Visitors can zip from Kansas City to Antarctic islands in mere moments in the Helzberg Penguin Plaza, part of the Kansas City Zoo. Humboldt, King, Gentoo and Northern Rockhopper penguins frolic in the temperate environment (50–80 degrees), modeled on the Humboldt penguin’s native Peruvian and Chilean habitat. More than 25,000 gallons of cool salt water gives these birds lots of room to swim and play.

The multi-faceted, rich experience is a series of interactive exhibit components showing various penguin habitats, from both temperate and Antarctic regions. Visitors can see and interpret penguin behavior and adaptive traits, boosting interest in becoming stewards of our planet’s wild penguin populations. 

The entry plaza features a large, gently sloping map of the southern hemisphere and large full-size penguin sculptures on top of realistic rockwork, creating fun photo opportunities for visitors. Beyond the entry plaza, visitors orient themselves to the new facility in a grand interpretive exhibit and event space. Visitors can get extremely close to penguins, with only glass between them, and view the different species from above and below water. Along with two main penguin exhibits, several small aquarium tanks feature coral reef fish, schooling fish and jellyfish showcase the diversity of the ocean.