You’ve done the indoor play places, with the tickets and tokens and special socks. You’ve done the backyard (with all of the cleanup that entails). If you’re ready to host a birthday party or other special event with minimal prep, maximum fun and even—yes—actual encounters with nature, check out Wheaton’s Cosley Zoo, which offers outdoor and indoor spaces available for rent year-round for birthday parties and other special events.
Through the end of September, the Duck Pond Pavilion, a covered outdoor space located next to the zoo’s 66,000-gallon duck pond, may be booked for events of up to 50 people ($370 for two hours, $125 per hour for each additional hour). For an additional fee, a Cosley Zoo team member can host an Animal Encounter, offering the chance to meet three of Cosley Zoo’s animal residents (such as a hedgehog, turtle or rabbit) up close.
Whatever the weather, the Kiebler Room—available year-round ($575 for two hours, $175 per hour for each additional hour)—is a climate-controlled, second-floor space with a capacity of up to 100. As with the Duck Pond Pavilion, Animal Encounters can be booked for an additional fee.
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Planning a larger event? Evening rentals of the entire zoo are available between April and October. A whole-zoo rental gives hosts use of the front lawn, the outdoor amphitheater and the Kiebler Room for up to six hours for as many as 500 guests. Strolling visits with three of the zoo’s animals may be booked, as well. Whole-zoo rental fees are $2,395 Sunday-Thursday; $2,795 Friday-Saturday (all prices subject to change).
All guests of any party receive free admission to Cosley Zoo, and party hosts receive access to their reserved space prior to and after their event time for setup and takedown. A rental coordinator works with hosts from the time of booking until the event, and on the day of the event, a rental greeter will meet hosts upon their arrival and check in with them after the party concludes.
Ice cream novelties and bottled water/beverages can be purchased for either party location for an additional fee; food and beverage catering also is available from a list of preferred vendors.
Cosley Zoo is open 362 days a year, with daily summer hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 17, visitors from near and far are invited to Cosley Zoo’s 50th anniversary celebration, with special refreshments, a scavenger hunt, a craft station and more from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., plus swag bags for the first 100 guests. For more information and to plan your visit, head to cosleyzoo.org.
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