Visitor Info

Welcome back to your Zoo!

Online reservations are required!

The Birmingham Zoo will be reopening in phases and operating with limited capacity. For the health and safety of our staff, guests, and animals, we have made significant changes to the ticketing and entry process, as well as our daily operations. 

Please read carefully before planning your visit.

Zoo Hours   

Days  Monday – Sunday

Time  9:00am – 5:00pm

• Last Entry time into the Zoo is 3:30pm-4pm for all guests and Members.
• The Birmingham Zoo is open 363 days of the year
• Holidays observed:
  • Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 26, 2020 the Zoo will be CLOSED
  • Christmas Eve EARLY CLOSING at 1:00pm on Thursday, December 24, 2020
  • Christmas Day on Friday, December 25, 2020 the Zoo will be CLOSED

Ticketing & Reservations

Admission Tickets  

• Online Reservations All guests, including Zoo Members, are required to reserve tickets online
• Timed Ticketing  All admission tickets will be timed and issued in 30-minute time blocks. Once inside the Zoo, guests can stay for the rest of day. Re-entry will not be permitted.
• Last Entry time into the Zoo is 3:30pm-4pm for all guests and Members.
• Members are free but will need to sign-in to their account to reserve a time and access a Member ticket (The ticket will be discounted to $0 on the Summary Page). Members will need to show your card and ticket at check-in 
• ACCEPTED PAYMENT Credit card will be the only accepted form of payment. Cash will NOT be accepted to buy tickets, food, or merchandise
• 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 ticketing booth.

Purchase Tickets HERE

Purchase Tickets HERE

Health & Safety Protocols

Face Coverings

• All Visitors & Members over the age of two (2) to the Birmingham Zoo will be required to wear face coverings for the protection of other guests, our staff, and our animals
• Children under 2 years old are not required to wear face coverings
• Zoo Staff will be required to wear face coverings and maintain other heightened safety protocols

WHY? In accordance with City of Birmingham and Jefferson County ordinance mandating the wearing of face coverings 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 and we will adjust operational plans accordingly. The Zoo is located within the city limits of Birmingham. *Visitors can purchase face coverings at each ticket booth and gift shop kiosks near the exit.*

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 will have 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

Limited Amenities

• Food Service  options have been reduced. Wild Burger outdoor dining will be the only restaurant open. Side Track concessions stand will be open.
• Indoor Retail  The Gift Shop will be closed
• Outdoor Retail  Guests can purchase merchandise at gift kiosks located at the exit gate in Children’s Zoo
• Drinking Fountains will be disabled but water bottle filling stations will be operational
• Rentals Strollers will not be available for rent during this time
• Purchasing Credit card will be the only accepted form of payment. Cash will NOT be accepted to buy tickets, food, or merchandise

CLOSED Buildings, Areas & Attractions

• Outdoor Only The Birmingham Zoo will be operating as an outdoor experience in a park environment
• Zoo Grounds will be open, but buildings, interactive experiences, playgrounds, Henley Park, and all rides will be 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 

• Carousel
• Splash Pads
• Wild Slide
• Train

Facilities

Animal Buildings

• Predators
• South America/Primates
• Reptiles

Food & Retail

• Nourish 205
• Gift Shop

Play Areas

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

Encounters & Experiences 

• Lorikeet Aviary
• Giraffe Encounter & Feedings
• Predator Zone Lion Training
• Sea Lion Show
• Wildlife Show
• Camel rides
• Flamingo Feeding
• Goat Walk
• Ambassador Animals
• Behind-the-Scenes Encounters
• Chipangali Research Station