Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Learn more about our Masai giraffe family in this once-in-a-lifetime experience! From a shaded overlook, you’ll come face-to-face with the world’s tallest mammals and even have the opportunity to feed them a healthy snack.

• When: April - October, Daily, 1:30 - 2:00 p.m. 
• Where: Meet at end of path by Giraffe Savannah- VIEW ON MAP
• Who: Ages 4 and up
• Price per person: Members: $50 | Non-Members: $60

 Please note:

• Tickets are per person, not per group.
• Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (purchasing at least 24 hours in advance is recommended). Giraffe encounter tickets do not include general admission to the Zoo. Admission tickets are required, and must be purchased separately here.
• Encounters of up to six guests per group are not private, so you might share the experience with other guests.
• All guests above the age of 4 must be accounted for in the group size. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your encounter. You may forfeit your encounter if you are more than 5 minutes late arriving at the designated meeting spot.
• Encounters may be cancelled due to weather or the animals' needs.
• Touching or petting animals is not permitted.
• Though we do our best to engage them, it’s ultimately up to our giraffes as to whether they want to participate in the feeding experience. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of attention from the giraffe care team, who will guide your experience, so have your questions ready!

Starting January 1!

Join us for an up-close, hands-on training experience with our Poitou donkey! Discover fascinating details about this endangered species and our efforts to conserve and protect donkeys globally. You'll have the opportunity to participate in a training session and feed our donkey a healthy snack!

• When: Daily, 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
• Where: Franklin Park Zoo (Meet at Zebra Entrance)
• Who: Ages 4 and up
• Price per person: Members: $35 | Non-Members: $45

Please Note:

• Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (purchasing at least 24 hours in advance is recommended). Donkey behind-the-scenes tickets do not include general admission to the Zoo. Admission tickets are required, and must be purchased separately here.
• Up to 6 guests per group. Encounters are not private, so you might share the experience with other guests.
• All guests above the age of 4 must be accounted for in the group size. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Closed-toed shoes are required for this tour.
• Touching or petting animals is not permitted.
• Though we do our best to engage them, it’s ultimately up to the animals as to whether they want to participate in the feeding experience. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of attention from our care team, who will guide your experience, so have your questions ready!

Starting January 1!

Prepare to be bamboozled by the undeniable cuteness of these ring-tailed rascals! Also known as the "firefox," "bear-cat," or "first panda," this ancient species is full of unique characteristics! You'll have the opportunity to participate in a training session and feed our red panda a healthy snack!

• When: Daily, 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Where: Franklin Park Zoo (Meet at Zebra Entrance)
• Who: Ages 4 and up
• Price per person: Members: $65 | Non-Members: $75

Please Note:

• Tickets are per person, not per group.
• Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (purchasing at least 24 hours in advance is recommended). Red panda behind-the-scenes tickets do not include general admission to the Zoo. Admission tickets are required, and must be purchased separately here.
• Encounters accommodate up to six guests per group and are not private, so you may share the experience with other visitors.
• All guests above the age of 4 must be accounted for in the group size. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Closed-toed shoes are required for this tour.
• Photos are not permitted in behind-the-scenes areas. 
• Red panda tours are not wheelchair accessible.
• Touching or petting animals is not permitted.
• Though we do our best to engage them, it’s ultimately up to the animals as to whether they want to participate in the feeding experience. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of attention from our care team, who will guide your experience, so have your questions ready!

Starting January 1!

Sloth devotees, get ready to hang with these two-toed tree-dwellers! Don't miss out on an up-close and personal look at the world's slowest mammal and learn from the keepers who work with them every day. You'll have the opportunity to participate in a training session and feed our sloth a healthy snack!

• When: Daily, 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
• Where: Stone Zoo (Meet at Main Entrance)
• Who: Ages 4 and up
• Price per person: Members: $55 | Non-Members: $65

Please Note: 

• Tickets are per person, not per group.
• Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (purchasing at least 24 hours in advance is recommended). Sloth behind-the-scenes tickets do not include general admission to the Zoo. Admission tickets are required, and must be purchased separately here.
• Encounters accommodate up to six guests per group and are not private, so you may share the experience with other visitors.
• All guests above the age of 4 must be accounted for in the group size. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Sloth tours are not wheelchair accessible.
• Though we do our best to engage them, it’s ultimately up to the animals as to whether they want to participate in the feeding experience. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of attention from our care team, who will guide your experience, so have your questions ready!

Enjoy an up-close and personal experience with our Baird’s tapir, also known as a 'mountain cow'. You'll have the opportunity to participate in a training session and feed our tapir a healthy snack!

• When: April - October, Daily, 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. 
• Where: Franklin Park Zoo (Meet at Giraffe Entrance)
• Who: Ages 4 and up
• Price per person: Member: $35 | Non-Member: $45 

Please Note:

• Tickets are per person, not per group.
• Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (purchasing at least 24 hours in advance is recommended). Tapir behind-the-scenes tickets do not include general admission to the Zoo. Admission tickets are required, and must be purchased separately here.
• Encounters accommodate up to six guests per group and are not private, so you may share the experience with other visitors.
• All guests above the age of 4 must be accounted for in the group size. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Closed-toed shoes are required for this tour.
• Tapir tours are not wheelchair accessible.
• Touching or petting animals is not permitted.
• Though we do our best to engage them, it’s ultimately up to the animals as to whether they want to participate in the feeding experience. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of attention from our care team, who will guide your experience, so have your questions ready!

Not so fast, it's tortoise time! Hang out with Stone Zoo's African spurred tortoises in this up-close and personal feeding experience! Learn all about our shelled superstars while you feed them some tasty produce.

• Where: Stone Zoo (At this time, tortoise feeds are not offered at Franklin Park Zoo.)
• When:  April - October, Daily, 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.
• Who: Ages 4 and up
• Price per person: Members: $15 | Non-Members: $25

Please Note: 

• Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (purchasing at least 24 hours in advance is recommended). Tortoise Encounter tickets do not include general admission to the Zoo. Admission tickets are required, and must be purchased separately here.
• Up to 6 guests per group. Encounters are not private, so you might share the experience with other guests.
• All guests above the age of 4 must be accounted for in the group size. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• This opportunity is weather-dependent. In the case of rain, the feeding will be cancelled and tickets may be refunded or exchanged for another day. Meet our staff at Stone Zoo’s front gate 10-15 minutes before your scheduled encounter. 
• Close-toed shoes are recommended.
• Tortoises move at their own special pace, so we cannot guarantee their activity level during your feeding session.
• There will be no direct touching or contact with our reptile friends, but we do hope you have a great time meeting them up close!

Starting January 1!

Enjoy an exclusive, up-close experience with our yak ambassador! Discover the important role yaks have played in Zoo New England's history, ask questions, and see firsthand what makes these incredible animals so special.

• When: Daily, 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. daily
• Where: Stone Zoo (Meet at the Main Entrance)
• Who: Ages 4 and up
• Price per person: Member: $25 | Non-Member: $35 

Please Note:

• Tickets are per person, not per group.
• Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate (purchasing at least 24 hours in advance is recommended). Yak behind-the-scenes tickets do not include general admission to the Zoo. Admission tickets are required, and must be purchased separately here.
• Encounters accommodate up to six guests per group and are not private, so you may share the experience with other visitors.
• All guests above the age of 3 must be accounted for in the group size. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Yak tours are not wheelchair accessible.
• Touching or petting animals is not permitted.
• Though we do our best to engage them, it’s ultimately up to the animals as to whether they want to participate in the feeding experience. You're still guaranteed to get plenty of attention from our care team, who will guide your experience, so have your questions ready!

• All tours cancelled seven or more days in advance of the scheduled date will receive a full refund. All tours cancelled less than seven days in advance of the scheduled date will not receive a refund. Tours can be rescheduled to an available date for an additional $35.00 fee.
• Late arrivals cannot always be accommodated due to previously-scheduled feedings and procedures. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late for your tour, please contact the Education Administrator at 617-989-3742 or email Education@zoonewengland.org to discuss rescheduling options. Late arrivals will be subjected to a $35.00 rescheduling fee.
• No shows will receive an automatic cancellation, will not receive a refund and will be subjected to a $35.00 rescheduling fee.

Please contact the Education Department if you have questions about our booking requirements.