Boo at the Zoo - Zoo With Us

While we are ready to go to the zoo at any time, there are some people who like visiting zoos during popular events, such as at Christmas time to see holiday lights. One of the popular zoo-going times is around Halloween, when zoos do their own rendition of “Boo at the Zoo.” Below we share our thoughts on events like this, and a chart of details for “Boo at the Zoo” for zoos in Illinois (+ St Louis), Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

As you would expect, no “Boo at the Zoo” event is the same. Some zoos simply promote wearing costumes to the zoo on specific days, and add some trick-or-treat and craft stations around the zoo. Others require an extra charge, and bring in entertainment along with children’s activities. Some have special night hours, so it’s important to visit the websites to know exactly what you’re getting into before you go – that will have a large impact on your experience.

I can say that we’ve never purposefully gone to a “Boo at the Zoo” event, however we’ve happened upon being at a zoo during such an event several times. When we zoo, we go early – usually attempting to arrive by 10 or 11 at the latest. Because of this, the extra traffic associated with events hasn’t applied to us. We have heard, however, that in many cases, the excess visitors create an environment that for many is way too cramped, and also causes chaos in regards to parking. I remember seeing on social media in 2017 that a local zoo was forced to close its parking lot due to visitors waiting over an hour to park for their “Boo at the Zoo” event.

So what then would make this event worth the hassle? Here’s our point of view:

Animal Enrichment – One of our favorite zoo memories was going to the Cincinnati Zoo during their event and seeing the animals have pumpkins placed in their exhibit. Some would eat them, some would smash them, some would carry them around. Enrichment is something zoos do to engage in the animals (different from training) and an autumn/Halloween-themed enrichment can be fun to watch.
Special Animal Encounters – Sometimes zoos will focus on specific animals at these events, and give the visitors opportunities to interact with the animals that they wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to do. These pique our interest because the focus comes back onto the animals, not on extra activities.
Nice Weather – The zoos can’t really control this one, but you need some good fall weather for these events. Walking the zoo in cold or rainy weather for the purpose of engaging in specific activities can be a bit miserable. Poor weather might cut down on the traffic, which is nice, but still probably not worth it.
Free – I have a hard time paying extra for events like this. When we pay an additional fee at a zoo, it’s usually to participate in an engagement activity with the animals, like giraffe feeding. We travel to zoos all the time so to pay extra because they have a few crafts going on isn’t our thing.

Zoo	State	Dates	Activities	Website
Brookfield Zoo	IL	Oct 13-14, 20-21, 27-28	5 trick or treat stations, pumpkin carving demonstrations, 2 animals get a pumpkin per day	www.czs.org/boo
Cosley Zoo	IL	Oct 1-31	Straw pyramid, scattered pumpkins, children’s rides; apples, gourds, pumpkins, cider for sale	https://cosleyzoo.org/events/#pumpkin_fest
Phillips Park Zoo	IL	Oct 20	Kids activities	https://www.facebook.com/PhillipsParkZoo/photos/a.314062492011101/2000886696661997/?type=3
Randall Oaks Barnyard Zoo	IL	Sept 22-Oct 28	Corn Stalk Maze, Corn Bin Play Area; Weekends only: Bonfire, hayrides ($2), face painting ($3), pumpkin enrichment for the animals	https://www.dtpd.org/special-events-at-randall-oaks-zoo/
Miller Park Zoo	IL	Oct 27-28	Activities, crafts, and trick or treating	www.facebook.com/events/284785755452877/
Peoria Zoo	IL	Oct 12	Trick or Treat, Magic Show, Costume Contest	www.peoriazoo.org/howl-zoo-ween/
Lincoln Park Zoo	IL	Oct 27	30k visitors annually; ferris wheel, pumpkin carving demonstrations, corn maze, trick or treat	www.lpzoo.org/spooky-zoo
Henson Robinson Zoo	IL	Oct 26-28	Trick or Treat, Costume Contest	www.facebook.com/pg/HensonRobinsonZoo/events/?ref=page_internal
Niabi Zoo	IL	Oct 27-28	Decorated Zoo Trails, Keeper Chats, Trick or Treat	www.facebook.com/events/1005036059689133/
Scovil Zoo	IL	Oc 12-14, 19-21, 26-28	Carousel, Train, Trick or Treat (prices vary)	www.facebook.com/events/482086762259758/
Mesker Park Zoo	IN	Oct 19-21, 26-28	Live entertainment, trick or treating, storytelling, magicians, animal encounters, costume contest	www.eventbrite.com/e/boo-at-the-zoo-presented-by-old-national-bank-2018-tickets-49607628753
Indianapolis Zoo	IN	Oct 4-7, 11-14, 18-21, 25-28	Animal Enrichment, Keeper Chats, Trick or Treat	www.indianapoliszoo.com/events/zooboo/
Columbian Park Zoo	IN	Oct 24-26	Kid’s Costume Contest, cockroach painting, fun games, Mad Science Field Lab, Enchanted Train Ride	www.columbianparkzoo.org/2146/Boo-at-the-Zoo
Potawatomi Zoo	IN	Oct 19-21	Costume Contest, Haunted Train, treat stations	www.potawatomizoo.org/event/zoo-boo-2018/2018-10-19/
Washington Park Zoo	IN	Oct 20	Trick or Treating, decorated zoo paths	www.michigancitylaporte.com/event/boo-at-the-zoo-2/
Milwaukee Zoo	WI	Oct 12-13	Haystack maze, carved pumpkin viewing, spooky train ride, caramel apples, dancing light show	www.milwaukeezoo.org/events/boo.php
Racine Zoo	WI	Oct 27	Trick or Treat, edible spooky snack, spooky crafts, creepy crawly animal ambassadors	www.racinezoo.org/boo-zoo-0
St. Louis Zoo	MO	Oct 16-28	Spooky Saturday Oct 27; paint a pumpkin, animal encounters, muscial entertainment	www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/booatthezoonights
Binder Park Zoo	MI	Oct 18-21, 25-28	Unlimited carousel and hayrides; Trick or Treat Trail; Magic Acts	https://binderparkzoo.org/events/zooboo/
Detroit Zoo	MI	Oct 5-7, 12-14, 19-21	Live entertainment, trick or treating, storytelling, magicians, animal encounters	https://detroitzoo.org/events/zoo-events/zoo-boo/
John Ball Zoo	MI	Oct 19-21, 26-28	Trick-or-Treating, costumes, entertainment, games, and fun	https://www.jbzoo.org/event/zoogoesboo
Potter Park Zoo	MI	Oct 19	Games, cider, donuts, animal encounters, crafts, and more	https://potterparkzoo.org/event/falconers-boo-at-the-zoo/
Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square	MI	Oct 20-21, 27-28	Spooktakular decorations, activities, and more	https://www.saginawzoo.com/event/zoo-boo-4/