Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Go behind the scenes to see the Zoo from a new point of view! On these exclusive tours, you'll meet some amazing animals and have your questions answered by our Educational Specialists.
Please contact the Education Department if you have questions about our booking requirements.
Masai Giraffe: Franklin Park Zoo
Learn more about our Masai giraffe family in this once-in-a-lifetime experience! From a shaded overlook, you’ll come face-to-face with the world’s tallest mammals and even have the opportunity to feed them a healthy snack.
Purchase Giraffe Encounter Tickets- When: Daily, 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. through October 31
- Where: Meet at end of path by Giraffe Savannah- VIEW ON MAP
- Who: Ages 3 and up
- Price per person: Members: $40 | Non-Members: $45
Please note:
- Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (purchasing at least 24 hours in advance is recommended). Giraffe encounter tickets do not include general admission to the Zoo. Admission tickets are required, and must be purchased separately here.
- Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your encounter. You may forfeit your encounter if you are more than 5 minutes late arriving at the designated meeting spot.
- Up to 6 guests per group. Encounters are not private, so you might share the experience with other guests.
- All guests above the age of 3 must be accounted for in the group size. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Encounters may be cancelled due to weather or the animals' needs.
- Though we do our best to engage them, it’s ultimately up to our giraffes as to whether they want to participate in the feeding experience. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of attention from the giraffe care team, who will guide your experience, so have your questions ready!
Red Panda: Franklin Park Zoo
Prepare to be bamboozled by the undeniable cuteness of these ring-tailed rascals! Also known as the "firefox," "bear-cat," or "first panda," this ancient species is full of unique characteristics! You'll have the opportunity to participate in a training session and feed our red panda a healthy snack!
Book a Tour- When: Daily, 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. through October 31
- Where: Franklin Park Zoo (Meet at Zebra Entrance)
- Who: Ages 3 and up
- Price per person: Members: $65 | Non-Members: $75
Please Note:
- Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (purchasing at least 24 hours in advance is recommended). Red panda behind-the-scenes tickets do not include general admission to the Zoo. Admission tickets are required, and must be purchased separately here.
- Up to 6 guests per group. Encounters are not private, so you might share the experience with other guests.
- All guests above the age of 3 must be accounted for in the group size. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Closed-toed shoes are required for this tour.
- Photos are not permitted in behind-the-scenes areas.
- Red panda tours are not wheelchair accessible.
- Though we do our best to engage them, it’s ultimately up to the animals as to whether they want to participate in the feeding experience. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of attention from our care team, who will guide your experience, so have your questions ready!
Sloth: Stone Zoo
Sloth devotees, get ready to hang with these two-toed tree-dwellers! Don't miss out on an up-close and personal look at the world's slowest mammal and learn from the keepers who work with them every day. You'll have the opportunity to participate in a training session and feed our sloth a healthy snack!
Book a Tour- When: Daily, 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. through December 31
- Where: Stone Zoo (Meet at Main Entrance)
- Who: Ages 3 and up
- Price per person: Members: $50 | Non-Members: $55
Please Note:
- Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (purchasing at least 24 hours in advance is recommended). Sloth behind-the-scenes tickets do not include general admission to the Zoo. Admission tickets are required, and must be purchased separately here.
- Up to 6 guests per group. Encounters are not private, so you might share the experience with other guests.
- All guests above the age of 3 must be accounted for in the group size. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Sloth tours are not wheelchair accessible.
- Though we do our best to engage them, it’s ultimately up to the animals as to whether they want to participate in the feeding experience. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of attention from our care team, who will guide your experience, so have your questions ready!
Tapir: Franklin Park Zoo
Enjoy an up-close and personal experience with our Baird’s tapir, also known as a 'mountain cow'. You'll have the opportunity to participate in a training session and feed our tapir a healthy snack!
Book a Tour- When: Daily, 2:00 - 2:30 p.m. daily, through October 31
- Where: Franklin Park Zoo (Meet at Giraffe Entrance)
- Who: Ages 3 and up
- Price per person: Member: $40 | Non-Member: $45
Please Note:
- Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (purchasing at least 24 hours in advance is recommended). Tapir behind-the-scenes tickets do not include general admission to the Zoo. Admission tickets are required, and must be purchased separately here.
- Up to 6 guests per group. Encounters are not private, so you might share the experience with other guests.
- All guests above the age of 3 must be accounted for in the group size. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Closed-toed shoes are required for this tour.
- Tapir tours are not wheelchair accessible.
- Though we do our best to engage them, it’s ultimately up to the animals as to whether they want to participate in the feeding experience. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of attention from our care team, who will guide your experience, so have your questions ready!
Tortoise: Stone Zoo
Not so fast, it's tortoise time! Hang out with Stone Zoo's African spurred tortoises in this up-close and personal feeding experience! Learn all about our shelled superstars while you feed them some tasty produce.
Purchase Tortoise Encounter Tickets- Where: Stone Zoo (At this time, tortoise feeds are not offered at Franklin Park Zoo.)
- When: Daily, 1:30 - 2:00 p.m. through October 31
- Who: Ages 3 and up
- Price per person: Members: $30 | Non-Members: $35
Please Note:
- Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (purchasing at least 24 hours in advance is recommended). Tortoise Encounter tickets do not include general admission to the Zoo. Admission tickets are required, and must be purchased separately here.
- Up to 6 guests per group. Encounters are not private, so you might share the experience with other guests.
- All guests above the age of 3 must be accounted for in the group size. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- This opportunity is weather-dependent. In the case of rain, the feeding will be cancelled and tickets may be refunded or exchanged for another day. Meet our staff at Stone Zoo’s front gate 10-15 minutes before your scheduled encounter.
- Close-toed shoes are recommended.
- Tortoises move at their own special pace, so we cannot guarantee their activity level during your feeding session. There will be no direct touching or contact with our reptile friends, but we do hope you have a great time meeting them up close!
COMING SOON: Yak: Stone Zoo
COMING SOON!
Enjoy a close-up and one-of-a-kind experience with our yak ambassador! Discover the important role yaks have played in Zoo New England's history. You'll have the opportunity to participate in a training session and feed our yak a healthy snack!
- When: Daily, 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. daily, through December 31
- Where: Stone Zoo (Meet at the Main Entrance)
- Who: Ages 3 and up
- Price per person: Member: $30 | Non-Member: $35
Please Note:
- Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (purchasing at least 24 hours in advance is recommended). Yak behind-the-scenes tickets do not include general admission to the Zoo. Admission tickets are required, and must be purchased separately here.
- Up to 6 guests per group. Encounters are not private, so you might share the experience with other guests.
- All guests above the age of 3 must be accounted for in the group size. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Yak tours are not wheelchair accessible.
- Though we do our best to engage them, it’s ultimately up to the animals as to whether they want to participate in the feeding experience. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of attention from our care team, who will guide your experience, so have your questions ready!
Cancellation Policy
- All tours cancelled seven or more days in advance of the scheduled date will receive a partial refund equal to 80% of the original tour cost.
- All tours cancelled less than seven days in advance of the scheduled date will not receive a refund. Tours can be rescheduled to an available date for an additional $35.00 fee.
- Be advised that late arrivals are not able to be accommodated due to previously scheduled feedings and procedures. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late for your tour you will have to discuss rescheduling options with your educator.