Columbus Zoo tickets and discounts, and more

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the most popular attractions in Columbus – for good reason! Our Zoo is amazing and regularly ranks as one of the best Zoos in the U.S.

There’s so much to enjoy this year at the Zoo, including new exhibits and new babies. With tons of outdoor exhibits and miles of paths, it’s always a great place to visit. Read below for some special Spring and early Summer events they have going on!

Read below for details about Zoo babies, free admission days, Zoo discounts, and membership details.

Note: we don’t sell Zoo tickets – we just share about the special events and discounts. You can purchase tickets at the Columbus Zoo or on the website.

photo: Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

What’s new at the Zoo? 

Sensory-friendly Zoo Quiet Hours

Upcoming dates:
May 25, 2023
October 1, 2023: Sensory-Friendly Halloween Character Meet and Treat; link
November 14, 2023: Sensory-friendly Santa experience and Wildlights Stroll; link

The Zoo hosts special quiet hours to provide families with sensory needs the opportunity to enjoy the Zoo in a more calm and relaxed environment with reduced sounds and decreased visual stimulation.

There won’t be music playing throughout the park, or on the Carousel. Each region will have different accommodations, but most monitors, projectors, and sound-making activities will be turned off. The Zoo is open to the public, so crowds may be typical. See website for full details. 

Columbus Zoo discounts

We love the Columbus Zoo and we get lots of questions about discounted Columbus Zoo & Aquarium tickets for the season and we post them when we see them.

There are some discounts available year-round, plus season passes are a great way to save money if you plan to go several times through the year. Read below for details, events, and free days at the Columbus Zoo!

credit: Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The best way to find out about discounts to Columbus Zoo is to sign up for email updates from Columbus on the Cheap, and like our Facebook page.  When we find new deals, we make sure our readers know about them.

Special Events and Discount Days at the Columbus Zoo

Franklin County Community Days

May 14-15, 2023
September 24-25, 2023

Franklin County residents get 1/2 off admission as a thank-you for supporting the Columbus Zoo through the levy.

See other upcoming dates on the calendar.

Early Member Mornings

June 25 & 26, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
July 30 & 31, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Rise and shine with us for Early Member Mornings! Come celebrate the beginning of a new day at the Zoo. This is a special opportunity exclusive for Zoo members to enter the park one hour early and experience firsthand how we start our day at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. There will be additional enhancements offered in appreciation of our members.

Dinosaur Island returns!

This is such a fun feature! Dinosaur Island will take guests back 65 million years on a quest to discover over 30 animatronic dinosaurs that shift and blink, have tails that move, bodies that breathe, and electronic “brains” that activate and control their movements and sounds. 

photo: Amanda Carberry via Columbus Zoo

A special admission ticket is required for entrance and is not included with Zoo admission. Admission to Dinosaur Island is $3 for general admission, $2 for Columbus Zoo members, and free for Columbus Zoo Gold members, as well as included in the price of a ZooMore ride wristband. 

Open daily May 26-October 30

Discounted Columbus Zoo tickets valid any day through aRes

Get discounted General admission tickets to the Zoo. Parking is not included in price of ticket, but can be purchased at the same time as the tickets. Rides are extra cost at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Save $7!

Adult (ages 10-59): $22.99
Child (ages 3-9): $18.99
Senior (ages 60+): $20.99

Purchase tickets here. 

Rides are extra cost at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Valid any general operating day, times subject to change. Cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. No refunds. No copies of voucher will be accepted.

Family Access Membership 

The Family Access discount membership category is for families who live in Ohio and qualify for government assistance. 

The membership admits up to two primary named members in the same household, plus either dependent children or grandchildren up to age 21 years (not both) to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and/or The Wilds.

The membership is $45 and includes free admission and parking, access to members-only events and a digital magazine, discounts on educational classes and camp offerings, a 10% discount in gift shops, discounts on Zoombezi Bay single-day waterpark tickets and Season Passes, and discounts at Safari Golf Club and The Wilds.

The Wilds’ Family Access Membership is $60, and includes free Open-Air Safari tours and parking, discounts on overnight accommodations and merchandise, access to The Wilds’ digital member magazine, and more.

Both the Zoo and The Wilds’ Family Access Memberships also provide discounted or free admission to more than 150 other Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited facilities.  

Family Access Memberships to the Zoo and The Wilds can only be purchased onsite at the Columbus Zoo’s Membership and Season Pass Processing office.

Families interested in a Family Access Membership at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are encouraged to check out the FAQ page for more information. An FAQ page with more about the Family Access Membership for The Wilds is also available here.

photo: Amanda Carberry; Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Free Culture Passes at Columbus Metropolitan Libraries

Additionally, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is partnered with the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) through the Culture Pass program.

At select CML locations, cardholders can check out a Culture Pass, which will grant them a free visit to the Zoo. At check out, CML cardholders receive a yellow Zoo Culture Pass (valid for two days), which they take to the Zoo’s entrance.

The pass can be redeemed for up to six adults and/or children. The Culture Pass can be returned to one of the Zoo’s team members, so guests do not need to return the pass to their library. Read more about the Culture Pass program here.

Purchase Zoo tickets online

Save $1 or more per ticket by ordering online. Print your pass, or show the receipt on your smartphone. 

From the Columbus Zoo website; prices subject to change

Regular Admission Franklin County Residents (proof required)

• Under 3 – Free
• Ages 3-9 – $16.99
• Ages 10-59 – $19.99
• Seniors over 60 – $16.99
• Parking per car – $10 (no cash starting June 2020)

Regular Admission for outside of Franklin County

• Under 3: Free
• Ages 3-9: $25.99
• Ages 10-59: $29.99
• Seniors 60+: $25.99
• Parking per car – $10 (no cash starting June 2020)

Zoo More Wristband

Zoo More wristbands are available now for $9.99 weekdays until May 28! Wristband includes unlimited access to the North America Train, Grand Carousel, 4-D Theater, pony rides and camel ride.

The cost of the Zoo More Wristbands is $14.99 when Rides at Adventure Cove are open beginning weekends May 1 and daily May 29. Dinosaur Island will also be included once it opens for the season.

Columbus Zoo/Zoombezi Bay 2 Day ticket

(admission to the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay for both days during Zoombezi Bay Operating Season). Visits do not have to be consecutive days.

• 2-Day Adult Pass: $58.99
• 2-Day Child Pass: $55.99

Year Round Zoo Admission Specials

Check this link to see discount details

Military Discount

Active and Non-active duty military personnel receive a $2 discount on up to 6 tickets when they show a valid military ID. 

AAA

AAA members receive a $1 discount off the purchase of their ticket when they present a valid membership card. Tickets must be purchased at the Zoo front gate.

Seniors

Seniors ages 60+ received discounted admission to the Zoo.  Franklin County senior rate is $18.99; outside of Franklin County rate is $27.99.

Zoo Memberships

If you are going to go to the Zoo more frequently in a season, you will want to consider buying a season pass. You’ll get free parking (normally $10 a car), as well as other member benefits, like free preview nights for special events.

There are discounts on season passes throughout the year.

Online Price for Franklin County residents ($3-$5 more if purchased at the Zoo; ). Non-Franklin County residents pay $5-$70 more per membership.

• Individual Membership – starting at $54 Admits one named adult
• Individual Plus One Membership – starting at $94.99. Admits one named adult and one unnamed guest
• Family Membership – starting out $144.99. Admits up to two primary named adult members within the same household plus either dependent children OR grandchildren up to age 21 (not both) to the Columbus Zoo.
• Family Plus Membership – starting at $214. Admits up to two primary named adult members within the same household plus either dependent children OR grandchildren up to age 21 (not both) to the Columbus Zoo.  This membership also includes up to two named* or  unnamed* guests.
• Gold Individual Membership – starting at $174.99 This individual pass gives you access to the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay, FREE Zoo rides* (including Jungle Jack’s Landing) and FREE admission to Stingray Bay and 4-D Theater.

Zoombezi Bay Season Pass – $119.99 – $194.99

Just want to enjoy the water at Zoombezi Bay?  Surf into the wildest water park ever and get a special discount on your Zoombezi Bay season pass through our online store.  These make a great gift!

Reciprocal Discount Member Benefit

As a Columbus Zoo and Aquarium member, you can save $3 on general admission to select Columbus museums and attractions through the Columbus Member Advantage program. No coupon is necessary. Show your valid Columbus Zoo membership card each time you visit!

Limited to 4 discounts per membership per day; can’t be combined with other discounts.  Columbus Zoo members receive discounted or FREE admission to the AZA accredited Zoos in the list below

Columbus Member Advantage Program

If you’re a member of select Central Ohio attractions, you can save $3 on general admission to the Zoo through the Columbus Member Advantage program. No coupon is necessary. Simply show your valid participating membership card when you visit! Limited to 4 discounts per membership per day; can’t be combined with other discounts.  

Member Advantage partners for 2023 include:

• Columbus Museum of Art and Pizzuti Collection (see our article)
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (see our article)
• Dawes Arboretum (see our article)
• Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (see our article)
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum (see our article)
• Wexner Center for the Arts (see our article)
• COSI (advanced tickets required)
• The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art and Technology (also qualifies for ASTC reciprocal admission) 
• Columbus Metropolitan Club

COTA Bus Rider Discounts for Summer and Fall

Ride the Cota ZooBus for $2 each way ($1 for seniors/kids over 48″, free for kids under 48″) and get a huge discount on admission. Admission to the Columbus Zoo is just $3 and admission to Zoombezi Bay is $10 off!

Riders will receive a transfer/coupon from their driver to receive discounted admission.  See details on schedule and fares. 

May 13-18, 2023: Weekend service
May 29-September 3, 2023: 7-day service
September 8-October 29, 2023: Weekend service

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.” 

Zoo Bus leaves from the Statehouse multiple times a day, making stops at High & Broad, Griggs Dam Park & Ride and Dublin Park & Ride before it gets to the Zoo. Bus leaves from the Zoo at various times, making stops at Dublin Park & Ride and Griggs Dam Park & Ride before it arrives at the Statehouse & High.

Annual Events at the Zoo

Electronic recycling and Earth Day Celebration

The Zoo has some fun Earth Day activities coming up, include the electronic recycling drive (April 21) and Earth Day Celebration on April 22-23, 2023. Details here.

Donate Blood; get BOGO Zoombezi Bay tickets!
tba 2023, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Columbus Zoo has partnered with Versiti Blood Center of Ohio to raise the awareness of the need for lifesaving blood donations. The blood drive is in the Africa Events Center off the main parking lot. Donors must be 17 years old (16 with parental consent) and meet donor eligibility requirements.

Every donor will receive a Buy One Get One Zoombezi Bay ticket (a $42 value) and a portable Bluetooth speaker (while supplies last)!  Appointments are highly recommended; book here. 

Sensory-friendly Boo at the Zoo

October 1, 2023 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Zoo is offering these special quiet hours to provide families with sensory needs the opportunity to enjoy the Zoo in a more calm and relaxed environment with reduced sounds and decreased visual stimulation.

There won’t be music playing throughout the park, or on the Carousel. Each region will have different accommodations, but most monitors, projectors, and sound-making activities will be turned off. The Zoo is open to the public, so crowds may be typical. See website for full details. 

There is also a special Boo at the Zoo Sensory-Friendly Halloween Character Meet & Greet from 10 am – 2 pm. Details here.

Sensory-friendly Light Stroll

Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from  5:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

The sensory-friendly light stroll at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium meets the needs of guests who may be overwhelmed at a regular Wildlights night. Tickets required. Free for Zoo members. Details here.

Sensory-Friendly Santa Experience

Sunday, December 10, 2023 from noon – 4 pm
Bring your own camera; cost is $5 per group. Located in the Suzie Edwards Education Classroom Building. Reservations are required (and limited!). Wildlights and/or Zoo admission is not required or included. Details here.