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Celebrate the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s 150th anniversary and plan a visit today!

icon of locationToday at the Zoo

Today’s Hours: 10:00am – 5:00pm

Early Entry for Members begin at 9:00am

Hours of Operation for 2025
January 6th – November 19th: 10am-5pm

March 1st: Begin Member early entry at 9am

November 20th-January 4th*:

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

*December 20th-December 31st: 10am-10pm

The Zoo is closed all day on Thanksgiving Day (11/27), Christmas Eve (12/24), and Christmas Day (12/25).

Animal News

  • The Cheetah cubs will be in the Cheetah habitat (near Base Camp Café) daily from 2:30pm-3:00pm and on Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 10:30am as well. *weather dependent*
  • Until further notice, Bonobos will not be in their indoor habitat, but will be viewable in their outdoor habitat.
  • Our Asian Small-Clawed Otters started a family! The four pups are being reared behind-the-scenes and need to learn to swim before venturing into the big pool on habitat. You may see the adults – Munti & Flounder – on habitat periodically, but otherwise they are spending time behind the scenes with their pups. The whole family is expected to be out on habitat in late summer.

News for Today

  • The Rhinoceros Hornbills, Siamang Gibbons, Tigers, Cougars and Snow Leopards will have access to their habitat and may not be viewable.
  • Bonobos will be off habitat today.
  • Buzz on over to the zoo for Insect Fest through July 13 to celebrate insects with us!

NOTE: Animal visibility is not guaranteed. Many have access to their behind-the-scenes areas and may not be viewable. Circle back if you don’t see your favorite animal the first time you visit their habitat.

Encounters & Chats

Saturday, July 12, 2025
Jul
12
09:30 AM
Giraffe Feeding 9:30AM - 11:30AM
9:30 9:30 - 11:30 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 9:30AM - 11:30AM | Giraffe Deck
Jul
12
09:30 AM
Bald Eagle Chat 9:30AM
9:30 9:30 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 9:30AM
Jul
12
10:15 AM
Elephant Chat 10:15AM
10:15 10:15 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 10:15AM
Elephant Trek Pool Seating Area
Jul
12
10:30 AM
African Animal Demonstration (no cheetah running demonstration) 10:30AM
10:30 10:30 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 10:30AM
Cheetah Encounter Yard
Jul
12
11:00 AM
Barnyard Bonanza 11:00AM
11:00 11:00 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 11:00AM
Jul
12
11:00 AM
Mexican Wolf Chat 11:00AM
11:00 11:00 Recurring event
Wolf Woods
Jul
12
11:00 AM
Blakely's Barnyard Bonanza 11:00AM
11:00 11:00 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 11:00AM
Jul
12
11:30 AM
African Penguin Chat 11:30AM
11:30 11:30 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 11:30AM
Jul
12
12:00 PM
Cheetah Encounter (with running demonstration) 12:00PM
12:00 12:00 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 12:00PM
Jul
12
12:00 PM
Giraffe Chat 12:00PM
12:00 12:00 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 12:00PM
Jul
12
12:30 PM
Giraffe Feedings 12:30PM - 2:30PM
12:30 12:30 - 2:30 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 12:30PM - 2:30PM | Giraffe Deck
Jul
12
12:30 PM
150th Chat 12:30PM
12:30 12:30 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 12:30PM
Passenger Pigeon Memorial
Jul
12
01:00 PM
Wings of Wonder 1:00PM
1:00 1:00 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 1:00PM
Jul
12
01:15 PM
Bonobo Chat 1:15PM
1:15 1:15 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 1:15PM
Outdoor Bonobo Viewing in Jungle Trails
Jul
12
01:30 PM
Manatee Chat 1:30PM
1:30 1:30 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 1:30PM
Jul
12
01:45 PM
Elephant Chat 1:45PM
1:45 1:45 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 1:45PM
Elephant Trek Pool Seating Area
Jul
12
02:00 PM
Barnyard Bonanza 2:00PM
2:00 2:00 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 2:00PM
Jul
12
02:00 PM
Blakely's Barnyard Bonanza 2:00PM
2:00 2:00 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 2:00PM
Jul
12
02:00 PM
Galapagos Encounter 2:00PM
2:00 2:00 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 2:00PM
Jul
12
02:30 PM
Cheetah Cub Encounter 2:30PM
2:30 2:30 Recurring event
Saturday, July 12, 2:30PM
Cheetah Habitat (across from Base Camp Cafe)
Viewing 1-20 of 23 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 FREE 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.

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. Parking cannot be guaranteed.

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.

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!

Hours and availability of food locations subject to weather and attendance.

Learn More
Food Locations Open Today

Base Camp

10am - 5pm

Hops

9am - 5pm

Tuskers

11am - 5pm

LaRosa's

11am - 4pm

Outpost Cafe @ Mai Thai’s Market

11:00am - 3:30pm

Vine Dippin Dots

11:00am - 5:00pm

Train Dippin Dots

12pm - 4pm

LaRosa's Dippin Dots

10am - 5pm

Canopy Canteen

12pm - 3pm

Wild Burger

11am-3pm

The Coop

11am-3pm

Cup and Cone @ Mai Thai’s Market

10am-5pm

Savannah Soft Serve

11am - 5pm

Taco Caja

11am-3pm

Trunk Stop

11am - 4pm

Refill & Refresh (Train Station)

11am - 4pm

S'mores & More

5pm-9pm

Santa's Sweets (Santa's Village)

5pm-10pm

Mrs. Claus' Kitchen

5pm-10pm

Candy Cane Cottage

5pm-10pm

Hot Hippo Headquarters

5pm-9pm

icon of bedWhere To Stay

Embark on an adventure with our Wild Wonders Escape Package that combines the best of The Summit Hotel and the iconic Cincinnati Zoo.

The Wild Wonders Escape Includes:

  • Best Available Room Rate
  • Breakfast at The Market to fuel your day
  • Admission tickets to the  Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
  • Complimentary shuttle service to the zoo (subject to availability)
Book at The Summit NowMore Hotel Options
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Coming to Cincinnati to visit the Queen of the Zoo? The Summit 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 Summit NowMore Hotel Options
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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