NightCrawler: Schools and Groups
Spend the night at Zoo Atlanta with your school or group at a NightCrawler Overnight.
Embark on a nocturnal adventure you won’t soon forget!
When the last guest leaves for the day, we invite you to stay! Come find out what really happens when the sun goes down. Which animals stay up late and how do others settle down for the night? And in the morning, how do animals greet the day? Join us as we explore these questions and more on an overnight adventure designed for schools, Scouts, and other groups.
Participants will spend the majority of the evening outdoors walking around the Zoo with an Educator as their guide, stopping along the way to observe the nocturnal behaviors of the animals who call the Zoo home. During the evening, participants will have the opportunity to use night vision technology and will visit Scaly Slimy Spectacular to discover the nocturnal world of frogs, lizards, snakes, and turtles, illuminated by red flashlights. Participants will also enjoy a guided tour behind the scenes to discover how we care for animals every day. Learn about our new state-of-the-art veterinary complex, The Rollins Animal Health Center, and tour the Animal Nutrition Kitchen to find out what it takes to feed the Zoo!* After an evening of exploration, participants will sleep in indoor, climate-controlled rooms with sleeping bags brought from home. And then rise and shine for more fun! Enjoy a catered continental breakfast from Proof of the Pudding followed by morning visits to animal habitats to see how our Animal Care Specialists help the animals start their day.
If you are looking for additional opportunities to connect with wildlife up-close, you can register your group for a 9 a.m. Animal Encounter for an additional fee. This encounter includes an exclusive 30-minute talk with a Zoo Educator and a visit with two to three small animal ambassadors before the conclusion of your NightCrawlers program. Note: We cannot accommodate specific animal requests for the encounter.
Participating groups are invited to stay and enjoy the Zoo at completion of your program!
*The behind-the-scenes portion of the tour is not fully ADA accessible.
WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT DURING A NIGHTCRAWLER?
- Rain or shine. This program happens rain or shine, and much of the program is outside. Please plan for the weather and dress accordingly.
- The Zoo is made for walking! Most of this experience is spent walking around the Zoo, and there are multiple irregular surfaces and steep inclines. Plan to spend up to 5 hours on your feet touring the Zoo.
- Come with a full belly. While we will take a break for a snack in the middle of the evening, please eat dinner before you arrive. And remember to bring your water bottle with you.
- Embrace the dark. It’s called a NightCrawler for a reason. Explore the Zoo by the light of the moon and our Educators’ red-light flashlights. Guests may only use flashlights at bedtime.
- Rustic camping meets the Zoo. All sleeping locations are in climate-controlled buildings with a restroom either in the building or nearby.
- Stay awhile. At the completion of your program the following morning, you are welcome to stay and enjoy the Zoo at your leisure.
- Have FUN! This unique experience is unlike anything that you can do in Atlanta. We look forward to hosting you for an upcoming program!
INFORMACIÓN DEL PROGRAMA (PDF)
UPCOMING DATES:
2025:
- September 27
- October 3
- October 10
- October 11
- November 7
2026:
- February 27
- March 7
- March 13
- March 14
- March 20
- March 27
- March 28
- April 3
- April 17
- April 24
- May 8
- May 9
- May 15
CAPACITY: Minimum of 20 – Maximum of 120
6 p.m. until 9:30 a.m. the next morning
$110
6+
This program is designed for groups with children. A paid adult must accompany child(ren), and a paid child must accompany adult(s).
- All program participants will enter through the Education Conservation Gate on the right-hand side of the Cherokee Avenue Parking Lot.
- Programs will take place rain or shine. Please be sure to dress accordingly.
- Parking is located in the Cherokee Avenue parking lot. Overnight parking is at a discounted rate.
- Parking from 6 p.m. to midnight is at a discounted rate of $6 and must be paid at one of the kiosks in the lot.
- Our Educators will give you an additional parking pass covering the hours from midnight to 9:30 a.m. when you arrive and pay for evening parking.
- Starting at 9:30 a.m., you will need to pay the normal rate for parking in the lot.
- As Zoo Atlanta does not own the Cherokee Avenue Parking Lot, please contact AAA Parking at 404.904.9181 if you have any further questions about parking.
REGISTRATION & PAYMENT:
- Group reservations must be made at least 4 weeks prior to program date.
- Non-refundable deposit of $250 is due at the time of reservation.
- Minimum group size for NightCrawlers is 20.
- Membership discounts do not apply.
- Final headcount is due 4 weeks before your scheduled visit.
- Payment is due at least 4 weeks prior to the date of your visit.
- Unpaid reservations will be cancelled if payment is not received.
- Refunds will not be given for any unused portion of your reservation.
- Collection of funds and payment of all attendees is the responsibility of the group. Payment must be made to the Education Reservations personnel.
CANCELLATIONS & RESCHEDULES:
- All cancellations forfeit the $250 deposit.
- Cancellations received less than 4 weeks prior to the program date must pay 50% of the total cost of the program.
- Reschedules must be made at least 4 weeks prior to your scheduled program date to avoid fees.
- Reschedules made less than 4 weeks before original date will result in the loss of the original deposit. Another deposit is required.
- Educational groups will not receive refunds for rain. For instances of severe inclement weather, please contact Education Reservations at 404.624.5822.
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