# Detroit Zoo: Arctic Ring of Life & Winter Wildlife Experiences > Place to go for families in the Detroit–Warren–Dearborn area (MI). Times are Eastern Time. - When: Open daily 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (gates close at 3:30 PM; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and… - Where: Detroit Zoo, 8450 W Ten Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067 - Ages: All ages; stroller and wagon rentals available; clear underwater tunnel viewing ideal for young children - Price: $14–$24 online adult admission (dynamic pricing); $12–$21 online children (ages 2–12) and seniors; free for infants under 2; $8 parking - Schedule: Open daily 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (gates close at 3:30 PM; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day) - Organizer: Detroit Zoological Society - Official page: https://detroitzoo.org - Last checked: Wed, Nov 4 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/detroit/activities/detroit-zoo-arctic-ring-of-life-and-winter-wildlife-experiences--listing-fb93be366e1b593f79e4b43e ## About Spanning 125 landscaped acres in Royal Oak, the Detroit Zoo is a vibrant, uncrowded winter wonderland where cold-hardy wildlife thrives in snowy conditions. The zoo's crown jewel is the Arctic Ring of Life—one of North America's largest polar bear and seal habitats—featuring a spectacular 70-foot-long clear underwater tunnel where families can watch majestic polar bears swim directly overhead through clear sub-arctic waters. Winter visitors can also observe frolicking river otters, playful gray wolves, Siberian tigers, and red pandas navigating snow-covered branches. When temperatures drop, families can duck into the warm, tropical Polk Penguin Conservation Center—home to more than 75 penguins diving into deep waters—or the butterfly garden and Great Apes indoor habitats. Paved paths are thoroughly plowed for strollers. ## Similar picks in Detroit - [Veterans Day Free Admission at Wild Wonders Wildlife Park — Howell Nature Center](https://grassyknees.com/detroit/activities/veterans-day-free-admission-at-wild-wonders-wildlife-park-howell-natur--listing-9e8ccef4f7865a76ce96c173) — Wed, Nov 11 · 10:00 AM · Howell Nature Center — Wild Wonders Wildlife Park · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 20. On Veterans Day, all veterans and their families get free admission to the Wild Wonders Wildlife Park at Howell Nature Center in Livingston County. Families can spend the day at… - [Wild Lights Opening Weekend at Detroit Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/detroit/activities/wild-lights-opening-weekend-at-detroit-zoo--listing-0a4205209947782cc9d3b09b) — Nov 20 – Nov 29 · 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak · All ages · From $17 · checked Nov 4. Illuminate your Thanksgiving holiday weekend with Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak! Over five million brilliant LED lights transform the front half of the zoo into an… - [Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/detroit/activities/wild-lights-at-the-detroit-zoo--listing-c7eab8cf888b32de8beb1d12) — Nov 21 – Jan 3 · 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM · Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak · All ages · From $17 · checked Nov 4. Wild Lights illuminates the Detroit Zoo with millions of energy-efficient LED lights strung through tree canopies, dazzling walk-through light tunnels, and dozens of gigantic… - [Howell Nature Center: Wild Wonders Wildlife Park & Winter Trails](https://grassyknees.com/detroit/activities/howell-nature-center-wild-wonders-wildlife-park-and-winter-trails--listing-b4d76098334bcac4ca0520ef) — Open daily 10:00 AM–5:00 PM year-round (Wild Wonders Wildlife Park & Nature Center trails) · Howell Nature Center · All ages · From $9 · checked Nov 4. Situated on 230 wooded acres in Livingston County, the Howell Nature Center operates the Wild Wonders Wildlife Park—a licensed wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary that provides… - [Detroit Skating Club: Family Public Open Skate Sessions](https://grassyknees.com/detroit/activities/detroit-skating-club-family-public-open-skate-sessions--listing-cde383528c80698f50adec56) — Nov 1 – Feb 28 · 2:15 PM – 3:45 PM · Detroit Skating Club, Bloomfield Hills · Ages 3–99 · From $6 · checked Nov 4. Renowned internationally as a world-class Olympic and figure skating training center, the Detroit Skating Club in Bloomfield Hills opens its pristine indoor ice surfaces to the… - [Walk on the Winter Side — Lake Erie Metropark](https://grassyknees.com/detroit/activities/walk-on-the-winter-side-lake-erie-metropark--listing-ad91ada2a931fd9645a638bd) — Sat, Nov 14 (+2 more dates) · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Lake Erie Metropark, Brownstown · Ages 8+ · From $3 · checked Oct 20. A guided late-autumn and winter hike through the Lake Erie Metropark marshes. 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