A Guide To Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake City

Tracy Aviary Salt Lake City
Isha
Isha 
Published
| 4 min read

Holding the distinction of being the oldest and largest of only two aviaries in the USA, Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City, Utah is a unique and must-visit attraction in the city. It is situated within the Liberty Park premises and aims to educate the public about birds from around the Great Salt Lake region, Rocky Mountains, and as far as South America. It encourages visitors to interact with the birds as well as works towards their conservation. About 400 birds representing 135 species in all shapes, colours, sizes, and feathers call this aviary their home. Visitors can view them via interactive exhibits, bird shows, bird feeding sessions, up and close experiences, etc. So, before you plan your visit, come and check out our guide to Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake City.

Things to do / Highlights

If our birds could vote, they would. Don't forget to vote tomorrow. https://vote.utah.gov/vote/menu/index

Posted by Tracy Aviary on Monday, 5 November 2018

Wander through the bird exhibits

Spread out over 8 acres (3.2 hectares), this aviary has an amazing range of bird exhibits that you can spend hours wandering through. Meet birds from the wetlands and lakes of Utah at the Pelican Pond exhibit or gawk at the bald eagle and golden eagle at North American Eagles exhibit. The solo exhibit, King of the Andes, showcases a majestic Andean condor. Other fascinating exhibits to view are African Southern Ground Hornbills, Sandhill Cranes, Backyard Birds, Chilean Flamingos, South American Pavilion, Macaws and King Vultures, Owl Forest, Swan Pond, Expedition Kea and more!

Experience a bird show

Bird shows are held daily at this aviary and are a fun way to see various birds in flight. Bird shows are held both indoors and outdoors, depending on the season. During these bird shows, certain popular birds, nicknamed ‘cele-birdies’, fly overhead the seated audience while the expert bird handlers provide interesting information about them. The shows are free and open to all. Visitors can simply watch or even participate in these interactive experiences.

Enjoy a Nose-to-Beak experience

Nose-to-Beak experiences at the aviary are a range of experiences designed to get the visitors involved in various activities of the aviary. These are special experiences that allow you to get as close as possible to the birds in the aviary. The experiences include tossing fish into a pelican’s open pouch, doing a morning check-up of the birds with the rainforest birds’ caretakers, releasing ladybugs to eat aphids, etc.

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What to eat

Pancakes
Source: Unsplash

Bird Feeder Café

Made from several recycled shipping containers, the Bird Feeder Café is a cafe and concession stand that has conservation at its core. Sustainable materials are used in preparing and serving freshly made food and drinks here. The cafe offers sandwiches, salads, tacos, drinks and more that visitors can enjoy in the alfresco dining area or upper terrace that has good views of the aviary grounds.

The Park Cafe

Grab an early breakfast at The Park Cafe before you head on over to the aviary. Situated at a short walking distance from Tracy Aviary and right outside Liberty Park is The Park Cafe that is well-known for two things - its exceptional park views and amazing breakfast options. Serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch, the cafe has a variety of items to choose from. Must-try dishes here are their famous French toast, buttermilk pancakes, and biscuits and gravy

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Travelers tips

Posted by Tracy Aviary on Thursday, 9 May 2019

Wheelchair accessibility

The aviary is wheelchair-accessible. All public areas of the aviary permit the use of wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Other wheelchair-friendly features here are automated doors and elevators in several areas as well as wheelchair-accessible seating in the indoor and outdoor bird shows. A few manual wheelchairs can also be borrowed at the aviary.

Service animals

Service animals are permitted almost everywhere on the grounds of the aviary with the exception for bird shows, certain exhibits, and experiences. Service animals must be checked in at the Visitor Center at the time of entrance.

USD 1 Winter Days and USD 5 after 5pm on summer Mondays

If you are visiting the aviary during the winter, you should definitely take advantage of the USD 1 Winter Days promo where you can get a ticket for just USD 1 on certain pre-designated days in the winter that you can look up on their website. Similarly, if you are visiting in the summer, you can time your visit after 5pm on Mondays so that you can get a USD 5 ticket through the summer months.

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How to get there

Slc airport dropoff zone
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ricardo630 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Public transport

Public transport is available within one block of the aviary. Several bus stops are at a walking distance and Bus 205 and 9 primarily service Tracy Aviary.

Private cars

Tracy Aviary is just a six- to ten-minute drive away from the downtown area of Salt Lake City. Driving directions to the aviary are easily available from other starting points too.

Taxis or ride-hailing apps

Taxis are easily available in the downtown area of Salt Lake City and can be hailed or pre-booked to reach Tracy Aviary. Alternatively, you could even order an Uber or Lyft car to take you to the aviary.

Parking information

You can park in Tracy Aviary’s parking lot or in the parking lot of Liberty Park. Metered parking is available on the streets outside and can be paid with the ParkSLC phone app.

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How to book tickets

Posted by Tracy Aviary on Tuesday, 12 June 2018

The only way to book tickets to Tracy Aviary is on-site directly at the aviary itself. There are no online ticket sales and on-site purchase is the best and easiest way to secure admission.

Admission prices to the aviary vary in the summer and winter. The aviary also offers special price tickets during the summer and winter. Additionally, holders of Visit Salt Lake’s Connect Pass are entitled to free admission to the aviary.

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Tracy Aviary information

Chillin'
Source: Photo by user Cliff Johnson used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Tracy Aviary

Address: 589 E. 1300 S., Salt Lake City, Utah

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily, except Thankgiving and Christmas; summer and winter times vary)

Cost: USD 9.95 onwards

Official Website: Tracy Aviary

Department of tourism: Visit Salt Lake

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Isha is a former corporate employee who now leads a tranquil life centered around travel, writing, and minding her own business.

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