Tauber Railroad
The Tauber Family Railroad has been a favorite at the Zoo, serving nearly half a million passengers each year, since it was presented by The Detroit News in 1931. Since then, nearly half a million passengers have ridden the wonderfully fun miniature railroad each year. The locomotives were refurbished in 2008 with new coaches, rebuilt engines, gears, gauges, wheels and bodies. All aboard!
Today's train consists of two complete trains of six coaches each and one standby. All three locomotives were donated by the Chrysler Corp. in the 1950s. In 1982-83, the locomotives were renovated and new coaches were fabricated through a fund-raising campaign by The Detroit Zoological Society and The Detroit News. Chrysler Main Station – Board the Tauber Family Railroad at the Chrysler Main Station, located at the front of the Zoo near the admission booths, for a relaxing ride through the Zoo. Africa Station – Give your tired feet a rest while enjoying a train ride to the front of the Zoo. Hop on the Tauber Family Railroad at the Africa Station, located in the far northwest corner of the Zoo. |
Carousel
Take a Ride on the Wild Side!The 36-foot custom-made, wood-and-brass carousel is adorned with 33 brilliant hand-carved, hand-painted figures, including traditional carousel horses as well as a colorful collection of other mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, snakes, fish, seahorses, dinosaurs and an ADA-compliant peacock chariot.
Located adjacent to the Arctic Café and the Carousel Ice Cream Station. Show Your Support! Figure Sponsorship The Detroit Zoo Carousel – with its brilliant colors, exotic animals, delightful music, gentle ride and magical setting – will evoke a sense of nostalgia and fond memories of today and for generations to come. It will be the place where your children, grandchildren, friends and friends' children will gather, have fun and make memories that last a lifetime. Placed in the heart of the Detroit Zoo, the Carousel is designed to be a major gathering place for Zoo visitors. It has a capacity of 546 riders per hour and will be seen by over one million Zoo visitors a year. Custom-designed by The Carousel Works, the world's largest manufacturer of wooden carousels, each figure and the ADA-compliant Carousel figures are available to be named. Honor a loved one, commemorate a life milestone, show your company's support or celebrate your family's legacy by sponsoring the figure of your choice. For a $10,000 tax-deductible contribution, your name will be displayed on a brass plaque placed on your selected figure and on the signage at the Carousel for the life of the attraction. Only two figures remain available! For questions or to reserve your Detroit Zoo Carousel figure, contact Tricia Brosnahan at (248) 336-5728 or [email protected]. Carousel Rental The attraction also can be rented for private parties, weddings and corporate functions. For rental information, contact Sherri Chmiel at (248) 336-5805 or [email protected] |
Simulator
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Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
The star of “Journey to the Center of the Earth” is back in another Jules Verne – inspired voyage! While looking for his long lost grandfather, Sean (played by Josh Hutcherson), decodes a secret map that points him and a group of adventurers to the elusive “Mysterious Island”. After finding his grandfather and discovering that the island is sinking, they all head for the shore on the back of giant bees! Hitch a ride with the gang in this immersive experience as you become a passenger in a real “flight of the bumblebee!”. Soar over the jungle, zoom through the treetops, and dodge the beaks of hungry birds! Featuring an all-star cast, including Michael Caine, Dwayne Johnson, Vanessa Hudgens, and Luis Guzman, this is a one-of-a-kind ride you won’t want to miss. |
4-D Movies
Rio: The 4-D Experience
When the last blue macaws on Earth, Blu and Jewel, are captured and chased by evil cockatoo Nigel, they must work together despite Blu’s inability to fly. This unexpected duo takes you on a thrilling 4-D journey through Rio de Janeiro, finding courage, friendship and maybe even love along the way. |
Grizzly Bears: 4-D Experience
Join this wild 4-D adventure as grizzly bears emerge from their winter dens in the Alaskan mountains and travel up the west coast of North America to feast on the great salmon run, one of nature’s most amazing events. Presented in high definition 3-D plus in-theater special effects, this captivating show provides insight into the forces of nature, which drive a chain reaction culminating in a spectacular wildlife event. |
Science On a Sphere
Science On a Sphere is an amazing spherical display system that projects dynamic simulations of the Earth, its atmosphere, oceans and land. Simply put, it's a global display system that uses computers and video projectors to display planetary data onto a 6-foot diameter sphere, analogous to a giant animated globe.
It allows visitors to easily view and interpret global phenomena and is a great teaching tool to educate audiences – young and old – on environmental issues that impact our lives. The Detroit Zoo is only the second zoo in the country to install the system as a permanent attraction. Science On a Sphere was developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the agency that studies environmental data and provides the operating systems for this remarkable exhibit. Science on a Sphere is located inside the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery on the south side, or just to the left as you enter. |
Horace H. Rackham Fountain
Horace H. Rackham Memorial Fountain
The historic and famed fountain, located in the center of the Zoo, was built in 1939 and dedicated to the first president of the Zoological Commission. The fountain features two 10-foot-tall bronze bears in a 75,000-gallon pool with life-sized sea lions, turtles and frogs. The fountain is a favorite meeting place and one of the Zoo’s most-photographed attractions. |