News and Stories

Cincinnati Zoo’s Summer Season Kicks Off This Weekend 

Free Admission for Military on Memorial Day, 5/29

CINCINNATI, OH (May 25, 2023) – Summer Adventure at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, presented by Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers, gears up this weekend with the return of the Ameritas Wings of Wonder and more opportunities to catch the popular Kroger Cheetah Encounter and Grippo’s Barnyard Bonanza.   Members of the military may enter the Zoo and see all three experiences for free on Monday, May 29! * Up to 6 friends or family members visiting with military personnel can purchase tickets for just $15 for adults and $12 for seniors/child tickets!

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“I got to participate in a Wings of Wonder practice session earlier this week and can tell you that visitors are going to be amazed by what the birds and their trainers can do,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard.  “The Barnyard Bonanza and Cheetah Encounter also offer people the rare chance to see impressive animal behaviors that are sure to inspire an appreciation for wildlife.” Check the animal encounters schedule before you visit, so you can be sure to catch these experiences and other activities happening around the Zoo.

If adventure is your thing, get ready to gear up and get out on the Zoo’s Kanga’ Klimb aerial adventure course, which opens for the season on May 27. This elevated course features a series of activities designed to safely test your balance and climbing skills plus increase self-reliance.

“The new carousel is spectacular and includes a variety of animal seats.  I rode the alligator during our staff preview spin, since that’s my favorite animal,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard.  “The new electric train is also a lot of fun and better for the environment than our previous train.”

*All members of the military — active and retired — are invited to enter the Zoo free of charge on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29.  This offer also allows military personnel to purchase up to six (6) deeply-discounted admission tickets for members of their immediate family. Military members should simply show military credentials at turnstiles and their guests (with discounted tickets) must enter with them. More information on B105 Military Days can be found here.

The Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Members enjoy early entry starting at 9 a.m. Zoo Babies, presented by General Electric Credit Union, runs through the end of the month.

DID YOU KNOW…. You pay more than $10 less per ticket, on select days, when you purchase tickets online!  That’s a $40 savings for a family of 4!

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The world-famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is committed to inspiring visitors to care about wildlife and wild places.  It was voted the #1 Best Zoo in a USA TODAY reader poll and has also received rave reviews from Child Magazine, Parents Magazine, USA Today and TripAdvisor.  Over 1.8 million people visit the Zoo’s award-winning habitats, 400 animal and 3000 plant species annually. The Zoo, an accredited member of the Association of  Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) for almost 30 years, is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants and engages in research and conservation projects worldwide. Known as the #GreenestZooInAmerica, the Zoo is doing its part to conserve natural resources that are critical to saving wildlife and its habitats and is committed to greening its daily operations and reducing its impact on the environment with rain gardens, recycled building materials, solar panels and more. The Cincinnati Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.