Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a zoological park and conservation centre located in the Old Brooklyn neighbourhood of Cleveland, Ohio. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in March 2026 to reflect the current $23.50 adult ticket price and the ongoing construction of the new Primate Forest indoor destination.
Quick facts about Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Open daily from 10:00 am. Closes at 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm depending on the season. |
| Ticket prices | Adults $23.50, Seniors (62+) $21.50, Juniors (2-11) $19.50, Under 2 go free. |
| Address | 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA. |
| Nearest public transport | RTA Bus routes or on-site visitor parking lots. |
| Typical time needed | 2 to 4 hours. |
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo opening hours
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo opens at 10:00 am every day, though closing times adjust according to the season. From April through September, the zoo closes at 5:00 pm, and from October through March, the park closes earlier at 4:00 pm.
The box office always closes one hour prior to the zoo’s daily closing time. The site is closed completely on three public holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
5 Great Cleveland Experiences to Book
- 👻 Cleveland Ghost Tour: Hear spooky stories from the city’s past and explore haunted landmarks on a guided evening walking tour.
- 🌲 Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Link together the best viewpoints and trails on a self-drive visit with a comprehensive smartphone audio guide.
- 🎸 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Explore the history of music legends through iconic artifacts and immersive exhibits at this world-famous lakeside museum.
- 🌮 Ohio City Neighborhood Food Tour: Experience one of the city’s trendiest districts through multiple food tastings and expert drink pairings.
- 🍎 West Side Market Food Tour: Get to know the best local stalls and the history of Cleveland’s oldest operating indoor/outdoor market.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo ticket prices
Standard single-day entry costs $23.50 for adults, $21.50 for seniors aged 62 and older, and $19.50 for juniors aged 2 to 11. Children under the age of two receive free entry, and all visitors can save $1 on standard admission by visiting on a weekday rather than a weekend.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is not currently included in any multi-attraction city pass scheme (such as Go City or CityPass). Visitors planning multi-stop itineraries must book separate tickets for other popular attractions in the city, such as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
How to get to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
The zoo is located five miles south of downtown Cleveland and is accessible by car via Interstates 71, 77, 90, and 480.
For visitors using public transport, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA Bus) operates routes that stop near the zoo entrance on Wildlife Way, offering a direct connection from the city centre.
Parking at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Parking at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is always free for all visitors. The zoo maintains several large, dedicated surface lots near the main entrance, named after animals such as the Bear, Tiger, Lion, Otter, and Stork lots.
These primary car parks provide ample space on standard weekdays, but they can fill up quickly during peak summer weekends, holiday events, or the free-entry Mondays offered to local county residents.
How long to spend at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Most visitors spend between two and four hours navigating the 183-acre site.
Because the enclosures are spread out across rolling, wooded terrain, seeing all the major habitats requires significant walking. Factoring in a meal break or attending a scheduled animal feed will push the visit closer to a half-day experience.
Accessibility at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
The zoo features flat, paved pathways throughout, making it fully accessible for wheelchair users. A free, wheelchair-accessible open-air tram service also operates within the park, running between the African Elephant Crossing and the Primate, Cat & Aquatics building.
Visitors can rent push wheelchairs, motorised electric convenience vehicles (ECVs), and strollers from the Welcome Plaza gift shop on a first-come, first-served basis. Accessible parking spaces are located primarily in the Lion Lot near the main gate.
Inside / what to see at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
The zoo is divided into several distinct bioclimatic zones. African Elephant Crossing is a large habitat featuring two yards, a deep swimming channel, and a gated crossing area where visitors can observe the elephant herd moving between enclosures.
Asian Highlands is a themed area focusing on cold-climate species. This section houses Amur leopards, snow leopards, and red pandas, built with architectural elements mirroring a Himalayan village.
Australian Adventure features an open-air, walk-through wallaby and kangaroo yard, alongside koala exhibits and the Boomerang Line train ride.
The Wilderness Trek area focuses on cold-weather animals native to the Northern Hemisphere, including bears, wolves, seals, and reindeer.
Currently, the zoo is developing the Primate Forest, a major multi-phased project that is expanding and transforming the former RainForest building into a new 140,000-square-foot indoor destination.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Practical advice |
| Timing | Arrive exactly at 10:00 am to secure the closest parking and view the animals during their morning routines. |
| Crowds | Avoid Mondays during the summer, as Cuyahoga County residents receive free entry, causing heavy congestion. |
| Layout | Utilise the free internal tram service to bypass the steep hills connecting the lower and upper sections of the park. |
| Entry process | Purchase digital tickets online in advance to skip the physical box office queues at the entrance plaza. |
| On-site logistics | Visitors are permitted to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks to consume at the designated picnic areas. |
Frequently asked questions about Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
| Search query | Answer |
| Is Cleveland Metroparks Zoo suitable for children? | Yes, the zoo is highly stroller-friendly and features specific child-focused zones and a carousel. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo? | No, tickets are available at the gate, but booking online in advance is faster and highly recommended. |
| Is Cleveland Metroparks Zoo open on Sundays? | Yes, the zoo is open on Sundays year-round, closing only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. |
| Are bags allowed at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo? | Yes, standard backpacks, cool bags, and day bags are permitted and subject to search upon entry. |
Things to do near Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
- A Christmas Story House: A museum dedicated to the classic holiday film, located just two miles away in the Tremont neighbourhood.
- West Side Market: Cleveland’s oldest operating indoor and outdoor market space, featuring dozens of food vendors.
- Greater Cleveland Aquarium: An indoor aquarium located in a historic powerhouse building on the west bank of the Cuyahoga River.
- Cleveland Museum of Art: A free-entry art museum situated in the University Circle district.
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: A music museum located on the downtown waterfront.
