Washington Park Zoo is a 15-acre municipal zoo in Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana, set on a sand dune above the southern shore of Lake Michigan. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and other practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in June 2026. One change worth flagging: zoo parking is now charged at $3 per hour, capped at $15 a day, rather than the flat $20 day rate some older guides still quote.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Daily 10am–4pm in spring and autumn; longer hours on summer weekends; weekends only in winter (full breakdown below) |
| Ticket prices | Adults $12, seniors $10, children (2–11) $10, under 1 free |
| Address | 115 Lakeshore Drive, Michigan City, IN 46360 |
| Nearest transport/parking | South Shore Line train to Michigan City’s 11th Street Station, or the on-site Zoo Lot at $3/hour (capped at $15) |
| Typical time needed | 2–3 hours |
Washington Park Zoo opening hours
Washington Park Zoo opens daily at 10am, with closing times and opening days changing by season.
- Spring (28 March–22 May): daily, 10am–4pm, last entry 3pm
- Summer (23 May–6 September): Monday–Friday 10am–4pm (last entry 3pm); Saturday–Sunday 10am–5pm (last entry 4pm)
- Autumn (7 September–31 October): daily, 10am–4pm, last entry 3pm
- Winter (1 November–5 December): Saturdays and Sundays only, weather permitting
- Closed to the public from 6 December until the 2027 season reopens in late March
Some areas keep shorter hours: the Observation Tower closes at 3pm, buildings and the gift shop close half an hour before the zoo, and the Safari Train runs Memorial Day through Labor Day only.
Washington Park Zoo ticket prices
General admission costs $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and children aged 2 to 11, and is free for children under 1.
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (12–61) | $12 |
| Seniors (62+) | $10 |
| Children (2–11) | $10 |
| Children (under 1) | Free |
Michigan City residents receive a discount with a valid local ID, and military and senior discounts of $1 apply with ID. Discounts do not apply on special event dates such as Boo at the Zoo, and the zoo does not participate in the Museums for All (EBT/SNAP) discount programme.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in June 2026.
Washington Park Zoo is not included in multi-attraction city pass schemes such as Go City or CityPASS; no such scheme covers Michigan City, so admission must be paid separately at the gate.
How to get to Washington Park Zoo
Washington Park Zoo is best reached by car, at 115 Lakeshore Drive, Michigan City, IN 46360. Chicago is around 90 minutes away by road, and South Bend around 45 minutes.
Travellers without a car can take the South Shore Line train from Chicago‘s Millennium Station to Michigan City’s 11th Street Station, roughly a 90-minute journey. The zoo is about a mile from the station, reachable by taxi, rideshare, or a 20-minute walk through Washington Park.
Parking at Washington Park Zoo
The Zoo Lot charges $3 per hour for cars, capped at $15 for the day, seven days a week. Buses, trailers and RVs are charged $6 per hour, capped at $30.
This lot is shared with the adjacent beach, splash pad and wider park, so it can fill on busy summer weekends; arriving before 11am gives the best chance of a space near the entrance. Parking is managed by the city parks department, not the zoo, so fees can change, and the season pass does not include free parking.
How long to spend at Washington Park Zoo
Most visitors need 2 to 3 hours to see the whole zoo at a comfortable pace.
The grounds are hilly, with paths winding between exhibits rather than running in a flat loop, which adds time compared with a flat zoo of similar size. Allow extra time at the upper end of that range for the Observation Tower, the Safari Train, or the Farm.
Accessibility at Washington Park Zoo
Washington Park Zoo provides free manual wheelchairs at the entrance to visitors who present photo ID, though it does not stock electric wheelchairs. Guests are also welcome to bring their own wheelchair, wagon, or stroller.
Paths are paved but hilly and uneven in places due to the sand-dune terrain. One point worth flagging: service dogs and emotional support animals are not permitted anywhere on zoo, park, or beach grounds, due to the close proximity to exotic animals. Visitors needing extra assistance should contact the admission office on arrival.
Inside Washington Park Zoo: what to see
The Observation Tower is a 1930s stone lookout built by Depression-era relief workers, open 10am to 3pm daily, with views over Lake Michigan and the city.
The Castle, a building dating from 1937, houses small mammals and reptiles, including fennec foxes, corn snakes, and a working beehive.
A cluster of exhibits covers North American and big cat species, including grizzly bears, mountain lions, river otters, and Bengal tigers, in naturalistic enclosures.
The Farm is home to miniature horses, donkeys, pigs, and goats, with supervised feeding available using zoo-provided food only.
The Wings of Wonder walk-through aviary, normally home to parakeets and cockatiels, is closed for renovation at the time of writing, with no confirmed reopening date. The seasonal Safari Train runs for children between Memorial Day and Labor Day, weather permitting.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit on a weekday morning, especially in September or October, for a quieter walk through the zoo. |
| Crowds | Weekends in July and August bring the largest crowds and the fullest parking lot. |
| Layout | The zoo sits on a hilly sand dune, so flat, comfortable walking shoes work better than sandals. |
| Entry process | Tickets are sold at the gate, and advance booking is not required for a general visit. |
| On-site logistics | No outside food, coolers, or alcohol are allowed, though the Peacock Cafe and Coop Concession sell food on-site. |
Frequently asked questions about Washington Park Zoo
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Washington Park Zoo suitable for children? | Yes. Paths are mostly gentle slopes, and there is a farm area, animal feeding, and a seasonal train ride. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Washington Park Zoo? | No. Tickets are sold at the entrance on the day of your visit. |
| Is Washington Park Zoo open on Sundays? | Yes, year-round, though winter Sunday hours are shorter and depend on weather. |
| Are bags allowed at Washington Park Zoo? | Yes, but coolers, glass containers, and balloons are not permitted. |
| Are dogs allowed at Washington Park Zoo? | No. Dogs, including service dogs, are not permitted anywhere on zoo grounds. |
Things to do near Washington Park Zoo
- Washington Park Beach – a sandy Lake Michigan shoreline directly across from the zoo entrance, good for a walk before or after a visit.
- Oasis Splash Pad – a seasonal water play area within Washington Park, a short walk from the zoo.
- Old Lighthouse Museum – an 1858 lighthouse turned local history museum, open Wednesday to Sunday, 1pm–4pm, April through October.
- Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets – an outlet shopping centre with around 80 stores, a few minutes’ drive from the zoo.
- Indiana Dunes National Park – a short drive away, with hiking trails and dune climbs along Lake Michigan.
What to visit tomorrow
- Potawatomi Zoo, South Bend, Indiana – around 45 minutes away; Indiana’s oldest zoo, with more than 400 animals.
- Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Illinois – around 1.5 hours away; one of the larger zoos in the Chicago area.
- Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois – around 1.5–2 hours away; a free-admission zoo within the city itself.
- John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois – around 1.5–2 hours away; a large aquarium on the Lake Michigan shoreline.
- Binder Park Zoo, Battle Creek, Michigan – around 1 hour 45 minutes away; known for its walk-through African savannah exhibit.
