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icon of locationToday at the Zoo

Today’s Hours: 10:00am-5:00pm

Hours of Operation for 2024
January 8th – November 20th: 10am-5pm

March 9th: Begin Member early entry at 9am

November 21st-January 5th*:

  • Sunday-Thursday: 10am-9pm
  • Friday & Saturday: 10am-10pm

*December 20th-January 1st: 10am-10pm

The Zoo is closed all day on Thanksgiving Day (11/28), Christmas Eve (12/24), and Christmas Day (12/25).

The Zoo will close early at 2pm on September 20 for Zoofari

We will keep this page as up to date as possible, but for the happiness of our animals, they will get to choose and any animal being out cannot be guaranteed.

Animal News for Today

  • Moe the sloth will be on habitat in Discovery Forest and Juno the baby sloth is in the Animal Ambassador Center at the Children’s Zoo.
  • World of Insect building is closed today 3/18
  • Giraffes, Siamang Gibbons, and Colobus Monkeys will not be out today 3/18
  • Rhinos, Warty Pigs, Bongos, Painted Dogs, and Lions will have access as temperature increases.
  • Giraffe Feedings will not be open in the morning but will start back up at 12:30 PM.

Construction Updates

  • Our Euclid lot (3301 Euclid Ave) will have ongoing construction.

Unavailable for the Season

  • Lemurs, Brown Mountain Tortoises, Vultures, Okapi, South American Aviary, and Pelicans will be off habitat for the rest of the season.

Encounters & Chats

Monday, March 18, 2024
Mar
18
09:00 AM
Goat Yard 9:00AM - 5:00PM
9:00 9:00 - 5:00 Recurring event
Monday, March 18, 9:00AM - 5:00PM | Children's Zoo
Stop in and interact with our barnyard friends! Please note that this is goat and weather dependent!
Mar
18
09:00 AM
Roo Valley 9:00AM - 5:00PM
9:00 9:00 - 5:00 Recurring event
Monday, March 18, 9:00AM - 5:00PM | Roo Valley
Come visit our Roos! Please note that this is Kangaroo and weather dependent and is subject to change!
Mar
18
09:30 AM
Elephant Chat 9:30AM
9:30 9:30 Recurring event
Monday, March 18, 9:30AM
Stop by the Elephant Reserve to learn more about these awesome creatures!
Mar
18
09:30 AM
Giraffe Feeding 9:30AM - 11:30AM
9:30 9:30 - 11:30 Recurring event
Monday, March 18, 9:30AM - 11:30AM | Giraffe Ridge
Giraffe feedings are $4 for 2 pieces of lettuce. Please note that this experience is Giraffe and weather dependent and is subject to change.
Mar
18
11:30 AM
African Penguin Chat 11:30AM
11:30 11:30 Recurring event
Monday, March 18, 11:30AM
Stop by the African Penguin habitat to learn more about these awesome creatures!
Mar
18
12:15 PM
Giraffe Chat 12:15PM - 12:30PM
12:15 12:15 - 12:30 Recurring event
Monday, March 18, 12:15PM - 12:30PM | Giraffe Ridge
Stop by Giraffe Ridge to learn more about these awesome creatures!
Mar
18
12:30 PM
Giraffe Feeding 12:30PM - 2:30PM
12:30 12:30 - 2:30 Recurring event
Monday, March 18, 12:30PM - 2:30PM | Giraffe Ridge
Giraffe feedings are $4 for 2 pieces of lettuce. Please note that this experience is Giraffe and weather dependent and is subject to change.
Mar
18
12:45 PM
Elephant Chat 12:45PM
12:45 12:45 Recurring event
Monday, March 18, 12:45PM
Stop by the Elephant pool seating area in the Elephant Reserve to learn more about these awesome creatures!
Viewing 1-8 of 12 Events
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See Full Calendar of Daily Activities

icon of locationZoo Map

When you’re at the Zoo, find your destination with our interactive mobile app!

Souvenir Zoo Maps are also available at the Zoo for $1.

icon of signsDirections & Parking

Directions

The main Zoo lot is located at 3427 Vine Street. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is located at 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45220. You can also take Metro routes 1, 46, 38x, 78 or hop on a Red Bike.

Red Bike operations are currently paused, with plans to re-open early Spring. Currently all Red Bike stations are closed, and bikes are not available for rent.

Group transportation to the zoo is available through a variety of charter bus providers, including GOGO Charters, National Charter Bus, and Shofur.

Parking

Parking lots are located across the street from the Zoo on Vine St., Erkenbrecher Ave, and Dury Ave.

Visitors may enter the Zoo using the pedestrian bridges over Vine and Erkenbrecher. Both are ADA accessible.

Members will exit the lot by scanning their digital membership or a physical membership card on the top scanner. Any other visitors can purchase a parking ticket by scanning the QR codes posted around the park or by using the parking kiosk at the zoo’s front entry. Watch this video for more info. 

icon of carnivalZoo Rides & Attractions

Rides are an included benefit of Platinum and Gold Members. Standard members and non-members may purchase tickets at each respective attraction. Rides and attractions are weather dependent.

Unlimited Rides Package – $8 | Zoo Adventure Upgrade (Unlimited Rides and a Zoo Key)- $10

See More about Rides & Attractions
family smiling and touching a little blue penguin that a keeper is holding

Interested in booking a Behind-the-Scenes Experience?

Proceeds from Behind-the-Scenes Experiences are used to support global conservation efforts.

Learn More

icon of shoppingShopping & Dining

The main Zoo Shop, located in Vine Street Village, carries a wide range of items to commemorate your trip to the Zoo and also stocks practical items, such as sunscreen, to make your visit more enjoyable!

Gift Shops

You can now shop at the Cincinnati Zoo’s Gift Shop online! Don’t miss all of the latest merch!

Shop Now

Food

From Food Trucks featuring chicken strips, tacos, and burgers to snack stations and Hops, overlooking Roo Valley, the Zoo has something for everyone!

Learn More
Food Locations Open Today

Base Camp

10am - 5pm

Hops

10am - 5pm

Savannah Soft Serve

12pm - 5pm

Tuskers

10am - 5pm

Refill & Refresh (Train Station)

Train Dippin Dots

Vine Dippin Dots

Cup and Cone @ Mai Thai’s Market

Outpost Cafe @ Mai Thai’s Market

10am - 5pm

LaRosa's

11am - 3pm

LaRosa's Dippin Dots

Canopy Canteen

10am - 5pm

The Coop

Wild Burger

Sweet Retreat

icon of bedWhere To Stay

Coming to Cincinnati to visit the Queen of the Zoo? The Graduate Cincinnati is less than a mile from the Zoo and has you covered!

The Fiona: Queen of the Zoo hotel package includes:

  • Their best available room rate
  • Two (2) tickets to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
  • $20 daily credit to Fiona’s, the lobby-level bar and restaurant

Book with code ZOOFUN

Book at The Graduate NowMore Hotel Options
graduate room

icon of magnifying-glassFAQ: Zoo Information and Policies

In case of Lost Child or other emergencies, call the Zoo’s public safety team at 513.475.6112