Does Blank Park Zoo have an aquarium?

Yes, Blank Park Zoo features an Aquarium within its Myron and Jackie Blank Discovery Center, showcasing various aquatic environments from around the world, including a coral reef exhibit and an Amazon River pool with tropical fish.

How long does it typically take to visit Blank Park Zoo?

A typical visit to Blank Park Zoo can range from 2 to 3 hours to comfortably explore all the exhibits and enjoy various activities. For a quicker overview, visitors can complete a loop in about an hour.

What special events does Blank Park Zoo host throughout the year?

Blank Park Zoo hosts a variety of engaging annual events. These include the Wild Lights Festival in spring, featuring illuminated lanterns; Zoo Brew, an adults-only event with live music during the summer; and the "merry-not-scary" Night Eyes treat safari in the fall.

ZooIowa, US

Blank Park Zoo

Blank Park Zoo offers an engaging experience for families and wildlife enthusiasts, featuring diverse habitats and interactive exhibits that bring you face-to-face with animals from around the world.

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About

Blank Park Zoo offers an engaging experience for families and wildlife enthusiasts, featuring diverse habitats and interactive exhibits that bring you face-to-face with animals from around the world. Nestled in Des Moines, Iowa, this 49-acre zoological park is Iowa's only accredited zoo, dedicated to inspiring an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education, research, and recreation. Visitors can embark on a global journey, exploring regions from the African savanna to the Australian Outback, and getting up close with a variety of creatures both exotic and local.

The zoo provides a vibrant and immersive visitor experience with a thoughtful layout of indoor and outdoor exhibits. Highlights include the immersive Myron and Jackie Blank Discovery Center, home to captivating red pandas, nocturnal animals, and an impressive aquarium with vibrant coral reefs and Amazonian fish. Outside, guests can marvel at the majestic African lions and tigers in the Big Cat Complex, observe the graceful reticulated giraffes, and get an underwater view of playful California sea lions and harbor seals at the Hub Harbor Pinniped Pavilion.

Beyond animal viewing, Blank Park Zoo offers numerous interactive opportunities that make it a truly memorable destination. Feed the friendly goats and llamas at Kids' Kingdom, witness engaging keeper chats and animal feeding demonstrations, or take a leisurely ride on the train or carousel. With ongoing conservation initiatives and a focus on education for all ages, the zoo is not just a place to see animals, but a place to learn, connect, and be inspired to protect the planet's biodiversity. Take the ultimate field guide with you: use the Snappit app to identify birds, plants, and animals on your trip.

The Blank Park Zoo traces its origins back to 1963 when Abraham Harry Blank donated $150,000 for the establishment of a children's zoo on decommissioned Fort Des Moines property. The Des Moines Children's Zoo officially opened its doors on May 8, 1966, featuring a charming nursery rhyme theme complete with a moated castle, Noah's Ark replica, petting zoo, and miniature railroad. Despite an impressive inaugural year, the zoo faced neglect in the following years and was on the brink of closure by 1981. A pivotal moment arrived with the formation of the Blank Park Zoo Foundation in 1981, a group of civic-minded business leaders determined to save the facility. Through a partnership with the City of Des Moines, a successful bond referendum, and community fundraising, they raised millions for extensive renovations. The zoo reopened on May 17, 1986, reimagined with geographically themed exhibits and naturally landscaped environments, moving beyond its initial children's zoo concept. It achieved accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 1987, a mark of its commitment to high standards of animal care and conservation. The zoo has continued to expand, adding major exhibits like the Big Cat Complex in 1999 and the Discovery Center in 2001, and recently broke ground on new initiatives like a larger lion habitat and a "Wild Iowa" exhibit showcasing native species.

What to do here

Attend daily keeper chats and feeding demonstrations, feed giraffes or parakeets for an additional fee, experience the underwater viewing of sea lions, crawl through prairie dog tunnels, or participate in seasonal events. Look out for bald eagles, Chilean flamingos, and Aldabra giant tortoises in various exhibits.

Seasonal info

Annual events include the Wild Lights Festival in spring (April-May) featuring illuminated Asian lanterns, Zoo Brews for adults in the summer, and the family-friendly Night Eyes treat safari in the fall. Expect different animal activity levels depending on the weather.

Accessibility

The Blank Park Zoo is designed to be inclusive, offering complete wheelchair accessibility throughout the park, with paved pathways. Reserved accessible parking and accessible restrooms, including family restrooms with adult-size changing tables, are available. The zoo also provides sensory inclusion resources like sensory bags (noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools), quiet zones, headphone zones, a braille map, and tactile object bags for visitors with visual impairments.

Plan your visit

Suggested duration: Most visitors spend about 2-3 hours exploring the entire zoo, though a quicker loop can be done in an hour.
Best time to visit: The zoo is open year-round, with longer hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during summer (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from September to May. Summer offers more animal encounters, keeper chats, and feeding opportunities. To avoid crowds, especially at the popular Discovery Center, consider starting your visit by heading straight to the outdoor exhibits. Some animals are also more active in colder weather, making winter visits unique.
Location: Iowa, US
Species in this guide: 10

Best for

Families With Young ChildrenWildlife Enthusiasts And Animal LoversEducational Trips And School GroupsConservation AdvocatesCouples Seeking A Relaxed Outdoor Activity

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Don't miss

Myron and Jackie Blank Discovery Center

An indoor oasis with red pandas, a nocturnal animal exhibit, a free-range tropical aviary, and a diverse aquarium.

Jaama Kwa

Connection to Africa: Home to Eastern black rhinos, reticulated giraffes, common eland, blue wildebeest, and African lions.

David Kruidenier Australia Adventure

Features wallabies, emus, cassowaries, and kookaburras, with opportunities for parakeet feeding.

Tom and Jo Ghrist Big Cat Complex

See majestic Amur tigers and snow leopards.

Wildlife you might spot

Each card links to a full Explore page with photos, traits, and fun facts.

African Lion

Sheep

Giraffes

Trumpeter Swan

Linnaeus's Two Toed Sloth

Emperor Scorpion

Snap map for this place

Start with the big picture, then zoom in to explore individual wildlife observations around this place.

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Good to know before you go

Arrive Early, Go Outside First

On busy days, many visitors head to the indoor Discovery Center first. Start with the outdoor exhibits to avoid initial crowds.

Plan for Interactive Feedings

Check the daily schedule for opportunities to feed giraffes or parakeets (additional fee applies). Don't forget to feed the goats and koi fish at Kids' Kingdom.

Utilize Underwater Viewing

The Hub Harbor Pinniped Pavilion offers excellent underwater views of sea lions and harbor seals – a unique perspective.

Consider the Train Ride

The zoo's train ride offers a relaxing way to see different areas of the park, including a unique perspective on the new Tamar Wallabies in the Australia Adventure.

Pack Smart (or Buy There)

While outside food is generally not allowed, vending machines are available, and packing snacks for kids can be helpful for quick breaks.

Check for Reciprocal Admission

If you have a membership to another AZA-accredited zoo, you might receive discounted or free admission to Blank Park Zoo.

Frequently asked questions

: Yes, Blank Park Zoo features an Aquarium within its Myron and Jackie Blank Discovery Center, showcasing various aquatic environments from around the world, including a coral reef exhibit and an Amazon River pool with tropical fish.
: A typical visit to Blank Park Zoo can range from 2 to 3 hours to comfortably explore all the exhibits and enjoy various activities. For a quicker overview, visitors can complete a loop in about an hour.
: Blank Park Zoo hosts a variety of engaging annual events. These include the Wild Lights Festival in spring, featuring illuminated lanterns; Zoo Brew, an adults-only event with live music during the summer; and the "merry-not-scary" Night Eyes treat safari in the fall.