Visitor Info

Welcome back to your Zoo!

Please read carefully before planning your visit.

Zoo operating hours are subject to change. Check below for current open days and time. 

The Birmingham Zoo is open and operating with reduced hours and at limited capacity. Due to an increase of COVID-19 cases in our community, we have made significant changes to our daily operations.

For the health and safety of our animals, staff, and guests – all visitors over the age of six (6) are required to properly wear face masks in accordance with City of Birmingham ordinance mandating the wearing of face masks in public places and as Birmingham Zoo policy. Face masks must be worn inside the Zoo during your entire visit, especially while participating in animal encounters. The Birmingham Zoo follows, and expects our guests and members to follow, all applicable government ordinances. *Visitors can purchase face masks at each ticket booth and in our gift shops.  

Timed admission tickets are required. Guests are required to purchase tickets online before your visit. Members are required to reserve  free timed member tickets online before arriving to the Zoo.

Entry into the Zoo will be monitored to ensure limited capacity and elevated safety protocols are still in place.  Zoo operating hours are subject to change. Check below for current open days and time. 

Zoo Hours

Days  Wednesday – Sunday

Time  9:00am – 5:00pm

• Birmingham Zoo is closed Monday and Tuesday
• Entry into the Zoo stops thirty (30) minutes before closing
• Holidays observed
  • Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 25, 2021 the Zoo will be CLOSED
  • Christmas Eve EARLY CLOSING at 1:00pm on Thursday, December 23, 2021
  • Christmas Day on Friday, December 24, 2021 the Zoo will be CLOSED
• Early Closing Dates and Times
  • Thursday, December 23 at 1pm

Tickets & Pricing

We encourage guests to pre-purchase and reserve timed admission tickets online the day before your visit!

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Online ticket sales and member reservations stop at midnight the day before. Tickets will appear sold out on the website if you try to purchase or reserve after midnight.

**Walk-up tickets are available onsite at the gate every 30 minutes for guests to purchase & Members to reserve- space is limited**

General Admission Tickets

Purchase your timed admission tickets online and ahead of time!

• Timed tickets are required for all guests and members
  • Purchase tickets online before your visit – Purchase Tickets HERE
  • Tickets are issued in 30-minute time blocks
    • Timed ticketing applies to the date and time you will enter the Zoo
    • Once inside the Zoo, guests can stay for the rest of day
    • Pick a date and time to purchase timed ticket
  • Last entry into the Zoo stops thirty (30) minutes before closing
  • Re-entry into the Zoo will not be permitted

Member Tickets

Zoo Members receive free admission into the Zoo but need to reserve a free timed ticket – Reserve Tickets HERE

• Sign-in at the top-right of the ticketing page to access and reserve free ticket
  • Once signed in, add the member type ticket you need (Member Adult/Member Child).
  • Please Note: Only add the number of member type tickets to your order based on how many people are on your membership. You may also purchase up to six (6) discounted non-member tickets for guests with your 25% Member discount. 
  • Proceed to checkout, and the sum will discount to zero ($0) at order preview before you confirm and enter your credit card information.
  • Please contact membership@birminghamzoo.com if you do not see your discounts or are prompted to enter credit card information on a members-only order.
• Purchase or renew a Zoo Membership HERE

SNAP/EBT Discount Program 

• Available to Alabama residents ONLY who currently receive SNAP benefits.
  • *Must show a valid, un-expired, signed EBT card in beneficiary’s name.
  • For full SNAP/EBT discount information at the Birmingham Zoo, click HERE
• Accepted Payment
  • Credit/Debit card will be the only accepted form of payment.
  • Cash will NOT be accepted to buy admission tickets.
• PLEASE NOTE  
  • Admission tickets are non-refundable but are date-transferable up to one year after purchase date.
  • Zoo Discounts cannot be combined with any additional coupons, specials, or offers.
  • Reciprocal Zoo discounts are available onsite at the ticket booth.

Purchase Tickets HERE

Rides

Red Diamond Express Train

Protective Life Carousel

• Weather Dependent 
• Time  10:00am – 4:00pm
• Cost Single tickets are $3.95 (plus tax) for ONE (1) RIDE, per person.
• Tickets  Sold and purchased onsite at each ride location ONLY.
  • Guests cannot purchase ride tickets at the front gate nor online.
  • Unlimited Ride Wristbands are not available for purchase.
  • One (1) ticket per person, per ride, for ages 2 years and up

• Family Plus Member Ride Wristbands cannot be reserved online
  • FPM wristbands but will be available onsite at the Zoo when you arrive.
  • Show Member card to receive wristbands onsite.

• Ride tickets are for daytime operation only and are not valid for special events
  • One ticket per person per ride, ages 2 years and up.
  • Children under 2 years old must be accompanied by a paying adult on the train and carousel.
  • Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult chaperone on the train.

• Limited Capacity & Cleaning
  • The train and carousel will be operating at limited capacity to ensure riders are at safe distance from one another.
  • In addition, the train and carousel will be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned after each ride.

• PLEASE NOTE
  • Ride tickets are non-refundable but are date-transferable up to one year after purchase date.
  • Zoo Discounts for rides cannot be combined with any additional coupons, specials, or offers.

Health & Safety Protocols

Face Masks

• Face Masks must be properly worn inside the Zoo during your entire visit, especially while participating in animal encounters.
• All Visitors & Members over the age of six (6) to the Birmingham Zoo will be required to wear face masks for the protection of other animals, staff, and guests.
• Children under six (6) years old are not required to wear face masks
• Zoo Staff are required to wear face masks and maintain other heightened safety protocols

WHY? In accordance with City of Birmingham ordinance mandating the wearing of face masks in public places, the Birmingham Zoo supports efforts to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, and we recognize that the best way to prevent the COVID-19 illness is to avoid exposure to the virus.  The Birmingham Zoo follows, and expects our guests and members to follow, all applicable government ordinances. *Visitors can purchase face masks at each ticket booth and in our gift shops. 

• Click HERE for frequently asked questions about the City of Birmingham mask ordinance.
• Read the City of Birmingham mask ordinance HERE.

Social Distancing

• Entrance  All guests and members will enter through the front gate
• Exit  All guests and members will be required to exit through the Children’s Zoo gate
• NO Re-entry  Guests and members will NOT be allowed to reenter the Zoo after exiting
• Capacity  The Zoo maintains strict limits on attendance
• One-way Traffic Flow  Visitors will follow a one-way directional path through the Zoo from entry to exit
• Ground Markers  Directional and distancing markers will guide guests on a one-way path through the Zoo
• Signage and other measures will remind visitors of safe & healthy practices and to follow social distancing guidelines
• ZOO MAP Download a copy of our one-way path map of the Zoo, here

Staying Healthy

• Hand Sanitizing Stations have been installed throughout the Zoo and made readily accessible.
• Sanitation Procedures  The Zoo has enhanced our rigorous sanitation protocols and cleaning standards to ensure that all facilities will be thoroughly disinfected.
• High-touch Areas  Staff will be routinely cleaning all surfaces and public areas, such as: handrails, viewing glass, door handles, sensory room, and restrooms.
• Feeling Sick? The Zoo continues to follow the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines by asking staff and guests to stay home if they are sick or feel sick. We are also encouraging respiratory etiquette, hand hygiene, requiring face masks, and maintaining other heightened safety protocols.

OPEN Areas & Attractions

Rides & Attractions

• Red Diamond Express Train
• Protective Life Carousel
  • Weather Dependent 
  • Time  10:00am – 4:00pm
• Cost Single tickets are $3.95 (plus tax) for ONE (1) RIDE, per person.
• Tickets  Sold and purchased onsite at each ride location ONLY.
  • Guests cannot purchase ride tickets at the front gate nor online.
  • Unlimited Ride Wristbands are not available for purchase.
  • One (1) ticket per person, per ride, for ages 2 years and up

Animal Buildings & Areas

• Predators
• South America/Primates
• Children’s Zoo Barn

Encounters & Experiences 

• MyEyeDr. Lorikeet Feedings & Aviary
  • Weather Dependent 
  • OPEN  ONLY on Saturday and Sunday
  • Time  10:00am – 3:00pm
  • Cost  $3.95 per feeder (not per person) – plus tax
  • Tickets  Sold and purchased onsite at the MyEyeDr. Lorikeet Aviary ONLY
    • Guests cannot purchase feeding tickets online nor at the front gate
    • Face Masks  All visitors are required to wear face coverings on the giraffe platform and to participate in feedings.

• Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter & Feedings
  • Weather Dependent 
  • OPEN  ONLY on Saturday and Sunday
  • Time  10:00am – 12:00pm
  • Cost  $3.95 per feeder (not per person) – plus tax
  • Tickets  Sold and purchased onsite at the Giraffe Encounter Outpost Giftshop ONLY
    • Guests cannot purchase feeding tickets online nor at the front gate
    • Face Masks  All visitors are required to wear face coverings on the giraffe platform and to participate in feedings.

Gift Shops

• Front Entrance Gift Shop
  • Open  Wednesday-Sunday
  • Time  9:00am – 4:00pm
• Tiki Hut at Lorikeet Aviary
  • Open  during lorikeet feeding operating hours
  • Time  10:00am – 3:00pm
• Giraffe Outpost
  • Open  during giraffe feeding operating hours
  • Time  10:00am – 12:00pm (or later)
• Exit Gift Shop
  • Open  Saturday & Sunday
  • Time  10:00am – 4:00pm
• Online  click to here to visit.

Food & Beverage

• Wild Burger outdoor dining in Trails of Africa
• Nourish 205 outside walk-up window is open in Children’s Zoo (indoor dining area is closed)
• Side Track concessions stand at the Train Depot
• TouCantina Bar & Funnel Cakes on Henley Lawn in front of flamingo habitat
• Plaza Lemonade & Popcorn at the front entrance under the breezeway
• Dippin’Dots  Predator and Elephant areas
• Lemonade Stand  Trails of Africa

CLOSED Areas & Attractions

• Zoo Grounds are open, but interactive experiences, playgrounds, Henley Park, Full Moon Wild Slide and Splash Pads are CLOSED
• Experiences & Encounters including Behind-the-Scenes programs, shows and demonstrations, have been postponed
• ZOO MAP Download a copy of our one-way path map of the Zoo, here

Rides & Attractions

• Full Moon Wild Slide
• Splash Pads

Buildings & Areas

• Reptile Building
• Junior League of Birmingham Playground (Parking Lot)
• Children’s Zoo Playground
• Trails of Africa Playground
• Nature Play Space on Henley Park

Encounters & Experiences 

• Camel Rides
• Predator Zone Lion Training
• Sea Lion Show
• Wildlife Show
• Flamingo Feeding
• Goat Walk
• Ambassador Animals
• Behind-the-Scenes Encounters
• Chipangali Research Station