Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

Q. What are the Zoo’s hours?

A:  Regular Zoo hours are from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. During the spring and summer, from March 3 through September 3, the Zoo is open from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm on weekends and holidays.

Q. When are the Zoo holiday hours?

A: The Zoo is open for holiday hours for the Duval County Public Schools’ Spring Break, Memorial Day May 28, Fourth of July, and Labor Day September 3.

Q.  When is the Zoo open?

A: The Zoo is open all year except on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Q. Do I have to pay for parking?

A:  No, parking is free at the Jacksonville Zoo!

Q. Can I bring my lunch into the Zoo?

A: No, coolers and picnic food are not allowed in the park. However, picnic tables with restroom facilities are located next to the Education Campus.

Q. Can I bring food in for my baby?

A: Yes, you may bring food and beverages in for your baby.

Q. Does the Zoo have restaurants on site?

A: Yes, the Zoo has two restaurants and two café’s on site. The Palm Plaza Café, located near the Range of the Jaguar exhibit, serves a Mexican style menu including nachos and burritos, and the Trout River Grill, located near the Play Park, serves a more traditional style menu including hamburgers and hot dogs.

Q. Does the Zoo give rain checks during bad weather?

A: No, the Zoo is still open and operating in all types of weather and you are welcome to visit the Zoo on those days.

Q. Does the Zoo rent strollers or wheelchairs?

A: Yes, strollers and wheelchairs can be rented from the train ticket booth inside of the Zoo’s main entrance. Single strollers are available for $6 plus tax, double stroller are $8 plus tax, regular wheelchairs are $6 plus tax and motorized wheelchairs are $18 plus tax. Wheelchairs and strollers are only available on a first come first serve basis.

Q. Does the Zoo have Kennel facilities to watch my pet while I visit the Zoo?

A: No, the Zoo does not provide kennel services for our visitors. Pets are not allowed at the Zoo. If you are planning on visiting the Zoo, we recommend that you leave your pet at home that day or place them in a kennel before you arrive. We do allow service animals.

Q. Does the Zoo provide Locker or Storage facilities?

A: No, the Zoo is unable to provide lockers or storage facilities.

Q. Is the Splash Ground an additional cost?

A: No, visiting the Splash Ground is included in the cost of Zoo admission.

Q. Can my children wear their bathing suit to the Zoo?

A:  Yes, they can wear their bathing suit in the Play Park Splash Ground but proper attire, including shirts and shoes must be worn in all other parts of the Zoo. Babies will have to have "swimmies" or a plastic diaper covers on over their diapers before they will be allowed to enter the Splash Ground in Play Park. The Zoo has swimmies for sale and will have plastic diaper covers for sale in the near future.

Q. Does the Zoo offer Group Rates?

A: Yes, the Zoo will provide a discounted Group Rate for groups of 15 or more who make their reservations at least two weeks in advance. Please call 904-757-4463 ext 122 to schedule your group reservation.

Q. Does the Zoo offer Birthday Party packages for children?

A: Yes, children must be between the ages of 3 and 12 to celebrate their birthday with one of the Birthday Party packages. The Zoo is unable to offer Birthday Party Packages for children under the age of 3.

Q. Does the Zoo provide discounts for not-for-profit agencies?

A: Yes, the Zoo provides 10,000 general admission tickets to the City of Jacksonville, Neighborhoods Department once a year. For more information about these tickets please contact the Neighborhoods Department.

Q. Can I shop at the Gift Shop without needing to buy an admission ticket?

A: Yes, if you would like to shop at the Zoo gift shop without visiting the Zoo that day, please inform the turnstile attendant and they will let you into the gift shop near the main entrance.

Membership

Q.  Is my membership good from the time of purchase or for a calendar year?

A.  Your membership is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase until the day before the one-year anniversary of your purchase.  For example, if you buy your membership October 4, 2006 it will expire October 3, 2007.

Q.  Where can I purchase a membership on the day I visit the Zoo?

A.  You can purchase your membership at the Membership Office located near Guest Relations at the Main Gate of the Jacksonville Zoo.  You do not need to wait in line at the ticket booths if purchasing a membership.

Q. How long will it take to receive my membership cards?

A:  If you purchase your membership when you visit the Zoo you will receive your membership cards on that same day. For memberships that are purchased by mail, phone, or on the internet, your membership cards will be mailed to you by standard U.S. Postal service and usually arrive within 2-3 weeks. However, if you would like to visit the Zoo before you have received your permanent cards, please visit the membership office, and present the associate with a photo ID. They will be able to issue you a temporary pass to visit the Zoo until your membership cards have arrived. 

Q. Can I save my admission receipt and use it towards a membership at a later date?

A:  No. Howver, ask at the Membership Office for a Gate Rebate before the Zoo closes on the day of your visit and you can apply the applicable tickets purchased that day toward your annual Zoo membership.

Q. Can I use my membership at other zoos and aquariums?

A:  You can use your Jacksonville Zoo membership for free or discounted admission to over 150 zoos and aquariums across the U.S.  Occasionally, some institutions decide they no longer wish to participate in the reciprocal program.  Please visit http://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/membership/reciprocal.asp for the current reciprocal listing.  However, we recommend that you contact the zoo in question prior to your visit.

Q. Why do I have to show photo ID when I use my card to enter the Zoo?

A:  As a non-profit organization that relies heavily on membership and attendance for support, we must prevent misuse of our membership cards.  We also want to protect our members should their cards be lost or stolen

Q. Can I lend my membership card to a friend or family member?

A:  No.  Memberships are nontransferable and are valid only for those whose names appear on the card. Members whose memberships include guests must accompany their guests into the Zoo.

Q. What if I want another adult (babysitter, nanny, other family member) to bring my children to the Zoo, but their name isn’t on the membership card?

A:  Please contact the Membership Office (ext 114) before sending your children with an unnamed adult to the Zoo, and we will make sure your children have access to your membership.  However, the unnamed adult accompanying your children will need to purchase their admission. This is true even if you have the Family + 1 or Family + 2 memberships as additional guests can only enter the Zoo when accompanied by a named adult on the pass.

Q. Can I include my grandchildren on my membership?

A:  All memberships from the Family level and above allow up to four (4) children or grandchildren in your family under the age of 18 to be put on the membership.

Q. What if I have more than 4 children or grandchildren under the age of 18?

A:  If you have more than 4 children or grandchildren between the ages of 3-18 and more than four of them are likely to visit the Zoo with you at one time, we recommend the Family + 1 or Family + 2 memberships. These memberships allow you to bring an additional one or two guests at each visit.

Q. How old do my children have to be to come without a parent or chaperone?

A: We recommend that your child be at least 15 before visiting the Zoo without a parent or chaperone.

Q. How can I replace a lost or damaged card?

A:  You should receive two cards with your membership purchase.  You can order a replacement card by contacting or visiting the Membership Office.  There is a $5.00 fee for a replacement card.

Q. Why did I get 2 cards exactly alike if the Friend Level is only for one named person?

A:  We automatically print out 2 cards that are exactly alike on every membership. Keep the extra card just in case your other card is lost.

Q. Does my membership include the train or carousel rides?

A: No, the train and carousel rides are not included with your membership. However, members can purchase discount train tickets as well as special Members-only discount cards that offer additional discounts on the train and carousel rides and each card is good for 10 rides. The Carousel Card is $15, the Adult Train Card is $30, and the Child Train Card is $10.