Zoo hours

Fall hours - September 15 through October 14, 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily.

Winter hours - October 15 through March 14, 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. daily.

Zoo gates - The North Gate off N. 59th St. & Phinney Ave. N. is open daily until September 14, then weekdays depending on the weather. It will open weekends until October 15, when it closes for the winter. The South Gate at N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N. and West Gate at N. 55th St. & Phinney Ave. N. are open throughout winter.

Fall Programs

Programs are effective September 7 through October 31, except as noted. Locations of programs are posted at South, West and North zoo entries.

Animal Contact Experience - 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays only. Touch domestic farm animals and learn more about them in supervised areas at the Family Farm. Subject to cancellation due to weather and animal availability.

Bug Moments - 11:00 a.m. Wednesdays in September only. See and touch an insect, spider or other arthropod up close. Will it be a tarantula, cockroach, or maybe a surprise guest? Subject to cancellation due to weather.

Discovery Barn - noon - 3:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays only. While visiting the Family Farm, stop by the Discovery Barn to discover the world of wildlife through self-directed activities, crafts and a variety of "hands-on" experiences!

Elephant Updates - 11:45 a.m. daily. Meet an elephant keeper and get an update on our youngest elephant, Hansa. Learn about the new elephant exhibit changes for managing our elephants.

Humboldt Penguin Feeding - 11:00 a.m. Fridays. Here’s your chance to talk with zoo staff and watch as they feed fish to the endangered Humboldt penguins.

Jaguars - 2:30 p.m. Fridays in September only. The reclusive jaguar is the largest feline found in the New World. Did you know that jaguars are strong swimmers, and follow their prey into the water during the chase? Join zoo staff at the viewing window inside the jaguar exhibit located in the Tropical Rain Forest to learn more about this amazing cat.

Piranha/Ocelot Feedings - 11:15 a.m. Fridays. Here’s your chance to talk with zoo staff and watch as they feed live fish to the piranha and ocelots. You’ll learn about the natural history and captive management of these amazing predators.

Pony Rides - Pony rides have been discontinued indefinitely until a new pony trail is constructed.

Reticulated Python Snake Feeding - 11:30 a.m. September 30 and October 28 only. Snakes swallow their prey whole, and can eat large animals relative to their own size. Find out how while watching a keeper feed an 18’ reticulated python or other large snake in the Day Exhibit. Program is dependent on the snake’s appetite (prey fed to snake is not alive).

Yellow Anaconda Snake Feeding - 1:30 p.m. October 7 only. Snakes swallow their prey whole, and can eat large animals relative to their own size. Find out how while watching a keeper feed a 10’ yellow anaconda in the Tropical Rain Forest exhibit. Program is dependent on the snake’s appetite (prey fed to snake is not alive).

More Fun

Habitat Ramblers: Look for the "Ask Me" button
Be on the lookout for a Habitat Rambler wearing an “Ask Me” button. With a variety of animal props and enrichment items used by keepers, volunteer Habitat Ramblers provide information about bioclimatic zones, animal enrichment activities and conservation efforts.

Reptiles on Wheels/Bugs on Wheels
While visiting the zoo, look for special carts with banners titled Reptiles on Wheels or Bugs on Wheels. Stop by and see strange and beautiful reptiles or bugs up close.

Zoo Overnight and Evening Adventures (fee based)
The roar of a lion, the thump of a…Hey! What was that? Come find out during a Zoo Overnight or Evening Adventure! Meet a zookeeper, enjoy hands-on encounters with amazing creatures and prowl the zoo grounds. Pick up a flyer at the Education Center or call 206-684-4841 for reservations. Information and registration are also available on our Web site at www.zoo.org.

Bug Club (fee based)
Do you think crickets are cool and ants are outrageous? Then join Bug Club! Bug Club is for children 5 years and older who love bugs! Bug Club meets one Sunday per month. For information or an application, call 206.684.4841 or see the zoo’s Web site at www.zoo.org.

Fall Events

Butterflies & Blooms - open through September 30, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily.
Back for its seventh year, the serene experience treats visitors to a vibrant display of nearly 1,000 free-flying butterflies representing at least 15 North American species at all times, a colorful explosion of flowering plants in bloom and an outdoor conservation garden. Cost: $2 in addition to zoo admission; free for kids 2 and under.

Masters of the Web presented by Washington Mutual - The New Spider Exhibit at Woodland Park Zoo - open through October 31.
“ Bug” World is transformed into the intriguing world of spiders. Discover the amazing traits of 17 spectacular species of exotic and local spiders: the mystery of web building and silk weaving, how spiders capture and kill prey, which spiders are medically significant and which ones aren’t. Also enjoy a variety of interactive and fun family experiences. Free with zoo admission.

*** New *** South American Wine Tasting at Jaguar Cove - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., September 15.
Don’t miss this truly unique after-hours experience at Woodland Park Zoo’s Jaguar Cove exhibit. While munching on South American hors d’oeuvres and tasting up to six different wines from the same region, visitors will have the chance to learn more about jaguars from a zoo educator during this exciting event. Cost: $30.00 per person. Must be 21 years old with valid ID. Reservations required. Free parking. Call 206.684.4825 for more information.

*** New *** Oktoberfest in the Family Farm - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., October 20.
Taste six different German beers and snack on traditional appetizers in the Family Farm at Woodland Park Zoo. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about the animals in the Family Farm during this exciting evening. Cost: $30.00 per person. Must be 21 years old with valid ID. Reservations required. Free parking. Call 206.684.4825 for more information.

Pumpkin Prowl - 5:00 - 9:00 p.m., October 29, 30, 31.
We dare you to spend Halloween at Woodland Park Zoo this year — that is, if you're brave enough! Who knows what kinds of creatures are running around after the sun goes down? Fear not, hundreds of carved and lighted pumpkins will guide you and your family through a spooktacular night of trick-or-treating and fun-filled activities. Trick-or-treaters are encouraged to wear costumes! Advance ticket prices: Adult (18 and up) $7.00; Youth (3-17) $5.00 and Toddler (0-2) Free. Prices are an additional $2.00 on the day of the event and apply to zoo members and non-zoo members for this after-hours fundraising event. For more information, visit www.zoo.org or call 206.684.4800.

General Information

Hours: Zoo opens at 9:30 a.m. daily, 365 days of the year. Closing times vary: 5:00 p.m. March 15 through April 30; 6:00 p.m. May 1 through September 14; 5:00 p.m. September 15 through October 14; 4:00 p.m. October 15 through March 14.

Zoo admission: Adult (13-64) $10; Child (3-12) $7; Toddler (0-2) Free. Seniors and disabled receive a discount and zoo members receive free zoo admission year-round.

Parking: $3.50. Parking is limited. Please call Metro at 206.553.3000 for bus service to the zoo.

Gifts/Food: Visit the ZooStore for unique gifts and zoo souvenirs and the Rain Forest Food Pavilion to quench your thirst or appetite. Open daily during regular zoo hours.

Info: For more information and how to become a zoo member, call 206.684.4800 or 684.4026 (TTY), or visit the zoo’s Web site at www.zoo.org.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, top award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.