As 2025 approaches, several U.S. zoos are preparing to unveil innovative exhibits that promise to captivate visitors and enhance wildlife conservation efforts. Here are 20 notable new zoo exhibits to look forward to:
1. Elephant Valley – San Diego Zoo Safari Park (California)
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Opening in 2025, Elephant Valley will be one of the largest elephant habitats in the U.S., designed to replicate the African savanna. Visitors will walk through expansive pathways surrounded by lush greenery, with panoramic views of the elephants’ watering holes, mud wallows, and grassy fields. The exhibit emphasizes conservation, highlighting the challenges elephants face in the wild due to poaching and habitat loss. Admission to the Safari Park starts at $69 for adults and $59 for children. With interactive displays and daily elephant enrichment demonstrations, this exhibit is a must-see for animal lovers and conservation enthusiasts.
2. Congo Falls – San Antonio Zoo (Texas)
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Scheduled to open in early 2025, Congo Falls marks the return of gorillas to the San Antonio Zoo after more than 30 years. This two-acre habitat will immerse visitors in a lush rainforest environment, complete with cascading waterfalls, climbing structures, and multiple viewing platforms. The gorilla troop will be accompanied by other African species, creating a diverse ecosystem. Tickets to the San Antonio Zoo start at $35. The exhibit will feature engaging talks and behind-the-scenes tours, offering guests an unparalleled look at the lives of these majestic primates.
3. Giant Tortoise Exhibit – Indianapolis Zoo (Indiana)
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Debuting Memorial Day Weekend 2025, the Giant Tortoise Exhibit will feature two species: the Galapagos and Aldabra tortoises. Guests can observe these gentle giants up close in habitats designed to mimic their tropical island homes. The exhibit also includes interactive elements, such as the chance to feed the tortoises during select hours. Tickets to the Indianapolis Zoo start at $35. Educational programs will teach visitors about the species’ incredible longevity and the conservation efforts aimed at protecting their populations in the wild.
4. African Penguin Coast at Franklin Park Zoo (Massachusetts)
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Opening in the summer of 2025, the African Penguin Coast will transport visitors to the rocky shores of South Africa with a colony of endangered African penguins. The exhibit features underwater viewing areas and interactive feeding times, allowing guests to see the penguins swim and dive up close. Admission to the Franklin Park Zoo starts at $25 for adults and $17 for children. This exhibit is part of the zoo’s broader initiative to support penguin conservation, making it a highlight for visitors interested in learning about marine ecosystems.
5. Elephant Trek – Cincinnati Zoo (Ohio)
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The Elephant Trek expansion, set to open in mid-2025, will add five acres to the already impressive Asian elephant habitat. The exhibit will also introduce siamang gibbons, rhinoceros hornbills, and otters, creating a vibrant ecosystem inspired by Southeast Asia. Admission to the Cincinnati Zoo starts at $30 for adults. Visitors can enjoy multiple vantage points, including elevated platforms and glass-fronted pools, offering unparalleled views of these incredible animals. The exhibit will also feature evening programs, giving guests a chance to see the animals in a different light.
6. Primate Forest – Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (Ohio)
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The Primate Forest, opening in 2025, will be a game-changer for primate exhibits in the U.S. Featuring gorillas, orangutans, and smaller monkeys, this immersive habitat is designed to mimic natural forests with towering trees and interactive climbing structures. Tickets to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo start at $19. Guests can enjoy up-close encounters through glass viewing areas and learn about the zoo’s global conservation projects. The exhibit will also host live keeper talks and primate feeding demonstrations, offering a deeper understanding of these intelligent creatures.
7. North America Trek – Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Ohio)
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The North America Trek, set to debut in spring 2025, is a reimagining of the zoo’s existing native wildlife exhibits. Featuring animals like wolves, bison, and bald eagles, this exhibit will emphasize the importance of preserving North America’s ecosystems. Tickets to the Columbus Zoo start at $25. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, interactive displays, and immersive habitats that bring the great outdoors to life. This exhibit is a must-see for families and nature enthusiasts.
8. Forests & Jungles – Fort Worth Zoo (Texas)
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Opening in spring 2025, the Forests & Jungles exhibit will feature elusive species like jaguars, okapi, and Sumatran orangutans. Visitors can explore elevated boardwalks, offering stunning views of these animals in their lush, forested habitats. Admission to the Fort Worth Zoo starts at $20 for adults. The exhibit also includes an educational center where guests can learn about rainforest conservation efforts and the threats posed by deforestation.
9. Asian Highlands – Denver Zoo (Colorado)
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Opening in summer 2025, the Asian Highlands will focus on wildlife native to Central Asia, including snow leopards, red pandas, and Himalayan Monals. The exhibit’s mountainous design will replicate the rugged terrain of the Himalayas, complete with rocky outcrops and cool climate zones. Tickets to the Denver Zoo start at $24 for adults. Guests can enjoy daily animal presentations and behind-the-scenes tours that highlight the zoo’s conservation work in Asia.
10. Coral Up Close – Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (Washington)
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Scheduled to open in spring 2025, Coral Up Close will showcase the vibrant diversity of coral reefs and their marine inhabitants. Visitors can explore stunning tanks filled with live coral, colorful reef fish, and fascinating invertebrates like sea stars and anemones. Admission to Point Defiance Zoo starts at $21 for adults and $17 for children. Interactive displays will educate guests on the importance of coral conservation and how everyday actions can help protect these vital ecosystems. Special programming, such as feeding demonstrations and behind-the-scenes tours, will make this exhibit a must-see for ocean enthusiasts.
11. Rainforest Habitat – Brookfield Zoo (Illinois)
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The Rainforest Habitat, opening in 2025, will bring the lush Amazon rainforest to life in Chicago. This immersive exhibit will feature jaguars, sloths, toucans, and giant river otters in realistic enclosures with waterfalls and dense vegetation. Admission to the Brookfield Zoo starts at $25 for adults. Visitors can enjoy a walk-through aviary filled with colorful birds and learn about rainforest ecosystems through interactive educational displays. This exhibit is perfect for families looking for a tropical escape without leaving the Midwest.
12. Kentucky Trails – Louisville Zoo (Kentucky)
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Opening in 2025, Kentucky Trails will spotlight North America’s iconic wildlife, including American bison, elk, black bears, and turkeys. Spanning 20 acres, the exhibit is designed to transport visitors to the rolling hills of the region’s natural landscapes. Tickets to the Louisville Zoo start at $22 for adults. Educational programs will highlight the conservation successes that have brought these species back from the brink of extinction, making this exhibit both an inspiring and educational experience.
13. African Predators – Fort Worth Zoo (Texas)
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The African Predators exhibit will debut its newest additions in 2025, featuring apex hunters like African lions, cheetahs, and striped hyenas. Visitors can watch these powerful animals roam expansive enclosures that replicate their native savannas. Admission to the Fort Worth Zoo starts at $20. The exhibit will also include daily predator talks and feeding sessions, offering thrilling opportunities to see these animals in action. It’s a must-see for fans of big cats and wildlife photography.
14. Amazonia – Houston Zoo (Texas)
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Opening in 2025, Amazonia will immerse visitors in the vibrant ecosystems of the Amazon rainforest. Featuring animals like giant otters, anacondas, and macaws, the exhibit will showcase the region’s incredible biodiversity. Tickets to the Houston Zoo start at $27 for adults. Guests can explore interactive displays about rainforest conservation and enjoy close-up encounters with reptiles and amphibians. The exhibit’s misty walkways and lush foliage make it a truly unique experience.
15. Wildlife Crossing – Los Angeles Zoo (California)
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Debuting in late 2025, Wildlife Crossing will focus on urban wildlife, such as mountain lions, coyotes, and bobcats, and their coexistence with human environments. The exhibit will feature naturalistic enclosures with rocky outcrops and dense vegetation, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of how these animals adapt to urban areas. Tickets to the Los Angeles Zoo start at $22 for adults. Interactive displays will teach visitors about wildlife corridors and conservation strategies aimed at preserving these resilient species.
16. Great Lakes Pavilion – Shedd Aquarium (Illinois)
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The Great Lakes Pavilion, opening in 2025, will highlight the aquatic life of one of the largest freshwater ecosystems in the world. Visitors can explore habitats featuring native species like lake sturgeon, muskellunge, and freshwater turtles. Admission to Shedd Aquarium starts at $40 for adults. Hands-on exhibits will educate guests on the importance of protecting freshwater resources from threats like pollution and invasive species. This exhibit is a must-see for anyone passionate about water conservation and the Great Lakes region.
17. Wild Encounters – Atlanta Zoo (Georgia)
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The Wild Encounters exhibit, launching in 2025, will bring visitors face-to-face with some of the zoo’s most charismatic animals, including meerkats, porcupines, and exotic birds. Admission to Zoo Atlanta starts at $26 for adults. Visitors can participate in animal feedings, keeper talks, and even book behind-the-scenes experiences. The exhibit is designed to foster a personal connection between guests and wildlife, making it an ideal destination for families and animal lovers.
18. Polar Passage – Oregon Zoo (Oregon)
Polar Passage, set to open in 2025, will be one of the most advanced polar bear habitats in North America. The exhibit will include spacious enclosures, underwater viewing areas, and interactive educational displays about climate change and its impact on Arctic wildlife. Admission to the Oregon Zoo starts at $24 for adults. Visitors can watch polar bears swim and play while learning about the zoo’s efforts to protect this endangered species. With daily enrichment activities and feeding demonstrations, this exhibit promises an unforgettable experience.
19. African Savannah – Jacksonville Zoo (Florida)
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Opening in 2025, the African Savannah will expand the Jacksonville Zoo’s current offerings with new spaces for giraffes, zebras, and antelope. Visitors can enjoy a safari-like experience, complete with shaded observation areas and interactive educational displays. Tickets to the Jacksonville Zoo start at $30 for adults. The exhibit will also offer behind-the-scenes tours and unique opportunities to feed giraffes, making it a top destination for families and animal enthusiasts alike.
20. Leopard Forest – Nashville Zoo (Tennessee)
Flickr: Eric Kilby
Opening in spring 2025, Leopard Forest will bring visitors up close with some of the most fascinating species from Africa and Asia, including Amur Leopards, Colobus Monkeys, De Brazza’s Monkeys, Klipspringers, and Rock Hyraxes. Designed to mimic lush forest habitats, the exhibit features elevated viewing areas, rocky outcrops, and dense vegetation that replicate the natural environments of these animals. Admission to the Nashville Zoo starts at $23 for adults and $18 for children. Visitors can attend keeper talks, learn about conservation programs to protect these endangered species, and enjoy interactive elements that make this exhibit both educational and unforgettable.
21. Sea Lion Sound – Saint Louis Zoo (Missouri)
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Scheduled to open in the summer of 2025, Sea Lion Sound will bring visitors up close with California sea lions in an immersive habitat featuring an underwater tunnel. Guests will watch these playful marine mammals swim and interact in crystal-clear water. The exhibit also includes a coastal-themed amphitheater for daily sea lion presentations. Admission to the Saint Louis Zoo is free, though certain attractions, such as Sea Lion Sound, may have a small additional fee. This exhibit highlights the importance of marine conservation and offers an unforgettable, family-friendly experience.
22. Tropical Discovery Expansion – Denver Zoo (Colorado)
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The Tropical Discovery Expansion, set to debut in late 2025, will add new habitats for reptiles, amphibians, and tropical fish to the Denver Zoo’s award-winning rainforest exhibit. Visitors will explore lush walkways with opportunities to see species like poison dart frogs, green tree pythons, and arapaima. Tickets start at $24 for adults. Interactive displays and behind-the-scenes tours will focus on the critical role these species play in rainforest ecosystems, making this a must-see for reptiles and amphibian enthusiasts.
23. California Coastal Haven – San Francisco Zoo (California)
Flickr: National Marine Sanctuaries
Opening in 2025, California Coastal Haven will celebrate the marine life of the Pacific coast, featuring harbor seals, sea otters, and seabirds. Guests will explore habitats designed to mimic kelp forests and rocky beaches. Admission to the San Francisco Zoo starts at $25 for adults. Daily feedings and interactive programs will educate visitors about the challenges marine species face, such as plastic pollution and climate change. This exhibit promises an immersive coastal experience in the heart of the city.
24. Arctic Passage Expansion – Brookfield Zoo (Illinois)
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The Arctic Passage Expansion will debut in the summer of 2025, adding to Brookfield Zoo’s celebrated polar bear and seal habitats. New features will include an underwater viewing area, interactive ice floes, and educational exhibits about climate change’s impact on the Arctic. Admission starts at $25 for adults. This exhibit will inspire visitors to take action for Arctic conservation while enjoying breathtaking views of the region’s iconic wildlife.
25. Kangaroo Walkabout – Philadelphia Zoo (Pennsylvania)
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The Kangaroo Walkabout, opening in spring 2025, will allow visitors to stroll among free-roaming kangaroos in a naturalistic habitat. Guests will enjoy up-close encounters with these Australian marsupials and learn about their unique adaptations. Tickets to the Philadelphia Zoo start at $24 for adults. Keeper talks and interactive exhibits will highlight the fascinating world of kangaroos and other wildlife from Down Under, creating an unforgettable experience for guests of all ages
These upcoming exhibits reflect a national commitment to wildlife conservation, education, and providing enriching experiences for zoo visitors. As 2025 unfolds, these attractions are set to become highlights for animal enthusiasts and conservation advocates alike. These upcoming exhibits reflect a national commitment to wildlife conservation, education, and providing enriching experiences for zoo visitors. As 2025 unfolds, these attractions are set to become highlights for animal enthusiasts and conservation advocates alike.
