Go at your own pace! Schedule an unguided walk through the Zoo.

Minimum 10 students to receive field trip discount. The ticket price is subject to change.
Cost: $12 ($9.95 + $2.05).
Title I Schools $7 ($4.95 - $2.05)
*The $2.05 is our Conservation and Technology fee. This fee is not a tax and is not exemptable.

Includes: All-day admission to the Zoo for all participants; 1 free adult chaperone for every 10 students.

Additional chaperones/teachers must pay $12 through the school/group. If the school/group requires a separate invoice for the chaperones, please notify the Program Reservations Specialist. Additional chaperones/teachers will not be able to get the $12 school/group ticket online or at the ticket booth.

To receive the Title 1 discount, the school must be a certified Title 1 school. Only Title 1 schools receive this discount. No exceptions.

By submitting a program request, you agree to the Program Policies and Virginia Zoo Policies.

Join us on a global animal adventure! During this 30-minute program, your explorers will meet 3 of our animal ambassadors from different continents and diverse habitats. Your students will learn how animals adapt to their environments and how we can help their populations thrive.

Themes: https://virginiazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Large-Group-Programs-2024-2025.pdf

Available Time Slots: 10 am, 10:45 am, 11:30 am, and 12:15 pm

October 14, 2024 - March 28, 2025: Maximum Capacity is 95 per program (Students and chaperones combined)

April 2025 - June 2025: Maximum capacity is 200 per program (Students and chaperones combined)

Pricing:
$12 per student over 29 students
Title 1: $7 per student over 50 students
The minimum fee is $350.
Title 1 Chaperone/teacher: $7 tickets
Non-Title 1 Chaperone/teacher: $12
One FREE adult chaperone for every 10 students.

General Admission is included in your program
Digital learning resources are included in your program

*Reservations must be made at least 2 weeks before the date of your visit.
Field Trips are non-refundable. Habitats, attractions, or entertainment may close due to refurbishing, capacity, weather, special events, or change in operating hours without notice and liability to the Virginia Zoo.

Take a closer look! These programs provide a more in-depth learning experience for up to 30 participants. Throughout each program, participants will meet 2 animal ambassadors.

Cost:
$12 per student and any additional chaperones
Minimum: $350

Group Size: 30 students + 3 chaperones

Themes: https://virginiazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-2025-Close-Encounters.pdf

Join our educators and explore the zoo like never before. Each guided tour lasts for one hour and is aligned with curriculum standards. Tours can also be adjusted to best fit your learning objectives.

Please choose one of these themes: https://virginiazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-2025-Explore-Tours.pdf

Cost: $12 per person | Minimum: $180
Maximum Group Size: 40 students + 4 chaperones

One of the perks of scheduling a field trip with us is that you can bring your own lunches and/or snacks. There are only 2 lunch locations where groups can eat lunch. By filling out a request you will be assigned one of our locations depending on the time requested for and the amount in your group.
The Virginia Zoo offers group bagged lunches at an affordable rate, making lunchtime easy and convenient. Meal Vouchers are available for purchase if the bagged lunches are not wanted you're looking for. Lunches can be added to a field trip up to 10 days before your visit, based on availability.

Boxed Lunch
Cost: $10 each
Meal options:
Turkey & Cheese Sliders
Ham & Cheese Sliders
Uncrustable
Veggie & Fruit Box
*Gluten-Free available upon request
Includes: 1 Zoo Bag, 1 Juice Box, 1 Bag of Chips, Bag of Grapes, 1 Bag of Animal Cookies, Napkins, Mayo & Mustard Packets for Sandwiches.

Meal Vouchers
Cost: $15 each
Meal includes:
1 Hot Entrée Item, Fries or Bag of Chips, & 1-16oz Fountain Drink. (Excludes Cold Box Items)

Go at your own pace! Schedule an unguided walk through the Zoo.

The Virginia Zoo provides all ADA individuals with FREE admission. Each individual gets one FREE adult chaperone. This perk is only for Self-Guided Field Trips.
This discount is for any groups that have SPED, IEP, or any individual with a disability.
We do not ask for proof of disability.

Minimum Group Size: 5 ADA Individuals
Please spread the word that ADA individuals can receive free admission to the Virginia Zoo through daily admission.
*educational programs and special events are not included.

On this tour, guests will have the opportunity to get up-close with these slow-moving reptile giants inside their exhibit! Learn more about these impressive animals, their conservation status, and what it takes to care for them from Zoo Keepers. Guests will get a chance to meet AJ, the Zoo’s largest and oldest Aldabra tortoise!
Max persons allowed on tour: 10 guests

Cost:
• Family of 4: $250 non-members, $200 Virginia Zoo members
• Friends of 2: $150 non-members, $100 Virginia Zoo members
• Additional adult: $50
• Additional child: $30

An invoice will be emailed to you after requesting the experience. This will need to be paid ASAP. Keep a look out for the email and also check the junk folder.
If your request is more than 2 weeks from the date selected you will have a week for payment. If your request is less than 2 weeks away you will have a shorter due date period.

An Invoice will be sent separately through email and can be paid through the link or over the phone.
Confirmation of this tour will not be sent till the invoice has been paid.

Your request will be canceled if your invoice is not paid by the due date listed in the email sent.

We share our reservation portal with our school programs. Guests that are reserving a Behind-the-Scenes Tour, don't be alarmed when the site asks for teachers' information and school information.

Teacher = Main Tour Contact
Organization Address = Home Address

On this tour, guests will get the opportunity to get a closer look at the largest of the tapir species, the Malayan tapir! Learn more about these amazing animals, their conservation status, and what it takes to care for them from Zoo Keepers. Guests will have the chance to go behind the scenes to see one or more of our tapirs up close, with the potential to watch a training or enrichment session with tapirs Sinar or Sariah. Did you know that tapirs are most closely related to rhinos and horses? Learn more on a tapir tour!

Cost:
• Family of 4: $300 non-members, $250 members
• Friends of 2: $200 non-members, $150 members
• Additional adult: $60
• Additional child: $40
Max persons allowed on tour: 4 guests

An invoice will be emailed to you after requesting the experience. This will need to be paid ASAP. Keep a look out for the email and also check the junk folder.
If your request is more than 2 weeks from the date selected you will have a week for payment. If your request is less than 2 weeks away you will have a shorter due date period.

An Invoice will be sent separately through email and can be paid through the link or over the phone.
Confirmation of this tour will not be sent till the invoice has been paid.

Your request will be canceled if your invoice is not paid by the due date listed in the email sent.

We share our reservation portal with our school programs. Guests that are reserving a Behind-the-Scenes Tour, don't be alarmed when the site asks for teachers' information and school information.

Teacher = Main Tour Contact
Organization Address = Home Address

On this tour, guests will have the opportunity to get up-close with these graceful giants! Learn more about these amazing animals, their conservation status, and what it takes to care for them from Zoo Keepers. Guests will also get the chance to offer giraffes Imara and/or Noelle some of their daily diet – no ladders necessary!
Max persons allowed on tour: 5 guests

December-February: NO TOURS

Cost:
• Family of 4: $300 non-members, $250 Virginia Zoo members
• Friends of 2: $200 non-members, $150 Virginia Zoo members
• Additional adult: $60
• Additional child: $40

An invoice will be emailed to you after requesting the experience. This will need to be paid ASAP. Keep a look out for the email and also check the junk folder.
If your request is more than 2 weeks from the date selected you will have a week for payment. If your request is less than 2 weeks away you will have a shorter due date period.

An Invoice will be sent separately through email and can be paid through the link or over the phone.
Confirmation of this tour will not be sent till the invoice has been paid.

Your request will be canceled if your invoice is not paid by the due date listed in the email sent.

We share our reservation portal with our school programs. Guests that are reserving a Behind-the-Scenes Tour, don't be alarmed when the site asks for teachers' information and school information.

Teacher = Main Tour Contact
Organization Address = Home Address

On this tour, guests will have the opportunity to get a closer look at the Moon Bear! Learn more about these amazing animals, their conservation status, and what it takes to care for them from Zoo Keepers. Guests will get the chance to go behind the scenes and see a training or enrichment session up close with our Moon Bear Chai.
Max persons allowed on tour: 4 guests

Cost:
• Family of 4: $300 non-members, $250 Virginia Zoo members
• Friends of 2: $200 non-members, $150 Virginia Zoo members
• Additional adult: $60
• Additional child: $40

An invoice will be emailed to you after requesting the experience. This will need to be paid ASAP. Keep a look out for the email and also check the junk folder.
If your request is more than 2 weeks from the date selected you will have a week for payment. If your request is less than 2 weeks away you will have a shorter due date period.

An Invoice will be sent separately through email and can be paid through the link or over the phone.
Confirmation of this tour will not be sent till the invoice has been paid.

Your request will be canceled if your invoice is not paid by the due date listed in the email sent.

We share our reservation portal with our school programs. Guests that are reserving a Behind-the-Scenes Tour, don't be alarmed when the site asks for teachers' information and school information.

Teacher = Main Tour Contact
Organization Address = Home Address

Come face to face with reptile giants, watch hatching and newborn reptiles being nurtured and raised, and immerse yourself in a floor-to-ceiling marsh habitat of the Siamese crocodile.* Learn about animal care, behavior, and conservation on an up-close and personal behind-the-scenes tour! Be introduced to a Zoo Keeper who can share information about the animals they care for as only they know them! *Specific animals seen on the tour will vary.

Max persons allowed on tour: 5 guests

Cost:
• Family of 4: $250 non-members, $200 Virginia Zoo members
• Friends of 2: $150 non-members, $100 Virginia Zoo members
• Additional adult: $50
• Additional child: $30

An invoice will be emailed to you after requesting the experience. This will need to be paid ASAP. Keep a look out for the email and also check the junk folder.
If your request is more than 2 weeks from the date selected you will have a week for payment. If your request is less than 2 weeks away you will have a shorter due date period.

An Invoice will be sent separately through email and can be paid through the link or over the phone.
Confirmation of this tour will not be sent till the invoice has been paid.

Your request will be canceled if your invoice is not paid by the due date listed in the email sent.

We share our reservation portal with our school programs. Guests that are reserving a Behind-the-Scenes Tour, don't be alarmed when the site asks for teachers' information and school information.

Teacher = Main Tour Contact
Organization Address = Home Address

On this tour, guests will have the opportunity to get up-close to one or more of our five rhinos! Learn more about Southern white rhinos, their conservation status, and what it takes to care for them from Zoo Keepers. Guests will get the chance to go behind the scenes and meet some of the crash in person! Tours could be held inside their overnight barn or behind the scenes outdoors, depending on the weather. Come visit our rhino crash and experience meeting the world’s second-largest land mammal!
Max persons allowed on tour: 6 guests

Cost:
• Family of 4: $300 non-members, $250 Virginia Zoo members
• Friends of 2: $200 non-members, $150 Virginia Zoo members
• Additional adult: $60
• Additional child: $40

An invoice will be emailed to you after requesting the experience. This will need to be paid ASAP. Keep a look out for the email and also check the junk folder.
If your request is more than 2 weeks from the date selected you will have a week for payment. If your request is less than 2 weeks away you will have a shorter due date period.

An Invoice will be sent separately through email and can be paid through the link or over the phone.
Confirmation of this tour will not be sent till the invoice has been paid.

Your request will be canceled if your invoice is not paid by the due date listed in the email sent.

We share our reservation portal with our school programs. Guests that are reserving a Behind-the-Scenes Tour, don't be alarmed when the site asks for teachers' information and school information.

Teacher = Main Tour Contact
Organization Address = Home Address

On this tour, guests will have the opportunity to get up-close with with our Eastern bongo, Charlie. This new tour will give guests the opportunity to meet Charlie and learn all about her from her keepers. It's an opportunity you won't want to miss!

Max persons allowed on tour: 6 guests

Cost:
• Family of 4: $300 non-members, $250 Virginia Zoo members
• Friends of 2: $200 non-members, $150 Virginia Zoo members
• Additional adult: $60
• Additional child: $40

An invoice will be emailed to you after requesting the experience. This will need to be paid ASAP. Keep a look out for the email and also check the junk folder. If your request is more than 2 weeks from the date selected you will have a week for payment. If your request is less than 2 weeks away you will have a shorter due date period. An Invoice will be sent separately through email and can be paid through the link or over the phone. Confirmation of this tour will not be sent till the invoice has been paid. Your request will be canceled if your invoice is not paid by the due date listed in the email sent.

We share our reservation portal with our school programs. Guests that are reserving a Behind-the-Scenes Tour, don't be alarmed when the site asks for teachers' information and school information.
Teacher = Main Tour Contact Organization Address = Home Address

To submit a request for a Private Sloth Tour, please join the waitlist.
You will need to create a profile with Explorable Places.

We share our reservation portal with our school programs. Guests that are reserving a Behind-the-Scenes Tour, don't be alarmed when the site asks for teachers' information and school information.

Teacher = Main Tour Contact
Organization Address = Home Address

On this tour, slow down and enjoy this private encounter with one of the Zoo’s sloths! Learn more about these creatures, and their conservation status and meet the Zoo staff who take care of them. Guests will have the chance to get up close with one of the slower-moving animals on earth, so be sure to bring a camera to capture a priceless photo opportunity!
Max persons allowed on tour: 6 guests

Cost:
• Family of 4: $300 non-members, $250 Virginia Zoo members
• Friends of 2: $200 non-members, $150 Virginia Zoo members
• Additional adult: $60
• Additional child: $40

An invoice will be emailed to you after requesting the experience. This will need to be paid ASAP. Keep a look out for the email and also check the junk folder.
If your request is more than 2 weeks from the date selected you will have a week for payment. If your request is less than 2 weeks away you will have a shorter due date period.

An Invoice will be sent separately through email and can be paid through the link or over the phone.
Confirmation of this tour will not be sent till the invoice has been paid.

Your request will be canceled if your invoice is not paid by the due date listed in the email sent.

The Zoo offers a myriad of opportunities for your group to get involved. Anything from horticulture activities like planting and raking to assisting at major Zoo events – your group is essential to the Zoo.

Large groups working with our Horticulture team for a workday project help us accomplish lots of work in a short amount of time and allows your group to participate in a unique, fun team building activity. Corporate, civic, military, or any other groups that would like to volunteer at the Zoo are welcome.

Please Note: Most projects require physical tasks like lifting or using gardening tools, and therefore are restricted to adults ages 18 and up in most cases. If you have a group that includes youth, please note that in your inquiry and we can try to accommodate if the right project is available.

Join us on a global animal adventure! During this 30-minute program, your explorers will meet 3 of our animal ambassadors from different continents and diverse habitats. Your students will learn how animals adapt to their environments and how we can help their populations thrive

Themes: https://virginiazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Large-Group-Programs-2024-2025.pdf

Cost: $400 per program + travel
Discounts available for consecutively booked programs

Travel Fee (round-trip):
Free within Norfolk
Up to 15 miles - $25
16-30 miles - $30
31-45 miles - $35
45-60 miles - $45

Take a closer look! These programs provide a more in-depth learning experience for up to 30 participants. throughout each program, participants will meet 2 animal ambassadors.

Themes: https://virginiazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-2025-Close-Encounters.pdf

Group Size: 30 students + 3 chaperones

Cost:
Set Fee: $350

Travel Fee (round-trip):
Free within Norfolk
Up to 15 miles - $25
16-30 miles - $30
31-45 miles - $35
45-60 miles - $45

Students will strengthen their understanding of animals and conservation through our STEM lab programs. Students will collect, record, and interpret data in these hands-on programs. Programs are 45 minutes long and are offered at the zoo and in your school. Please note that Zoo Labs do not include an animal encounter.

Please choose a theme: https://virginiazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-2025-Zoo-Labs-1.pdf

Cost:
Set Fee: $180

Travel Fee (round-trip):
Free within Norfolk
Up to 15 miles - $25
16-30 miles - $30
31-45 miles - $35
45-60 miles - $45

To know the standards of learning for each theme, please email vazoo.reservations@norfolk.gov.

This 2.5-hour evening program will satisfy your night owls by combining a close encounter animal presentation with an evening wild walk through the Zoo. We will end the night with s’mores by the campfire! Please let us know about any dietary restrictions during the booking process. Working on badges/patches with your scout group? Let us know and we will do our best to modify the program to fit your learning goals!

Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Only on Fridays with flexible time slots 5 pm - 6:30 pm

Cost:
$600 per program
Maximum group size: 35 individuals
Must have 1 chaperone for every 10 participants.

By submitting a program request, you agree to the Program Policies and Virginia Zoo Policies.