FAQ: Zoo Information and Policies

Reservations are not required. Tickets are 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.

No. However, for the health and safety of the animals, masks are required for some tours.

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 and sunny for Fritz to be outside. This could change at any time due to the keeper’s discretion.

No. for the safety of our visitors and animals, drones are not permitted on or above the Cincinnati Zoo.

See more info on rides and attractions.

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

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.

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

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.

ZOO POLICIES

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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 receive a 10% discount on all Zoo membership levels (both active military and veterans). 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. 

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.

Twilight Tickets are valid for admission only from 3pm-5pm.

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!