The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs is so much more than your typical zoo. Here you can feed giraffes, budgies, elephants and even more animals. Immersive and educational, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo offers a unique zoo experience!
In order to make your visit seamless and focused on fun, we have the best tips for families visiting the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Advance Tickets Required
Be sure to get tickets before you head to the zoo. Advance tickets are required and can be purchased online. You choose a time slot and everyone visiting is required to have a ticket, even those under 2.
Animal Experiences
Check the schedule online for animal demonstration times and plan on being in the zoo for at least two hours. For some of the animal experiences there is an additional charge.
Animal Feeding Costs
Giraffes: $3 per lettuce bundle, or 2 for $5.
Budgies: $1 per seed stick
Elephants: $10 per feeding
Rhinos: $10 per feeding
My daughter loved feeding the giraffes, it was the first stop for us when we entered the zoo and it made a lasting impression. To be so close to these tall beauties was amazing! She still talks about their slimy tongues!
Unique Animal Habitats
The zoo has several areas, in the Australia walkabout there are free-roaming wallabies! This was one of my favorite parts of the zoo. The Waters Edge: Africa was also a highlight with a young hippo, penguins and lemurs all around.
One of the most enchanting parts of visiting Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is how close you get to be to the animals. There is a rope bridge where you can climb and walk above hippos and lemurs, you can stop by the Loft and meet animals and even help prepare their food. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a great place for kids to learn more about animals and their habitats. Kids can ask questions and make some incredible memories.
Plan for Lots of Walking
Mom Tip: bring a stroller if you have little ones. There are some hills so little legs can get tired.
Take a break from walking and hop on the mountaineer sky ride and enjoy views of the mountain, Colorado Springs and of course, the zoo. There is an extra charge for the sky ride, and it is open depending on weather.
Food and Drink Options
There is also a playground and climbing area with benches and spots to picnic. You are allowed to bring your own food and drinks in, just no glass containers and no alcohol. You can also leave and come back in, just make sure to keep 
your receipt.
Mom Tip: Bring snacks, sunscreen and a jacket. Since the zoo is on a mountainside, it can get windy.
There are several options for food and snacks if you choose to eat at the zoo. Choices range from BBQ to pizza to salads and of course, ice cream. We ate at the Grizzly Grill and then stopped for coffee at the Cozy Goat.
There is a gift shop as well by the Zoo entrance, full of fun toys, clothes and games.
Plan a day for your family at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and everyone will leave with a fun story!
