Zoo like a Pro

• Riding our miniature train is an adventure not to be missed! Avoid the long line-ups by being first on the tracks between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. or holding off until late afternoon between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. 
• Tickets are purchased at the train station on a first come, first serve basis for $2.00 each, with kids aged 2 and under riding for free.
• For safety reasons, the train does not run in the rain or if maintenance is needed. Check for an alert banner on our website ahead of your visit or watch for signs to be posted throughout the grounds.

• The splash pad typically opens around Victoria Day weekend at the end of May and closes down for the season in September. 
• During the hot days of summer, our splash pad and changerooms can be extremely busy. We recommend either cooling off in the mornings between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. or in the evenings between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.
• Please note that the splash pad is unsupervised and parents/guardians are responsible for attending to their children. 

• Riverview Park and Zoo is proud to offer one of the largest playgrounds in the city, that is accessible to all!
• Peak hours typically fall between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Avoid the crowds by touring the grounds or taking part in other activities during this time, such as our 1:00 p.m. "Meet the Keeper" or 1:30 p.m. "River Otter Enrichment".
• Consider bringing a picnic supper and visiting later in the day when the playground is less busy and some of our animals tend to be more active.
• Please note that the playground area is unsupervised and parents/guardians are responsible for attending to their children.

• Located beside the playground, our new Hatch café serves a variety of hot and cold drinks, fresh fruit, frozen treats, and baked goods (including gluten free options). Hatch also serves Bird Friendly™ coffee that preserves forest ecosystems and conserves wildlife. Sip sustainably at Hatch every Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

• During the summer operating season, snacks are available for purchase in the Gift Shop at Guest Services (ice cream, candy, chips, etc.) and drink vending machines are located beside Guest Services and the Splash Pad, as well as outside the washrooms on your way to the miniature train ride.
• Bring your water bottles and take advantage of our free water refill stations found throughout the park - outside Guest Services, beside the Splash Pad, and at the Burmese Python exhibit at the Barn.
• Plan ahead and pack your lunch or supper to enjoy at one of the many available picnic tables instead!

• Every year, our public education summer students feature a special conservation exhibit in the Dobbin Building.
• Available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the educational exhibit also features games and activities for all ages. 
• Located along the waterfront just ahead of the miniature train ride -- a great pitstop when there's a long wait for the train!

• Scattered throughout the main path of the zoo, we offer touch tables that allow guests to touch and examine animal artifacts such as antlers, fur, teeth, and shells.
• This hands-on experience helps you to learn even more about animal species and their many adaptations. Feel free to walk over and check them out!

• Weekdays at 2:30 p.m., one of our zookeepers will assemble outside of an animal exhibit to tell you a little more about the species and answer your questions. 
• A different animal is featured each day of the week -- by far, your best way to learn about the animals here at the zoo!
• Look for signs throughout the park, or get the inside scoop ahead of time by checking the Meet the Keeper schedule and planning your visit accordingly.

Special Conservation Events

• In the past, we have hosted special events with some of our partners in conservation, such as:
  • Camp Kawartha
  • Otonabee Regional Conservation Authority
  • Peterborough GreenUP
  • Turtle Conservation Centre
• Visit our event calendar for upcoming activities and dates. All events are free.

• Located just beyond the main entrance gates at the north end of the property, there's a gravel parking lot at the intersection of Water Street and University Heights Blvd, and the starting point of our disc golf course.
• Fun for all ages and abilities, bring a frisbee and try your hand at the 9-hole course year-round or play the full 18-holes during the summer months.
• Similar to golf, the aim is to get your frisbee into the steel chain basket in the least amount of throws. Individual or family kits are available to borrow from the Peterborough Public Library.

• Get to know the animals here at Riverview Park and Zoo! Pre-arranged tours can provide a different perspective and added benefit to your trip to the zoo.
• Guided tours are currently only available during July and August at a cost of $500 for a maximum of 35 participants.
• Please note that guided tours do not allow for any animal interactions and are not a requirement to visit the zoo.

• Did you know that we sell unpasteurized wildflower honey compliments of our very own apiary right here at the zoo?
• With help from beekeeper, Don Forster, we offer various sized jars of honey available for purchase from our Gift Shop.

• There is a little-known 1-kilometre walking path that runs alongside the beautiful Otonabee River, traveling from the Dobbin Building to both the playground and lower level picnic/parking area.
• After your train ride, why not beat the heat and take this path back to the playground under some shade with a cool breeze coming off the water. You might even spot some wildlife on the way!
• Be aware this is a beaten path and includes a section of uneven rock steps. A scenic bench is found under a tree around the half-way point.

• Alternating Sundays in July and August, the gazebo park fills with music from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., compliments of local musicians playing everything from country rock to dixie and swing band tunes.
• The gazebo is located between the fountain and train station, surrounded by picnic tables and a grassy park area, with washrooms located nearby.
• Bring a picnic supper, a blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy a free concert with your loved ones in the park!

• Wildlife is rich at Riverview Park and Zoo! We have an abundance of songbirds, squirrels, and chipmunks onsite, but if you're lucky you might even spot bald eagles, various hawk and waterfowl species, herons, mink, foxes, and groundhogs too.

Year-round experiences

• While we are busiest during the summer months, Riverview Park and Zoo is a great spot to visit any time of the year!
• Fall and winter visits provide great walking and viewing experiences, when you can also see the adaptations the zoo animals make for the colder seasons.
• In the winter time, there is also a bunny hill for your little ones to toboggan at the north end of the property.