Before the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium became the attraction it is today, the area was known as Riverview Park. The City of Omaha founded the park in 1894. The following year, the park’s first animals arrived. Acquisitions included a moose, bear, and “moving fish.” By 1898, the park had grown to host over 120 animals, from deer to bison. In 1963, the zoo earned the Doorly name following a $750,000 donation by Margaret Hitchcock Doorly. Margaret donated in honor of her late husband, Henry Doorly, chairman of the World Publishing Company.
Since 1963, the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium has grown to include a sprawling African Grasslands exhibit, a Gorilla Valley, Children’s Adventure Trails, and more. Get a preview of these fascinating attractions with this list of six reasons why you should visit the Henry Doorly Zoo.