With the variety of exhibits and events, the Detroit Zoo has become a destination for Michiganders all across our state, offering unique special events year round.
One of those events is the Nocturnal Adventures. ‘Ever wonder what the animals are up to as the sun goes down,’ the Detroit Zoo asks. Nocturnal Adventures is an afterhours event, beginning at 5:30 p.m., lasting about three hours, ending with s’mores around the bonfire. 
This adventure began as a once a month special event, running from January - April, but after quickly selling out, more dates were added. Now, it is running until September, 2023.
This event begins with dinner at the zoo. Buddy’s pizza, located right near the infamous bear sculpture at the pond, this meal is included in the individual ticket price. After the unlimited pizza, salad, a cookie, and a drink in a special reusable zoo collector cup, the tour begins.
While the Detroit Zoo does offer private group tours for this event, my family and I enjoyed the general admission tour, which consisted of just five other patrons. An event organizer takes photos of each group there, that they print for you. This is just one of the extras included in your $65 event ticket price. Parking and admission into zoo are also included in ticket price. Zoo docent volunteers lead small groups on the tour, offering a more private, one-on-one feel. 
The Detroit Zoo advertises this event as having the opportunity to explore the Zoo like never before, seeing animals you might not encounter during the day. This may vary on time of year and weather, but I did find this to be accurate. There was an open, promising feeling in the spring air, as we toured the zoo. We saw most of it, and felt as though we were able to see parts of it that we never experienced when we previously visited on our own.
The docent shared fun facts and information about each animal along the way.
Check the website for details and availability on the remaining upcoming dates; June 9th, August 4th, September 22nd, October 6th, and November 3rd.