Your admission includes full access to the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens. This includes our keepers chats, demonstrations and presentations, like the daily Dolphin Presentation (pick up your free ticket at the Entry Plaza).
You can also enjoy any of our public, non-fundraising events, like Zoopolis 500, summer concerts, ZooBoo and Christmas at the Zoo. Animal feedings and rides are not included with admission but can be added on to your Zoo experience individually or by purchasing the Total Advantage Package. Concessions are also not included with general admission.
Prices vary by day and by demand. The best way to check prices is to visit the Buy Tickets page and shop for the days you want to visit. In general the earlier you plan, the better the price. Weekdays are likely to cost less than weekends.
The price you see on our website today may go up the longer you wait to buy, and prices at the gate will be higher. That’s why we suggest planning ahead and buying advance tickets online.
Tickets are generally only good for the day printed on the ticket. Our guest services office will work with guests on an individual basis and in most circumstances, guests will be able to trade-in their ticket for a ticket good for an equal or lower price day in the same calendar year. If guests wish to visit on a day where the admission price is higher than the ticket they purchased, they will receive credit toward the higher price ticket. In keeping with our current policies no refunds will be given. The policy of no refunds includes no refunds of the difference between cost of a ticket purchased and the cost on the day the ticket is used.
The Indianapolis Zoo is the largest zoo in the United States to receive no direct annual tax supported revenue. We rely on several sources of income and funds to support our renowned animal conservation mission, such as revenue from admissions, memberships, donations, grants, and fundraising events. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, be assured that your money is going to support a great cause!
The Zoo is closed the second Friday in June for Zoobilation, which is our largest single-day fundraiser. During the winter, we reduce our hours but try to remain open as often as possible.
We are closed Mondays and Tuesdays November-February as well as for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. During the warmer months, the Zoo is open daily, including Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Military Discounts
To honor our men and women in service, all current and former members of the military are admitted free on Memorial Day and Veterans Day (Please note: if Veterans Day falls on a Monday or Tuesday, free admission will be offered on the Sunday before the holiday). Plus, all non-military family members receive a $2 discount on day-of, on-site ticket purchases on this holiday. The rest of the year, the Zoo offers a $2 discount to all current and former members of the military, good for the purchase of up to four day-of, on-site tickets per visit. Please bring a form of military ID with you to receive the discounts.
AAA Discounts
We offer a $2 discount to AAA members, good for up to four on-site, day-of ticket purchases per visit. Please present your valid AAA card when you purchase your tickets at the gate.
Zoo Member Discounts
We offer a $2 discount to members of other Association of Zoos and Aquarium accredited institutions good for up to four on-site, day-of ticket purchases per visit. Please present your valid membership ID when you purchase tickets at the gate.
For health and safety reasons, guests must leave all coolers in their vehicles. Drinks with disposable lids and straws are not permitted. Guests can carry in beverages and small snack items in reusable containers. Refillable cups that can be use multiple times are available for purchase.
White River Gardens is a botanic garden that is part of the Indianapolis Zoo and included with regular Zoo admission. It is located adjacent to the Zoo and shares the same entrance and parking lot. The Gardens features 3 acres of beautiful outdoor gardens as well as the Hilbert Conservatory to both enjoy and inspire gardeners with ideas.
Zoo admission is good for a full day, and you are welcome to go out of the Zoo to eat. Many of our guests simply leave food items in their vehicles to retrieve quickly at lunch time then return to the Zoo after they’ve eaten. You just need to get your hand stamped as you exit or save your receipt to re-enter when you’re ready. We have multiple picnic areas in the Zoo’s Entry Plaza where you can bring snacks or a lunch to enjoy. Picnic table seating is first-come, first-served.
For a small fee, you can rent single strollers, double strollers and electric carts for the day. These items are available first-come, first-serve, and we do not take reservations. The rental area is located just inside the gate. Find more information on rentals.
The Zoo is fully ADA accessible. Ramps are available at all our exhibits. Additionally, an elevator is located in White River Gardens near the steps to the Hulman Riverhouse that takes visitors up to the mezzanine level in the Hilbert Conservatory.
On any given day, our keepers do their best to have as many of our animals out as possible. Animals are often rotated indoors and out as well as to different exhibit spaces throughout the day, so if you don’t see your favorite animal out at a particular time, you might check back later in the day.
However, there are reasons, like weather conditions, routine health checks or exhibit maintenance, that animals sometimes have to go off exhibit. The number of animals on exhibit is also subject to change based on the season.
To ensure the health and safety of the Zoo’s animals, only service animals are permitted on Zoo grounds.
There are plenty of great hotels in the area. We partner with many area hotels to offer packages that include discounts on Zoo admission tickets.
Depending on how long you plan to stay, we also offer a Family Fun Adventure Package that includes four tickets to the Zoo, four tickets to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and an overnight stay at a participating hotel — all at incredible discounted prices.
For the safety of our animals, guests and staff, all visitors must adhere to the following policies and procedures.
Guests must remain on public pathways at all times.
Prohibited at the Zoo: smoking (including vapor cigarettes),weapons, recreational equipment, outside food or beverages.
In order to not scare our younger guests, adults in full face paint or masks are not allowed. Anyone over the age of 12 will be asked to remove face paint before entering the Zoo.
All tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and non-replaceable if lost or stolen. All online ticket purchases are final and no online refunds will be offered. Unauthorized resale of tickets is prohibited.
For more information, call Guest Services at 317-630-2035.
All ticket holders agree to allow their likeness to be recorded and used by the Zoo and its affiliates in photos/video.
