Membership FAQ

You can purchase a gift card online! Input the recipient's email address in the recipient email field and an email with instructions for redemption will be sent to them.

If you do not have the recipient's email address, please enter your email address as the recipient email address and then print the gift card from the recipient email. You may also forward the email to the recipient at a later time. Instructions for redemption are located in the recipient email. 

Please note, prior to launching Columbus Zoo gift cards we did offer the option of purchasing a gift membership voucher. If you have a gift membership voucher that is not expired you may still activate your voucher online.

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. 

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. 

If you upgrade your membership while your pass is still active, you may pay the difference between membership levels, and your membership expiration date will remain the same as your original purchase.

Please note that our system may take one to three days for your correct digital card and expiration date to appear in your digital wallet. Upgrade restrictions apply, please contact the membership office at (614) 724-3489 if you have any questions. 

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 up to six dependent children OR grandchildren (not both) of the primary named members only, up through age 18. Primary members are defined as spouses or partners. If you are purchasing a Family Plus membership, children of guests are not covered.

The Columbus Zoo collects family information to determine party size and manage your membership. Please see our privacy policy for more details. 

A Family or Family Plus membership covers up to six dependent children OR grandchildren (not both) of the primary named members only, up through age 18. You may add up to four additional dependent children for a per-person fee. The maximum number of dependent children that may be covered on a membership is 10. 

Please call the membership office at (614) 724-3489 to add additional dependent children to your online membership purchase. 

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. 

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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. 

Admission ticket and membership sales are made specifically subject to the Terms and Conditions of Admission or Membership at the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks.  We want a welcoming environment for all guests, members, and the employees and contractors who bring the experience to our guests and members. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and its other parks including Safari Golf Course, Zoombezi Bay, and the Wilds, reserves the right to refuse service, remove a guest from the Park, or revoke any membership if, in the judgment of Zoo management, the bearer violates park safety and security rules or if the bearer has been convicted of any crime of a type that the Zoo believes could pose a threat to the safety of our guests. This includes,  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. 

Admission or membership can also be revoked at any time by the Columbus Zoo for any infraction, in the Zoo’s judgment, of the Zoo’s Code of Conduct. Further, the Zoo may seek law enforcement or legal remedies.  The Code of Conduct applies to any physical or virtual visit to the Zoo or any other park in the Zoo’s Family of Parks, to the Zoo’s website, and to any interaction with Zoo personnel, whether in person, on the phone, via email or U.S. mail, and any other encounter or contact by any mode of communication.  Our employees aim to provide the best service and guest experience possible.  We do not permit our employees and contractors to be subjected to what the Zoo determines to be violations of this policy and/or the Zoo’s Code of Conduct.

Operating dates and hours are subject to change without notice. Park capacity and other circumstances determined by the Parks may cause the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium or any of the Parks  to limit entry. Memberships may be subject to blackout dates and/or required reservations to be admitted to the Zoo during peak days. Please monitor social media and/or the Zoo’s website prior to your visit for more details.

Code of Conduct for Guests and Members

Admission and membership are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Admission or Membership at the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks. 

View Policies

Family of Parks includes the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Course, and The Wilds. This Code of Conduct applies to any physical visit or virtual contact, by whatever communication method is employed,  between a guest or member and other guests, Park staff, our animals, or others working with us or present in our Parks. 

Unacceptable behavior including, but not limited to disrespectful behavior, actions that do or could disturb the peace, vulgarity, bullying, discrimination, intimidation, loitering, line jumping, theft or attempted theft, harassment, menacing,  disruptive behavior or contact, threats, placing an employee or other guest in apprehension, intimidation, repeated unnecessary contact, or any other behavior deemed by the Zoo to be inappropriate with its guests, employees and contractors may result in ejection from the park without a refund and/or revocation of membership. 

The Columbus Zoo Family of Parks reserves the right to deny admission or cancel any membership if the bearer violates park safety and security rules, this Code of Conduct, or the Admission and Membership Terms and Conditions or if the guest or member has been convicted of any crime of a type that, in the Zoo’s judgment, could pose a threat to the safety of our guests, employees, animals, or others working with us 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.

Please visit our park policies page for a complete list of guest policies.