Premier Experiences
Zoo For You
Want a private tour of the Zoo? Hoping to explore backstage areas not normally accessible to the public? Need a chance to touch a moon jelly?
Book a Zoo For You experience to get an up-close look at how our team cares for the animals (and plants!) that call Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium home.
Explore our Zoo For You experiences below: Wild Zoo Tour, Pacific Seas Aquarium Behind-the-Scenes, Botanical Tour, Jammin’ with Jellies, Groovy Goats, and Heroes of Unusual Size.
Then book yourself for an unforgettable time!
Book Your Experience
How it works
How much does Zoo For You cost?
Each experience has a single charge per group.
Pacific Seas Aquarium Behind-the-Scenes:
$300 per member group/$400 per non-member group (up to 5 participants)
Jammin’ with Jellies:
$100 per member group/$200 per non-member group (up to 5 participants)
Groovy Goats:
$100 per member group/$200 per non-member group (up to 5 participants)
$150 per member group/$300 per non-member group (up to 8 participants)
Heroes of Unusual Size:
$100 per member group/$200 per non-member group (up to 5 participants)
Botanical Tour:
$100 per member group/$200 per non-member group (up to 5 participants)
$150 per member group/$350 per non-member group (up to 10 participants)
$200 per member group/$500 per non-member group (up to 15 participants)
Wild Zoo Tour:
$250 per member group/$350 per non-member group (up to 5 participants)
$350 per member group/$550 per non-member group (up to 10 participants)
Please note that participants of all ages, including infants and toddlers, count towards the maximum number of participants.
Will I get a refund if I need to cancel, and can I reschedule after booking?
No refunds are given for cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the program date. For cancellations made more than 14 days prior to the program date an 80% refund will be given. A 20% rescheduling fee will be charged for program changes. PDZA reserves the right to cancel any program due to animal care needs, inclement weather, or other factors. In the event that PDZA cancels a program, we will attempt to reschedule or all program fees will be refunded.
What happens on the day of our Zoo For You experience?
You will meet your tour guide at the Group Admissions gate, which is located to the left of the main entrance. Please plan to be 10 minutes early to the experience to allow for traffic, parking, and other potential delays. Zoo For You tours always include admission so that you can stay and explore the rest of the Zoo after your tour.
Will there be other guests at our Zoo For You program?
All Zoo For You programs are exclusive experiences that are limited to a single group.
Are there any age restrictions?
At least one adult must be present with each group. Participants must be at least 8 years old to go on either the Pacific Seas Aquarium Behind-the-Scenes Tour or the Jammin’ with Jellies program. All other tours are open to participants of all ages, although the Wild Zoo Tour and Botanical Tour can be a bit long for those under 5 years of age.
What if my group needs special accommodations?
Metro Parks Tacoma strives toward providing inclusive programs to all community members. People of all abilities are invited to consider registering for any recreational program Metro Parks has to offer provided they meet the minimum eligibility requirements. We can usually build customized support to suit your needs. If you have an accommodation request, please contact zooforyou@pdza.org.
Can I make a special request for the program?
Celebrating a special event? Have a favorite animal you’re hoping to learn more about? Feel free to reach out to us at zooforyou@pdza.org to let us know more about your group. While we are not able to accommodate specific requests for animal encounters or to change the content of our tours, knowing more about your group can help us be prepared to give you the best experience possible.