Boise, Idaho might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about zoos. But you’d be surprised to learn that the Boise, Idaho Zoo (officially called Zoo Boise), is a leader in conservation with animals only found in a handful of zoos in the country. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Zoo Boise is dedicated to providing excellent care for animals. A portion of every admission and proceeds from popular attractions go into conservation funds. I love knowing that I am supporting an organization that is doing good.

Zoo Boise is situated in the center of a downtown park and is walkable from many of the hotels. So, if you’re visiting Boise this would be a great activity to do with kids and one that won’t require driving. The facility is open year-round; however, our recent visit was in the winter, so some of the animals weren’t outside. But we were able to see most of the animals we were hoping to, and it was almost like we had the whole place to ourselves… which made up for the cold weather.

We love Zoo Boise because they care about animals, believe in conservation, there’s open space to play, and of course, you get to see incredible animals! There are so many unique things about Zoo Boise – so keep reading to learn more!

Lions and tigers and sloth bears, oh my!

Zoo Boise has over 200 animals from various regions of the world, and too many to include in just one post. But I’ll highlight some of the most unique ones and our favorites.

Of course, you must see the lions and tigers because they are so majestic and iconic to any zoo! But you’ll also have the chance to see a sloth bear, snow leopard, red pandas, monkeys, giraffes, and so many more animals.

Zoo Boise is also one of the few zoos in the country to have sand cats – which are adorable, but nothing like a domestic cat. But make sure to see them when you visit.

Behind-the-scenes tours, encounters, and private animal experiences

Zoo Boise has a variety of different experiences available for an additional fee, which ranges based on the activity. Whether it’s a private behind-the-scenes tour, watching a training, or feeding an animal — there are many different encounters offering an unmatched point of view. Animals that have a private experience include lions, sand cats, penguins, red pandas, and others!

Some of our favorites have been feeding the Magellanic penguins, getting nose-to-nose with a giraffe, and feeding the sloth bear (if you can stomach holding mealworms). I highly recommended doing one of these encounters for a once-in-a-lifetime experience your family will never forget! These opportunities do change and might not be available, so make sure to check with the zoo for updated information. Many require a reservation, so make sure to plan these bonus activities ahead of time.

Gorongosa National Park Exhibit

The Gorongosa National Park Exhibit is dedicated to helping rebuild the park, which had been considered one of Africa’s greatest parks. It was destroyed due to years of war in Mozambique, and now Zoo Boise is partnering to help the local community and protect animals like elephants, lions, and zebras.

In this exhibit, you’ll see lions, painted dogs (our favorite), hyenas, baboons, a crocodile, and so much more! It’s a unique experience to walk through this section of the zoo and learn about Gorongosa.

Bonus Activities

Besides the animals, there are some other attractions which are always popular with kids. This is one of the great things about Zoo Boise — not only do you get the chance to view incredible animals up close, but there is so much space to just walk around and let kids play!

• The famous giraffe slide which is always a hit with the little ones! My son could spend hours just going up and down this slide, which you won’t find anywhere else.
• Another hit with kids is the prairie dog tunnel. Enter the tunnel and select one of the many pop-up windows (bubbles) to peek into the world of prairie dogs. Plus, it’s a great photo op for parents viewing from the other side.
• And what kid (and even adult) doesn’t love a traditional carousel? The carousel wasn’t open on our cold day. But usually, when the weather is warm, you’ll have a chance (for $2) to ride the carousel.
• Whether it’s sitting on a red lion, seeing how you’d look with fennec fox ears, or standing between two African wild dogs – there are plenty of interactive activities which are great photo ops for parents.

Boise is a city full of unique and fun activities. To read more about things to do in Boise with kids, read this article. And make sure you visit Zoo Boise to see all the exhibits, sand cats, and have a chance to get nose-to-nose with a giraffe!