Virginia Zoo Asia Trail Partial Closure + Discount

NORFOLK, VA – Beginning Monday, October 24th, the Virginia Zoo “Asia: Trail of the Tiger” will experience a partial closure due to the replacement of the boardwalk surface and structure. Construction is expected to last through the spring of 2023. 

The boardwalk replacement project will provide needed updates for guests and staff, while also improving the guest experience and aesthetics. While the boardwalk is safe to walk on, it has experienced weather-related deterioration to its wooden boards and structure. These elements will be replaced with a durable and heat-resistant composite material. The Zoo is taking this opportunity to replace the entire boardwalk during the cooler months.  

The animals that can generally be viewed along the boardwalk will not be viewable for the duration of the construction. Other animals on the trail such as the tigers, orangutans, moon bear, tapirs, otters, and more will remain on exhibit for guests. Because most of these animals are tropical or sub-tropical species, they will have access to indoor, off-exhibit warm areas and may choose to be inside.  

The Zoo’s biggest event of the year, ZooBoo, is happening this weekend which is a great time to fully experience the “Asia: Trail of the Tiger” before construction begins on Monday.  

During construction, general Zoo admission will be discounted to $11 for all ticket levels. This price accounts for both potential impacts on the guest experience due to construction, as well as a new seasonal discount the Zoo is piloting for our cooler winter months.  

“Seasonal pricing is something we’ve been thinking about offering and with the timing of the construction, now seemed like the perfect time to test it,” says Executive Director Greg Bockheim. “Winter is still a great time to see animals, and we hope this opportunity will encourage more guests to enjoy an extra visit to the Zoo outside of our busier summer season.”  

Guests can stay up to date on the construction progress, experience special virtual behind-the-scenes sneak peeks of animals off-exhibit, and more by visiting virginiazoo.org/asiatrailconstruction.