Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Philadelphia Zoo With Wild Dates, Sweet Treats and Unforgettable Animal Encounters

If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day that’s wildly different from dinner and a movie, Philadelphia Zoo has you covered this February. All month long, the Zoo is rolling out limited-time experiences, heartfelt gifts and one-of-a-kind encounters that let couples, families and friends celebrate the season of love in unforgettable ways. From romantic rides and sweet treats to behind-the-scenes animal meetups, it’s the perfect way for animal lovers to say “I love you” in a place that feels magical in every season.

Valentine’s Day weekend, make it a date to remember with the Valentine’s Day Weekend Date Package, available Saturday and Sunday. You’ll get two admission tickets, two drinks (with beer, Stateside options and non-alcoholic choices), plus a meet-and-greet with an ambassador animal in KidZooU’s South Classroom between 10:00am and 2:00pm. The best part? You’ll go home with a takeaway gift created by one of the animals, making this a memory you literally can’t recreate anywhere else. Spots are limited, so this package is expected to sell out quickly.

On Saturday, February 14, lean into the sweetness with Valentine’s Day Cupcake Decorating in the Tiger Terrace Dining Room. Each ticket includes one large cupcake, icing and a variety of toppings so you can get creative together between 10:00am and 2:00pm. All weekend, keep an eye out for Valentine’s Day Animal Enrichment Around the Zoo, where habitats will feature themed enrichment activities that encourage animals to exercise their bodies and minds—an essential part of excellent animal care and a fun bonus for guests strolling the grounds.

Every weekend in February, don’t miss a turn on the Philly Zoo Pherris Wheel, a 110-foot-tall ride serving up breathtaking views of the Zoo, the city skyline, the Schuylkill River, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and beyond. Each gondola fits up to six guests, the ride lasts about seven minutes, and it’s located near the Main Entrance at 34th and Girard. It’s an easy way to add a romantic moment—or a family thrill—to your visit during weekend hours from 9:30am to 3:00pm.

If you’re all about once-in-a-lifetime memories, February is the time to book: Behind-the-Scenes Experiences are 20% off all month. You can meet world-famous Galapagos tortoise Mommy, social media stars Sam and Dean the hedgehogs, Tony the rhino and other incredible animals. Planning a Galentine’s outing? Get the girls together and save 10% when you purchase all six spots for a shared adventure.

For a gift that gives back long after Valentine’s Day, consider adopting an animal. These adoptions support the Zoo’s massive grocery needs for its 1,900 residents and help fund species-specific diets crafted by the nutrition team. Choose from 15 species and two adoption levels, with select packages including a Valentine’s plush and adoption certificate. Just keep an eye on order deadlines in early February if you want physical plushies or certificates to arrive in time for the big day.

For the ultimate insider experience, look into Key to the Zoo: Behind-the-Scenes Tour on select February dates. This three-hour, ultra-exclusive tour brings you into areas only accessible with a guide, includes a visit to The Solitude Mansion, a unique animal-created gift, parking and Zoo admission for the day. For those who love history and storytelling, the Key to the Zoo: Premium Insider History option adds even more personalized insight into this iconic institution.

Winter is one of the best times to visit, with chances to warm up in the McNeil Avian Center, meet warm-weather species in the Reptile and Amphibian House, or bundle up and watch cold-loving animals like Amur tigers and red pandas show off their superpowers. However you choose to celebrate, February at Philadelphia Zoo is designed to create lasting memories for the people you love—while supporting animals and conservation around the world.