Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum
Established in 1927 with five employees and around 35 animals, the Tulsa Zoo has grown to showcase a crew of almost 1,500 animals from 436 species. The 78-acre complex, part of Mohawk Park, the 3rd largest municipal park in the country, includes state-of-the art exhibits, a comprehensive education complex and a cutting edge veterinary hospital. The roughly 600,000 visitors who come through the gates each year enjoy the Elephant Encounter Museum, which features an indoor viewing area where guests can get an up-close experience. The museum also has an exhibit detailing the travels of the zoo's first Asian elephant Gunda, who arrived in Tulsa in 1954 after an arduous journey by sea and air from Calcutta. Other popular exhibits feature polar bears, California sea lions and penguins.
The zoo's private event space includes the American Airlines Tent for up to 750 people; the Bank of Oklahoma Pavilion, which offers a space for 300 guests; and the 125-seat Helmerich Discovery Center Auditorium, which boasts comprehensive audio-visual capabilities. Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. It is closed June 20 and Christmas. Admission is $4 for children ages 3-11 and $8 for adults. For more information: 918-669-6600
