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Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

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OPEN DAILY FROM 9 A.M. TO 4 P.M. LAST TICKET SOLD AT 3 P.M.

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Conservation Efforts

Beardsley Zoo’s conservation initiatives reach local streams, national habitats, and global ecosystems. Through research, hands-on programs, and citizen science, we empower staff, volunteers, and visitors to make a measurable impact.

Support the Zoo

Your contributions—of time, resources, or expertise—help Beardsley Zoo protect wildlife, expand educational programs, and strengthen conservation efforts, ensuring a thriving future for animals and visitors alike.

Upcoming Events

African Spur-Thighed Tortoises on Habitat
AUG5

Multi-DayMay 22 – Sep 7

African Spur-Thighed Tortoises on Habitat

Date
May 22, 2026 at 9:00 AM – September 7, 2026 at 4:00 PM

Beginning May 22 and running through Labor Day weekend, guests can explore a special outdoor habitat located just in front of the greenhouse, featuring African spurred tortoises up close. This unique exhibit offers visitors a chance to observe these incredible reptiles in a thoughtfully designed environment that highlights their natural behaviors.

9:00 AM
Chris Rowlands Puppet Show
AUG5

Multi-DayAug 1–16

Chris Rowlands Puppet Show

Date
August 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM – August 16, 2026 at 3:00 PM

3 shows per day            
10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm    
Picnic Grove Stage  

Get ready for music, laughter, and interactive fun as puppet extraordinaire Chris Rowlands returns to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo this season!

A National Audubon singer-songwriter and talented puppeteer, Chris Rowlands brings an energetic blend of live music, storytelling, and whimsical puppetry to the stage. His engaging performances delight audiences of all ages while sharing themes of nature, wildlife, and environmental awareness.

Join Chris on the Picnic Grove Stage for three daily shows at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM. Performances run May 23–25 and return August 1 through August 16, offering plenty of opportunities to catch the fun.

Don’t miss this lively, family-friendly experience that combines education, creativity, and pure entertainment!

10:00 AM
Zoo Tots: Rainforest Rhythms!
AUG12

Zoo Tots: Rainforest Rhythms!

Date
August 12, 2026 · 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Category
Zoo Tots

What types of animals live in the rainforest, and how do they communicate with each other? Attend our Zoo Tots session to find out the answer to these questions while meeting a special animal guest! 

​Zoo Tots is a 30 minute program for ages 22 months to 4 years, who are accompanied by an adult.  Activities may include stories, songs, puppet shows, crafts, and live animals.

Learn More

10:30 AM
World Honeybee Day
AUG15

World Honeybee Day

Date
August 15, 2026 · 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Category
Animal Awareness Days

It’s World Honeybee Day, and since these small pollinators are critical to our food supply, the decline of the honeybee is concerning to scientists worldwide.

9:00 AM
Monarch Watch Training
AUG19

Monarch Watch Training

Date
August 19, 2026 · 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Category
Monarch Watch

MonarchWatch is a Citizen Science program that teaches volunteers to tag and record Monarch Butterflies. Your contribution will help scientists collect very valuable data to study the population and its migration patterns down to Mexico for the winter season.

Click here to register for the August 19th session at 7pm via Zoom.

7:00 PM
AUG19

Evening Lecture Series: Cognitive Tails - Memory and Object Permanence in Canines

Date
August 19, 2026 · 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Recent research in canine cognition has provided valuable insight into how dogs perceive, remember, and interact with their environment. This talk will focus on research studies related to long-term canine memory, highlighting the role of individual personality differences in problem-solving performance, and the understanding of object permanence abilities in dogs. Register to attend here.

7:00 PM

What You're Saying

"Great zoo! We've visited many times as it's pretty close to us. A bunch of different animals and different areas. There was a live puppet show going on for kids at the pavilion and we also took the opportunity to ride the indoor carousel. It's clear their staff cares (everyone knew the animals given names!) and the animals are well maintained. Awesome way to spend a couple hours with the kids. My only complaints - the rainforest building *reeks* (I recognize animals smell interesting, it's very high temp/humidity in there and cleaning these buildings must be challenging) and parking CAN be a problem if it's very busy as the lot isn't big (so carpool)."

Sarah DeVellis Adams

"Always a lovely time visiting this zoo. Great zoo shop for adorable stuffys for children. Recommend buying tickets online in advance or becoming a member if you plan to visit often."

Ant F.

"I've been going there since I was a kid. It's great to see they are continuing to improve it. A good two hours of walking around makes a nice morning or afternoon activity."

Mark M

"I love this zoo! It's small, and it's great for taking things slow and really getting to spend time watching the animals at each exhibit; there's no rush to make it to see each! They're also constantly changing stuff up so every visit is a bit different"

Mattias Socks

"Excellent zoo! Well designed flow and well cared for animals."

Emily Bowers