Today at the Zoo
Today’s Hours: 10:00am-9:00pm
Vote for us for Best Zoo Lights!
The Zoo is closed on Christmas Eve (12/24) and Christmas Day (12/25).
Animal News for Today
- Hippos are off habitat.
- Giraffes are off habitat.
- Bonobos are off habitat.
- Juno the baby Sloth and mother Lightning can be viewed at the Animal Ambassador Center.
- African Lions and Painted Dogs will have access due to weather.
- Cougar, Tiger, and Snow Leopards will have access due to weather.
- The full bloat – Tucker, Bibi, Fiona and Fritz, will have access to their outdoor exhibit if it’s at least 40 degrees F.
- Roo Valley will be closed today due to weather.
Unavailable for the Season
- Butterfly Aviary is closed for the season.
- Lemurs, Brown Mountain Tortoises, Vultures, and Pelicans will be off habitat for the rest of the season.
Encounters & Chats
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Zoo 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.

Directions & 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
PNC Festival of Lights Parking Map
Parking lots are located across the street from the Zoo on Vine St., Erkenbrecher Ave, and Dury Ave.
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.
You can charge your electric vehicle at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden! We have 8 charging ports in our main Vine St. parking lot. The charging stations are provided by Electrada and can be used with FLO or ChargePoint apps, and also appear on Plugshare.
Zoo Rides & Attractions
Rides are an included benefit of Platinum and Gold Members. Standard members and non-members may purchase tickets at each respective attraction. Rides and attractions are weather dependant.
Unlimited Rides Package – $8 | Zoo Adventure Upgrade (Unlimited Rides and a Zoo Key)- $10

Interested in booking a Behind-the-Scenes Experience?
Proceeds from Behind-the-Scenes Experiences are used to support global conservation efforts.
Learn More
Shopping & 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!
Food
From Food Trucks featuring chicken strips, tacos, and burgers to snack stations and Hops, overlooking Roo Valley, the Zoo has something for everyone!
Food Locations Open Today
Base Camp
10am - Close
Hops
10am - Close
Cup and Cone @ Mai Thai’s Market
10am - Close
Outpost Cafe @ Mai Thai’s Market
5pm - Close
LaRosa's
5pm - Close
Glow Shack
5:30pm - Close
S'mores & More
5pm - Close
Tuskers
5pm - Close
The Coop
5pm - Close
Wild Burger
5pm - Close
Mrs. Claus's Kitchen
5pm - Close
Hot Hippo Headquarters
5pm - Close
Canopy Canteen
5pm - Close
Hot Cocoa Express
5pm - Close
Candy Cane Cottage
5pm - Close
Sweet Retreat
5pm - Close
Santa's Sweets
5pm - Close
Where 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

Wildlife Encounters
These are included with Zoo admission

Cheetah Encounters
Returns in Spring
See cheetahs do what they do best – RUN – during the Kroger Cheetah Encounter.
Sponsored by:


Barnyard Bonanza
Returns in Spring
The Barnyard Bonanza is a fast-paced, fun, family-friendly demonstration of barnyard animal behaviors in our Children’s Zoo!
Sponsored by:


Wings of Wonder
Returns in Spring
Join us for an action-packed free-flight demonstration in the Zoo’s amphitheater. See, hear, and feel birds fly over your head and marvel at other amazing bird behaviors. More info.
Sponsored by:

FAQ: Zoo Information and Policies
In case of Lost Child or other emergencies, call the Zoo’s public safety team at 513.475.6112
The Cincinnati Zoo has a Zero Tolerance Bullying Policy. Guests must be kind to Zoo staff, no foul/hurtful/discriminatory language, and no violence against our staff or fellow guests, plants, and animals allowed.
NO SMOKING or VAPING! The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is a SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT Call 1-866-559-OHIO for questions or to report violations.
The Zoo does not allow any firearm to be brought on grounds, regardless if the individual has a conceal/carry permit.
Do not feed the animals or disturb any plants. Bicycles, skates, Heelys, hoverboards, skateboards, roller blades, scooters and portable radios are not permitted on Zoo grounds. Please stay on paths. Pets are not permitted on Zoo grounds even if left inside vehicles. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. Because the park remains open during inclement weather, the Zoo offers no refunds or rainchecks. Because of the varying needs of the animals, some buildings or exhibits may close early. All visitors grant the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden permission to use their image, or that of their children, in advertising, publicity and other promotions without payment or compensation to the visitor.
Photo & Video Policies
Commercial use of photographs, video and film taken at the Cincinnati Zoo is strictly prohibited without the Zoo’s full written consent. Feel free to share photos with family and friends using #CincyZooPic!
Location Filming Guidelines: Film crews must contact [email protected] in advance to set up their video shoot and pay a fee to shoot on location.
For the safety of our visitors and animals, drones are not permitted on or above the Cincinnati Zoo.
Yes. Re-entry is allowed for the date of ticket purchase. Please stop by turnstiles for a stamp that will allow re-entry.
We do allow coolers, backpacks, umbrellas, strollers, wagons, outside food and drink (with the exception of alcohol). All guests of all ages must wear a shirt and shoes at all times.
We do NOT allow outside alcohol, glass containers, bikes, rollerblades/skates/heelies, Segways, balloons, balls, weapons of any kind (even toy weapons), or offensive clothing.
Click here and use Option 1 to look up your member ID and to find your membership expiration date.
If your pass is currently expired, please email [email protected]
While our goal is to provide opportunities for our visitors to see all the animals in our care, there are times when an animal may be off view or given access to their indoor space in order for our team to provide the best care possible.
It must be 40 degrees or higher and sunny for Fritz to be outside. This could change at any time due to the keeper’s discretion.
The Zoo is generally busiest on weekends and holidays (holiday weekends, Spring Break, etc.), but may have higher attendance than normal on beautiful weather days.
To avoid most traffic and parking delays- we suggest arriving before 10:30am or after 2:30pm during the Spring/Summer/Fall on those busy days. During PNC Festival of Lights, we suggest visiting before 4:30pm or after 7:30pm on nice weather days, weekends, and the week of Christmas.
Should you plan to arrive during those times on a weekend or beautiful weather day, there may be lines and delays for entry. Please know that our staff is doing everything possible to facilitate entry for all of our visitors!
Yes! Please visit the Welcome Center to rent a stroller, wheelchair, or ECV.
Rental Prices: Members/Nonmembers
Single Strollers–$12/$13
Double Strollers–$15/$16
Wheelchairs–$12/$13
ECVs–$38
You can also rent ECVs online, in advance of your visit. Limited quantities are available online. Must be at least 18 years of age to rent/operate the ECV
We offer military and first responder discounts. Valid military, fire or police ID is required to obtain the discount. Military and First Responder discounted tickets can be purchased online here. Valid military or first responder credentials and matching photo ID must be shown upon entry.
All members of the military (both active military and veterans) receive a 10% discount on all Zoo membership levels. 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 full list of our discounts can be viewed here.
If your current membership is held with a Zoo that participates in the reciprocal program with the Cincinnati Zoo, you are entitled to a discount on admission. You can check our list of participating reciprocal institutions here.
Reciprocal Zoo discounted tickets are available online here. Valid proof of membership and matching photo ID must be shown upon entry.
Yes. If you’re still at the Zoo, please check at the ticketing windows or Welcome Center. If you are not still at the zoo, please submit a Lost Item Form or call the Visitor Experience help line at 513-487-3414.
A Child must be 13 years or older in order to visit the zoo without a parent or guardian present. School groups have separate age requirements (see field trip materials for more information). 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. They will also need one of the membership cards for entry.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is committed to welcoming all visitors, and complies with the ADA Title III regulations regarding service animals. Therapy or emotional support animals are not permitted in the Zoo. If your animal does not meet the ADA requirements for entry, we will gladly provide information on local kennels where your dog can stay during your Zoo visit.
Upon entry, service animal users will be greeted by a Visitor Experience Supervisor to be checked in with the two legal ADA questions regarding service animals. Members are encouraged to get a notation on their membership card to expedite entry during future visits.
Check out the Zoo Access for All program for additional resources, policies, and tips to make your Zoo visit as fun and comfortable as possible.
Per the ADA, service animals may be excluded if their presence alters the nature of the Zoo’s services or if the animal is out of the owner’s control. If a service animal is excluded, the owner will be able to visit without the service animal. For more information or assistance, please call or stop in to see a Visitor Experience Supervisor.
Yes, parking is $10 and can be paid at any parking kiosk or by using the Scan to Pay QR codes posted around the lots. Cash is not accepted for parking. Parking lot is for visitors to the Zoo and only for the duration of the visit. Parking for other purposes is explicitly prohibited and may result in your vehicle being towed.
Electric Vehicle charging stations and Red Bike stations are also available.
In an effort to make sure our keepers have enough time with their animals, we, unfortunately, cannot accept calls regarding questions about animals outside of the Zoo. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (1-800-WILDLIFE) is a great resource!