Spring has officially arrive at Philadelphia Zoo! This year the season is bigger, brighter, and more immersive than ever. As part of the citywide America 250 celebrations , the zoo is debuting brand-new ZooTopiaries, along with fresh garden experiences designed to captivate visitors of all ages.
ZooTopiaries take center stage for America 250 🌿
Launching April 18, the all-new ZooTopiaries are the stars of the season—massive, living sculptures made from thousands of plants.
✨ Highlights include:
Bald Eagle – a patriotic nod to America’s 250th celebration
Galapagos Tortoise – inspired by one of the zoo’l most iconic residents
Bear & Cub – a preview of the upcoming Bear Country exhibit
These intricate creations use more than 8,800 plants and showcase stunning craftsmanship designed to mimic real animal textures like fur, feathers, scales.
Photo: Aversa PR
A garden oasis in full bloom 🌸
Beyond the ZooTopiaries, the zoo’s 42-acre campus is bursting with seasonal color. Guests can stroll through landscapes filled with cherry blossoms, magnolias, and vibrant spring flowers.
New flowerbeds, created in partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, bring fresh life to the grounds, focusing on native plants and ecological diversity .
Plants are essential to a healthy ecosystem, and we hope all of our new garden programming will spark a curiosity about what we can all do to take better care for the planet,” said President & CEO Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman.
Photo: Aversa PR
New garden tours offer an insider look 🔎
For those looking to dive deeper into the beauty of the grounds, the zoo is introducing guided garden tours this spring.
Running on Tuesdays and Saturdays starting April 18, these hour-long experiences provide a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo’s horticulture, history, and habitats.
Led by expert docents, the tours connect guests to the stories behind the landscapes, highlighting everything from pollinator-friendly plantings to the evolution of the zoo’s historic gardens .
Guests can also follow a brand-new peak bloom guide, curated by the zoo’s horticulture team, to catch the instagram-worthy moments across the grounds.
Be sure to take in the full scope of the blooming campus abroad the Philly Zoo Pherris wheel, returning for its first spring.
See the ZooTopiaries this spring 🪴
With major events coming to the city and the highly anticipated Bear Country opening later this spring, there’s never been a better time to visit. Whether you’re in it for the flowers, the animals, or the one-of-a-kind ZooTopiaries, this spring experience at the Philadelphia Zoo is truly something special.
