Enjoy the Milwaukee County Zoo
The Milwaukee County Zoo is a place for laughter, learning, and community. Home to thousands of animals, guests of all ages have the unique opportunity to see animals they may not be able to see in the wild. The Zoo is open almost every day of the year and makes lasting memories for every zoogoer. The beautiful 190-acre wooded property provides a natural canopy as you visit animals from around the world.
If you would like to visit the Zoo more than once a year, consider purchasing a Zoo Pass! As a way to raise funds to help support the Zoo, the Zoological Society sells Zoo Passes to individuals and families. The Zoological Society is a nonprofit organization that helps support the Zoo so it can continue to provide a world-class Zoo experience for generations to come.
Explore Our Zoo Passes
Zoo Hours and Rates
Now through Sept. 2, 2024, Zoo hours are:
Daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission gates close 45 minutes prior to Zoo closing time, and animal buildings close 15 minutes prior to Zoo closing.
The Zoo uses a Flex Pricing model. Prices may vary throughout the year. See their FAQ’s on the ticketing page here.
Milwaukee County residents with I.D. receive $1.75 off full price paid admission every day except Wednesday. On Wednesdays, Milwaukee County residents are admitted at a reduced rate of $10.50 for adults and $8.00 for children (age 3 to 12).
Parking is $15plus tax per passenger vehicle, $20plus tax for buses.
Getting to the Zoo
The Zoo keeps guests up to date on bus routes and construction around the Zoo.
Eating at the Zoo
The Zoo allows guests to bring in their own food and non-alcoholic drinks. However, if you are looking for a cool treat or classic dishes, the Zoo offers different meals to fit your needs.
Exploring the Zoo
Looking for a restroom, food stand, or favorite animal? Use the Zoo map to find your way around.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are for the benefit of Zoo guests with special needs.
Note: Rentals stop 1/2 hour prior to the Zoo closing. Wheelchairs cannot be rented in advance.
Standard wheelchair: $10 plus tax
Driver’s license and deposit required.
Mobility scooter: $35plus tax
Nursing Suites
The Milwaukee County Zoo was the first zoo in the nation to offer quiet and private places to feed nursing children and/or use a breast pump. These suites are found in the U.S. Bank Gathering Place, the Dairy Complex and the Aquatic & Reptile Center. Simply call the number on the front of the suite to receive the door code for access.
Strollers
sponsored by:
Adult, junior, and specialty strollers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In the summer, strollers can be rented in front of the U.S. Bank Gathering Place. In the winter, please stop at the gift shop in the Flamingo Café for stroller rentals.
Double stroller: $12.50 plus tax
Wagon: $15.50 plus tax
Universal Changing Station
If you have a loved one who needs help with toileting, you’re welcome to use the Zoo’s Universal Changing Station. Just outside the Zoo’s main gift shop, the safe, clean station includes an adult-size table holding 300+ pounds, a toilet, and a sink. For access to the station, stop in the Zoo Administration office in the U.S. Bank Gathering Place and pick up the key.
ANIMAL SHOWS AND PROGRAMS
During certain times of the year, the Zoo and the Zoological Society offer animal and entertainment programs.
Animals in Action
Join us for these zookeeper- and Zoo Pride volunteer-led talks on some of the highest-profile animals at the Zoo.
Open: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (weather permitting)
Admission: Free
Gorillas/Bonobos Talk:
10:30 a.m. Daily
Stearns Family Apes of Africa
Aquatic & Reptile Center Talk:
11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
Aquatic & Reptile Center Theater
Elephants Talk:
11:30 a.m. Daily
Elephants in Action Pavilion
Bats Talk:
11:45 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
Small Mammals Building
Camels Talk:
2:15 p.m. Daily
Camel Habitat or Theater
Harbor Seals Talk:
3 p.m. Daily
Harbor Seal Habitat
Animal Feeding Schedule
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (weather permitting)
Aquatic & Reptile Center
2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Time subject to change.
Small Mammals Building
2:30 p.m. Daily
Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country
3 p.m. Daily
Sign will indicate species.
Harbor Seal Outdoor Habitat
3 p.m. Daily
Giraffe Experience presented by Miller Lite
The Zoo’s Giraffe Experience features an outdoor enclosure for the African giraffes; a deck that lets zoogoers get face to face with and feed the giraffes; a temperature-controlled indoor public viewing area; and animal-care areas.
Giraffe Feedings: Daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day*
Visit the ticket booth near the Giraffe Deck for further details and costs.
* Opportunities are subject to the giraffes’ appetites, weather and special events.
Goat Yard
Get ready for a special encounter with some of the Zoo’s friendliest and furriest animals! The Milwaukee County Zoo is home to more than 30 Nigerian dwarf goats. Nigerian dwarf goats—smallest of the dairy breeds—are gentle, even-tempered and wonderful with children.
Open Daily: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (weather permitting) in the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm
Goat Feeding Times: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fee: 50 cents/handful of feed
Stackner Animal Encounter
On the farm, get an up-close introduction to Wisconsin animals like ducks and porcupines at Animal Encounter programs, held in the Stackner Animal Encounter building five to six times a day. Times vary and are posted inside the farm area.
Open Daily:Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day in the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm
Kohl’s Wild Theater
Treat the kids – and yourself – to wildlife theater at the Zoo! Professional performers use drama, songs, and puppetry to inspire visitors of all ages to learn and care more about our natural world. Catch one of our 15-minute shows on the Kohl’s Wild Theater stage in the farm this summer.
Open: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day – ClosedMondays
Show Times: Noon and 1:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Learn More
2024 Summer Special Exhibit
Dinosaur Discovery
sponsored by:
Stomp back in time to meet some of the most formidable predators from the past! Be astounded by full-size and scientifically-accurate animatronic displays — moving, breathing, spitting and more. Touch and feel what these dinosaurs were like, as you appreciate the role of predators in the ecosystem and be inspired to conserve their modern-day counterparts.
Open Daily: May 18-Oct. 5, 2024
Admission: $4 per person
Located outside behind the Small Mammals Building
Virtual Reality Experience
Gorilla Trek
Experience the jungle and live among mountain gorillas in this new virtual reality experience. Special virtual reality goggles will give you a full 360-degree view of the jungle as you learn about a gorilla family and their behaviors.
Admission: $7 for general public, $6 for Zoo Pass and Platypus Circle members
RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS
Carousel
sponsored by:
Take a trip back to yesteryear on our vintage carousel. Located across from the Train Station.
Open Daily: May through September (weather permitting)
Hours: Opens daily at 9:30 a.m.
Limited hours in September and October.
Admission: $3 per personplus tax
ADA Accessible
Safari Train
sponsored by:
All aboard our legendary Zoofari Express, featuring both steam and diesel locomotives. Tickets available at the Train Station.
Open Daily: May through September (weather permitting)
Hours: Opens daily at 10 a.m.
Limited hours in September and October.
Admission: $4 per personplus tax
Sky Safari
Go above it all and see the Zoo from a new perspective! Continuous departures across from the South American yard. (Ride embarks and disembarks at the South American yard.)
Temporarily closed for repair due to recent storm damage.
Open Daily: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (weather permitting)
Hours: Check ride area for hours of operation.
Limited hours in September and October.
Fee: $4 per personplus tax
Society members with I.D. receive a discount. Stop by the ticket booth for details.
Zoo Expeditions
sponsored by:
Choose your journey for a unique riding experience on an open-air tram. Learn fun facts about the Zoo and the animals on this popular guided tour.
Open Daily: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (weather permitting)
Limited hours in September and October.
Visit the Meijer Zoo Expeditions Headquarters for costs and times. Society members with I.D. receive a discount.
Playground
This popular stop inside the farm area is filled with slides, climbing bars and more. The playground is outside and open year round.
Sky Adventure Ropes Courses & Zip Line
The sky’s the limit for outdoor family fun and fitness at the Zoo’s Sky Adventure featuring a zip line, ropes course and mini ropes course for young children.
Zip Line
The Zip Line launches thrill-seeking guests across a 500-foot, round-trip aerial runway for a magnificent view of the Zoo’s nearby forest.
Ropes Course
The three-level, 24-obstacle Ropes Course sends guests traversing across rope bridges, swinging steps and beams suspended two stories above ground.
Mini Ropes Course
The Mini Ropes Course, perfect for children 2 to 7 years old, features a walk-through that invites older helpers to accompany children as they navigate the course. Chaperone required.
Open Daily: May through August (weather permitting)
Admission:
Zip Line: $20plus tax
Ropes Course: $15plus tax
Mini Ropes Course: $10plus tax
Zip Line and Ropes Course Combo: $30plus tax
Society members with I.D. receive a discount. Stop by the ticket booth for details.
Wild Connections
This is your chance to get up close and personal with an animal at the Zoo. Throughout the year, the Zoo offers a variety of experiences that typically include a feeding opportunity or behind-the-scenes experience. Tours are pre-determined and change seasonally.
Poetry
Animals and nature have inspired poets for centuries. Since 2010, nearly 60 poems are found throughout the Zoo. They’re all about wildlife or nature and are part of a project called The Language of Conservation, presented by the Zoo in partnership with the Milwaukee Public Library. They were among five zoos and four libraries across the U.S. chosen to join this project that promotes poetry and nature.
The poems are displayed permanently throughout the Zoo in places where you might least expect to find them. Look for poetry sandblasted on rocks, projected with lights and displayed on the Peck Welcome Center boardwalk ceiling. The Zoological Society of Milwaukee contributed to the graphic design.
Find Poetry Around the Zoo
