Membership

Q: How can I contact the membership department?

A: The membership office is open daily, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. and you may call (513) 559-7713 or e-mail us at [email protected].

Q: How do I join the Zoo?

A: There are four ways to join:

• Online: Click here >
• By phone: (513) 559-7713
• By mail: Please print an enrollment form here and send with form of payment (check or credit)
• In person: memberships can be purchased at Member Services, located at the Zoo’s main entrance

Q: I’d like to send my babysitter/nanny/caretaker with my child to the Zoo without me. How can I do that?

A: Please send your membership card, along with a note that explains that the adult accompanying your child is doing so with your permission and knowledge.  That person will present the note and the membership card at the turnstile for admission for the child – the caretaker will require a ticket.  For Gold and Platinum Level members, the free guest(s) included with your membership CAN be used for this person accompanying your child.  The “guest” would present the note and the membership card at the turnstile for admission for themselves and the child.

Q: Can my non-member guests enter with me during Early Entry hour (9:00AM-10:00AM)? I have a Gold/Platinum membership: does my free guest(s) receive unlimited rides with me?

A:  Any visitors accompanied by a member may enter during Early Entry with the purchase of a ticket.  Please remember Early Entry is from mid-March until the end of October.  The Zoo opens to everyone at 10:00AM from November through early-March.

Also, the free guest(s) included on Gold and Platinum memberships receive free rides on the train/carousel when accompanied by the member.

Q: Does my membership include guest passes?

A: All members may purchase up to two half-price guest tickets per day.  Half-price guest tickets can be purchased from any ticket window with the presentation of a valid membership card or online here. Half-price tickets expire at the end of the calendar year. The discount is limited to one transaction per day (the discount cannot be applied to a single ticket twice in one day, for example).

Q: Is my membership tax deductible?

A: Zoo memberships are purchased for the goods and services offered by means of the membership and are NOT tax deductible EXCEPT if the amount paid is $75 or less.  Memberships $75 and under are considered an insubstantial benefit and are therefore 100% deductible.  Please consult a tax advisor for additional information.

Q: After I buy my membership, when will it expire?

A: All memberships expire the last day of the month they are purchased in, the following year – so you and your family will have at least 12 months to enjoy the Zoo year-round.

Q: If I renew my membership early, when will it expire? 

A: We always add 12 months to your current expiration date when you renew. For example, if your membership expires 6/30/18 and you renew 4/4/18, your membership will be extended to 6/30/19.

Q: My gift membership expired. Does that mean I can’t redeem it?

A: We will honor the value of the gift certificate you received, even beyond its expiration date. However, if the price of the membership has increased since the time of purchase (or if there are any other differences in price where the value of the membership you are receiving is higher than what the gift certificate was purchased for) you will be responsible for covering the difference.

Q: Can I use my membership for my child’s school field trip or a group sales event?

A: Memberships are not applicable for admission or rides during school field trips or group sales events.

Q: If I have FREE parking included in my membership, where do I park?

A: Parking is limited to one vehicle per named adult on your membership, per day. If you have a Platinum, Gold or Standard membership, you may park in any open Zoo parking lot free of charge.  Due to limited availability, parking is first-come, first-served and is not guaranteed on high volume days.

Q: How many children can I include on my membership?

A: Family memberships allow up to eight children/grandchildren age 18 and under.  Please consider a Platinum level membership if you would like to cover more than eight children/grandchildren as those memberships include up to four additional guests.

Q: Can I include my grandchildren on my membership?

A: A Family level membership may include all grandchildren age 18 and under (some restrictions apply).

Q: Can I use my membership for PNC Festival of Lights?

A: Zoo memberships are valid for all seasonal events, such as Zoo Blooms, Zoo Babies, HallZOOween, and PNC Festival of Lights.

Q: When do I receive my membership card and will you take my picture?

A: If you join the Zoo or renew your membership on-line, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with a temporary card that you can use immediately. You will be able to pick up your membership card(s) at the Zoo on your first visit. Your membership will not be sent through the mail for an on-line order.

If you join/renew through the mail or over the phone, you will receive your membership cards through the mail in 7-10 days (depending on volume). If you join during your visit to the Zoo, you will receive your cards that day.

You will not have to have your picture taken for your membership, but all named adult members must present a photo ID each visit with your membership card. If you would like to have your picture taken so that you don’t have to present a photo ID each visit, we can do that for you at Member Services. You do not need to have all members of your party present to pick up/receive your cards.

Q: What if I don’t have my cards yet but want to visit the Zoo anyway?

A: No problem! Just stop in Member Services and we can issue you a Day Pass. You may then take your Day Pass and photo ID to the turnstile for entry.  Please note, if you forget your membership card, we will issue a Day Pass one time as a courtesy; additional occurrences will require purchase of replacement cards (see next question).

Q: How do I replace a lost or damaged card?

A: There is a $7.00 fee for lost or damaged membership cards. Please contact the membership office to pay by phone or visit Member Services on your next visit to replace your cards.

Q: Can I use my membership for admission to other zoos?

A: You can use your Cincinnati Zoo membership to receive FREE or discounted admission to over 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide. Some popular organizations that are NOT on that list, however, include San Diego Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Indianapolis Zoo, and Newport Aquarium. You can view the most current list here. We strongly recommend you contact the zoo or aquarium you want to visit prior to your trip as the reciprocal list is subject to change without notice.

Q: Can I lend my membership card to a friend or family member to use?

A: No. Memberships are non-transferable and non-refundable. All sales are final.

Q: Why do I have to show a photo ID each time I visit?

A: As a non-profit organization that relies heavily on membership and attendance for support, we must prevent misuse of our membership cards. We also want to protect our members should their cards be lost or stolen. We try hard to keep our membership prices affordable for as many families as possible. If families and neighbors shared memberships, our revenue would be severely reduced and we would have little choice but to raise our prices.

We have added that capacity to take your photo in the Member Services office if you would like to stop in and have that done. You will not need a photo ID on future visits once we have stored your photo. You will still need to provide your membership card for entry.

Q: I’ve already renewed my membership but I continue to get renewal notices in the mail. Should I be concerned that you did not receive my renewal?

A: If you have recently renewed your membership, please disregard any renewal notices that follow. Although we work to process renewals as quickly as possible, there is a chance that you may receive another notice before your payment and renewal is processed and entered into our system. If you have any additional questions about your renewal or if it has been over a month since you renewed, please call our membership office for more information.

Q: If I want to join the Zoo on the day of my visit, can I receive credit from my admission toward the cost of the membership?

A: If you purchase tickets to visit the Zoo and would like to convert them into a membership, you are able to apply up to 100% of the admission and parking you paid toward your membership. Some restrictions apply. Ticket conversions are applicable only on the day of your visit. Please stop in Member Services to purchase.

If you do not see your question here, please call the membership office or e-mail us at [email protected].

Alabama – Birmingham Zoo

Alaska – Alaska SeaLife Center

Arizona – Phoenix Zoo, Reid Park Zoo, SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium

Arkansas – Little Rock Zoo

California – Aquarium of the Bay, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium*, Charles Paddock Zoo, CuriOdyssey, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Happy Hallow Zoo , Los Angeles Zoo, Oakland Zoo, Sacramento Zoo, San Francisco Zoo, Santa Ana Zoo, Santa Barbara Zoo, Sequoia Park Zoo, The Living Desert

CANADA – Granby Zoo, Calgary Zoo, Toronto Zoo

Colorado – Pueblo Zoo

Connecticut – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Delaware – Brandywine Zoo

District of Columbia – Smithsonian National Zoological Park*

Florida – Brevard Zoo, Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Florida Aquarium, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Mote Marine Aquarium, Palm Beach Zoo, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Zoo Miami

Georgia – Chehaw Wild Animal Park, Zoo Atlanta

Idaho – Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, Zoo Boise

Illinois – Cosley Zoo, Henson Robinson Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo*, Miller Park Zoo, Peoria Zoo, Scovill Zoo

Indiana – Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, Potawatomi Zoo

Iowa – Blank Park Zoo, Nat’l Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Kansas – David Traylor Zoo of Emporia*, Hutchinson Zoo*, Lee Richardson Zoo*, Rolling Hills Zoo, Sedgwick County Zoo, Sunset Zoo, Topeka Zoological Park

Kentucky – Louisville Zoological Garden

Louisiana – Alexandria Zoo, BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo

Maryland – The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Salisbury Zoo*

Massachusetts – Boston Museum of Science, Buttonwood Park Zoo, Capron Park Zoo, Franklin Park Zoo, Stone Zoo

MEXICO – Parque Zoologico de Leon

Michigan – Binder Park Zoo, Detroit Zoological Society, John Ball Zoological Garden, Potter Park Zoo Society, The Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square, SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium

Minnesota – Como Park Zoo*, Lake Superior Zoo, Minnesota Zoo

Missouri – Dickerson Park Zoo, Kansas City Zoo, Saint Louis Zoo*, Endangered Wolf Center, SEA LIFE Aquarium

Montana – Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center

Nebraska – Lincoln Children’s Zoo, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Riverside Discovery Center

New Hampshire – Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

New Jersey – Bergen County Zoo, Cape May County Zoological Society*, Turtle Back Zoo

New Mexico – Albuquerque BioPark, Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park

New York – Buffalo Zoo, Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, Seneca Park Zoo, Staten Island Zoo, Trevor Zoo

North Carolina – Greensboro Science Center, Museum of Life and Science, North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island, North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher,  North Carolina Zoological Park, Western North Carolina Nature Center

North Dakota – Chahinkapa Zoo, Dakota Zoo, Red River Zoo,  Roosevelt Park Zoo

Ohio – African Safari Wildlife Park, Akron Zoological Park, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Toledo Zoo, the Wilds

Oklahoma – Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Tulsa Zoo

Oregon –  Oregon Zoo, Wildlife Safari

Pennsylvania – Elmwood Park Zoo, Erie Zoological Society, Lehigh Valley Zoo, National Aviary, Philadelphia Zoo, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, ZOOAMERICA North American Wildlife Park

Rhode Island – Roger Williams Park Zoo

South Carolina – Greenville Zoo, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

South Dakota – Bramble Park Zoo, Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum

Tennessee – Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park, Knoxville Zoo, Memphis Zoo, Nashville Zoo

Texas – Abilene Zoo, Caldwell Zoo, Cameron Park Zoo, Dallas Zoo, Ellen Trout Zoo, El Paso Zoo, Gladys Porter Zoo, Houston Zoo, San Antonio Zoo

Utah – Tracy Aviary, Utah’s Hogle Zoo

Virginia – Virginia Zoo

Washington – Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo

West Virginia – Oglebay’s Good Zoo

Wisconsin – Henry Vilas Zoo*, International Crane Foundation, Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens, NEW Zoo, Racine Zoological Gardens

*Denotes FREE admission for Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden members – some restrictions may apply