Tips To Make Your Columbus Zoo Visit More Enjoyable



If you have any questions during your visit please feel free to ask any staff member.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is large and can take a few hours to see the entire Zoo, so come prepared.





Reopening Plan and Guidelines

The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and all Zoo visits (including for Members) require a dated, timed ticket to help ensure that social distancing and other precautions are followed appropriately. However, Members can visit any day after 2 p.m. without a timed entry/reservation.

In accordance with local, state and federal health and safety guidelines regarding COVID-19, and as part of the Zoo’s continued commitment to the well-being of guests, staff and the animals, the Columbus Zoo is implementing carefully-planned and enhanced protocols and procedures that also still allow for an enjoyable and memorable wildlife experience. We recommend getting acquainted with these measures, so that you will be ready and prepared for your Columbus Zoo experience. Your visit to the Zoo may look different, but please know that these new policies and procedures are there to provide a safe and fun experience for all of our guests. The health and safety of our guests, employees, volunteers and the more than 10,000 animals in our care remain our top priority and we thank you for helping us with these efforts.



Click here to view the Reopening Plan and Guidelines

What To Bring to the Zoo

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express at most of our locations. Some food and retail carts may not have credit card capabilities, but there are several ATMs throughout the the park for your convenience. We do not accept personal checks.

We don't sell gift cards but we do sell Creature Cash which can be used like cash at any location inside the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay. Creature Cash can be purchased at Guest Relations.

Guests are welcome to bring food and beverages to the Zoo with them however, we do not allow straws (due to the safety of the animals) and alcohol is prohibited.

Service animals are welcome but pets are not permitted in the Zoo. We do not offer a kennel service and we do not recommend leaving animals in your car while you visit.

The Columbus Zoo, Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Club and The Wilds are all No Weapon facilities. No firearms, knives, or other weapons are permitted on Zoo property.

For the safety of our guests, animals and employees laser pointers are prohibited on Zoo grounds unless used inside an event facility for meeting purposes.

The following items are not permitted: Firearms, knives, glass containers, balloons, bicycles, skateboards and other skating equipment (including hover boards), large beach umbrellas, lounge chairs, radios, rafts and floatation devices, grills or open fires. Please note this list is not exhaustive and management may refuse an item that is deemed harmful or unsafe to our guests and/or the animals.

COTA Bus Service

Take COTA's Zoo Bus on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 18 through November 1, 2020!



COTA Zoo Bus schedule:

COTA's Zoo Bus leaves from the Statehouse at 8:30 AM, 10 AM, 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM, and 6 PM, making stops at High & Broad, Griggs Dam Park & Ride and Dublin Park & Ride before it gets to the Zoo.



COTA's Zoo Bus leaves from the Zoo at 9:15 AM, 10:45 AM, 3:45 PM, 5:15 PM and 7 PM, making stops at Dublin Park & Ride and Griggs Dam Park & Ride before it arrives at the Statehouse & High.

COTA Zoo Bus Rider Discount:

When COTA Zoo Bus customers make a reservation, they can receive a voucher for $3 Zoo admission, per person. To register, go to the "Make Your Reservation" button below and click on the orange “Tickets” tab. Under “Daily Tickets,” click the button that says “Zoo Bus Customer Registration.” After your registration is confirmed, please be sure to follow the instructions on how to redeem the voucher at the Zoo’s ticket window.

COTA's Zoo Bus service is supported by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Please click here for the full 2020 Zoo Bus schedule.





MAKE YOUR RESERVATION

Getting Around The Zoo

Please note we do not offer transportation once you are inside the Zoo, so we recommend you wear comfortable shoes. Wheelchairs, electric scooters and strollers are available to rent, while supplies last.

You may exit and re-enter the park in the same day, just be sure to receive a hand-stamp on your way out. If you do not receive a hand-stamp you will not be permitted back into the park.

We offer nursing stations and family restrooms throughout the park. To view the park map click here.

Wagons and strollers are permitted at the Zoo but please obey stroller parking signs at designated locations.

What To See

To view our admissions prices please click here, please note there is no additional fee for the aquarium, Discovery Reef, our 100,000 gallon salt water aquarium which is found on the west side of the Zoo on the right once guests pass through the tunnel.

The Zoo owns and operates a water park called Zoombezi Bay that is connected to the Zoo. Please note that your Zoo ticket/membership does not give you entry into Zoombezi Bay. For more information on Zoombezi Bay click here.

The Columbus Zoo is very fortunate to have Jungle Jack Hanna as its Director Emeritus. Jack often makes appearances at the Zoo for special events, as well as, filming his two hit shows Jack Hanna's Into The Wild and Jack Hanna's Wild Countdown. Please visit www.jackhanna.com to view his schedule.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open 363 days of the year, rain or shine! To view our operating hours click here. In fact, many of the animals are more active during the rain or in colder weather making it a great time to visit. Some animals from warmer climates such as Africa, Australia and Indonesia, are unable to tolerate cold weather. While many of these animals can be seen in their indoor habitats some species can not be viewed. Animals may also be taken off exhibit for a variety of other reasons including exhibit maintenance, environmental conditions and health concerns.