Field Trips & Group Visits

Bring your classroom to life at the largest zoological experience in New England! Home to over 850 animals, your adventure awaits at Southwick’s Zoo.

Reservations are now available for 2023 Field Trips and Group Visits to Southwick’s Zoo:

Southwick’s Zoo is the perfect place for students to see and learn about the many animals we share a planet with. Group rates are offered to schools, day-cares, summer programs, scouts, associations, and non-profits.

Note: The minimum to qualify for group rates is 20 people (ages 3+). Group visits must be booked with our Group Sales Team at least 2 weeks in advance.

Group Rates

Weekdays (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday): $15/person

Attraction Discounts for Groups

Please inquire about attraction discounts when making your reservation. Group rates for the train must be booked in advance when you make your reservation.

Woodland Express Train (minimum of 20 people) $5/person

Field Trip/Group Visit Requirements

Your group must have a minimum of 20 people (ages 3+) to qualify for group rates.

All field trip/group visit must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance through our group sales department. Group rates are NOT available at the entrance without a scheduled reservation.

We recommend 1 chaperone for every 10 students. High school students must be accompanied by a chaperone and remain with the chaperone for the entire visit. For the safety of our animals and guests, we require 1 adult chaperone per 5 children to enter the deer forest and petting zoo.

Before You Make Your Reservation

Please have a date, arrival time, departure time, mailing address, phone number, email address, and how many people expected ready for when you book your group visit.

Chaperones

We recommend 1 chaperone for every 10 students. High School Students must be accompanied by an adult chaperone (non student) and remain with the chaperone throughout the zoo visit. Please make sure students know their chaperone’s name in case they get separated.

For the safety of our animals and guests, we require 1 adult chaperone per 5 children to enter the deer forest and petting zoo. These areas are entered at your own risk and we ask that you obey all posted guidelines.

Backpacks

Students are not allowed to bring backpacks and lunchbags (exception: medical supplies). Adult chaperones may each carry one backpack. Students may carry a water bottle and/or wristlet sized purse. All backpacks and lunches are subject to inspection.

Safety Rules

Please discuss all zoo safety rules with students before the field trip.

Planning What to See & Do

We recommend planning out your trip using our map.  It typically takes at least 3-4 hours to see the entire zoo.

We offer daily educational shows at the EARTH Discovery Center and the Bird Show Arena. We recommend checking the show times here. (all shows are weather permitting). Show times are also listed at the entrance. We recommend arriving about 10 minutes early for each show to ensure seating.

Make sure your group knows in advance the time and location you will meet for lunch and when your bus will depart to return to the school.

The group entrance/exit is no longer located near the Purple Peacock and we recommend setting aside a little extra time you planned on going to the gift shop. Children must be chaperoned in the gift shop, and please assist children with any purchases.

Payment

Please prioritize internal communication regarding payment details to be sure payment is received prior to your groups entry to the zoo. Payment for all guests is required prior to entry.

Please ask your accounts payable office to NOT MAIL the check first class (priority envelopes or registered mail with tracking is the best if must mail). We have experienced very poor postal service and in house mail issues. It is best to have them provide it to the teacher in charge to bring it with them on the date of your field trip. We accept business checks, cash, and credit card payments at the gate.

Parking

Group Parking for buses is located across the street from the zoo in the lower field parking lot next to Gate 3. A parking attendant will be available to assist. Children will remain on the bus until directed by zoo staff. Cars will park in rows 7 and 8 in the field parking lot across from Gate 3.

Gate 3 will be your entrance and exit for the day unless otherwise directed by zoo staff.

Entering the Zoo

All members of your trip must arrive together and enter together. One person in charge will make payment for the entire group.  Cash or Credit Card is preferred but we will accept bank or corporate checks. Note: we no longer accept purchase orders on the day of the trip without prior approval and having a copy in our office 2 weeks in advance.

At the time of check in we require an accurate count of children and adults. All persons entering with your group must be accounted for in your payment. All groups are required to provide payment in full at the time of entry.

Lunches

Please remember that students are not allowed to bring backpacks/lunch bags into the zoo. Students may carry a water bottle and/or wristlet sized purse. Bag lunches may be left on pallets at Gate 3 (the group entrance) or on your bus. We strongly recommend organizing your lunches into boxes, coolers, or bags so they stay together. Please clean up after your group. Lunches cannot be left on picnic tables. We are not responsible for any lost or stolen lunches.

We recommend bringing coolers to protect lunches in the case of inclement weather!

Chaperones

Chaperones must be present and able to enforce zoo rules and have command of their group. Any behavior that endangers the safety of the animals, staff, or other visitors will result in the group being asked to leave the zoo and your organization/principal will be notified.

Please make sure students know the name of their chaperone in case they get separated from the group.

For the safety of our animals and guests, we require 1 adult chaperone per 5 children to enter the deer forest and petting zoo. These areas are entered at your own risk and we ask that you obey all posted guidelines. 

First Aid

First Aid supplies can be found at the main entrance and all concession buildings for your use.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation, we hope your group has a great day at the zoo!

*If your group doesn’t meet the minimum of 20 people OR you are a large family or a group of friends that want to visit together, we recommend purchasing a Value Pass. Value Passes may be purchased at the entrance or online.

The zoo holds the group leader and chaperones responsible for children adhering to zoo rule, regulations, and personal conduct. Any behavior that endangers the safety of the animals, staff, or other visitors will result in the group being asked to leave the zoo and your organization/principal will be notified.

• Obey all posted guidelines within the zoo
• Visitors must stay on all walkways and paths and cannot climb or reach over fences. Please no running, we are located on natural terrain and many of our pathways are unpaved and/or steep.
• For the safety of the animals and guests, we require a ratio of 1 adult for every 5 children for entry into the petting zoo and deer forest. DO NOT run, chase, scream/yell at, or surround the animals. DO NOT pick up the baby goats. Plastic baggies are not allowed in the deer forest or petting zoo.
• Throwing objects at animals or into habitats is harmful and will not be tolerated.
• Please respect the animals, staff, and other patrons. Keep the volume of your voices down when near exhibits. Do not tease animals or copy their noises as this can agitate many species. Do not tap on glass in indoor exhibits. These actions can be very stressful for the animals.
• Please do not encourage, whistle at, or clap at our young chimpanzee if she throws objects or exhibits, teases/fights with other chimps, etc. For the health and safety of our animals and visitors, we do not want these negative behaviors reinforced.
• Chaperones must be present and able to enforce zoo rules. All high school students must be accompanied by an adult (non-student) chaperone and remain with the chaperone for the entire duration of the visit.

For additional information and FAQs, click here.