If you’re looking for a great reason to visit one of our local zoos or aquariums, I’ve got you covered! June is National Zoo and Aquarium Month–a whole month dedicated to celebrating the vital role that these institutions play in conservation, education, and research. And there’s no shortage of places to celebrate National Zoo and Aquarium Month in Metro Detroit (and also, a little farther!).
There is nowhere my son would rather be than a zoo or aquarium, so we’ve visited quite a few. I’m proud to say that two of our favorites are right here in Metro Detroit!
When You Want Something Indoors: LegaSea Aquarium & The Reptarium
If you ever visited the Reptarium prior to its transition across the street, I assure you, you’re in for a whole new experience. If you’ve never been, go today, thank me tomorrow. This place is heaven for anyone that loves animals. They have a capybara, a binturong, a sloth, a two-headed turtle, a snake that’s over 20 feet long, and so much more. The building is split into two sides: the aquarium side and the interactive side.
The Aquarium Side
On the aquarium side you’ll find sharks, fish, eels, beautiful coral, and you can even pet and feed stingrays. Spoiler alert: soon you’ll be able to swim with them!
The Interactive Side
On the interactive side, you’ll have the chance to pet or hold some truly amazing animals. Truth time: I am not the most comfortable person around snakes, lizards, or honestly most animals on this side. But the joy it brings my son is worth it. The reason I’m comfortable with HIM handling these animals is because of the phenomenal staff here. Every single person we’ve met has been unbelievably kind, knowledgeable, and has gone above and beyond to make each experience (we’ve gone five times in two weeks) truly special!
A few things to keep in mind:
- Our first time going, we spent just under three hours here. You could do it in less if you had to but if it’s your first time and you’re not getting an annual pass, I’d give yourself a few hours to see everything. (We have an annual pass so now, we can pop in for 30 minutes to an hour and not feel like we have to see everything at once.)
- Food and drinks are not sold here. If you bring in a snack of your own, that’s no problem, but please remember to wash your hands afterwards if you plan to touch any of the animals.
- They are still in their “soft opening” phase, so make sure to check for what’s new each time you visit!
When You Want Something Outdoors: Detroit Zoo
No surprises here, right? This is one of our favorite places to visit when we need to get outside and enjoy a beautiful day. And even if the weather isn’t so great, there are several exhibits that are indoors and each one is fairly close to the next. You an easily hop from the penguins to the butterflies and birds, to the amphibians and then the reptiles if Michigan weather isn’t ideal.
The zoo is currently undergoing a seven acre expansion called “Discovery Trails” set to open in 2026. If you’re planning a trip this summer, the areas impacted right now extend from the area near Buddy’s Pizza to the bison and wolverine habitats.
A few things to keep in mind:
- We go here on a regular basis and still spend between four and five hours each time.
- DO NOT skip the pretzels at Boardwalk Station. They’re just past the river otters and before you get to the camels. Speaking of food–many options are only available on the weekends, so keep that in mind when packing for the day.
- An annual pass is more than worth it if you plan to go a few times. Plus, you’ll get a discount through the reciprocal program to places like the Shedd Aquarium, Toledo Zoo, and Columbus Zoo!
When You’re Up For a Drive: Columbus Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, or Toledo Zoo
Each of these are between an hour to four hours from Metro Detroit. Depending on your lifestyle or caffeine consumption, you could go for a day trip or make it a weekend getaway!
- The Columbus Zoo is absolutely beautiful and has so much to see. We could easily spend two full days here based on the size and several playgrounds that my son likes to stop at.
- The Shedd Aquarium was where my little guy asked to spend his fourth birthday! He had been once before and we still spent five hours here the second time.
- We love that we can get to Toledo, enjoy several animals that aren’t in Detroit, and still come home in the same day!
As the founder of LegaSea Aquarium & The Reptarium, the late Brian Barczyk, would say, “If you can see it and touch it, you will fall in love with it and want to protect it.” That vision is exactly what National Zoo and Aquarium month is all about. As you plan your zoo and aquarium trips this month, you’ll not only have a chance to learn and explore, but also to support the mission to protect wildlife and foster a deeper connection between people and the natural world.
