Visitor Info

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Location & Hours

General Hours

Date Time
Hours of Operation (Winter Hours) Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10:00am–4:00 pm

Holiday Hours & Early Closings

  • Thanksgiving—November 24: Closed
  • Christmas Eve—December 24: 10:00 - 1:30 pm
  • Christmas—December 25: Closed
  • New Years Eve—December 31: 10:00 am–2:30 pm

Parking

Parking is available for a fee. Hourly rates: $5.00 first two hours, $2 per hour after that with a maximum of $10.

In need of group transportation to the zoo? Our partners at CharterUP offer local services around Buffalo as well as larger cities like New York City.

Know Before You Go!

  • Advance Tickets: General Admission Guests are encouraged to reserve their tickets online to get to the fun faster! Reservations are not required. Tickets are non-refundable and are good for one year from the date of purchase. Walk-ups are accepted.
  • Feeling Unwell?: If you are not feeling well we ask that you do not visit.
  • Face Coverings: Face coverings are not required when visiting the Buffalo Zoo.
  • Follow the Signs: Please follow any guidance of all team members, signs, and place cards.
  • Bring Your Kindness: Your patience and kindness will go a long way in making sure your trip to the Buffalo Zoo is an enjoyable one.
  • Operations

    The train and carousel are closed for the season. Jumparoo and Hidden Treasures are closed for the season. Wild Burger and Slice Restaurant are open daily.

    Accessibility

    KultureCity

    The Buffalo Zoo is a proud partner of KultureCity—the nation's leading nonprofit on sensory accessibility and acceptance for those with invisible disabilities. Collectively, we have put together a social story to help families prepare for a visit to the Buffalo Zoo. Guests can request a sensory bag at admissions during their visit to the Zoo. Bags are free and require a license in exchange. Bags must be returned to admissions at the end of each visit. Bags include: noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, visual cue cards, and a KultureCity VIP lanyard.

    Lodging

    The Buffalo Zoo is located in a historic park setting in the city of Buffalo

    The Zoo is an excellent way to complement your planned visit to the Buffalo Region. If planning a visit from out of town, but cannot make ticket purchase decision today, please note that the Zoo has partnerships with the following hotels:

    Hotels

    Zoofari Shuttle

    There is currently no schedule for the Zoofari Shuttle.

    Concessions

    Make sure to check out Wild Burger Restaurant at the Buffalo Zoo

    Mobile Ordering

    You can now mobile order at Wild Burger! Click HERE or text SERVICE2GO to 33733 to place your order.

    Wild Burger Menu

    * All entrees served with fries.

    Food Item

    Description

    Price

    Kids Meals

    Item

    Description

    Price

    Sides

    Item

    Description

    Price

    Slice Menu

    Item

    Description

    Price

    Beverages

    Drink

    Description

    Price

    Zootique

    From stuffed animals to souvenirs!

    Come and visit the Buffalo Zoo’s gift shop, The Zootique, and see what new and wild things you’ll find! Our primary gift shop carries a variety of unique items to commemorate your Zoo visit. Practical essentials like sunscreen and umbrellas are also well-stocked. This beautiful 3,000 square foot shop renovated from a historic children’s barn is located next to the main entrance.

    Can’t make it to the Zoo? No problem! Shop the Zootique online. Get all your favorite Buffalo Zoo souvenirs without having to step foot in-store.

    Buffalo Zoo members receive discounts when making purchases at the Zootique, other retail outlets throughout the Zoo, and the online retail shop.

    For retail-related questions, please contact bfzorders@thessagroup.com


    Are you having a birthday party at The Buffalo Zoo? Are you a teacher or visiting the Zoo with your class on a field trip? Please contact our store Manager, Nicole, at nicolewurstner@kmssa.com to see what items we might have to offer for your zoo birthday party bags or class souvenirs.

    Also, check out our group souvenir program.

     

    Gift Shop Hours: Open Daily 10 AM to 5 PM

    Phone Number: (716) 837-3900 x 110

     

    Rentals:

    Our Rental Shed is open daily from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. We rent out single strollers, double strollers, motorized scooters, and wheelchairs. Rentals are available through the Zootique when the Rental Shed is closed.

     

    Pricing:

     

    Single Stroller – $8

    Double Stroller – $10

    Motorized Scooter – $25

    Wheelchair – Free of charge

     

    All rentals require a form of photo identification or a deposit in addition to the rental cost. We can only take reservations for wheelchairs. Please call the Zootique Shop and speak to an associate in order to reserve your wheelchair. All other rentals are on a first come first serve basis.

    ***Motorized scooters are not available to rent from November through March. They are not available to rent on any date where rain is in the forecast.***

    Hours

    Open Today Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10:00am–4:00 pm

    Children's Zoo

    Get a hands on experience at the Delta Sonic Heritage Farm

    For a hands-on animal experience, come explore our Delta Sonic Heritage Farm. The latest Zoo offering enhances everyone’s zoo experience by giving them an opportunity to actually touch the animals inside the exhibit. The Delta Sonic Heritage Farm is the first project to be built as part of Phase II of the Buffalo Zoo’s master plan. The family-friendly exhibit recreates a historic farm from the 1850s and replaces the former Children’s Zoo. This Erie Canal-era homestead features heritage breeds of domestic animals and includes an adjacent wetlands and a historic replica of an Erie Canal lock.

    Zoo Rules

    • For the health and safety of our animals and other guests, the following items are not allowed in the Zoo:

      • All smoking products (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, and pipes). There is NO SMOKING on Zoo grounds.
      • Alcohol
      • Balloons
      • Bikes of any kind
      • Drones
      • Firearms/weapons
      • Food for the animals. There are no public feedings for our animals as they are on specific diets.
      • Foot gear with wheels
      • Frisbees
      • Grills
      • Laser pointers
      • Pets (with the exception of Certified Service Dogs, see below)
      • Radios
      • Scooters
      • Skateboards
      • Squirt guns/toy guns
      • Wireless speakers
    • Please note that Zoo animals have access to off-exhibit areas during the day and may not always be available for public viewing. Other special circumstances including constructions, births, feeding, and veterinary procedures that may requires specific animals be removed from public viewing to ensure their best possible care.

    • Help us keep the Zoo clean by placing all litter in the proper trash and recycling receptacles.

    • A top, bottom, and shoes are required when in the Zoo.

    • For safety concerns, please do not climb the trees on grounds.

    • Do not cross fences or railings. Zoo animals are wild animals, not pets. Their exhibits and enclosures are designed to protect you and the animals from harm.

    • Items found on grounds are held for 30 days in the Lost and Found.

    • Certified Service Dogs

      We welcome all at the Buffalo Zoo, including Certified Service Dogs!

      Some of our Zoo animals can get anxious or agitated when seeing an animal that they are unfamiliar with. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in order to help keep our animals comfortable and calm for their safety.

      Per the ADA, service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Under the ADA, an animal whose sole function is to provide companionship, comfort, or emotional support does not qualify as a service animal.

      BUFFALO ZOO SERVICE DOG POLICY:

      Those visiting with a Service Dog must identify themselves to a Zoo employee before entering Zoo grounds. A Guest Experience Manager will meet with the party and review the rules of their visit:

      1. Service Dogs must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In this case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective means.

      2. The care and supervision of the Service Dog is the sole responsibility of their owner.

      3. Per the U.S. Department of Justice FAQ about Service Animals; at a Zoo, Service Dogs can be restricted from areas where the animals on display are the natural prey or natural predators of dogs, where the presence of a dog would be disruptive, causing the displayed animals to behave aggressively or become agitated—at the Buffalo Zoo, these areas include inside the Giraffe House, M&T Rainforest Falls building, Goat Island, or directly inside the Delta Sonic Heritage Farm.

      ANY SERVICE ANIMAL MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE ZOO GROUNDS IF:

      1. The dog shows aggressive behavior toward another person or animal such as barking or growling.

      2. The dog is not being controlled by its owner.

      3. The dog elicits fear or aggression from one of our Zoo animals.

      4. The dog urinates or defecates on Zoo grounds.

      5. The dog’s behavior disrupts shows, presentations, programs, encounters, or keeper talks.

      6. The dog shows signs of a severe illness creating a direct threat to the health and safety of others.

    Zoo Map

    Click to enlarge

    Buffalo Zoo Map