Few attractions are as beloved to St. Louis families as the Saint Louis Zoo, so it comes as no surprise that area residents are going wild over any and all news about the Zoo’s newest family experience, set to debut in 2026, Destination Discovery.
Construction is now underway for the project, and today, the Zoo released new photo and video renderings of its plans.
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The images reveal planned experiences within the attraction, including animal habitats and activities that were designed with the help of “children and families from diverse backgrounds,” according to the press release.
“Input from the community was invaluable in developing plans for this new, dynamic experience for all ages and abilities. Through play, interactive exhibits and adventures that are engaging, educational and empowering, we hope to engender empathy for animals and nature and inspire the next generation of conservationists,” said Saint Louis Zoo Director Michael Macek in the release.
The experiences and animals planned for the 2.8-acre site were “designed with the youngest guests in mind” and center on accessible, close-up encounters and hands-on and kinetic learning environments. The planned features include:
- The Underground Cities habitats, which will allow up-close encounters with ground-dwelling species, such as prairie dogs and patagonian mara.
- Freshwater Wilderness, which will explore the importance of clean water through interactive habitats and play spaces. Here, families can view North American river otters swimming overhead through water flumes above the walking path, the Chilean flamingo lagoon, and the Waterplay Area—complete with a large splash pad that will transform into a snow playground, with a snow machine, in winter.
- Forest Families, which is all offer education on wild animals living in communities with people and will include habitats of Coati, Tasmanian devils, and Babydoll sheep.
- The Wildlife Overlook Boardwalk, which will offer views of the entire site and will be host to live presentations, surprise animal encounters, and interactive experiences.
- A multi-level climbing structure, which will allow young guests to climb into a monarch chrysalis, bounce on a supersized spiderweb, slide down a caterpillar slide, and swing on a lacewing egg.
- Animal Ambassadors, who will answer questions during up-close encounters and keeper chats.
- An expansion and renovation of The Living World building to a new, two-story addition dedicated to educational programming, including the new nature-based Saint Louis Zoo Preschool, which will be home to educational classes and other programs throughout the year. The new building will allow the Zoo to offer two full-day preschool classes for the first time, according to the release.
- On the ground floor of the new building, a Discovery Center is planned as an indoor play space where kids can learn about “caring for and sharing with wildlife neighbors,” including a maker’s space, a pretend-play zone, a nature exchange, a habitat-building activity, and an indoor animal encounter area.
- A gift shop and cafe will be located next to the water play area and will offer snacks, souvenirs, and eco-friendly items. Changing rooms, a drying booth for waterplay, lactation rooms, and accessible restrooms will be scattered throughout the site.
Destination Discovery, which will be on the site of the former Emerson Dinoroarus and Emerson Children’s Zoo, broke ground in late August. Sustainability has been a major focus of the construction project from the beginning.
The team has worked to preserve as many native trees and plants and recycle as many materials as possible. This mission has been directly in line with the goal of Destination Discover as a whole: ““Destination Discovery aims to spark curiosity and empathy in young children, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the incredible biodiversity sharing our planet. The buildings, habitats and landscapes are thoughtfully designed to make connections with nature and model solutions to environmental challenges,” said David McGuire, William Bernoudy Vice President of Architecture and Planning and Chief Architect, Saint Louis Zoo, in the press release.
