YES, the Zoo is open all year long! And you can have a wonderful time exploring our "wild" winter wonderland with these tips and answers to frequently asked questions...

Is the Zoo open during the winter, and what are the hours?

Are there special winter admission rates?

Which animals am I likely to see in cold weather?

Where can I go to warm up during a winter visit, and are there any hot food concessions?

Are there any special events planned for the winter months?

Is the Zoo open during the winter, and what are the hours?
Yes, the Zoo is open year 'round. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with last admission at 3:30 p.m.
> get more info on hours, admission rates & directions

Does the Zoo offer special winter admission rates?
Yes. Admission is half-price throughout January and February - $6/adults, $3/children (ages 3 - 12), $4/seniors (ages 62+). Zoo members and children under 3 are always free.

Which animals am I likely to see in cold weather?
While you'll always see some animals on each trip to the Zoo, which ones may change depending on weather conditions. Our animal care team follows guidelines for each species pertaining to temperature, icing conditions and wind chill, and adjusts their environment accordingly.

This means that certain cold-hardy animals will almost always be on exhibit, while other animals will be allowed to choose whether they'd like to be outdoors or stay in their indoor space (which may or may not be viewable by the public, depending on the exhibit). Animals that are particularly sensitive to the cold may be kept off-exhibit in their indoor space whenever the temperature or other conditions require it.

Here's a partial list of animals you'll likely be able to see often during the winter:

Cold-hardy animals:
Aoudad
Bald eagles
Bison
Camels
Emus
Farmyard animals
Kangaroos
Moon bears
Pronghorn
Penguins
Red crowned cranes
Red panda
Seals
Snow leopards

Animals with indoor viewing areas:
Elephants
Giant anteater
Giraffes
Saki monkey
Snakes (various species)
Tamarins
Tree Kangaroo
Two-toed sloth
       and others...

Many other animals may be outdoors and on exhibit depending on the weather conditions, particularly on milder winter days when the temperature is above freezing.

Where can I go to warm up while visiting the Zoo, and are there any hot food concessions?
There are a number of heated exhibit buildings to visit throughout the Zoo, including the Textron Elephant & Giraffe Pavilion, the Tropical America building (a great rainforest retreat on a gray winter day!), and the Australasia building.

Starting in December of 2009, we began renovating our food and retail concessions, however we will have at least one indoor restaurant facility open at all times. Some of the new food choices planned for our new facilities are already on our menus!  Also as of December, our gift shops closed to allow for a complete overhaul of our retail shops. We plan to have one open in March and another in late spring.

Are there any special events planned for the winter months?
Yes.  In addition to our half-price admission through February, you can enjoy a Family Valentine Bingo event on Sunday, February 14. See our calendar of events for details. We've also got a long list of fun education programs that run throughout the winter (pre-registration is required).