Detroit has a wonderful new place to wander, climb and get close to animals. The Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails at the Detroit Zoo is a brand-new 7-acre immersive experience — the largest project in the Zoo’s history — designed to connect visitors with the natural world through expansive habitats, up-close encounters and spaces made for every age, ability and curiosity level.
General access to the trails is included with Detroit Zoo admission, and the animal neighbours are a delight. Bush dogs, burrowing owls, bamboo sharks, chickens, giant anteaters, stingrays, prairie dogs, domestic goats, alpacas and miniature donkeys all call this corner of the Zoo home. In the Goat Encounter Yard, free with admission and open daily, guests can step inside, brush the curious goats and watch them climb and play.
There is plenty to explore above and below, too. The Canopy Trail lifts the adventure to new heights on an elevated trail with suspension bridges and viewing platforms, while Little Sprouts gives guests ages 5 and under a pond-themed play space about the life cycles of butterflies and frogs. At Aaron and Carolynn Frankel Stingray Cove, for an additional cost, visitors can touch and feed stingrays and get close to bamboo sharks under the care of animal experts.
The trails are built for touching, climbing, feeding, playing and exploring at your own pace, with paved, ADA-accessible pathways and sensory-friendly quiet spaces throughout. The Detroit Zoo is at 8450 W. 10 Mile Road in Royal Oak — plan a slow, happy day and let the discovery lead.
Photo: Detroit Zoo
