We are open for the 2021 season from April 10 – October 31.

Yes, please bring your face covering. They will still be required inside all buildings and during Giraffe feedings.

Masks will be available for purchase at each ticket counter. Guests who refuse to wear masks where required will not be able to go into the buildings or participate in the Giraffe Feedings.

We understand that some people have medical conditions that are affected by wearing a mask covering the mouth and nose. Reasonable accommodations, such as the use of a plastic face shield, can be used for those who are unable to wear mask.

To keep animals and staff safe and healthy, we require ALL guests (ages 2 and older) to wear face coverings inside all buildings and while participating in the Giraffe Feedings.

At this time, we are not requiring guests to make a reservation. Guests can still purchase tickets on-line or at the Zoo Admission Gate.

Reserve your tickets

Yes. Of course we will honor your membership.

• Memberships expiring April, May, June, July 2020 will be extended until October 25, 2020.
• Memberships expiring August 2020 will be extended until April 30, 2021.
• Memberships expiring September 2020 will be extend until May 31, 2021.
• Memberships expiring October 2020 – March 2021 will be extended until June 30, 2021.

Membership extensions above apply to FunBundle members.

All 2020 Zooseum Passes are being extended until October 2021.

If you have any questions regarding your membership expiration date, please reach out to membership@niabizoo.com

No. Sorry, but refunds are not being issued due to inclement weather or any other reason. Tickets can be used on alternate days before the end of the season in which they were purchased.

No. Sorry, tickets are non-refundable. Tickets can be used on alternate days before the end of the season in which they were purchased.

No, but guests can purchase tickets on-line or at the Zoo Admission Booths.

The Wild Things Gift Shop is open with increased safety precautions such as sneeze guards at registers and increased sanitation practices. Guests must wear masks inside the Gift Shop. The gift shop in Biodiversity Hall is closed.

The Treehouse Snack Shack, our front concession stand is open daily from 10 a.m. – 3p.m. (weather and attendance permitted). The Wild Paw concession stand at the back of the Zoo next to the Reptile House will remain closed for the season.

As always, guests are welcome to bring their own food and beverages (review our zoo rules for restrictions). Since picnic tables and benches are limited, we encourage you to bring your own blanket and take advantage of our many lawn areas.

As always, guests are welcome to bring their own food and beverages (review our zoo rules for restrictions). Since picnic tables and benches are limited, we encourage you to bring your own blanket and take advantage of our many lawn areas.

Yes, train and carousel rides are running. You may reserve your tickets here or purchase your tickets when you arrive for your visit or purchase them at the Zoo Admission Booths or Gift Shop.

Giraffe feedings are open Thursday-Sunday.

The Koi pond and deck are open. Feed for the koi fish can be purchased online or at the Zoo Admission Booths and picked up when you arrive for your visit.

The domestic animal area and feeding experience is closed.

The budgie aviary and feeding experience is closed.

Yes, but we highly recommend you contact any institutions prior to your visit to confirm their current participation status in the reciprocal program is active. You can check out the 2021 reciprocal list here.

ADMISSIONS/PARKING-Please just bring your membership card and ID with you and present both to the admissions staff on the day of your visit. Anyone not listed on your membership will need to pay for admissions when you arrive. You will still need to pay for parking on the day of your visit.

Open

• Outdoor animal exhibits
• Biodiversity Hall (Mask required inside this building)
• Reptile House (Mask required inside this building)
• Discovery Center/Spineless Wonders (Mask required and Capacity is 15 people)
• Giraffe feedings (Thursday-Sunday, Mask required)
• Rides, including train and carousel
• Festival lawn – great for picnicking!
• Treehouse Snack Shack concession stand (Open Daily/Hours 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Weather and attendance dependent)
• Wild Things Gift Shop (Mask required inside this building)
• Playground
• Koi deck (Koi feed may be purchased online or at the admission gates)
• Scooter, stroller and wheelchair rental
• Water fountains
• ATM machine

Closed

• Indoor exhibits at Giraffe Building (indoor giraffe/African primates)
• Animal feeding areas including budgie and domestic animal feedings
• Face painting stations
• Gift shop located in the Biodiversity Hall
• The Wild Paw concession stand (at the back of the Zoo)
• Gatherings and behind the scenes (Zookeeper & Naturalist chats, private animal encounters, etc.)

We extended any of the green passes that were suppose to expire in 2020 until June 30, 2021.

We operate under the guidelines of the State of IL Phase 5 guidelines and have implemented appropriate protocols to ensure the safety of our guests, staff and animals:

• Implemented enhanced sanitation protocols.
• Installed additional hand wash stations and sanitizer stations.
• Installed plexiglass “sneeze guards” at the registers in our gift shop.
• Placed markers on the ground to facilitate social distancing at exhibits and other areas where groups congregate.
• Made modifications and restricted access to select exhibits due to the increased susceptibility of certain animal groups to COVID-19.
• Suspended the use of highly touched items such as paper maps and coins for the Coins for the Conservation kiosk.
• Distanced picnic tables and benches throughout the zoo.
• Requiring face coverings for all employees.
• Requiring face coverings for guests inside all buildings and while participating in the Giraffe Feedings.