Updated for September 2026
The Best Zoos in Indiana
How this list is ordered: by how complete our listing is — how much we hold on opening hours, ticket prices, accreditation, photographs, animals and facilities. It is a measure of our own coverage, not a judgement of the venue. We hold no visitor scores or conservation assessments, so “best” here means every zoo in Indiana that qualifies for the list, fullest entry first.
Listed alphabetically
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Animal feeding experienceOvernight stayOn-site dining
Potawatomi Zoo
Zoo in South Bend
The grounds occupy the River Park neighbourhood, bounded by the Grand Trunk railroad on one side and by the St. Joseph River on the other, and annual attendance passes 300,000. Established in 1921 in Potawatomi Park, it claims to be the oldest zoo in Indiana. Its participation extends to more than 56 Species Survival Plans.
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Rides and attractionsParking
Columbian Park Zoo
Zoo in Lafayette
Over 190 animals of more than 90 species are kept, and the surrounding park also holds a baseball stadium, a walking trail, picnic spots and playgrounds. Education runs from preschool to college level, and a monthly 45-minute Zoo Pajama Party for ages one to five mixes bedtime stories with an animal encounter.
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Animal encounterParking
Indianapolis Zoo
Zoo in Indianapolis
Indianapolis Zoo, opened in 1964, is a zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
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Animal feeding experienceRides and attractionsGuided tour
Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden
Zoo in Evansville
Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, opened in 1928, is a zoo in Evansville, United States. Animals on show include jaguar, budgerigars, penguins and Giraffe.
Our ranking methodology
This is not a ranking. The 4 venues above are listed alphabetically by name, the same order used throughout this site. We do not collect visitor reviews, star ratings, ticket-sales figures or a conservation-impact score, so none of those exist here to rank by — “best” in this page’s title means every venue that qualifies for this list, not first-to-last by quality. If we ever add a data source robust enough to support an honest ranking, this note and the order above will change together.