For many decades, families from near and far have been making precious memories at the Toledo Zoo. Throughout September and October, folks 60 and over can reconnect with those memories and make new ones at Senior Discovery Days.

With free admission and special events Tuesdays through Oct. 25, Senior Discovery Days allow seniors to explore the Zoo and see it in a whole new way, including tours of the Works Progress Administration (WPA)-era buildings, bingo, Big Band music and miniature golf.

On weekdays through September and October, seniors will receive the following benefits:

• Free parking in the Anthony Wayne Trail lot;

• Free small fresh-brewed coffee and a mini-muffin at the Timberline Bakery;

• A 10 percent discount on zoo memberships;

• A special senior-only 20 percent discount on items purchased in the North Star Trading Post® gift shop.

Tours of WPA-era buildings, including the Museum of Science, Aviary, Aquarium and Reptile House, begin at 11 a.m. and last 30 to 60 minutes.

The schedule includes:
Sept. 27: A guided tour of the Aviary and its three walk-through habitats — the African Grasslands, Sonoran Desert and Australian Outback. Between 10:30 and 2:30 p.m., seniors are also invited to show off their short game on a nine-hole miniature golf course located in the Main Plaza.

Oct. 4: A Garden Tour and stroll through the Zoo’s butterfly, rose, vegetable, herb, and formal perennial gardens to see how they grow, bloom and change throughout the season. Master Gardeners will be on hand to discuss how to prepare your garden for winter and next spring. There will also be a chance to win “ZOO-venirs” in bingo with a Zoo twist in the African Lodge from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 11: Big Band sounds of Jeff McDonald’s Big Band Revival Orchestra from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Nairobi Pavilion.

Oct. 18: Tour the Aquarium and its diverse collection of underwater creatures.

Oct. 25: Learn about the history of the Reptile House while getting a close up view of the Zoo’s reptile collection.

To reserve a spot on a specific tour, call 419-385-5721, ext. 2110. For more information and a schedule of all the activities, visit toledozoo.org/seniors.

For added convenience, wheelchairs and motorized scooters are available for rent. Although it is not required, it is strongly recommended to reserve a wheelchair in advance by calling 419-389-6561. Motorized scooters must be reserved in advance by calling the above number. In addition to the rental fee, an ID will be held until the wheelchair or scooter is returned.

Senior Safari
On Tuesday Sept. 20, the Zoo, in conjunction with the Area Office on Aging, will present Senior Safari – a day of fun focused on seniors that will include health screenings, exercise, safety tips and Zoo exploration. Lunch will be provided in the Nairobi Pavilion; tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the Area Office on Aging at 419-382-0624.

In September and October, the Toledo Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends in September).  Lucas County residents are admitted free of charge each Monday from 10 a.m. to noon. ID showing proof of residency is required.

The Toledo Zoo is located on the Anthony Wayne Trail (US 25), four miles south of downtown Toledo. For more information, visit www.toledozoo.org or call 419-385-4040.

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