Plan Your Visit
Plan Your Visit to the
#1 Zoo in the Nation
More than 160 acres of adventure. Six acres of immersive indoor animal habitats. Over 33,000 animals. One unforgettable summer destination.
Summer at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is filled with opportunities to reconnect with wildlife, wonder, and each other. Feed giraffes in the Scott African Grasslands, cool off at the Scott Alaskan Adventure Splash Park, soar high above the Zoo aboard Skyfari, and explore world-renowned habitats spanning rainforests, deserts, oceans, and nocturnal worlds.
From seasonal flavors and family favorites to immersive attractions and up-close animal encounters, every path leads somewhere unexpected, and every visit offers something new to discover.
Whether you’re planning a full day of exploration or a shorter visit, this guide will help you make the most of your summer adventure at the #1 Zoo in the Nation.
Stay curious. Stay present. Stay Wild.
Current Hours
Saturday, August 15
Zoo Admission Rates
May 1 - September 30:
Adults (ages 12 and over): $33.95
Children (ages 3-11): $25.95
Children (2 and under): FREE
Seniors (65 and over): $30.55
Military Adult (12 and over): $30.55
Military Child (ages 3-11): $23.35
Parking & Zoo Entrances
Parking at the Zoo is free. The Main Entrance is open 7 days a week, and the North Gate is open Friday-Sunday.
Access Zoo parking from the following intersections:
- 13th Street and Bert Murphy Avenue
- 13th Street and Bob Gibson Boulevard (heading northbound only)
To ensure you can easily find your vehicle, parking is designated by animal groups.
Animals and Habitats — Explore the Wild
Travel from the foothills of Northern India through mountainous terrain and open plains. See Amur tigers, snow leopards, white rhinos, and sloth bears in expansive habitats designed for both animal wellbeing and unforgettable guest views.
Walk beneath the iconic geodesic dome and explore ecosystems from the Namib Desert, Australia’s Red Center, and the Sonoran Desert. From rattlesnakes to klipspringers, this nationally recognized exhibit brings some of the harshest landscapes on earth to life.
Tropical butterflies, plants from around the world, and an array of insects and arachnids to explore.
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Discover a world of rare and critically endangered wildlife in one of the planet’s most extraordinary biodiversity hotspots, home to species found nowhere else on Earth.
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Explore the jungles of Africa right here in Omaha and get eye-to-eye with the western lowland gorillas that call the Zoo home.
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Watch Bornean orangutans and siamangs climb, swing, and explore overhead pathways in a dynamic habitat built to encourage natural behaviors and up-close viewing moments.
Cross swinging bridges, hear waterfalls echo, and feel the humidity rise as you explore rainforests from South America, Africa, and Asia. Home to pygmy hippos, otters, primates, and vibrant amphibians, this four-story habitat surrounds you in living, breathing biodiversity.
Step into North America’s largest nocturnal exhibit and discover a world that comes alive after dark. Watch beavers build, see alligators glide, and encounter species that thrive when the sun goes down.
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Watch sea lions and seals splash in the water, then navigate to the underwater viewing area to get nose-to-nose with the pinnipeds.
Experience African lions, giraffes, elephants, and much more roaming panoramic grasslands.
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Immerse yourself in the oceans of the world. Walk through the 70-foot-long Shark Tunnel, watch king, gentoo, and rockhopper penguins in a snow Antarctic habitat, explore vibrant coral reefs and temperate oceans, and more.
Discover Food & Drinks Across the Zoo
Enjoy flavors inspired by the habitats around you. With 13 indoor and outdoor dining and snack locations throughout the Zoo, you’ll find everything from Asian-inspired dishes at Yeti Camp to African favorites at Tusker Grill, along with classic family-friendly options and diet-conscious choices at every location. Alcoholic beverages are available to guests 21+ at select locations throughout the Zoo, including cocktails at Plaza Café.
Whether you’re grabbing something quick between habitats or sitting down to relax, you’ll find convenient options across our 160-acre campus.
Guests are welcome to bring outside food and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy during
their visit.
Rides & Attractions at the Zoo
Pricing
- $5 per branch
More Information
- Operations are weather, staff and animal participation dependent
Pricing
- Non-member: $5
- Member: $4
Feeding cups are available for $1.50, while supplies last each day.
Pricing
- Zoo Member: Free with membership card and valid photo I.D.
- Members may reserve the number of theater tickets included with their membership level for each showing
- Non-member: $7 per person per film
Admission to the Lozier Giant Screen Theater is not included with Zoo admission and requires a separate ticket. Tickets may be purchased as an add-on when purchasing admission tickets online or at the Main or North Gate, or in the Lozier Giant Screen Theater lobby.
Showtimes
- Wild Asia: 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
- Coral Sea: 10:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 4:15 p.m.
Pricing
- Free for Zoo members, included with Zoo admission
More Information
- Operations are weather and staff-dependent
- Baby Care Station available in this area
Pricing
- Per rider: $8 ($6 for members)
- 2 rider ticket: $15
More Information
- Operations are weather and staff-dependent
- Must be at least 40 inches tall to ride
- Not recommended for anyone with any condition that could be aggravated by sensory stimulation or motion
Pricing
- Free for Zoo members, included with Zoo admission
More Information
- Operations are weather and staff-dependent
Pricing
- $7 per person per ride
- Children 2 and under are free
- Members: Save 5% by presenting membership card and valid photo I.D.
More Information
- Must be at least 12 years old to ride without an adult
- Each chair can hold a maximum of three people
- Round-trip Monday-Thursday
- One-way Friday-Sunday
- Operations are weather and staff-dependent
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Pricing
- $4 per person per ride
- Members: Save 5% by presenting membership card and valid photo I.D.
More Information
- Riders must be at least 42 inches tall to ride without an adult
- Operations are weather and staff-dependent
Pricing
- One stop: $1.25 per person per ride
- Roundtrip: $5 per person per ride (four stops)
- Members: Save 5% by presenting membership card and valid photo I.D.
More Information
- Operations are weather and staff-dependent
Train service is currently available Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The train is not operating Monday through Thursday at this time as we continue building our team of qualified operating personnel to safely expand service. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Pricing
- One-way: $3.50 per person per ride
- Roundtrip: $7 per person per ride
- Children 2 and under are free
- Members: Save 5% by presenting membership card and valid photo I.D.
More Information
- Depot locations: Omaha Depot near the North Entrance and Kenefick Station in the Scott African Grasslands
- Operations are weather and staff-dependent
Add-On Tours & Backstage Experiences
Experience the Zoo through a different view: behind the scenes, on four wheels, or up close and personal with the animals. Reservations are required for all experiences and encounters.
- Golf cart tour, a guided tour of the Zoo from the comfort of a golf cart
- Amphibian conservation experience, a discovery of endangered animals
- Cheetah discovery, an exploration of care and training of resident cheetahs
- Elephant backstage experience, a behind-the-scenes tour of the herd room
And more, including seasonal options.
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Shopping at the Zoo
Located outside of Hubbard Orangutan Forest & Hubbard Gorilla Valley
Located in Asian Highlands
Located at the Zoo's North Entrance
Located at the exit of Scott Aquarium
Located at the Zoo's Main Entrance
Frequently Asked Questions About the Zoo
Have questions to best plan your visit to the Zoo? Take a look at the most frequently asked questions by guests and members. If you need additional information, you can find all Zoo policies and FAQs at the link below.
Can I rent a stroller or wagon at the Zoo?
Strollers and wagons are available to rent on a first come, first serve basis.
A single stroller is $10 for the day. Double strollers or wagons are $14 for the day. They are available at the Main Gift Shop year round or at the Zoo's North Entrance.
Guests are also welcome to bring their own strollers or wagons from home.
Are motorized wheelchairs available for rent?
Electric shop riders are available for $30 each per day. Manual wheelchairs and adult chairs are $10 each per day.
Operator must be 16 years of age or older with a valid Driver’s License or State I.D. and all operators aged 16-18 must have a legal parent or guardian over the age of 21 with them.
Both are available at the Main Gift Shop, located near the main entrance of the Zoo, year round. Rentals are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Guests are also welcome to bring their own motorized or manual wheelchairs or take advantage of our train, tram or Skyfari. Click here to view operating hours.
What types of payments are accepted at the Zoo?
Debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and JCB) are accepted everywhere within the Zoo. Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay are accepted at all self-serve kiosks or registers manned by Zoo team members.
If you purchase your tickets or membership online, Buy Now, Pay Later is available via PayPal.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium does not accept personal checks with the exception of the purchase of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium memberships.
Cash is not accepted at the following
locations: all self-serve kiosks
including rides areas, Plaza Café, Sea Turtle
Café, Tusker Grill and Glacier Bay Landing. Cash-carrying guests may use
our Ready Station kiosks to load cash onto a
prepaid Mastercard to use throughout the Zoo
during their visit.
Gift cards are available and can
be purchased online and
onsite in Guest Services and the Gift
Shop. Gift cards can be used anywhere
throughout the Zoo, including self-serve kiosks and online at
OmahaZoo.com.
Where can I nurse my child?
Moms may nurse their children in any public location at the Zoo. According to Nebraska law: "In Nebraska, women may breastfeed their children in any public or private location where the mother is otherwise authorized to go."
The Mother's Den at Glacier Bay Landing is open year-round for nursing mothers. A Baby Care Center, located within Children's Adventure Trails near the North Entrance of the Zoo, has two private nursing rooms and is open spring and summer.
Each of these areas offers a private restroom, chair, and changing table.
Is there a discount for a 2-day pass?
Yes, the Zoo does offer a discount on a two-day pass. A 2-day pass is 25% off. The second-day visit must be used consecutively with the first-day admission.
If you do not purchase a 2-day pass but would like to save on your second-day visit, please present your prior-day tickets or receipt at our ticketing windows.
Are there military discounts?
The Zoo offers a military discount on daily admission and on membership.
Click here for more information on military discounts for daily admission, or learn more about membership here.
Are there first responder discounts?
No, there are no admission discounts for first responders, but we do offer a military discount.
Are there student discounts?
Is Scott Aquarium included in the ticket price?
Yes, access to Scott Aquarium and all other Zoo habitats is included in daily admission ticket pricing.
Can I see a theater show without paying for entry to the Zoo?
The Lozier Giant Screen Theater is considered a paid feature within the Zoo. Admission to the Lozier Giant Screen Theater will only be issued to guests visiting with an Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium membership or with regular paid Zoo admission. Guests cannot use admission from a previous day to purchase tickets to the Lozier Giant Screen Theater.
Are outside food and drinks allowed?
The Zoo allows outside food and beverages on grounds. These items can be brought with you inside of a bag or cooler. Glass containers and alcohol are not allowed.
Where should I start my Zoo visit?
With so much to see and do at the Zoo, you can truly build your own adventure.
From the Main Entrance, you can choose to head indoors to the Desert Dome and Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night, then wind your way to Hubbard Orangutan Forest. From there, take the elevators down to Hubbard Gorilla Valley, then head to Owens Sea Lion Shores to wrap up your visit for quick trip days.
When you have more time, navigate next to Asian Highlands to view Amur tigers, snow leopards, takin, and more, then continue along the path through Scott African Grasslands to experience giraffes, elephants, meerkats, and many other animals. Close your Zoo day with a stop in the Scott Aquarium or Lied Jungle.
From the North Entrance, make your way to Owen Sea Lion Shores, then to Hubbard Expedition Madagascar. For a quick Zoo visit, next experience Asian Highlands before snagging a treat from Sweet Shop on your way out.
For all-day visits, follow the path through Scott African Grasslands to take in the lions, zebras, and more. Experience the giraffes and elephants before heading into the Grewcock Butterfly & Insect Pavilion, pay the visit to the Okapi across the path, then close your Zoo visit with a stop in the Lied Jungle.
These are just a few of the popular guest routes. Be sure to download a Zoo map to plan your own experience.
What should I not miss at the Zoo?
There is so much to do at the Zoo! While it's hard to narrow it down, consider these stops your must-visit list:
- Desert Dome, the #1 Zoo Exhibit in the Nation and the world's largest indoor desert
- Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night, the largest indoor swamp in the world and North America's largest nocturnal exhibit
- Lied Jungle, the largest indoor rainforest in North America
- Owen Sea Lions Shore, particularly the cave in which you can get nose-to-nose with sea lions and seals
Are there Zoo tours?
Yes, we do offer behind-the-scenes tours, golf cart tours, and more to learn more about our animals. Learn more about visitor experiences.