Houston Zoo

General admission tickets give you access to the zoo’s extensive animal exhibits, while the next step up includes single or multiple rides on the Wildlife Carousel. Animal encounter passes allow you to spend time with some of your favorite animals, from Asian elephants to Galapagos tortoises.

If you’re planning to visit more than one major Houston attraction, save money with a multi-attraction pass, which typically covers entry to the zoo, the Downtown Aquarium, Space Center Houston, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and more.

• Remember to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat as there’s limited shade in the outdoor areas.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to spend significant time on your feet.

• The zoo grounds are accessible to both wheelchairs and strollers.

• You are welcome to bring outside food, drink, and coolers into the zoo.

Parking at Hermann Park can be a challenge so it’s a better idea to take a taxi or rideshare to the zoo entrance. The Houston METRORail also stops within walking distance of the zoo; get off at the Hermann Park/Rice U Station.

The zoo is open daily throughout the year, though hours vary by season. Plan to visit first thing in the morning on a weekday as lines can get long later in the day. If you’re visiting in winter, be sure to check out the Zoo Lights holiday event.

Houston Zoo has long been a leader in animal conservation, and admission prices help support 49 wildlife conservation projects in 27 countries around the world. During your visit to the zoo, you can adopt an endangered animal in order to help further support these efforts.

The Houston Zoo does have regularly closed days. The zoo is open seven days a week, all year round. It does close on Christmas Day (December 25) plus January 10 and January 11, but is open on all other major holidays. Some exhibits may close early for special events.

As with other family-friendly attractions, the Houston Zoo can get very busy on the weekends, particularly during school vacations. Visiting at 9am (right when it opens) offers the best chance of beating the crowds. Some animals are also livelier early in the day, and animal encounters generally happen in the morning.

Yes, you can bring a small backpack to the Houston Zoo. Many people bring smaller packs with food, drink, spare clothing, sun protection, and baby items, but larger bags can be a burden. Note that there is no luggage storage a the zoo.

Yes. Although the Houston Zoo has on-site dining venues, you can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks to the zoo, in a cooler if you’d like. Note that glass bottles, plastic straws, and alcoholic beverages are not allowed on zoo grounds. The zoo’s food and beverage outlets only accept credit cards, not cash.

Yes. The Houston Zoo occasionally closes early or cancels the Houston Zoo Lights due to extreme weather, be that freezing conditions, heavy rain, or thunderstorms. When this happens, you can transfer your unused ticket to another date.

A Houston Zoo ticket includes admission to the 55-acre (22-hectare) zoo and a look at its more than 4,500 animals, as well as access to keeper talks and many shows and displays. The wildlife carousel, animal encounters, and giraffe feedings cost extra, as do stroller and wheelchair rentals.