Plan Your Visit

An easy guide to planning your next trip


HOURS

Operating Days:

The Louisville Zoo is open daily year-round.
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Hours:

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (exit by 5 p.m.)
Spring/Summer Hours will return March 15, 2025

Walking Club Info:

Louisville Zoo Get Healthy Walking Club Presented by Norton Prevention & Wellness
The walking club has ended for the year.  Join us again on March 1, 2025.

ZOO ADMISSION

General Admission Ticket Prices:

Buy online in advance for a discounted rate!
Today’s price is the same online and at the entrance gate.

General admission pricing is based on demand, capacity, and other factors. Prices update at midnight each day, prices will not decrease.

SEE TODAY’S PRICE and Buy ONLINE

Now through Feb. 28, 2025.  Visitors who bring in one canned food item or non-perishable food item (per person) to donate to Dare to Care may purchase tickets at the Zoo ticketing windows for $10.50 per adult and $7.50 per child / senior ticket.

Click to learn more about Kroger Wild Winter Days

November 1, 2024 – March 14, 2025

Prices below are the fall / winter range.

AGE
Adults (12–59)$10 – $27
Children (3–11)$7 – $24
Senior (60+)$7 – $24
Children (2 and under)FREE

SEE TODAY’s price and buy online

Wild Winter Days

Visitors who bring in one canned food item or non-perishable food item (per person) to donate to Dare to Care may purchase tickets at the Zoo ticketing windows for $10.50 per adult and $7.50 per child / senior ticket. Presented by Kroger.

There is a $7 per vehicle fee for guest parking in the Zoo lot. Parking fee must be paid for online or at the ticket windows before entering the Zoo.

Pro Tip: Buy a parking pass online during your ticket purchase and save time when you arrive! 

BUY tickets and parking PASSES online

MILITARY DISCOUNT
A valid military ID is required for all military discounts.
Active duty military personnel receive free general admission. Discounts not valid for ticket packages with rides/attractions or special ticketed events. Tickets must be purchased at the Zoo windows with a valid ID.  
Dependents of active military personnel receive 10% off general admission at the Zoo’s ticket windows. Must be accompanied by active military personnel with a valid ID.
Active military receive membership discounts. Please present a valid military ID at the Zoo membership office to discuss options.

We offer discounts for groups of 15 or more. Ticket must be purchased online. Discount tickets not available at the gate.

Purchase Online

For ticket/attraction packagesschool field trips, special discounts, strollers/wheelchairs, click for more info…

LOUISVILLE ZOO MEMBERSHIP

For the best value, consider a Zoo membership:
Zoo membership pays for itself in as few as 2 visits! Members enjoy a full year of unlimited Zoo admission and free parking during regular Zoo hours. PLUS discounts on rides, attractions, food and gift offerings —  all while supporting wildlife conservation!

More info…

 

THINGS TO KNOW!

Get the most out of your visit to the Louisville Zoo. We want you to have a fun and safe experience.

EXHIBIT AREAS

Visit Africa (featuring the award-winning Gorilla Forest), Australia, the Islands, the Americas as well as Glacier Run. Don’t forget to stop by the HerpAquarium featuring King Louie the white alligator.

More info…

RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS

Young child riding the carousel on the flamingo animal.

There’s plenty to do at the Zoo including riding the conservation carousel, climbing the adventure ropes course and visiting playgrounds, our petting zoo and more.

Activities are seasonal and subject to the cooperation of animals, weather and Zoo maintenance.

More info…

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Louisville Zoo hosts more than 50 special events each year including our annual Halloween party, 5K Race/Walk, Santa event, earth month festivities, movie nights, character appearances and so much more. Check out our calendar and join us for all the fun!

More info…

 

BACKSTAGE PASS

Guests on the deck of the Glacier Run pinniped exhibit watching a keeper feed a sea lion.
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Learn about the importance of the Zoo’s conservation work, how our dedicated keeper staff care for the Zoo’s animals and get VIP access to areas not available to the public.

Each Backstage Pass Experience is approximately 45-minutes long and includes a guided cart tour with an experienced Zoo staff member, a visit to the Zoo’s Black-Footed Ferret Conservation Center, a behind-the-scenes visit to one of the Zoo’s animal areas, and an up-close experience with Zoo animals and their care team.

Pricing and more info…

FOOD AND SHOPPING

Whether you are looking for a special meal created by our Zoo chef or a quick snack while you walk the grounds, the Zoo has you covered. Cap off your trip with a special souvenir that will remind you of your special day for years to come.

Mobile ordering is now available at the African Outpost and Wild Burger!

All Louisville Zoo members receive 10% OFF on food and beverage and gift shop purchases at all locations. Some restrictions apply.

More info on Food  |  More Info on Shopping

ANIMAL PRESENTATIONS

All Animal presentations are free.
Please see the Rides & Attractions listings for free and paid exhibits including the Ropes Course and animal feedings.

10:10 a.m.March of the Little Penguins (Islands)ON SCHEDULE
10:20 a.m.Islands Mammal Keeper Chat (Inside Islands Dayroom)ON SCHEDULE
10:30 a.m.Seal & Sea Lion Training Demonstration (Glacier Run)ON SCHEDULE
10:45 a.m.Meerkat Keeper ChatON SCHEDULE
11:15 a.m.Bear Training Demonstration (Glacier Run)ON SCHEDULE
11:30 a.m.Giraffe Feeding (Special Fee)(Africa)ON SCHEDULE
11:45 a.m.Amur Tiger Keeper Chat (Tiger Taiga)ON SCHEDULE
NoonMacaw Keeper Chat (Islands Indoor Habitat)ON SCHEDULE
1:30 p.m.Pelican Keeper Chat (Islands)ON SCHEDULE
1:45 p.m.Elephant Keeper ChatON SCHEDULE
2:00 p.m.Seal & Sea Lion Training Demonstration (Glacier Run)ON SCHEDULE
2:15 p.m.Gorilla Keeper ChatON SCHEDULE
2:30 p.m.Giraffe Feeding (Special Fee)(Africa)ON SCHEDULE
2:45 p.m.Koala Keeper ChatON SCHEDULE
3:00 p.m.Red Panda Keeper ChatON SCHEDULE
3:15 p.m.Colobus Monkey Keeper ChatON SCHEDULE
3:45 p.m.Seal & Sea Lion Training Demonstration (Glacier Run)ON SCHEDULE
4:00 p.m.Islands Mammal Keeper Chat (Inside Islands Dayroom)ON SCHEDULE
4:30 p.m.Komodo Dragon Keeper Chat (Thursday) (Islands Indoor Habitat)ON SCHEDULE
4:30 p.m.Komodo Dragon Keeper Chat & Feeding (Friday & Saturday) (Islands Indoor Habitat)ON SCHEDULE

These schedules are updated before the Zoo opens at 10 a.m. each morning and are subject to change without notice. Animal viewing is subject to regular Zoo maintenance and the cooperation of weather and animals.

GUEST SERVICES

Rent a stroller or a wheelchair. Buy a gift card to celebrate an occasion. Did your little one skin his or her knee? Our guest services team is here to help you!

More info…

SAVE SPECIES

Black-Footed Ferret
Only with your help can we succeed in saving wildlife and wild places. Each time you visit your Zoo, you aid in this mission. For every general admission ticket sold, $0.25 is contributed, and for every membership $1 is contributed directly to conservation efforts by our conservation partners, who play an integral role in achieving your Zoo’s mission to “Better the Bond Between People and Our Planet.”

Learn more…

SENSORY  INCULSIVE™ CERTIFIED

The Louisville Zoo is now KultureCity Sensory Inclusive™ Certified to promote an accommodating, positive experience for all guests with a sensory issue who visit the Zoo!

The latest US Census data shows that one in six people have a sensory need or an invisible disability such as autism, dementia, PTSD, or hearing or vision loss. With this in mind, the Louisville Zoo has partnered with KultureCity and are now certified and equipped with special tools to help better serve our guests with sensory needs.

The sensory initiative allows individuals with sensory processing needs the ability to see and experience all the world has to offer, without being overwhelmed by everything going on around them. Special signage has been placed around the Zoo to identify noisy and quiet areas and sensory bags are available for checkout at no cost to the individuals and/or families visiting the Zoo.

Learn more…