Experience old, new activities at ZooBoo

Indianapolis Zoo photo

Beloved fall traditions and newer family favorites come together for a Halloween

celebration like no other as ZooBoo presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers returns to the Indianapolis Zoo.

ZooBoo now runs every Wednesday-Sunday through Oct. 31. The Zoo opens daily at 9 a.m. while ZooBoo activities run from 2-7 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and 2-9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Hours are extended on Halloween from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Zoo will close early on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m.

Under the Bicentennial Pavilion, guests will find the whimsical Pumpkin Town, with a ghoulish cast of characters hosting lots of family-friendly activities. Little witches and wizards will meet the Leeward Sisters, Terra, Wisp and Bubbles and their wicked Aunty Guzzle, as they conjure up spells and potions. Watch Professor Pumpkin perform mystifying magic tricks at the Creepy Crafts Building.

ZooBoo visitors can also meet the not-so-scary animals at Jack’s Barn, including black kittens available for adoption through Indiana Animal Care Services. The Mirror Maze

makes a haunting return with thrills and smiles hidden behind every corner. With the opening of the Zoo’s new entry and reopening of the White River Gardens, guests will get to enjoy more sights, lights and frights during their visit. As guests exit the Gardens, they will take a stroll through Bat Alley, where they can hang with this year’s newest character Myotis, the “batty” cousin of the Leeward Sisters.

Fan-favorite Halloween activities return this year, including the Elephant Pumpkin Smash, the Scarecrow Photo Safari, a spooky guided adventure through the Forests and Gator Pirate Bayou, where a crew of shipwrecked pirates challenge guests to games of skill.

Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes and bring a reusable bag to collect goodies along the Trick-or-Treat Trail located in Plains. There will be seven stations providing conservation-conscious treats that contain only certified sustainable palm oil. Allergy-friendly treat options are available upon request.

The Adult Trick-or-Treat Trail, presented by Zink Distributing, offers free beer sampling for guests ages 21 and older from 5-8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays outside the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center. Plus, creepy cocktails like the Scary Cherry Mule or the Myotis Martini presented by Hotel Tango, are available for purchase at Pumpkin Town. Sample a new seasonal menu of ghoulish goodies like the Bigfoot burger, the chilling chili cheese taters and the Chupacabra churros.

ZooBoo is free for Zoo members and included with regular admission. Visit IndianapolisZoo.com for more information. The zoo is located at 1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis 46208.