Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium – Indoor Rainforest, Desert & Shark Tunnel
Bring your family to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo for interactive exhibits, animal encounters, and scenic outdoor spaces. Open all seasons.
Jul 12, 2025165 Shares8.7K Views
📍 Location & General
Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is located at 3701 S 10th Street, Omaha, Nebraska. Recognized globally, this zoo is often ranked among the top zoos in the world. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)and covers over 160 acres. The zoo is open year-round and features both indoor and outdoor exhibits that provide experiences for all seasons.
🌿 Largest Indoor Ecosystems In The World
Henry Doorly Zoo is home to some of the world’s largest indoor exhibits, designed to replicate natural ecosystems:
- Lied Jungle: The largest indoor rainforest in North America. It includes lush vegetation, waterfalls, and animals like monkeys, tapirs, and tropical birds.
- Desert Dome: This iconic glass structure is the largest indoor desert on Earth. It houses plant and animal life from deserts in Africa, Australia, and the American Southwest.
- Kingdoms of the Night: Located beneath the Desert Dome, this is the world’s largest nocturnal exhibit, featuring creatures like bats, alligators, and fossas.
- Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium: Features a 70-foot shark tunnel, coral reefs, jellyfish, penguins, and a touch pool for stingrays.
🐘 Outdoor Exhibits And Natural Habitats
The outdoor areas of the zoo are equally impressive and carefully designed:
- African Grasslands: A 28-acre exhibit where animals like elephants, giraffes, lions, and zebras roam freely in open spaces that mimic the African savanna.
- Asian Highlands: This area showcases snow leopards, red pandas, tigers, and rhinos in a mountain-themed setting.
- Sea Lion Shores: A modern exhibit with underwater viewing tunnels that allow guests to watch sea lions swim and play.
- Other Areas: The zoo also features gorilla habitats, orangutan forests, a Madagascar exhibit, and an interactive butterfly pavilion.
🚂 Attractions & Activities
In addition to the animal exhibits, the zoo offers family-friendly attractions:
- Omaha Zoo Railroad: A 1.8-mile train ride that circles the zoo and gives guests a scenic tour of the grounds.
- Skyfari: An open-air chairlift that transports guests above the African Grasslands and other outdoor exhibits.
- Children’s Adventure Trails: A play-focused zone with hands-on exploration, animal encounters, and educational displays.
🎟️ Admission, Hours, And Accessibility
The zoo is open daily, with hours that change seasonally:
- Summer (April–October):9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Winter (November–March):10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Ticket prices range by age and time of year, typically between $9.95 and $19.95. Admission includes access to most exhibits, and there are optional extras like the train, tram, and Skyfari. Free parking is available, and the zoo is wheelchair accessible.
📚 Conservation, Education & Impact
Henry Doorly Zoo is committed to wildlife conservation and education. It operates the Robert B. Daugherty Education Center, which offers school field trips, camps, and outreach programs. The zoo also runs global conservation efforts, supporting endangered species through research and breeding programs. Its education programs serve thousands of students and visitors every year.
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