Give yourself close to two hours for this zoo that starts with an indoor natural history museum with rare animals from across the globe before heading outdoors to see close to 1,000 animals. Kids can watch snow monkeys and their babies, debate whether the Pallas’ cat from Asia resembles Grumpy Cat, gaze up at the towering giraffes, and gawk at leaping lemurs, penguins and flamingoes.

Take quarters for the chance the feed domestic animals at the hands-on Hy-Vee Face-to-Face Farm.

The zoo also participates in breeding programs for 24 endangered species, including Grevy’s zebras, red wolves, Amur tigers, Eastern black rhinos, Siamang gibbons and the snow monkeys.

Admission
Free, infant to 2; $8 for ages 2 to 12; $11 for age 13 to 59; $10 for seniors