Night Eyes

Take your kids trick-or-treating at the zoo this year!

After 22 years, Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo has become the sweetest Halloween fun in Central Iowa, and this year’s 23rd annual event is sure to continue the tradition! A big thank you to our presenting partner, Dahl’s and to our many, many supports and volunteers for making this merry, not scary, event possible for everyone to enjoy!

Children and adults will go on a treat safari, travel along the yellow brick road, explore Fareway Food Stores Spooky Forest, and travel past the sea of orange at the Dahl’s Pumpkin Patch.  Don’t miss this sweet and enchanting tradition.  Inflatables and games are available.

Night Eyes is taking place on October 17-20 & 24-27

Thursday & Fridays: 5:30pm-8:00pm

Saturday & Sundays: 1:00pm-8:00pm
Gate Tickets: $5
Zoo Member: $4
Children under 12 months old are free
Children under 12 months old are free

Advance Tickets: $3 (purchased on or before October 16)  Ticket info here.

*Night Eyes admission supports the many programs and opportunities that are brought to our community and ensures quality care for our many animal friends.

Interested in volunteering during Night Eyes?  

For more information on this sweet event, please call 515-285-4722 or e-mail events@blankparkzoo.org.

 *All info from Blank Park Zoo Website

The wildest adventure in town...

There is just so much to do at the Zoo.  The Blank Park Zoo on SW 9th is one of the coolest places in Iowa.  They are open year round and there is always something to do.  



You can keep it low key by just exploring the Zoo on your own, feeding the parakeets, taking a ride on the carousel, riding the train or feeding a giraffe.  Kids can feed goats and llamas in the petting area and even ride a camel!

Zoo Tots cooking class.

Visiting the giraffes after
a fun Zoo Tots class.

Sign up for a zoo tots class, zoo tots cooking class or attend a summer camp. Come over the holidays for the Easter Eggstaravaganza or to visit Santa at Christmastime. The Night Eyes event at Halloween is also very fun and very popular.  Visit their website for information about all of the programing and come visit.


They do awesome kids birthday parties with petting zoo's and you can even rent out the facilities for weddings and other private events.  If you get hungry there is no need to leave, there are dining options with meals to please everyone.  And don't forget to visit the gift shop for souvenirs!

Getting a tattoo is one of Nathan's
favorite parts about visiting the zoo

They have redone so much over the last year from the sea lion area to the Australian outback area.  The favorites like the monkey, tiger, turtles, flamingos and ostriches are always fun to see.  If you have never been, or just haven't been in a while, take advantage of the next nice day and "Do The Zoo".