Sunset Zoo is the city zoo of Manhattan, Kansas, tracing its roots back to 1933 when a rocky, burial-unsuitable section of the city’s Sunset Cemetery was repurposed into a wildlife park. Much of the original construction was carried out by the Works Progress Administration, and several of those Depression-era limestone structures still stand today as pieces of living history alongside the zoo’s modern exhibits.
Now accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Sunset Zoo has grown into a compact but globally minded collection, home to more than 300 animals representing over 100 species. Visitors can walk through themed areas like African Trail, Australian Walk-About, Kansas Plains, Trails of South America, and Expedition Asia, encountering animals from Malayan tigers to red pandas along the way.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Manhattan, Kansas
- Opened: 1933
- Size: About 26 of 48 total acres in use
- Species/animal count: About 105 species, 300+ animals
- Accreditation: AZA-accredited since 1989
- Famous for: Preserved WPA-era limestone structures from the 1930s
A Zoo Built from a Cemetery
Sunset Zoo’s origin story is unusual among American zoos: the land was originally purchased by the city in 1929 as Sunset Cemetery. A rocky section proved unusable for burials, and rather than let the land sit idle, Manhattan converted it into a zoo in 1933. Longtime Kansas State University veterinary leader Dr. E.J. Frick volunteered his expertise to the facility for 43 years, shaping its early growth.
Much of the original zoo infrastructure came courtesy of the Works Progress Administration, whose limestone buildings from the Depression era remain on site today, giving the zoo a distinct sense of place rarely found at newer facilities.
What to See Today
The zoo’s exhibit areas are organized by region, including African Trail, Australian Walk-About, Kansas Plains, Trails of South America, and Expedition Asia. Notable residents have included Malayan tigers, cheetahs, red pandas, and Amur leopards, giving visitors a chance to see several threatened or endangered species in a single afternoon.
Beyond daily exhibits, Sunset Zoo hosts seasonal community events such as Brew at the Zoo, SPOOKtacular, and Wine in the Wild, which help fund its conservation and education programs.
Explore more: Explore more zoos and aquariums.
Let them photograph their own favorite animals — and keep your phone in your pocket.
Hauls kids, coolers and souvenirs across a big zoo or park, folds flat for the trunk.
Little hands reach in, snacks stay in — a lifesaver on long zoo days.
Sunset Zoo FAQs
Where is Sunset Zoo located?
Sunset Zoo is located at 2333 Oak Street in Manhattan, Kansas.
When did Sunset Zoo open?
Sunset Zoo opened in 1933 on land originally purchased as Sunset Cemetery in 1929.
Is Sunset Zoo accredited?
Yes, Sunset Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1989.
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Photo: John P Salvatore / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.