Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden?
Home of the world famous hippo Fiona. Family friendly Zoo committed to inspiring visitors with wildlife and saving species.
REMINDER: The Zoo is closed Thanksgiving Day, 11/26/2020. Currently, our evening member reservations for the week/weekend of Thanksgiving 11/23-11/29 for the PNC Festival of Lights are sold out. Please check back as spots may become available, due to cancellations. Based on the popularity of the event, we recommend making a reservation a least a week in advance. Purchasing a Membership does not guarantee reservation availability. The availability per time slot will differ between member reservations and admission tickets.
We love our members! Members that renew their membership before its expiration date can receive 20% off the full price membership!?(Must be renewed before the current membership expires to receive discount, discount code required. The 20% discount cannot be combined with any additional discounts, promotions or offers. Discount is off the full price of membership).
Standard level benefits + unlimited rides + four FREE guests per visit
Standard level benefits + unlimited rides? + one FREE guest per visit
Year-round unlimited admission + parking
(TWO named adults & children/grandchildren age 18 & under*)
(TWO named adults, children not included)
(ONE named adult, children not included)
(ONE named adult, children not included. College/University Student ID required)
(includes Family Platinum Membership and Donor perks)
Additional Info – Donor Clubs
*Limit of 8 children/grandchildren per family membership, age 18 and under
All Members receive the following benefits:
All members are held to the Zoo’s Policies, found at Visitor FAQs.
Learn more about our Zoo Access for All?program.
Join the Cincinnati Zoo Member HQ Facebook Group for exclusive news & content!
Click here to join Cincinnati Zoo Member HQ
A Zoo membership is a terrific way to enjoy year-round fun and education!? Please contact us for assistance! During the PNC Festival of Lights Season, Member Services opens daily at 1:00pm, and you may call (513) 559-7713 or e-mail us at [email protected]
All Zoo visits will now require preregistration for a specific date and arrival time, please click here to learn more about what to expect during your next visit to the Zoo and how to preregister.
We love our members! Members that renew their membership before its expiration date can receive 20% off the full price membership! (Must be renewed before the current membership expires to receive discount, discount code required. The 20% discount cannot be combined with any additional discounts, promotions or offers. Discount is off the full price of membership).
For speedy processing, purchase your membership online! You can use your email confirmation as your membership card as soon as you receive it. Phone and mail orders take longer to process. If ordering a Christmas gift, please order by December 10 to guarantee delivery by December 25.
Please note: Purchasing a Membership does not guarantee reservation availability. Please check back as spots may become available, due to cancellations. Based on the popularity of the event, we recommend making a reservation a least a week in advance. The availability per time slot will differ between member reservations and admission tickets. Members: to cancel a reservation please email [email protected]
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At the heart of every great city is a great zoo. What’s just as true is that at the heart of every great zoo are compassionate, committed citizens who know what zoos mean to the world.
Being a Cincinnati Zoo member means…
Your membership truly makes a world of difference and we need you now more than ever.
Looking for a wild and unique gift? Give the gift of membership! Order by December 10 to guarantee delivery by December 25.
When you purchase a gift membership, you (as the gift giver) will receive an e-mail confirmation with a PDF gift certificate attached that the recipient will redeem at their convenience to begin their membership. To redeem and activate the gift membership, the recipient will need to call the Member Services Office at (513) 559-7713 or email [email protected]. You will not need any of the recipients information to purchase a gift membership.
The membership doesn’t start until the recipient decides to redeem the gift certificate, which means they won’t lose any time on their membership! The membership is valid for one year from the redemption date.
Gift memberships in the form of renewals will add one year from the current members expiration date (i.e. if the current members expiration date for their membership is 3/31/2020, the gift membership will add one year and expire on 3/31/2021). You will not need the current members information to complete the transaction.
Click one of the links below to start the gift membership process.
Gift Membership Certificates must be redeemed by phone at (513) 559-7713 before a reservation can be made to visit the Zoo. Once redeemed by phone they will receive their membership ID number. They will use this membership ID number to reserve a time online.
The perfect gift for any Zoo lover! Zoo Bucks never expire and may be spent anywhere at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden from admission to membership or even a bite to eat!??Zoo Bucks are delivered as a PDF attachment via email and may be printed or forwarded to the recipient.
Click here for a printable PDF Gift Certificate to give with your gift membership:
“Thank you for investing in the future of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and the future of wildlife. We couldn’t do it without you.” – Thane Maynard
Keeper Circle Donors make an annual gift ranging from $500-999 in support of the mission and vision of the Zoo. As a ‘thank you’ these donors receive a Family Platinum Membership, invitations to special events throughout the year, often before or after Zoo hours, and a letter documenting the tax-deductible portion of your gift. We invite you to join the Keeper Circle by making a donation today!
In honor of our founder, the Andrew Erkenbrecher Society was created to recognize our dedicated and visionary donors who give $1,000 or more annually to support the mission of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. This distinguished Donor Club includes a Family Platinum Membership, invitations to exclusive events and opportunities throughout the year, and a letter documenting the tax deductible portion of your gift. We invite you to join the Andrew Erkenbrecher Society by making a donation today!
A: The membership office is open daily. During the PNC Festival of Lights season the Member Services Office opens at 1:00 p.m. (times vary throughout the year, i.e. early entry hours, winter hours, etc.) and you may call (513) 559-7713 or e-mail us at [email protected].
As a reminder, during the PNC Festival of Lights Season our Vine Street parking lot gate closes at 8:30 pm and the Zoo closes at 9 pm.
A: There are two ways to become a member:
A: Yes, all visitors attending the Zoo (including members) must have an advanced reservation to visit.
A: Purchasing a membership does not guarantee reservation availability. The availability per time slot will differ between member reservations and admission tickets. Each morning we release any unclaimed reservations for that day, allowing you to make a last minute reservation the day of. We also suggest checking back, as people do cancel reservations and those are put back out on the member reservation site.
A: If you join the Zoo or renew your membership, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with a temporary card that you can use immediately. You can also download your digital membership card through the Digital Membership Portal.
As part of our Zero Net Waste Initiative we are no longer printing membership cards and your membership will not be automatically sent through the mail. If you’d like to have your physical cards sent, you will need to email [email protected] with the membership ID number, named adult(s), mailing address, email, and # children/grandchildren (if a family membership).
We have limited resources on-site to take pictures at this time. If there is a line, we ask you to accomplish this on your next visit.
A:??As a non-profit organization that relies heavily on membership and attendance for support, we must prevent misuse of our membership cards. We also want to protect our members should their cards be lost or stolen. We try hard to keep our membership prices affordable for as many families as possible. If families and neighbors shared memberships, our revenue would be severely reduced and we would have little choice but to raise our prices.
We have added that capacity to take your photo at the Member Services Windows if you would like to stop in and have that done. You will not need a photo ID on future visits once we have stored your photo. You will still need to provide your membership card for entry. We have limited resources on-site to take pictures at this time. If there is a line we ask you to accomplish this on your next visit.
A: No problem! You can access your digital membership cards via the Digital Membership Portal at www.www.chongtuoqiong.tw/zoodigitalmembership. You can access from any smart phone or tablet. Don’t have a smart phone or tablet? Just stop in Member Services and we can issue you a Day Pass. You may then take your Day Pass and photo ID to the turnstile for entry. Please note, if you forget your membership card, we will issue a Day Pass one time as a courtesy; additional occurrences will require the purchase of replacement cards (see next question).
A: In our effort to reach Zero Net Waste, there is a $7.00 fee for lost or damaged membership cards. Please contact the membership office to pay by phone to replace your cards. Don’t forget you have access to your digital membership cards via the Digital Membership Portal at www.www.chongtuoqiong.tw/zoodigitalmembership!
A: All memberships expire the last day of the month they are purchased in, the following year – so you and your family will have at least 12 months to enjoy the Zoo year-round.
A: We always add 12 months to your current expiration date when you renew. For example, if your membership expires 6/30/2020 and you renew 4/4/2020, your membership will be extended to 6/30/2021.
A:?All members may purchase up to two half-price guest tickets per day. ?Half-price guest tickets can be purchased online?here?with a valid membership ID number. Half-price tickets expire at the end of the calendar year. The discount is limited to one transaction per day (the discount cannot be applied to a single ticket twice in one day, for example).
Our Gold level memberships include one free guest per visit and our Platinum level memberships include four free guests per visit (this is total guests for the entire membership). Gold and Platinum level memberships still receive two half-price guest tickets per day on top of their free guest(s).
A: No. Memberships are non-transferable, non-refundable, and cannot be extended. All sales are final. A primary and secondary adult named member names cannot be changed during the membership year.
A: Please send your membership card, along with a note that explains that the adult accompanying your child on the family level membership (or the Dual Gold membership for children under 2) is doing so with your permission and knowledge. ?That person will present the note, membership card, and their photo ID (that matches the name in the note provided) at the turnstile for admission for the child – the caretaker will require a ticket. For Gold and Platinum Level members, the free guest(s) included with your membership CAN be used for this person accompanying your child. ?The “guest” would present the note and the membership card at the turnstile for admission for?themselves?and the child.
A: At this time the Early Entry hour (9 and 9:30 am reservation times) is for member reservations only. Please remember Early Entry is from mid-March until the end of October. The Zoo opens to everyone at 10:00AM from November through early-March.
A: ?Free guest(s) must accompany one of the named adults on the membership for entry into the zoo. Half-price ticket holders can enter the zoo without a named adult on the membership being present.
A: The free guest(s) included on Gold and Platinum memberships receive free rides on the train when accompanied by the member.
A: Family memberships allow up to eight children living in the household age 18 and under or up to eight grandchildren age 18 and under. ?Please consider a Platinum level membership if you would like to cover more than eight children/grandchildren as those memberships include up to four additional guests.
A: A Family level membership allows up to eight grandchildren age 18 and under (some restrictions apply).
A: Memberships are not applicable for admission or rides during school field trips or ticketed events. Memberships are always valid for parking.
A: 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 a reservation and one of the membership cards for entry.
A: Parking is limited to one vehicle per named adult on your membership, per day. If you have a Platinum, Gold or Standard membership, you may park in any open Zoo parking lot free of charge. ?Due to limited availability, parking is first-come, first-served and is not guaranteed on high volume days. The membership free parking benefit is applicable for zoo visits only. Parking in any zoo lot while not visiting the zoo is not permitted.
A: Zoo memberships are valid for all seasonal events, such as Zoo Blooms, Zoo Babies, HallZOOween, and PNC Festival of Lights.
A: If you have recently renewed your membership, please disregard any renewal notices that follow. Although we work to process renewals as quickly as possible, there is a chance that you may receive another notice before your payment and renewal is processed and entered into our system. Renewals sent by mail may take up to 21 days to process. If you have any additional questions about your renewal or if it has been over a month since you renewed, please call our membership office for more information.
A: We will honor the value of the gift certificate you received, even beyond its expiration date. However, if the price of the membership has increased since the time of purchase (or if there are any other differences in price where the value of the membership you are receiving is higher than what the gift certificate was purchased for) you will be responsible for covering the difference.
A: You can use your Cincinnati Zoo membership to receive FREE or discounted admission to over 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide (including 7 in Ohio). Some popular organizations that are NOT on that list, however, include San Diego Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Indianapolis Zoo, and Newport Aquarium. You can view the most current list below. We strongly recommend you contact the zoo or aquarium you want to visit prior to your trip as the reciprocal list is subject to change without notice. Due to current conditions, some reciprocal Zoos may not be honoring reciprocity at this time.
A: Zoo memberships are purchased for the goods and services offered by means of the membership and are NOT tax-deductible EXCEPT if the amount paid is $75 or less. ?Memberships $75 and under are considered an insubstantial benefit and are therefore 100% deductible. ?Please consult a tax advisor for additional information.
A: If you purchase tickets to visit the Zoo and would like to convert them into a membership, you are able to apply up to 100% of the admission and parking you paid toward your membership. Some restrictions apply. Ticket conversions are applicable only on the day of your visit. Please stop by the Member Services Windows to purchase. Tickets purchased for Zoo events or through promotions/offers are not able to be applied toward a membership.
A:?Here are some important Membership Policy reminders:
If you do not see your question here, please call the membership office at (513) 559-7713 or e-mail us at?[email protected].
Please note: If you are a member of one of the following zoos and aquariums, you will receive 50% off general admission at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, regardless of your zoo or aquarium’s free/reduced admission policy. To receive the discount you must present your current Reciprocal Zoo Membership and Photo ID at the Ticketing Windows. We do require reservations to attend the Cincinnati Zoo. Due to reservation requirement, we cannot guarantee reservation availability at date/time you want to attend with Reciprocal Zoo Discount.
When you present your Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden membership card, you will receive 50% off admission to the following zoos and aquariums (discount may not be available at all Zoos listed at this time.):
Alabama – Birmingham Zoo
Alaska –?Alaska SeaLife Center
Arizona – Phoenix Zoo, Reid Park Zoo, SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium
Arkansas – Little Rock Zoo
California – Aquarium of the Bay, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium*, Charles Paddock Zoo, CuriOdyssey, Fresno Chaffee Zoo,?Happy?Hallow Zoo , Los Angeles Zoo, Oakland Zoo, Sacramento Zoo, San Francisco Zoo, Santa Barbara Zoo, Sequoia Park Zoo, The Living Desert
CANADA – Granby Zoo, Calgary Zoo, Toronto Zoo
Colorado – Pueblo Zoo
Connecticut – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Delaware – Brandywine Zoo
District of Columbia – Smithsonian National Zoological Park*
Florida – Brevard Zoo, Central Florida Zoo?& Botanical Gardens, Florida Aquarium, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Mote Marine Aquarium, Palm Beach Zoo, Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, St. Augustine Alligator Farm,?Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Zoo Miami
Georgia – Chehaw Wild Animal Park, Zoo Atlanta
Idaho – Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park, Zoo Boise
Illinois – Cosley Zoo, Henson Robinson Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo*, Miller Park Zoo, Peoria Zoo, Scovill Zoo
Indiana – Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, Potawatomi Zoo
Iowa – Blank Park Zoo, Nat’l Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Kansas – David Traylor Zoo of Emporia*, Hutchinson Zoo*, Lee Richardson Zoo*, Rolling Hills Zoo, Sedgwick County Zoo, Sunset Zoo, Topeka Zoological Park
Kentucky – Louisville Zoological Garden
Louisiana – Alexandria Zoo
Maryland – The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Salisbury Zoo*
Massachusetts – Boston Museum of Science, Buttonwood Park Zoo, Capron Park Zoo, Franklin Park Zoo, Stone Zoo
MEXICO – Parque Zoologico de Leon
Michigan – Binder Park Zoo, Detroit Zoological Society, John Ball Zoological Garden, Potter Park Zoo Society, SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium, Saginaw Children’s Zoo
Minnesota – Como Park Zoo*, Lake Superior Zoo,?Minnesota Zoo
Missouri – Dickerson Park Zoo, Kansas City Zoo, Saint Louis Zoo*, SEA LIFE?Aquarium, The Butterfly House
Montana?– Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
Nebraska – Lincoln Children’s Zoo,?Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Riverside?Discovery Center
New Hampshire?–?Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
New Jersey – Bergen County Zoo, Cape May County Zoological Society*, Turtle Back Zoo
New Mexico – Albuquerque BioPark, Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park
New York – Buffalo Zoo, Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, Seneca Park Zoo, Staten Island Zoo, Trevor Zoo, Utica Zoo
North Carolina – Greensboro Science Center, Museum of Life and Science,?North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island, North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher,??North Carolina Zoological Park, Western North Carolina Nature Center
North Dakota – Chahinkapa Zoo, Dakota Zoo, Red River Zoo,? Roosevelt Park Zoo
Ohio – African Safari Wildlife Park, Akron Zoological Park, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Toledo Zoo, the Wilds
Oklahoma – Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Tulsa Zoo
Oregon –??Oregon Zoo, Wildlife Safari
Pennsylvania – Elmwood Park Zoo, Erie Zoological Society, Lehigh Valley Zoo, National Aviary, Philadelphia Zoo, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium,?ZOOAMERICA North American Wildlife Park
Rhode Island – Roger Williams Park Zoo
South Carolina – Greenville Zoo, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
South Dakota – Bramble Park Zoo, Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum
Tennessee – Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park, Knoxville Zoo, Memphis Zoo, Nashville Zoo
Texas – Abilene Zoo, Caldwell Zoo, Cameron Park Zoo, Dallas Zoo, Ellen Trout Zoo, El Paso Zoo, Gladys Porter Zoo, Houston Zoo, San Antonio Zoo
Utah – Tracy Aviary, Utah’s Hogle Zoo
Virginia – Virginia Zoo
Washington – Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo
West Virginia – Oglebay’s Good Zoo
Wisconsin – Henry Vilas Zoo*, International Crane Foundation, Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens, NEW Zoo, Racine Zoological Gardens
*Denotes FREE admission for Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden members – some restrictions may apply
This list is subject to change without notice. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is not responsible for admission fees paid at reciprocal zoos as a result of unexpected changes in reciprocity agreements or other restrictions. Some organizations offer reciprocity to a limited number of individuals per visit, regardless of how many are covered by your Cincinnati Zoo membership. Parking and guest privileges generally do not reciprocate. We recommend you contact the zoos on this list prior to your visit to confirm the current reciprocity status and any restrictions.
Updated?May 22, 2019
No Refunds, Transfers or Extensions of Memberships
The person(s) using this membership grants the Zoological Society of Cincinnati (the “Zoo”) permission to use his or her image, or that of his/her children, in advertising, publicity and other promotions without payment or compensation to holder. By using this membership, the person using it voluntarily assumes all risk of personal injury (including but not limited to death) and loss of property, by accident or otherwise, incidental to attending the Zoo and using its rides, attractions and facilities, and agrees that the Zoo, its directors, officers, employees, and agents are not responsible for and shall not be liable for any such injuries or losses, no matter how caused. This membership evidences a revocable license to enter the Zoo’s property, and this license may be revoked (and the holder ejected from the Zoo’s property) at the sole discretion of the Zoo, without refund, if misused or if the holder fails to abide by the policies, rules or regulations of the Zoo. Such policies, among other things, prohibit the possession and/or use of controlled substances and intoxicants on Zoo property. Park hours, prices, policies, and programs are all subject to change without notice. This membership is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fees for food, merchandise, pay-per-ride attractions, and special concerts and events are not included unless noted on the membership.