Christmas at the Indianapolis Zoo thru Dec. 30, 2018 @indianapoliszoo

Christmas at the Zoo at the Indianapolis Zoo.
Photo provided by the Indianapolis Zoo and used with written permission.

By Carla Knapp
Indianapolis Zoo

INDIANAPOLIS — A light sprinkling of snow and the glow of twinkling lights will fill the sky, creating a magical nighttime experience that has become one of Central Indiana’s most beloved holiday traditions.

Christmas at the Zoo presented by Donatos and Teachers Credit Union is bigger than ever, now offering 36 nights of merriment and memories in the making. With Mondays and Tuesdays added in for the first time, the event kicked off Nov. 23 and continues daily through Dec. 30, 2018, closed only on Christmas Eve and Day. The Zoo opens at noon and Christmas at the Zoo activities go from 5-9pm, extended until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Now celebrating 50 years, the Indianapolis Zoo was the first zoo in the nation to host a holiday lights event, and this wintertime favorite continues to grow year after year.

Under the Bicentennial Pavilion, Santa’s Village is a newer addition to Christmas at the Zoo. Guests will feel like they’ve stepped inside a glittering snow globe as they walk under a festive archway and discover the whimsical scene. Children can meet the Jolly Old Elf himself inside his charming study. Families can snap photos in Santa’s Barn presented by State Farm where his magical sleigh and a few reindeer await. Plus, there are opportunities to see penguins and wintertime dogs. The Snowflakery mirror maze hides fun and surprises around every corner. For a special treat, guests can decorate cookies in Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen.

A stunning tunnel of lights will lead visitors from Santa’s Village into the rest of the beautifully decorated Zoo, which will transform at sunset into a winter wonderland. Several large displays provide memorable photo ops, including We Three Trees presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers and Christmas Tree Joy presented by Honda Manufacturing. The 100 percent LED energy-efficient lights are presented by Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent.

Additionally, many of the Zoo’s more robust animals will be out late to enjoy the cooler weather, including tigers, brown bears, walrus, red panda and others. All the Zoo’s indoor exhibits will be open to offer a perfect place for guests to go when cheeks get rosy. Plus, guests can learn more about their favorite animals during special chats throughout the day.

Christmas at the Zoo is free for Zoo members and included with regular admission. Discount tickets are available at participating Donatos and Teachers Credit Union locations. Guests can receive $1 off admission at the gate with the donation of a new hat, scarf or gloves to benefit St. Mary’s Child Center. Visit IndianapolisZoo.com for advance tickets and more information.

ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo, Oct. 4-28 @indianapoliszoo

ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo. Photo provided by the zoo and used with written permission.

By Carla Knapp
Indianapolis Zoo

INDIANAPOLIS — Beloved fall traditions and newer family favorites come together for a Halloween celebration like no other as ZooBoo presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers returns to the Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 West Washington Stree, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Now in its 37^th year, ZooBoo will run every Thursday through Sunday in October (Oct. 4-7, 11-14, 18-21, and 25-28, 2018), providing 16 days of active animals and spooktacular fun. The Zoo will open daily at 9am, and guests are encouraged to come early then stay to enjoy activities from 2-7pm.

Back again this year, the wildly popular Pumpkin Town presented by Macy’s provided an array of whimsical new experiences when it opened in 2017. Visitors will find their favorite activities along with a few extra surprises under the canopy of pumpkins in the Bicentennial Pavilion.

Little ghouls and goblins can create popcorn “potions” alongside the witch of Pumpkin Town, who loves to foster black cats. Other not-so-scary critters, including toads, turtles and rats, can be found inside Jack’s Barn presented by State Farm. A mirror maze will hide thrills around every twist and turn while Pumpkin School presented by Whole Foods Market will provide crafty lessons in laughs. Pumpkin Bowling is a returning favorite, and new this year, guests can try to guess the weight of the giant pumpkin for a chance to win an Animal Art Adventure.

Farther into the Zoo, Broomstick Alley will offer a familiar challenge in a new location. Near the Plains entrance, guests can use a broom to maneuver a jack o’ lantern ball through the extended obstacle course. The Zoo’s rides also feature a Halloween twist, like the Spooktacular Train Ride and the Round-Go-Merry — the carousel that runs in reverse.

Youngsters are encouraged to wear costumes and bring a reusable bag to gather goodies along the Trick-or-Treat Trail presented by Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent. Five stations scattered through Plains will provide conservation-conscious snacks that contain only certified sustainable palm oil. Allergy-friendly options are also available upon request.

Speckled with colorful fall foliage, the Zoo’s exhibits provide the perfect backdrop for all the festivities, and many of the animals will take part in some Halloween fun, as well. The squash-splattering fun of the Elephant Pumpkin Smash presented by Sam’s Club is always a crowd favorite. Plus, visitors can enjoy extra chats and create Halloween-themed animal enrichment.

ZooBoo is free for Zoo members and included with regular admission. Discount tickets are available at area Donatos and Indiana Members Credit Union locations.

For more information, visit https://www.indianapoliszoo.com/events/zooboo/, or call 317-630-2001.

Long-Tailed Macaques Coming to the @IndianapolisZoo, May 26, 2018

Indianapolis Zoo in White River State Park in Indianapolis, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2017, all rights reserved.

Sharing One World: Long-Tailed Macaques

​​Opening May 26, 2018 at the Indianapolis Zoo

By Carla Knapp
Indianapolis Zoo

On Memorial Day weekend in 2018, macaques will make a splash in their brand-new exhibit – “Sharing One World: Long Tailed Macaques.” Indianapolis Zoo members can enjoy exclusive preview days on May 24-25 and the exhibit will open to the public May 26, 2018.

Long-tailed macaques are a unique monkey species that spends time in the water cooling off, playing or escaping predators. Unlike other macaques, long-tailed macaques are the only ones that swim throughout their entire life – making them the perfect addition to the Oceans Area.

Native to Southeast Asia, the macaque lives side by side with humans in an urban setting and are at times seen as pests. Like all animals at the Indianapolis Zoo, the macaques are ambassadors for their species, sharing a conservation message about the importance of humans coexisting with animals.

As the human population continues to grow, human and wildlife will have to share the same space. Hoosiers can learn to share urban areas with wildlife, just as the people in southeast Asia have learned to share space with the long-tailed macaque.

The zoo has a troop of 29 macaques with 22 females and 7 males. The monkeys are led by a male named Graham. There is a baby boy named Paul and a baby girl named Ren. Local schools suggested names for the troop, and the keepers matched each macaque to his or her name based on their unique personalities.

Once open, the macaques’ habitat will feature pools surrounded by grassy areas as well as a few raised platforms that extend over the water. Not only will this design reflect the architectural styles found in Southeast Asia, we hope it will encourage the macaques’ unique — and very fun — natural diving behaviors that guests can watch through multiple glass viewing windows.

For more information, visit http://www.indianapoliszoo.com/plan…/animals-exhibits/oceans, or call 317-630-2001.

Halloween ZooBoo at the Indianapolis Zoo, Oct. 5-29, 2017 @indianapoliszoo

Indianapolis Zoo in White River State Park in Indianapolis, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2017, all rights reserved.

By Carla Knapp
Indianapolis Zoo

INDIANAPOLIS — Not-so-frightful animals, pumpkins galore and a whimsical village to explore — the Indianapolis Zoo has conjured some fantastic new ways for families to celebrate Halloween during the reimagined ZooBoo presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers.

Now beginning its 36th year, this beloved fall event includes four extra days for visitors to enjoy the spooktacular festivities. ZooBoo kicks off Oct. 5 and continues every Thursday through Sunday all month long. The Zoo opens daily at 9am, so guests are encouraged to come early to visit their favorite animals, then event activities go on from 2-7pm.

With the all-new experiences in Pumpkin Town presented by Macy’s, this year’s ZooBoo is bigger than ever before. Under the cover of the Bicentennial Pavilion awaits a magical town where little witches and goblins can discover fun all around. There’s nothing to fear from encounters with fascinating critters, including toads, turtles, rats and cats. In partnership with the Humane Society of Indianapolis, the cats will be available for adoption following ZooBoo.

Inside the Candy Corn Factory presented by Metro PCS, the mirror maze hides thrills and smiles around every corner. A friendly witch offers potions to transform special treats. Guests can also stop in at a crafty Pumpkin School, dance to Halloween music and try a few rolls of Pumpkin Bowling presented by Universal Windows Direct.

More Halloween fun is waiting elsewhere around the Zoo, too. Children can dash down Broomstick Alley presented by State Farm. Plus, the Zoo’s rides also feature a wild twist, like the Spooktacular Train Ride and the Round-Go-Merry — the carousel that moves in reverse.

Costumes are encouraged and kids can bring a reusable bag to collect a few goodies along the Trick-or-Treat Trail presented by Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent, located in Plains. Allergy-friendly snacks are available upon request, and all Halloween treats are either palm-oil free, contain sustainable palm oil or are produced by a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, which is working to make orangutan-friendly palm oil readily available.

Even the Zoo’s animals get into the spirit of the season. Mild fall temperatures mean the animals will be out and active, providing the perfect backdrop for all the festivities. Plus, visitors can enjoy extra chats, Halloween-themed animal enrichment and special activities, like the messy fun of the Elephant Pumpkin Smash presented by Sam’s Club.

ZooBoo is free for Zoo members and included with regular admission. Discount tickets are available at area Donatos and Indiana Members Credit Union locations.

For more information, visit http://indyzoo.com, or call 317-630-2001.

Devour Indy Aug. 21 to Sept. 3, 2017 @devourindy

Mama Carolla’s Old Italian Restaurant is one of the participating restaurants in Devour Indy 2017. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2015, all rights reserved.

By Sarah Stegmeyer
On behalf of Devour Indy

INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Aug. 21) – More than 200 restaurants in the Greater Indianapolis area are serving up exclusive, value priced menus for Devour Indy 2017
Summerfest. Take advantage of these tasty menus from today, August 21, through Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017.

Beginning today, participating restaurants will be flaunting their three-course menus and showing diners why Indianapolis has been named the “Most Underrated Food City in the U.S” by Zagat.

Sip on the Mr. Cantarito – the official Devour Indy cocktail at Mr. Tequila’s Cantina and Grill in downtown Indianapolis.

Devour Indy welcomes more than 20 new restaurants to the mix, along with those traditional Devour favorites and an additional dozen hotels offering exclusive Devour Indy room rates.

Experience Indianapolis like never before by taking advantage of Devour Indy offers from various hotels and attractions across the city.

Book a stay at one of Indy’s A List hotels, explore the Magnificent Macaw exhibit at the Indianapolis Zoo and cheer on the Indy Eleven at one of their two home games during Devour.

Visit www.devourindy.com to plan your two weeks of Devour Indy today!