Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden®
Home of the world famous hippo Fiona. Family friendly Zoo committed to inspiring visitors with wildlife and saving species.
All membership levels include access to the Cincinnati Zoo Virtual Member Center – Bringing Cincinnati Zoo to members all over the world!
View your membership card on your phone!
Click here and use Option 1 to look up your member ID and to find your membership expiration date.
Please allow 24 hours for a new membership to show up in the portal
Must be renewed before the current membership expires to receive a discount, discount code required. The 20% discount cannot be combined with any additional discounts, promotions or offers.
Discount is off the full price of membership. Mail orders can take up to 21 days to process.
*Limit of 8 children/grandchildren per family membership, age 18 and under. Please be advised that due to US tax law, gifts made through Donor Advised Funds or charitable IRA rollovers are not eligible for memberships.
Fiona fans all over the world can now visit the world-famous hippo and her bloat every day via live stream from Hippo Cove! Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s new Virtual Membership package includes access to a members-only site that includes the live hippo feed, exclusive videos, discounts in the Zoo’s online store, and insider news.
Choose the option that works for you! All membership levels include access to the Cincinnati Zoo Virtual Member Center.
Already a Zoo member? Just log in to the Virtual Member Site! Not a member yet, an out-of-towner, or just looking to access the hippo cam? Purchase a Virtual Membership or membership level that is best for you!
*NOTE: Virtual Membership does NOT include admission to the Cincinnati Zoo.
Looking for a wild and unique gift? Give the gift of membership! When you purchase a gift membership, you (as the gift giver) will receive an e-mail confirmation with a PDF gift certificate attached that the recipient will redeem at their convenience to begin their membership. To redeem and activate the gift membership, the recipient will need to call the Member Services Office at (513) 559-7713 or email [email protected]. You will not need any of the recipient’s information to purchase a gift membership.
The membership doesn’t start until the recipient decides to redeem the gift certificate, which means they won’t lose any time on their membership! The membership is valid for one year from the redemption date (must redeem within one year of purchase).
Gift memberships in the form of renewals will add one year from the current members expiration date (i.e. if the current members expiration date for their membership is 3/31/2022, the gift membership will add one year and expire on 3/31/2023). You will not need the current members information to complete the transaction.
The perfect gift for any Zoo lover! Zoo Bucks never expire and may be spent anywhere at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden from admission to membership or even a bite to eat!Zoo Bucks are delivered as a PDF attachment via email and may be printed or forwarded to the recipient. Zoo Bucks may not be used on the Zoo Website. All sales are final for Zoo Bucks. Lost Zoo Bucks may not be refunded or replaced.
Click here for a printable PDF Gift Certificate to give with your gift membership:
“Thank you for investing in the future of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and the future of wildlife. We couldn’t do it without you.” – Thane Maynard
Join Now
(includes Family Platinum Membership and Donor perks)
Keeper Circle Donors make an annual gift ranging from $500-999 in support of the mission and vision of the Zoo. As a ‘thank you’ these donors receive a Family Platinum Membership, invitations to special events throughout the year, often before or after Zoo hours, and a letter documenting the tax-deductible portion of your gift. We invite you to join the Keeper Circle by making a donation today!
In honor of our founder, the Andrew Erkenbrecher Society was created to recognize our dedicated and visionary donors who give $1,000 or more annually to support the mission of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. This distinguished Donor Club includes a Family Platinum Membership, invitations to exclusive events and opportunities throughout the year, and a letter documenting the tax deductible portion of your gift. We invite you to join the Andrew Erkenbrecher Society by making a donation today!
All members are held to the Zoo’s Policies, found at Visitor FAQs. Memberships are non-refundable, non-transferrable and cannot be extended. *NOTE: Virtual Membership does NOT include admission to the Cincinnati Zoo.
A: The membership office is open daily. Call (513) 559-7713 or e-mail us at [email protected].
A: There are two ways to become a member:
A: Members that renew their membership before its expiration date can receive 20% off the full-price membership! For speedy processing, purchase your membership online! You can use your email confirmation as your membership card as soon as you receive it.
If you join the Zoo or renew your membership, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with a temporary card that you can use immediately. You can also download your digital membership card through the Digital Membership Portal.
As part of our Zero Net Waste Initiative we are no longer printing membership cards and your membership will not be automatically sent through the mail.
We have limited resources on-site to take pictures at this time. If there is a line, we ask you to accomplish this on your next visit.
A: As part of our Zero Net Waste Initiative we are no longer printing membership cards and your membership will not be automatically sent through the mail.
You will receive an e-mail confirmation with a temporary card that you can use immediately. You can also download your digital membership card through the Digital Membership Portal.
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 at the Ticketing Windows 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. We have limited resources on-site to take pictures at this time. If there is a line we ask you to accomplish this on your next visit.
A: All members of the military receive a 10% discount on all Zoo membership levels (both active military and veterans). Please bring your military or veteran ID to a Ticketing Window to redeem. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer/deal/discount.
A: No problem! You can access your digital membership cards via the Digital Membership Portal at www.cincinnatizoo.org/zoodigitalmembership. You can access from any smart phone or tablet. Don’t have a smart phone or tablet? Just stop at the ticket windows 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 the purchase of replacement cards (see next question).
A: In our effort to reach Zero Net Waste, there is a $7.00 fee for lost or damaged membership cards. Please contact the membership office to pay by phone to replace your cards. Don’t forget you have access to your digital membership cards via the Digital Membership Portal at www.cincinnatizoo.org/zoodigitalmembership!
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.
A: We always add 12 months to your current expiration date when you renew. For example, if your membership expires 6/30/2021 and you renew 4/4/2021, your membership will be extended to 6/30/2022.
A: Our Gold level memberships include one free guest per visit and our Platinum level memberships include four free guests per visit (this is total guests for the entire membership).
A: No. Memberships are non-transferable, non-refundable, and cannot be extended. All sales are final. Primary and secondary adult member names cannot be changed during the membership year.
A: With your Family Gold or Family Platinum membership, you may send the babysitter/nanny to the Zoo with a written and signed note acknowledging and allowing them to bring your child(ren) to the Zoo. They must bring the note, their ID, and a copy of your membership card (physical or a screenshot of the digital card will work). Your babysitter/nanny will be the guest of your children on the membership for the day. If you have a Family Standard membership, your babysitter/nanny will need to purchase a ticket in order to enter the Zoo. You can purchase up to two half-priced tickets online the day of their visit! For Dual Gold or Platinum members, if your children are under 3 years old you may send the babysitter/nanny with a note for entry as well.
A:Yes, half-price Guest tickets are available online and in person during early entry. A half-price guest ticket is allowed early entry with the member. (Early Entry is only available mid-March – October 31.
A: Free guest(s) must accompany one of the named adults on the membership for entry into the zoo.
A: The free guest(s) included on Gold and Platinum memberships receive free rides on the train when accompanied by the member.
A: Family memberships allow up to eight children living in the household age 18 and under or up to eight 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.
A: A Family level membership allows up to eight grandchildren age 18 and under (some restrictions apply).
A: Memberships are not applicable for admission or rides during school field trips or ticketed events. Memberships are always valid for parking.
A: A Child must be 13 years or older in order to visit the zoo without a parent or guardian present. If the child is coming into the zoo on a membership (and they are one of the children on the membership), they will need a note from one of the named adults on the membership stating they give their permission and knowledge for the child to enter the zoo without them present.
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. The membership free parking benefit is applicable for zoo visits only. Parking in any zoo lot while not visiting the zoo is not permitted.
A: Zoo memberships are valid for all seasonal events, such as Zoo Blooms, Zoo Babies, HallZOOween, and PNC Festival of Lights.
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. Renewals sent by mail may take up to 21 days to process. 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.
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.
A: You can use your Cincinnati Zoo membership to receive FREE or discounted admission to over 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide (including 7 in Ohio). 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 below. 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. Due to current conditions, some reciprocal Zoos may not be honoring reciprocity at this time.
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.
A: Did you buy tickets and love the Zoo? Up to 100% of your paid admission is applicable when you present proof of purchase or an email confirmation from an online ticket purchase. Admission receipts and email confirmations are only valid on the day of your visit and must show amount paid. Some restrictions apply. Amount deducted from price of the membership cannot be greater than the cost of the membership. Only one day of admission may be used. Admission deductions limited to individuals covered on the membership purchased. Please stop by the Ticketing Windows or Welcome Center to purchase. Tickets purchased for Zoo events or through promotions/offers are not able to be applied toward a membership.
A: Here are some important Membership Policy reminders:
If you do not see your question here, please call the membership office at (513) 559-7713 or e-mail us at [email protected].
Please note: If you are a member of one of the following zoos and aquariums, you will receive 50% off general admission at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, regardless of your zoo or aquarium’s free/reduced admission policy (this offer cannot be combined with special events or promotions, i.e. Penguin Days). To receive the discount you must present your current Reciprocal Zoo Membership and Photo ID at the Ticketing Windows.
When you present your Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden membership card, you will receive 50% off admission to the following zoos and aquariums (discount may not be available at all Zoos listed at this time.):
Reciprocity PDF
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 Barbara Zoo, Sequoia Park Zoo, The Living Desert
CANADA – Granby Zoo, Calgary Zoo, Toronto Zoo, Assiniboine Park 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, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Zoo Miami, Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
Georgia – Zoo Atlanta
Idaho – Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, Zoo Boise
Illinois – Cosley Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo*, Miller Park Zoo, Peoria Zoo, Scovill Zoo, John G Shedd Aquarium
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
Maryland – The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
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, SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium, Saginaw Children’s Zoo
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, ZooMontana
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, Utica Zoo, Aquarium of Niagara
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 – 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, 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, Texas State Aquarium, Fort Worth Zoo
Utah – Tracy Aviary, Utah’s Hogle Zoo
Virginia – Virginia Zoo, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
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
This list is subject to change without notice. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is not responsible for admission fees paid at reciprocal zoos as a result of unexpected changes in reciprocity agreements or other restrictions. Some organizations offer reciprocity to a limited number of individuals per visit, regardless of how many are covered by your Cincinnati Zoo membership. Parking and guest privileges generally do not reciprocate. We recommend you contact the zoos on this list prior to your visit to confirm the current reciprocity status and any restrictions.
Updated May 19, 2021
No Refunds, Transfers or Extensions of Memberships
The person(s) using this membership grants the Zoological Society of Cincinnati (the “Zoo”) permission to use his or her image, or that of his/her children, in advertising, publicity and other promotions without payment or compensation to holder. By using this membership, the person using it voluntarily assumes all risk of personal injury (including but not limited to death) and loss of property, by accident or otherwise, incidental to attending the Zoo and using its rides, attractions and facilities, and agrees that the Zoo, its directors, officers, employees, and agents are not responsible for and shall not be liable for any such injuries or losses, no matter how caused. This membership evidences a revocable license to enter the Zoo’s property, and this license may be revoked (and the holder ejected from the Zoo’s property) at the sole discretion of the Zoo, without refund, if misused or if the holder fails to abide by the policies, rules or regulations of the Zoo. Such policies, among other things, prohibit the possession and/or use of controlled substances and intoxicants on Zoo property. Park hours, prices, policies, and programs are all subject to change without notice. This membership is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fees for food, merchandise, pay-per-ride attractions, and special concerts and events are not included unless noted on the membership.