Membership FAQ

Yes! For the most efficient process please purchase your membership online, and you can use it that same day. Simply show your membership voucher after your purchase is complete, or download your digital membership card instantly to show at parking and the turnstiles with your photo ID. You'll get instant membership access, and you'll save when you purchase online!

You can purchase a membership in the Membership/Season Pass Processing office and use it immediately for that day's visit. Please note that our parks are cashless, so purchases must be made with a credit card. 

We do not sell gift certificates or gift cards, but purchasing a gift membership voucher is easy! 

When purchasing a gift membership online you will be able to print a voucher, which you can present to the recipient. You will NOT be asked for the gift recipients information (address, phone, email etc.) on gift memberships. If you are purchasing for a raffle and do not know who the recipient will be, simply enter "Gift" as the name when printing your voucher. 

To purchase a gift membership, select the membership category of your choice. In the next window select the gift membership option. Print the voucher at the end of the transaction for the recipient.

The recipient will not receive a digital membership card until they have activated their gift voucher online or in the membership office at the Columbus Zoo. The recipient has one year from the date of purchase to activate their voucher. Once activated, the member will receive a full year of membership.

Please note, you must be a current Franklin County resident to qualify for the Franklin County rate. If you are not a current resident of Franklin County, you will need to select the non-resident price for your purchase.

All Columbus Zoo Memberships are valid for 12 months and will expire one year from the end of the month of purchase. If you are renewing your membership before it expires, you will receive 12 months from the date of your current expiration. Zoombezi Bay Season Passes are only valid during the Zoombezi Bay operating season. 

Yes! Memberships include free parking. You must present your current membership card to show at the parking booth. If you do not have your current membership card, parking is $10 and is non-refundable. 

If you are visiting from a reciprocal organization parking is $10 and is non-refundable. 

Yes, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium members receive 10% off purchases in the gift shops. Show your membership card to your cashier upon checkout. Discount excludes Columbus Zoo gift card purchases. 

The additional named adult on Family and Family Plus memberships is the second primary adult in your household. Primary heads of household are defined as spouses or domestic partners. If you have questions, please call (614) 724-3489.

Yes, current Zoo members can purchase discounted Zoombezi Bay tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the Zoo entrance or at the Zoombezi Bay entrance with a current membership card and photo ID presented. 

Yes, current Columbus Zoo members can purchase discounted Zoombezi Bay Season Passes. This special rate is available online, at the Zoo entrance, and at the Zoombezi Bay entrance. You will need your current Zoo member information when purchasing online, or your membership card and photo ID when purchasing in-person. 

You may add The Wilds to your Columbus Zoo and Aquarium membership for a discounted rate. You will be asked to add The Wilds after your Zoo membership is in your cart. 

Add-on memberships must be the same category, and the setup (named guests, expiration date, address, etc.) will be identical to your Columbus Zoo membership. 

If you would like to add The Wilds to your Columbus Zoo and Aquarium membership after your purchase, please call (614) 645-3400, or visit the membership office at the zoo's entrance.

As a Gold member, you must show your membership card at a kiosk to obtain a gold wristband. Kiosks are located at Adventure Cove, Dinosaur Island, Grand Carousel, 4-D Theater, North American Train, Giraffe feeding, Lorikeet feeding, VR Theater, Guest Relations, and the Zoombezi Bay Crossover Gate. Kiosk hours vary by location and season. Only gold wristbands worn by the member will be accepted at ride and feeding locations. Printed membership cards, digital membership cards, or wristbands not attached to the member's wrist will not be accepted at individual ride or feeding locations. 

Gold members receive giraffe feedings, lorikeet feedings, and one stingray feeding per day. Feedings are weather-dependent and subject to availability. Certain attractions are seasonal and feedings may be canceled without notice. The health and safety of our animals is our top priority. 

All rides in the Zoo and the Rides at Adventure Cove are covered with your Gold membership. All rides and are weather-dependent and subject to availability. Certain rides and attractions are seasonal and may be closed. Rides are subject to height and/or weight restrictions. 

Zoombezi Bay is included with your Gold membership. All slides are subject to height and/or weight restrictions, and subject to availability. Ride wristbands are not needed for slides at Zoombezi Bay. 

If you are purchasing a Family or Family Plus membership you may cover the dependent children OR grandchildren (not both) of the primary named members only, up through age 21. Primary members are defined as spouses or partners. If you are purchasing a Family Plus membership, children of guests are not covered.

A named guest must be an adult. He/She will receive their own card, may come to the Zoo on their own, and may bring any children included on the membership. Naming a guest limits you to bringing only that person for the duration of the membership, and you cannot change or remove a named guest. An unnamed guest must be accompanied by a primary named member or a named guest on the membership (not by a child).  Unnamed guests can be different on each visit, and can be adults or children.

No, memberships are non-transferable. If a named adult is not visiting, no one can come in his/her place. 

You will receive your digital membership card instantly after your online purchase! 

We are excited to offer digital membership cards as a benefit to your membership. Your digital membership card is available directly in our mobile app - your one-stop shop for all your park adventures! Digital membership cards provide and easier, more efficient experience and instant access to all member benefits. Click here for a full list of digital membership card FAQs. 

We've gone digital! If you lose your card, please download the Columbus Zoo mobile app. You can look up your membership information with your order ID and email address. If you cannot locate that information, please call the membership office at (614) 724-3489 for assistance. Click here for more information on how to access your digital membership card. 

Please note that without your membership card, you will be required to pay $10 for parking. Parking is non-refundable. 

We also accept photos of your membership card at the parking booth and the Zoo's entrance. We recommend that you take a photo of your card and store it on your phone so that you have your card with you at all times. Please be sure that the names and barcode are clearly visible. 

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; therefore, a portion of your membership may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor.

Franklin County residents pay a property tax that directly supports the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. As a thank you for their support, Franklin County residents receive a discount on their memberships.

To qualify for the Franklin County resident price, you must be a current Franklin County resident. Residency is determined by billing address zip code. 

The Discovery Family Membership is a discounted membership category for families who live in Ohio, and qualify for the Ohio Direction EBT card.

Participation in this program must be provided with a valid, photo ID demonstrating proof of Ohio residency in the Membership/Season Pass Processing office at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium at the time of purchase.

The Discovery Family Membership category receives all benefits of a Family Membership at the Columbus Zoo. This membership cannot be upgraded, or credited towards a different membership category. 

Active recipients of Ohio Direction EBT can present their current card. 

Participation in this program must be provided with a valid photo ID demonstrating proof of Ohio residency in the Membership/Season Pass Processing office at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium at the time of purchase, or upload your qualifying documents online. 

For questions, please call (614) 724-3400 and select option 1 to speak with the membership team. 

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium reserves the right to cancel any membership if the bearer violates park safety and security rules or if the bearer has been convicted of any crime of a type that could pose a threat to the safety of our guests, including without limitation, any sex crime, or if the bearer is required to be registered as a sex offender (or words of similar import) in any jurisdiction.