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icon of locationToday at the Zoo

Today’s Hours: 10:00am-10:00pm

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).

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.

Animal News

  • Elephant Trek is Now Open!

Animals Off-Habitat for the Season

  • Brown Mountain Tortoises
  • Ring-tailed Lemurs

News for Today

  • The Base Camp Café Nursing Nest is closed until further notice.
  • The North American River Otters will have access to their habitat until further notice, and may not be viewable.
  • The Giraffes and Elephants will not have access to their outdoor habitats, but both will be viewable in their indoor habitat.
  • The Hippos will not access to their outdoor habitat today (12/6) until temperatures are above 40 degrees.
  • The African Lions, Painted Dogs, Tigers, Cougars, and Snow Leopards will have access to their indoor habitats and may not be viewable.
  • Some animals in the Tropical African Animals building in Jungle Trails will be off habitat until further notice and will not be viewable.

Encounters & Chats

Saturday, December 7, 2024
Dec
5
12:00 PM
Roo Valley 12:00PM - 4:00PM
12:00 12:00 - 4:00 Recurring event
Weather Permitting
Dec
5
04:30 PM
Asian Elephant Chat 4:30PM
4:30 4:30 Recurring event
Thursday, December 05, 4:30PM
Dec
5
05:00 PM
Meet A Creature 5:00PM
5:00 5:00 Recurring event
Thursday, December 05, 5:00PM
Dec
5
05:30 PM
Bearcat Chat 5:30PM
5:30 5:30 Recurring event
Dec
5
06:00 PM
Leaf Cutter Ant Chat 6:00PM
6:00 6:00 Recurring event
Thursday, December 05, 6:00PM
Dec
5
06:30 PM
Komodo Dragon Chat 6:30PM
6:30 6:30 Recurring event
Thursday, December 05, 6:30PM
Dec
5
07:00 PM
Florida Manatee Chat 7:00PM
7:00 7:00 Recurring event
Thursday, December 05, 7:00PM
Dec
5
08:00 PM
Masai Giraffe Chat 8:00PM
8:00 8:00 Recurring event
Thursday, December 05, 8:00PM
Viewing 1-8 of 8 Events
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!

Learn More
Food Locations Open Today

Base Camp

10am - 10pm

Hops

10am - 10pm

Tuskers

4pm - 10pm

LaRosa's

4pm - 9pm

Outpost Cafe @ Mai Thai’s Market

4pm - 9pm

Vine Dippin Dots

5pm - 9pm

Train Dippin Dots

5pm - 9pm

LaRosa's Dippin Dots

5pm - 9pm

Canopy Canteen

5am - 8pm

Wild Burger

5pm-8pm

The Coop

11am-2pm

Cup and Cone @ Mai Thai’s Market

10am-10pm

Savannah Soft Serve

4pm - 9pm

Taco Caja

5pm-9pm

Trunk Stop

4pm - 9pm

Refill & Refresh (Train Station)

11am - 4pm

S'mores & More

5pm-9pm

Santa's Sweets (Santa's Village)

5pm-9pm

Mrs. Claus' Kitchen

5pm-10pm

Candy Cane Cottage

4pm-9pm

Hot Hippo Headquarters

5pm-9pm

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