Longer hours, the Butterfly Garden, Family Farm Contact Area and several animal experiences are coming to a close for the season. Throughout the weekend and Labor Day will be the last time to experience summer programs at Woodland Park Zoo. (Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo)

The sunny forecast and Labor Day weekend are the perfect combo to experience the seasonal Butterfly Garden and enjoy extended hours at Woodland Park Zoo for the last time during the summer.
 
Starting Tuesday, September 3, the zoo will close two hours earlier and shift to its fall and winter hours: 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. daily.
 
Last call for the following summer experiences:
 
Butterfly Garden, through Labor Day, 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
The Butterfly Garden is a magical experience where guests of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can experience the wondrous world of “flying flowers." Stroll among hundreds of free-flying butterflies inside an enclosed space, all while surrounded by a display of beautiful flowers. Learn about the life cycle of these colorful, winged insects while watching larvae undergo a miraculous metamorphosis as they emerge as butterflies before flying. Behind the Butterfly Garden is the year-round Microsoft Pollinator Patio, a glorious garden complete with ideas and actions to take on behalf of native pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, beetles, bees and flies. Free with zoo admission or membership.
 
Family Farm Contact Area: 10:00 a.m.–noon and 1:00–4:00 p.m. 
Is a goat soft? How does a sheep want to be touched? Pet a selection of domestic farm animals and learn more about them in supervised areas at the Family Farm.

Rhino Encounter: 1:30–2:00 p.m. 
Enjoy an up-close meet and greet with rhino Glenn. Hear from rhino keepers about how they care for one of the zoo’s largest residents and learn how you can help save rhinos in the wild. Cost: $10 per person, one child under 5 free with one paying adult.
 
Giraffe Encounter: 11:00 a.m.–noon 
Get up close and personal with the tallest animals on the African Savanna and learn about what makes these animals so magnificent! If you’re lucky, the giraffe will take a leafy snack from your hand! Cost: $10 per person, one child under 5 free with one paying adult.
 
Animal Keeper Talks
Animal keepers provide exceptional care for all the animals at the zoo, ensuring they have everything they need to be healthy and happy. Hear great stories about a variety of animals in the following popular locations:

• Living Northwest Trail: 11:00 a.m.
• Banyan Wilds: 11:30 a.m.
• Tropical Rain Forest: 12:30 p.m.
• Temperate Forest: 1:00 p.m.
• African Savanna: 3:30 p.m.

Penguin Snack Time: 2:30 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays 
The zoo’s Humboldt penguin colony has more than 40 individuals all with different “penguinalities.” Come and hear about the recent action, drama and comedic stories
between the individual penguins while watching the colony receive their morning snacks.
 
Live Trout Feeding at Penguins: 11:00 a.m. Fridays 
Penguins may not look fast on the ground, but they are swift and agile swimmers. Watch as these charismatic birds demonstrate their expert fish-hunting abilities when buckets of live trout are added to their pool!

For younger audiences

Zoomazium: 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
With different play areas for children from birth to 8 is an indoor place to explore, play and have fun! What could be more fun than exploring a mountain cave, crossing a rope bridge in the tree canopy, discovering what lies beneath a savanna water hole or even climbing a 20-foot tree?! All this and more are awaiting discovery for young children interested in nature.

More fun

Historic Carousel: 9:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Take a whirl on Woodland Park Zoo’s Historic Carousel of classic, hand-carved wooden carousel horses. ADA ramp access. Cost: $3 a ride, in addition to zoo admission.

General information

Stay tuned for fall and winter programs at www.zoo.org/today.
 
Go online at www.zoo.org/visit to save time at the zoo and avoid lines! Full-priced general admission tickets purchased four or more days in advance receive a 10% discount. (Restrictions apply: may not be combined with military discounts.) Discount for persons with disabilities: $2 off regular admission, 1:1 aides are complimentary. For information about disability accommodations and other safety protocols, see the Guest FAQ at www.zoo.org/visit/faq. 
 
Parking: $8 first two hours, $3 each additional hour plus applicable state and local taxes. Parking fees do not apply for any vehicle displaying a valid disabled parking placard.
 
Location: Enter through the West Entrance on Phinney Ave. N. between N. 55th & N. 56th Sts. or South Entrance at N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N.
 
Accessibility: Information about accessibility and resources, one-to-one aides, sighted guides, mobility equipment rentals, and a sensory map and tools can be found at www.zoo.org/access. For questions or to request disability accommodations for zoo programs or events, contact zooinfo@zoo.org.
 
For more information or to become a zoo member, visit www.zoo.org or call 206.548.2500. Follow the zoo on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.