Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia Zoo announces a new 2026 Key to the Zoo Behind-the-Scenes Tour with dates and expanded times this January and February. After the first Key to the Zoo tours last year, the sold-out program is back with new dates, new experiences, expanded hours and expanded dates. This never-done-before tour invites guests on the most exclusive tour ever offered by America’s first Zoo. Guests will spend three hours with a member of the Zoo’s Conservation Education team visiting several behind-the-scenes areas that are not typically available to the public.
Each tour will be unique, but will include at least four experiences where you will get up and close and personal with the animals and get to learn about their individual personalities from the keepers who care for them. Each tour also includes a visit to the Solitude, a one-of-a-kind gift from the animals, complimentary parking, and regular Zoo admission for the day of the tour.
On select dates, the tour will include a meet-and-greet with a few of our world-famous baby Galapagos tortoises. Please be sure to select those dates if you would like to meet them! Please note that this experience is not handicap accessible and is for ages 5+. Waivers must be completed onsite to participate. Dates include January 18 and 24, and February 1, 7, 15 and 21, with morning and afternoon sessions available this year. For tour tickets, visit philadelphiazoo.org/events/key-to-the-zoo-behind-the-scenes-tours/ For more information, please contact education at phillyzoo.org.
“Key to the Zoo: Behind-the-Scenes tours allow guests to get up close and personal with some of their absolute favorites that they cannot personally meet in any other Zoo program,” said Philadelphia Zoo Director of Mission Integration Dani Hogan. “Having your own personal tour guide for three hours means you can ask any and all animal questions that pop into your head at any point. It is such an awesome opportunity for those that love animals, and the experiences on this tour will become some of your most beloved Philadelphia Zoo memories.”
Philadelphia Zoo announces its most exclusive offering ever behind-the-scenes with the animals at America’s oldest zoos. Key to the Zoo Tours will expand into February this year, extend to three hours and include four behind-the-scenes areas that they can only visit with their tour guide and are not offered with the Zoo’s standard Behind-the-Scenes tours available throughout the year.
Select tour dates will also include a meet-and-greet with a few of the world-famous baby Galapagos tortoises. Zoo experts will guide guests to different animal exhibits and give them an exclusive chance to learn about the Zoo’s animals, conservation work and how the Zoo has evolved into the premier Zoo it is today. It is the first event for 2026 as the Zoo counts down to the big grand opening of Bear Country and other surprises coming for America 250.
This is a can’t-miss opportunity to learn directly from Zoo experts in a semi-private setting about the history of the Zoo, the staff care for the animals and the conservation work the Zoo does around the world. The tour also includes a visit to the Solitude Mansion and a one-of-a-kind gift from a Zoo animal.
Each tour date offers a morning session (9:30am-12:30pm) and an afternoon session (12:30pm-3:30pm) with 6 reservations available for each. On the Saturday morning sessions, the tour will include a meet-and-greet with a few of the Zoo’s world-famous Galapagos tortoise hatchlings, the offspring of first-time mom, Mommy (estimated 97 years old) and Abrazzo (estimated 96 years old).
Dates
Saturday, January 10
Sunday, January 18
Saturday, January 24
Sunday, February 1
Saturday, February 7
Sunday, February 15
Saturday, February 21
The “Key to the Zoo” Behind-the-Scenes Tours must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. Tickets are $500 per person ($600 for the Saturday morning sessions) and include:
* At least four behind-the-scenes experiences not typically available
* Three hours with a private tour guide
* An exclusive visit to the Solitude
* A one-of-a-kind gift from one of the animals
* Parking and regular admission for the rest of the day
The tours are for ages 5+ and are not handicapped accessible. Guests must check in with their tour guide 15 minutes before the start of the tour. Waivers must be completed onsite to participate. Tours last approximately three hours from the start time. For more information, please contact education at phillyzoo.org. All ticket sales support the Zoo’s mission to flourish as an urban oasis where people and animals thrive, transformative memories are made, and passion for conservation helps save wildlife.