Top Reasons to Visit the KC Zoo this Winter

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I LOVE LOVE LOVE to visit the Kansas City Zoo in the winter! Yes, I know zoo outings are typically saved for warmer seasons (because it's oh so fun to stand in the hot sun on hot pavement and watch animals that are too hot and tired to move?)... but I truly believe the winter is one of the best times to visit the zoo!

Top Reasons we LOVE the Zoo in the Winter:

• It is less crowded! The zoo hosted over 725,000 visitors last year and the majority visit during warm months. In the winter, we frequently enjoy the Polar Bear Passage, The Tropics, and The Discovery Barn having these exhibits all to ourselves or a few other families.
• The animals love the cold weather too. Many of the animals are more playful (especially Nikita, but also many of the monkeys, the tigers, and Australia) when they are not hot.
• Some of the zoo's best exhibits are inside. The Tropics and The Discovery Barn are favorites for young children.
• Kids love picnics, but frankly - there are few opportunities to enjoy them in the winter. The zoo permits outside food, so pack a picnic and enjoy a sandwich while watching Nikita swim.
• Admission to the Zoo is DISCOUNTED through February and Friends of the Zoo Memberships are valid year-round through MARCH of the following year (March 2014) (so become a Friends of the Zoo Member today)!
• Great Keeper Chats & Shows are offered EVEN in the winter on weekends, making the experience even more fun and educational! AND they are all FREE with admission!
• AND our FAVORITE reason to visit THIS winter? Nikita, our beloved Polar Bear, will soon have a new friend! From the Zoo:  Planning of the methodical transition to introduce 23 year-old, Berlin, from the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, MN, to meet Nikita, the Zoo’s six year-old male in Kansas City Zoo’s Polar Bear Passage is well underway. Berlin passed through quarantine and the next step is to allow her to explore, smell, dig and swim in the outdoor public viewing area of Polar Bear Passage. The door to allow Berlin onto exhibit will open at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 17; our hope is that Berlin will poke her nose out the door and start her discovery. But she is an animal, and all animals can be unpredictable and cautious when stepping into a new environment. On Thursday we will wait as long as needed to view her on the next part of her journey at the Kansas City Zoo. Berlin will alternate on exhibit with Nikita. The schedule of the dates and times when Berlin will be on exhibit will be posted on Zoo’s web site and Facebook daily.

• Nikita and Berlin will be on exhibit separately but both could be off exhibit at certain times of the day. If they are off exhibit, Zoo Keepers will be conducting “HOWDY” sessions behind the scenes. These “HOWDY” sessions begin with plenty of secure space between Nikita and Berlin so they can see and smell each other. Zoo Keepers will monitor and record their behaviors consulting with the Zoo’s Animal Curators, Veterinarians and other polar bear experts. This collaboration will help determine when to bring the bears closer yet still protected from direct contact, and then eventually get them nose to nose. Getting polar bears to “HOWDY” is dictated completely by the two bears. Careful observation and precautions will be taken during each step of this introduction process. The process could take days or weeks and maybe even months. While we hope for a quick success it will not be rushed. Progress from behind the scenes will also be posted on the Zoo’s web site and Facebook. In the world of animals as well as humans, we know love is not guaranteed. All connections take dedication. And, with 1500 pounds of big white, strong, independent and beautiful bears it will take meticulous and thoughtful procedures along with patience.

The Kansas City Zoo

Click here for Driving Directions to the Kansas City Zoo.

Winter Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily Nov-Feb. Closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. 

Note these Upcoming Special Events:

• Zootastik Learning Fest-Deserts (Sponsored by the Zoo Learning Fund). Saturday, January 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn the difference between warm and cool climate deserts by engaging in a variety of lessons, crafts, and experiments.
• Zootastik Learning Fest-Teddy Bear Clinic (Sponsored by the Zoo Learning Fund). Saturday, February 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your favorite teddy bears, dolls and snuggly pals to the Zoo for some tender loving care. The Kansas City Young Matrons will restitch and restuff your friends that have a little wear and tear. They can also add decorative touches using ribbons, buttons, and other accessories.

Winter Admission:  Now through February Admission is only $6 due to the weather; $3 for Zoological District Residents (Jackson and Clay Counties). As always, Kansas City Friends of the Zoo (FOTZ) Members are free. Pricing increases on March 1.  Parking is Free

Tips for a Day at the Zoo

• Concessions are sold throughout, but you may bring your own picnic! 
• Dress comfortably for a day outside.
• Plan to visit more than once. The Kansas City Zoo is large and it is difficult to see it all in a day, your children will be tired if you do! Check out the Zoo Map in advance and plan your day.
• Plan to watch shows! Read the Show Schedule in advance and plan your day accordingly.
• Pack bottled water.
• Kids love to ride the train, tram, boat, carousel, and Sky Safari! A Platinum FOTZ Membership offers great savings on these attractions.
• Bring a camera!

Winter Weekends: Keeper Chats & Shows (Nov - Feb)

• 10 a.m. Sea Lion Chat
• 10:30 a.m. Wings of Wonder (WOW) in the Lobby Auditorium
• 11 a.m. Polar Bear Keeper Chat
• 12 p.m. Discovery Barn Chat
• 12:30 p.m.  Wings of Wonder (WOW) in the Lobby Auditorium
• 1 p.m. Tropics Keeper Chat
• 1:30 p.m. Sea Lion Chat
• 2 p.m. Close Encounters of an Animal Kind in the Lobby Auditorium
• 2:30 p.m. Snakes Keeper Chat
• 3 p.m. Tiger Keeper Chat
• 3:30 p.m. Sea Lion Chat

Begin and End with a Visit to See Nikita

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Nikita, the Kansas City Zoo Polar Bear, makes his home at the Polar Bear Passage just past the entrance to the zoo. With indoor air-conditioned viewing, kids love to watch Nikita swim and play when they first arrive at the zoo, and again before leaving. Nikita was born on November 21, 2006. He currently weighs over 700 pounds and enjoys about 16 pounds of fish, 5 pounds of dog food and 1.5 pounds of lard each day. He loves to play with his many enrichment items and show off for guests. You can see him swim, dig, splash, dive and more every day at the Polar Bear Passage. In February, he'll welcome his new friend, Berlin, the female Polar Bear to the exhibit!

Sumatran Tiger Exhibit

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We love the new Sumatran Tiger Exhibit! Eight-year-old Sumatran Tiger brothers Manis and Langka love their new habitat on the hillside on Tiger Trail. The new space is five times larger than their previous home. You'll see the tigers lounging on rocks, enjoying their wading pool and waterfall, and playing together.

And More

The Kangaroos in Australia are always fun to watch. The Tropics exhibit offers fun views of monkeys as they climb overhead, and children love to play in the Discovery Barn. My daughters love the flamingoes, and the elephants are an all-time favorite. What do you love most about the Kansas City Zoo?