Pittsburgh's aquarium: What you need to know

There are few experiences that compare to the excitement that comes with seeing majestic aquatic species from all over the world at an aquarium. Luckily for visitors to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, two family-friendly animal experiences are housed in one convenient location.

Throughout the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, visitors can enjoy 77 acres of exhibits designed to replicate places around the world, from an African savanna and an island full of flamingos and crocodiles to a tropical forest and jungle teeming with anteaters and hippos.

Here is what you need to know about Pittsburgh's aquarium.

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Location and hours

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is located at 7340 Butler St.

Spring Hours (April to Friday of Memorial Day Weekend): 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Summer Hours (Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day): 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fall Hours (Tuesday after Labor Day to December 31): 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Winter Hours (January 2 to March 31): 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tickets

Adults: $13
Seniors (60+): $12
Children (ages 2-13): $12
Ages 2 & under: Free

All active-duty military and veterans receive free general admission with proper identification.

Tours

Pittsburgh's zoo and aquarium offer tour options that give guests the chance to have a one-of-a-kind experience through their Wild Encounter Tours.

Education Ambassadors — A 30-minute private encounter with a variety of different animals led by a trained and knowledgeable staff member. Animals featured vary between tours, but may include a ball python, a fennec fox and an owl. During the encounter guests will have the opportunity to touch and pose with the animals. Education Ambassador Tours take place on select Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Groups are limited to six people and cost $350 for nonmembers and $250 for members. Participants must be ages 6 and older.

Penguin Encounters — Meet and greet birds of the Antarctic during a special 30 minute Penguin Encounter. Participants will be guided into the Pittsburgh aquarium to meet the penguins and their keeper — and take plenty of photos. Penguin Encounters are only available for a limited time from the month of October through March. Tours take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. Groups are limited to six people and cost $350 for non-members and $250 for members. Participants must be ages six and older.

Reptile Encounters — Learn how to handle a variety of the zoo's reptiles with their keepers over a 30-minute period. Reptile Encounters take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. Groups are limited to six people and cost $350 for non-members and $250 for members. Participants must be ages 10 and older.

Shark Encounters — Guests will get to go behind-the-scenes of the PPG aquarium's largest ocean exhibit during at Shark Encounter Tour. A trained aquarist will give visitors a firsthand look at how to care for the zoo's sharks. Tours happen Thursdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. Groups are limited to six people and cost $350 for nonmembers and $250 for members. Participants must be ages 6 and older.

(Reservations for a Wild Encounter Tour must be made two weeks in advance.)

The zoo also special events throughout the year — for a full schedule visit pittsburghzoo.org.

Cox Media Group