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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

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

News for Today

  • Due to ongoing construction to increase animal welfare, Birds of the World will have habitat closures. Habitat availability may fluctuate by day.
  • Due to the weather, Galapagos and Brown Mountain Tortoises will not have access to their outdoor habitat, and may not be viewable.
  • The Cheetah Encounters at 10:30am and 12:00pm will be Cheetah Chats instead.

Encounters & Chats

Sunday, September 8, 2024
Sep
8
09:00 AM
Goat Yard 9:00AM - 5:00PM
9:00 9:00 - 5:00 Recurring event
Sunday, September 08, 9:00AM - 5:00PM | Children's Zoo
Stop in and interact with our barnyard friends! Please note that this is goat and weather dependent!
Sep
8
09:00 AM
Roo Valley 9:00AM - 5:00PM
9:00 9:00 - 5:00 Recurring event
Sunday, September 08, 9:00AM - 5:00PM | Roo Valley
Come visit our Roos! Please note that this is Kangaroo and weather dependent and is subject to change!
Sep
8
09:30 AM
Elephant Chat 9:30AM
9:30 9:30 Recurring event
Sunday, September 08, 9:30AM
Stop by the Elephant Reserve to learn more about the world’s largest land mammals!
Sep
8
09:30 AM
Giraffe Feeding 9:30AM - 11:30AM
9:30 9:30 - 11:30 Recurring event
Giraffe feedings are $4 for 2 pieces of lettuce. Please note that this experience is Giraffe and weather dependent and is subject to change.
Sep
8
10:30 AM
Cheetah Encounter 10:30AM
10:30 10:30 Recurring event
Come learn about these amazing African predators, and witness their incredible speed with your own eyes.
Sep
8
11:00 AM
Barnyard Bonanza 11:00AM - 11:30AM
11:00 11:00 - 11:30 Recurring event
Sunday, September 08, 11:00AM - 11:30AM | Children's Zoo
The Barnyard Bonanza is a fast-paced, fun, family-friendly demonstration of barnyard animal behaviors in our Children's Zoo! 
Sep
8
12:00 PM
Cheetah Encounter 12:00PM
12:00 12:00 Recurring event
Come learn about these amazing African predators, and witness their incredible speed with your own eyes.
Sep
8
12:00 PM
Giraffe Chat 12:00PM
12:00 12:00 Recurring event
Viewing 1-8 of 15 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. 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!

Learn More
Food Locations Open Today

Base Camp

10am - 5pm

Hops

9am - 5pm

Tuskers

11am - 3pm

Refill & Refresh (Train Station)

11am - 4pm

Vine Dippin Dots

11pm - 5pm

Train Dippin Dots

12pm - 4pm

LaRosa's Dippin Dots

12pm - 3pm

Cup and Cone @ Mai Thai’s Market

9:30am-5pm

Outpost Cafe @ Mai Thai’s Market

11am - 4pm

LaRosa's

11am - 4pm

Canopy Canteen

11pm - 3pm

The Coop

11am - 4pm

Wild Burger

11am - 4pm

Savannah Soft Serve

1pm - 4pm

Taco Caja

11am - 4pm

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