, learn about him from one of our zoo keepers, and touch him. You might even get to feed him!

Schedule your encounter on our website, potawatomizoo.org/animal-encounters, and check out the other ways you can get to know some of our animals even better!

05/30/2026

Oh it’s summer now! Smiley is in the pool!

Our American alligator got his annual weigh-in on his way to his summer home, tipping the scales at around 385 pounds!

If you want to see Smiley in action, visit the Zoo on Sundays at 11:30! We have an alligator keeper chat and feed every week in June.

Thanks to Keeper Jonny for sharing!

It's just a few more weeks until Children's Day, sponsored by United Federal Credit Union! Children ages 14 and under ar...
05/29/2026

It's just a few more weeks until Children's Day, sponsored by United Federal Credit Union! Children ages 14 and under are free on Children's Day, June 10, 10 am to 7 pm (last entry 6 pm). It's one of our favorite days of the season!

Please note:
🛻 Parking may be busy in the main lot. Overflow parking is available at John Adams High School and in the neighborhoods around the Zoo.
👶Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
🚂Doesn't apply to attractions, concessions, or admission for people over age 14.
🚸Doesn't apply to field trips or group tours.
🏮Doesn't apply to Zoo Luminate.

Ambassador animals at the Zoo include several birds of prey from the tiny American kestrel, Kree, to Betty, our red-tail...
05/28/2026

Ambassador animals at the Zoo include several birds of prey from the tiny American kestrel, Kree, to Betty, our red-tailed hawk, as well as owls like Barry the barred owl and P**t the screech owl.

Ambassador animals at the Zoo are a crucial part of Education program. They're a great way to help visitors learn about habitats and conservation topics like endangered species, wildlife rescue, and Species Survival Plans. Most of our ambassador animals live behind-the-scenes, which allows them to take a break from the public in between the programs and off-site visits they participate in, but a few, like the owls and parrots, can be seen around the Zoo!

The Mexican spider monkeys have a new island home at the Zoo, closer to the Alligator Deck! We put in new climbing platf...
05/27/2026

The Mexican spider monkeys have a new island home at the Zoo, closer to the Alligator Deck! We put in new climbing platforms and ropes, and we hope visitors enjoy watching this cool endangered species! Spider monkeys have fully prehensile tails, which act as another arm to help them move through the trees. However, they don't have opposable thumbs!

05/26/2026

Hadassah’s number one favorite activity: chasing the ostriches!

While giraffes are surprisingly speedy, topping out around 35 mph in short bursts, ostriches can sprint up to 45 mph and run at 30+ mph for longer distances!

Video shared by Zoo Staff Selina.

Just a reminder: we are open for regular hours on Memorial Day, 10 am to 5 pm. As with every day, admission to the Zoo a...
05/24/2026

Just a reminder: we are open for regular hours on Memorial Day, 10 am to 5 pm. As with every day, admission to the Zoo and Zoo Luminate are discounted for active and former military.

Photo of Morgana, the Amur tiger by Zoo Intern Samantha

There's still a whole month left of Zoo Luminate, so don't miss out on this spectacular lantern experience! This year is...
05/23/2026

There's still a whole month left of Zoo Luminate, so don't miss out on this spectacular lantern experience! This year is completely different than last year, with all new undersea and aquatic habitat lanterns around the Zoo and on the train route, plus interactive games, photo ops, and more!

Zoo Luminate runs through June 28, 7-11 pm. It's beautiful all the time, but we think it's best at dusk and after dark, when the lanterns really glow!

Details at potawatomizoo.org/zooluminate

Address

500 S Greenlawn Avenue
South Bend, IN
46615

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 6:45pm
7pm - 11pm
Thursday 10am - 6:45pm
7pm - 11pm
Friday 10am - 6:45pm
7pm - 11pm
Saturday 10am - 6:45pm
7pm - 11pm
Sunday 10am - 6:45pm
7pm - 11pm

Telephone

(574)2359800

Website

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