Philadelphia Zoo Debuts Friday Nights Dinos and Bites with Extended Hours

Philadelphia Zoo (3400 W. Girard Avenue) is set to take a dinosaur-sized bite out of summer with the launch of Friday Nights Dinos and Bites. Beginning every Friday, from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend, the Zoo will host a new evening adventure with extended hours, amazing animals, life-size animatronic dinosaurs and prehistoric-themed foods, that complement the new exhibit, Big Time: Life in an Endangerous Zone experience. Newly-renamed, Bedrock Brews beer garden and Dino Bites fooderie, fire up pre-historic burger and beer pairings and other tasty treats to chomp on, making Friday Nights Dinos and Bites the perfect spot for a night out with the family or a dino-mite date night for adults. Friday Nights Dinos and Bites runs on Friday nights through 8:00pm. General Zoo Admission is $24 for ages 12+ and $19 for ages 2-11, children under 2 are free, plus entrance for Big Time $6 (adults and children ages 2+). Food and drink is pay as you go. Ticket reservations are available at www.PhiladelphiaZoo.org.

“We are excited to extend our hours and kick-off Friday nights at the Zoo," said Philadelphia Zoo Chief Marketing & Experience Officer Amy Shearer. "This dino-mite program offers the perfect occasion to enjoy an evening sip and stroll while you try our newly-themed food and craft beer and wine menus. Guests can unwind after a long work week and make memories with family and friends, or make it a date night to remember.”

Friday Nights Dinos and Bites begins on Friday, May 28th through Friday, September 3rd and enables guests to visit their favorite animals and check out Big Time, a new immersive multi-sensory experience featuring 24-animatronic prehistoric beasts, transporting guests back to when these giants roamed the Earth and enjoy the outdoors at the Zoo.

A truly unique adventure, Big Time highlights the history of these impressive beasts, taking visitors through evocative landscapes and providing ways to help enact change. This dynamic experience stimulates the senses and enables guests to walk among dinosaurs like the mighty T-rex, puts them face-to-face with an enormous Woolly Mammoth, and side-by-side with a life-sized polar bear, elephant and Sumatran rhino and more.

While sipping and strolling through the Zoo, guests can check out the newly-enhanced food destinations, including Bedrock Brews, an open-air beer garden formerly called The Watering Hole, and choose from a selection of draft and canned beer, plus canned wine and other beverages. At the new Dino Bites fooderie, look for dino-buckets of fries and onions rings (in a keepsake souvenir cup), dino- nuggets, and a selection of new dino-themed burgers. From fun-themed treats to sweets to some serious eats, the Zoo's offerings something for everyone.

For Friday Nights Dinos and Bites, Bedrock Brews and Dino Bites will spotlight one local craft brewer per week, plus offer up burger and beer pairing specials, including:

* T-Rexican paired with Troegs Dream Weaver ($15)
* Pterodactyl Turkey Burger paired with Victory Brother Love IPA ($15)
* Classic Burger paired with Lancaster Fest Lager ($15)
* BBQ Double Brontesaurus Burger paired with Troegs Haze Charmer ($16)

Guests 21 and will need valid identification to purchase alcohol.

General Zoo Admission is $24 for ages 12+ and $19 for ages 2-11, children under 2 are free, plus entrance for Big Time $6 (adults and children ages 2+). Members enjoy free admission to the Zoo with advance reservation and save on Big Time tickets. Ticket reservation should be made online at www.PhiladelphiaZoo.org.

Additionally, please save the date for Pride Night at Philadelphia Zoo to commemorate June as Philly Gay Pride Month. This event will take place on Friday, June 18th. Attendees are encouraged to show their pride between 5:00pm and 8:00pm for this special evening program. Show off your most colorful rainbow and pride threads for a chance to win Zoo tickets for this summer. Full details on this event are coming soon!

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

All health and safety precautions are in place at the Zoo including the wearing of safe face masks and practicing social distancing. For a full reminder of Philadelphia Zoo's safety protocols, visit www.PhiladelphiaZoo.org.

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA ZOO

Animals are on the move like never before at Philadelphia Zoo with Zoo360, a first-in-the-world system of see-through trails passing through treetops, crossing over pathways and connecting habitats, giving animals like amazing big cats, majestic primates and marvelous meerkats the opportunities to travel and explore. Visit young western lowland gorillas, giraffes, hippos, white rhino, zebras, red pandas, Amur tigers and more at America’s first Zoo. Explore our 42-acre Victorian garden and enjoy award-winning exhibits at one of the region's foremost conservation organizations. Home to nearly 1,300 animals, many rare and endangered, Philadelphia Zoo connects people with wildlife, while creating discovery and inspiring action for animals and habitats. Philadelphia Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To reserve tickets visit www.PhiladelphiaZoo.org. Check out social platforms at Facebook: PhiladelphiaZoo; Instagram: @philadelphiazoo; Twitter: @phillyzoo.