ZooAmerica Offers Free Daily Activities for Summer 2026

Date: June 5, 2026

It's a sure sign of summer at the zoo when complimentary daily activities have returned to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park. This summer, visitors can immerse themselves in the wild of North America through special animal encounters, educational activities, and feeding and training sessions - all included with admission. 

The 11-acre Zoo in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is open daily through Sept. 6, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with modified hours of 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 7. The special activities are offered every day of the week through Sept. 7, weather permitting. Guests are encouraged to stop by the Admissions Building on the date of their visit for the most up-to-date daily activities schedule.

11-11:30 a.m. - Animal Enrichment

Location: Varies

Guests can join Zoo Educators and Naturalists alongside North American animals for a special enrichment activity or training session. Educators will meet with guests in front of the animal's habitat to share information about enrichment and its importance to the animal's physical and psychological well-being. These sessions provide animals with mental stimulation and the opportunity to engage in natural behaviors. Visitors will learn about individual animals and their natural history during this complimentary activity.  The list of participating animals and locations is available at the Zoo Admissions Building. 

2-2:30 p.m. - Animal Variety Program

Location: Woodlands Patio

Zoo guests can grab a seat on the Woodlands Patio and learn more about the animal ambassadors that call ZooAmerica home! This interactive program is an opportunity to connect with an educator and ask animal questions. Guests are encouraged to check the daily schedule in the Admissions Building for more information on which ambassadors will be featured during their visit.

2:30-3 p.m. - Tortoise Graze

Location: Between the prairie dog and pronghorn habitats

Tortoises and turtles love their time in the sunshine! Guests can visit these shelled reptiles each afternoon as they graze on the grass, bask in the sun or race each other to the nearest delicious dandelion flower. This activity provides a great opportunity to observe these slow-moving residents in a natural setting. 

4:30-5 p.m. - Keeper Corner

Location: Mountain lion, prairie dog and elk habitats

Zoo visitors are invited to stop by the Big Sky Country region of the Zoo to meet with our knowledgeable Zoo Naturalists for an engaging discussion about the various species that reside on the North American prairie. During this interactive session, guests will have the opportunity to learn about the unique personalities and natural histories of our individual animals in our Big Sky Country. Participants may even have the chance to observe the animals as they receive a tasty treat from their caretakers. This educational experience is designed to provide a deeper connection to the wildlife of the prairie region. 

Various Times - Animal Encounters and Exhibit Talks

Location: Varies

ZooAmerica offers animal encounters at various times each day for guests to see one of the ambassador animals up close. Visitors can also stop by certain animal habitats each day to learn about the animals' stories and natural history from the Zoo Educators during Exhibit Talks. The locations for these activities vary based on the featured animal. Guests should check the daily schedule in the Admissions Building for more information. 

While in the Admissions building, it's a great opportunity to see the mural featuring artwork from Milton Hershey School (MHS) students. This masterpiece is a collaborative effort between the Zoo and 20 MHS Senior Division students, whose individual drawings and paintings of North American wildlife—including owls, wolves, eagles, snakes and turtles—were combined into a unified design to greet visitors upon arrival. The mural not only celebrates the students' artistic talents but also reflects the mission of founder Milton S. Hershey to provide fulfilling opportunities for MHS students.

Summer daily activities are included with Zoo admission for added value. Regular admission for guests ages 9-61 is $16.50 plus taxes and fees. Admission for juniors (ages 3-8) and seniors (ages 62+) is $14.50 plus taxes and fees, while children 2 and under are admitted for free. Entrance is complimentary for all ZooAmerica Annual Pass Holders and 2026 Hersheypark Season Pass Holders.

ZooAmerica is also included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark as one of three parks in one when accessed from the bridge inside the amusement park during posted hours. Please note that ZooAmerica and Hersheypark hours vary.