KidZone

Tropics - An Indoor Rainforest!

The New 1909 building -- Tropics

 
Opened May 2009, this new exhibit affords visitors additional indoor exhibit space no matter what the weather.  It's Primate-Palooza!  Get nose to nose with primates, watch while otters swim underfoot and enjoy the lush tropical surroundings. The action is non-stop! 

Located near the Sea Lions, this building is the original Zoo building that opened in 1909 and housed the entire animal collection.  It is home to a multitude of animals: Saki monkeys joined by golden lion tamarins, white-cheeked gibbons, small-clawed otters, capybara, and a variety of birds, including crested screamers and hornbills, and more.

A plethora of plants emulate the natural surroundings of these tropical animals. There are several varieties of palms and banana plants, vines, Bird of Paradise plants, and for color, orchids and bromeliad.  Waterfalls, colorful murals, trees and vines will adorn each exhibit along with a few other favorites.

Visit the Tropics at the Kansas City Zoo!  It's a great place to visit all year round.

Discovery Barn

It's plain family fun!  Slide from level to level; squawk like a bird, climb like a meerkat, balance like a lemur.  This indoor air-conditioned rennovated Barn is ful of discoveries!  

The Discovery Barn is just up the path from Australia. Or, if you're coming from Africa, turn left at the new Endangered Species Carousel.

 The Discovery Barn is an enclosed, air conditioned building just for kids and families. You'll be close to exotic animals, including ring-tailed lemurs, meerkats, macaws, Prevost’s squirrels, marine toads, dart frogs and agouti. The Discovery Barn offers families interactive learning and fun opportunities. Particularly fun is the two-story slide.


Peek-A-Boo Tree, a new feature for children, is open adjacent to the Discovery Barn. The Treehouse provides children with fun opportunities to climb, laugh and play like animals in the wild.