Tickets
Online ticket purchases are coming to the Buffalo Zoo in early 2018!
Until this feature is live, please call 716-837-3900 for additional ticket information and visit the zoo to purchase tickets at the box office.
Visitation
The Buffalo Zoo is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Walk-up admissions are accepted. However, we encourage all guests to purchase their tickets online to get to the fun faster! No reservation date or time is required. Tickets purchased are good for 365 days from the date of purchase. Buffalo Zoo Members do not require an admission ticket purchase.
Online tickets will have a separate admission queue during busy days allowing these guests to bypass walk-up admission lines. Click ‘buy now” below to purchase your tickets today!
Please note – Cases of the highly-contagious pathogenic avian influenza have been found in our area. The Buffalo Zoo is taking every precaution to keep our beloved animals safe and healthy. At this time, Rainforest Falls will be closed, and the Heritage Farm turkey and chickens and Arctic Edge Bald Eagle will be off exhibit. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Group Visits
Bring your friends, family, school, or organization to the Buffalo Zoo! Group tickets are available for groups of 15+. Groups with 15 or more paid guests will receive 10% off. Group tickets can be purchased online or at the admissions window upon arrival. Payment must be made by day of visit; no purchase orders. To book group tickets online, click HERE. Here you will create your own account or log in if you have already created an account.
When booking online, groups have the option to pay with a credit card at the time of booking or be emailed the invoice and mail-in payment. If groups choose to mail in their payment, the invoice must be included and payment must be received before the group visit. Groups can log back into the account and increase the number of tickets needed at any time, however, the amount cannot be decreased. Groups can add food onto their order, as long as they are booking at least five (5) days in advance of the visit date.
If you are a member coming as part of a group, you will not be counted towards group tickets. Please check in as you normally do. Member benefits do not apply to group visits for children unless the named adult/caregiver accompanies them.
Adult: $15.25
Youth (12 & under): $11.65
Senior (65+): $13.45
Rides & Attractions
Rides and attractions at the Buffalo Zoo are seasonal and weather-dependent. Train and carousel ride tickets can be purchased online and are good for one year from the date of purchase.
Train – $3 per ride. Purchase tickets in advance here.
Carousel – $3 per ride. Purchase tickets in advance here.
Zoomers – $5 for 5 Minutes. Purchase tickets onsite only.
Hidden Treasures – $5-$50. Purchase onsite only.
Bone Zone – Free.
Parking Fees
| Parking Fee | Rate | How to Purchase |
| Year Round | Parking is available for a fee. Hourly rates: $5.00 first two hours, $2 per hour after that with a maximum of $10. | Parking can be paid for upon exiting the Zoo at the kiosk located outside Zootique or as you exit the parking lot. |
Encounters
Enhance your visit to the Buffalo Zoo this summer with an animal encounter! Get up close and personal with some of your favorite Zoo animals. When you purchase an encounter, you’ll have the opportunity to go behind the scenes in an exhibit and learn about our animals from the care professionals who work with them every day. Each animal encounter is a private experience for up to six guests (age restrictions apply). Book one or all four encounters today!
Sloth Encounter
Get an up-close experience with Flash the Sloth! Learn all about our two-toed friend during this private, 25-30 minute session. Don’t forget to snap the ultimate #slothselfie before you leave!
When: Available every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11:30am. Only one session per day.
Who: Available for one party per session of up to six guests.
Price: $150 for one group of six guests.
Purchase Tickets HERE
Giraffe Encounter
Go behind the scenes and meet our giraffe herd, learn about their daily life at the Buffalo Zoo, including diets, enrichment, training, and much more. This private, 25-30 minute experience is head and shoulders above the rest!
When: Available every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11:30am. Only one session per day.
Who: Available for one party per session of up to six guests. Guests ages two and under must be held in the arms of an adult for the entire session.
Price: $150 for one group of six guests.
Purchase Tickets HERE
Rhino Encounter
During this private, 25-30 minute encounter, our experienced keepers will take you behind the scenes to come face-to-face with one of our rhinos, learn about their daily care, and our conservation efforts in the wild.
When: Available every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 1:30pm. Only one session per day.
Who: Available for one party per session of up to six guests. This encounter is available for guests ages six and above.
Price: $150 for one group of up to six guests.
Purchase Tickets HERE
Goat Feeding
Help feed our herd! During this private, 5-10 minute experience, guests will venture to Goat Island with a cup of feed to assist in feeding our herd of Nigerian Pygmy Goats.
When: Available daily at 10:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, and 3:30pm.
Who: Available for one party per session of up to six guests. Guests ages 2 and above must be held in the arms of an adult for the duration of the feeding.
Price: $10 for one group of up to six guests.
Purchase Tickets HERE
Ticket Description:
Tickets for animal encounters at the Buffalo Zoo do not include Zoo admission. Please purchase admission to the Zoo along with your animal encounter. We ask that guests arrive with your entire party 10 minutes before your designated encounter time. If your party arrives more than 10 minutes beyond your scheduled encounter time, the Buffalo Zoo reserves the right to cancel the encounter without a refund.
- Guest health and safety rules apply during all encounters, including mask usage (depending on current regulations) and handwashing, sanitizing, and other procedures.
- Encounters are $150 for up to six guests. Goat feedings are $10 for up to 6 guests. There are no exceptions on party size.
- Sloth, giraffe, and rhino encounters last for approximately 25-30 minutes.Goat feedings last for approximately 5-10 minutes.
- We recommend wearing closed-toe shoes during the encounter.
- Check-in for the sloth encounter takes place at the education lobby outside the gorilla exhibit. Check-in for the giraffe or rhino encounters at the blue kiosk at the front of the giraffe exhibit. Check-in for the goat feeding takes place at the Goat Island exhibit. A keeper will come to greet you at your scheduled time.
Cancellation and Refund Policy: Animal encounters at the Buffalo Zoo are held rain or shine. The Zoo will make its best effort to accommodate guests who need to reschedule their encounter, but it is not a guarantee. Refunds are available (less a 10% processing fee) for cancellations made at least two weeks before the scheduled encounter date. No refunds will be provided for encounters canceled less than two weeks before a scheduled encounter or for guests who are no-shows on the day of their encounter. The Buffalo Zoo reserves the right to cancel any animal encounter or offer an equivalent substitute at any time due to animal health or safety issues. In the event of a cancellation by the Buffalo Zoo, a full refund will be offered. Call the Buffalo Zoo Admissions Office at (716) 995-6156 to cancel your encounter.
