Fall in Kansas City is right around the corner. We got an early start by visiting the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium for their GloWild: Time Traveler event. Tickets for this event are separate from zoo admission, but you can purchase a combo pack on the zoo’s website. In addition to general admission tickets, they also offer discounted tickets for FOTZ members, a season pass (good for the rest of 2025), or a family four-pack. Make sure to choose the option that’s best for your visit(s)!
The GloWild story begins with a young scientist known as the Time Traveler. He invented a machine to test whether time travel is possible. When his assistant tests the machine, he realizes he doesn’t know where she went. Join him on his journey through the 1960s, Mardi Gras, the Paris Exposition, the Wild West, America’s 100th Birthday, Africa, a Fairy Tale, the Ice Age, and finally, the Future. My son especially enjoyed reading the Time Traveler’s journal entries to uncover what happened to the assistant. He even came up with his own theories—let us know yours!
Here are a few helpful tips so you don’t miss anything: Before you start your journey through time, try fishing and stop by the apple festival for fun games. After fishing, you can decorate your pumpkin and take a hayride. We saved those for the end of our journey, but unfortunately, they close at 9 p.m. My son and daughter were not happy with me! Luckily, the carousel was still open—and rides are free! Right across from the carousel are swings and teeter-totters that light up, which the kids also loved.
My two-year-old loves fish, and lucky for him the Sobela Ocean Aquarium is open only on Wednesdays during the GloWild event. If you have a little fish lover too, make sure you plan your visit on a Wednesday!
If you get hungry or need a snack, there are food options available along the way. Grab something to eat and enjoy one of the shows as you make your journey through time. If you’re feeling brave, you can also try the Flying Flamingo Zipline for an additional fee. The gift shop is open as well. Just a heads up—this is a cashless event, so they only accept debit or credit cards.
GloWild runs most Wednesdays through Sundays from September to December, 6 p.m.–10 p.m., but double-check your date to make sure it’s open.
A fun fact we learned: all the sculptures are made of steel and silk and were assembled onsite.
Have fun and GloWild!