FAQ: General Zoo Information and Policies

PNC Festival Lights is November 19 – January 9. The Zoo will be open from 10am – 9pm daily. No reservations are required.

PNC Festival of Lights is all about… the LIGHTS! Our Zoo animals usually head indoors around 5pm or sooner so make sure to come early and stay for the lights if you’re hoping to see animals!

For more information on this event visit here.

Purchasing tickets online, in advance of your visit is highly recommended. You get the best price and skip the line! All sales final, tickets are non-refundable.

*The Zoo will be closed all day Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day

Masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests. Per CDC guidance, we strongly encourage everyone to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. For the health and safety of the animals, masks are required for some tours and in areas where humans and animals are in close proximity:

Giraffe feedings: Due to close proximity with staff and animals, participants must wear masks to participate except ~6 and under; no medical exceptions. (Feedings will resume in the spring)

Goat Yard: Due to close proximity with staff and animals, participants must wear masks to participate except ~6 and under; no medical exceptions.

Masks must follow these CDC specifications:

• fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• completely covers the nose and mouth
• is secured with ties or ear loops
• includes multiple layers of fabric
• allows for breathing without restriction

Reservations are not required. Single-day guests no longer need reservations to enter at a specific time. Tickets are still date-specific. Purchasing online, in advance of your visit is highly recommended. You get the best price and skip the line! All sales final, tickets are non-refundable.

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. All guests of all ages must wear a shirt and shoes at all times.

Click here and use Option 1 to look up your member ID and to find your membership expiration date.

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 for Fiona to be outside. This could change at any time due to keeper discretion.

Playgrounds are open. See more info on rides and attractions.

*Hours may vary due to inclement weather, maintenance, and low attendance.

Kanga’ Klimb will reopen in the Spring.

Participants must be 60” tall to participate alone

If the participant is 48″ and taller, they must be accompanied on the course at all times by someone who is at least 60″ tall. There must be a 1:1 accompaniment. (It cannot be 1 person 60 inches tall with 2 children.)

If you’re under 48″ tall, you cannot participate at all.

Our nursing nests are available under Base Camp Cafe and in Mai Thai’s Market.

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!

Indoor and outdoor animal habitats are open for guests to enjoy. Animals on view during your visit depend on the weather and the time of day you are visiting. Check our Zoo Today page on the day of your visit for the most up-to-date information.

Stroller and wheelchair rental has resumed! Please visit the Welcome Center to rent a stroller or wheelchair. NEW! You can also rent your items online, in advance of your visit. Limited quantities are available online. Must be at least 18 years of age to rent/operate the ECV

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.

 

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.

ZOO POLICIES

For health and safety reasons, please 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.

 Zoo Bucks (Gift Certificates) are available for purchase here and can be spent anywhere at the Zoo, including admission! Zoo Bucks may not be used on the Zoo Website.

Gift Memberships are also available by clicking here.

Visit our “where to stay” page for more information on hotels and lodging.

Visitors are welcome to bring food and beverages to the Zoo with them. Alcohol is prohibited.

Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted on Zoo grounds.  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.

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.

Please note: this discount may only be applied at the Cincinnati Zoo ticketing windows.

Click here for encounters!

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 email [email protected] or call the Visitor Experience help line at 513-487-3414.

Find more information and Member FAQs here.

A Child must be 13 years or older in order to visit the zoo without a parent or guardian present. 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 must be paid at the Zoo at any ticketing window or in the parking lot. Both cash and credit cards are accepted to pay for parking.

Electric Vehicle charging stations and Red Bike stations are also available.

We offer military and first responder discounts. Valid military, fire or police ID is required to obtain the discount. Tickets must be purchased in person and cannot be combined with any other discounts.

A full list of our discounts can be viewed here. 

Corporate Discount Tickets can be purchased here. Please create a new account to proceed. Corporate discounts are not accepted at the Cincinnati Zoo ticketing windows and may only be purchased online.

The Zoo does not allow any firearm to be brought on grounds, regardless if the individual has a conceal/carry permit.

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!