The Indianapolis Zoo in Indianapolis, a part of downtown's White River State Park, welcomes more than a million visitors each year and is a leader in conservation. It's the only attraction accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museums as a zoo, aquarium, and botanic garden. This perfect addition to Indiana vacations is filled with adventures. Once visitors have stepped away from their hotels by Indianapolis Zoo and made a short trip inside the front gate, they'll find plants and animals from the world over, all in an environment designed to provide an enriching environment for both visitors and the animals in its care.

The five biomes of the Indianapolis Zoo are home to clusters of habitats and animals from around the world. These natural habitats match the conditions the animals are used to in the wild, including many of the same plants and climates. The Forests Biome features animals from temperate and tropical forests, such as small-clawed otters from Asia, gibbons, bald eagles, and the rare Amur tiger from Siberia. In the Oceans Biome, visitors can touch sharks, watch penguins, view polar bears as they dip underwater, and smile at California sea lions.

While they're discovering another corner of the Indianapolis Indiana Zoo, visitors will enjoy the sight of zebras grazing, giraffes plucking leaves from trees, Marabou storks, and elephants in the expansive Plains Biome. Following the trail and crossing the wooden bridge leads to the African plains exhibit of lions, wild dogs, and baboons.

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The Desert Dome showcases the conservation work of the Indianapolis Zoo, which is known for its breeding of some of the world's most rare reptiles. One of the most popular exhibits of the Indianapolis Indiana Zoo is found under this 80-foot transparent dome—the meerkcats. Many of the fun animal programs take place at the Encounters Biome. Guests are encouraged to interact with the animals and stop into the Critter Corner, where keepers interact with visitors and resident animals of the Indianapolis Indiana Zoo.

You might feel like you're in Florida when you step into the Dolphin Adventure Pavilion at the Indianapolis Zoo. The Underwater Dolphin Dome provides an excellent vantage point for watching the bright, friendly animals as do the daily dolphin shows. Visitors also can book behind-the-scenes Dolphin In-Water Adventures when they're exploring the Indianapolis Zoo.

The White River Gardens continues the Indianapolis Zoo's mission of connecting animals, plants and people. This 3.3-acre landmark botanical attraction is included with admission. Its outdoor gardens are composed of distinctive elements, including a water garden, shade garden, and a sun garden with its meandering trail. The soaring glass Hibert Conservatory hosts four seasonal shows every year and is an architectural landmark in downtown Indianapolis.

The Indianapolis Zoo is just one of the fun things to do in Indianapolis. Not far away, visitors will find the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the world-famous Indy 500, where the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum is worth a visit.

Hotels by Indianapolis Zoo are easy to find, ranging from cheap hotels to the luxury hotels. In fact, more than 75 different properties are located within 10 miles of the zoo. This collection of hotels by Indianapolis Zoo makes it easy to find the perfect place to spend the night before and after visiting the zoo.