A zoological garden and wildlife conservatory spanning 92 acres (37 hectares), Woodland Park Zoo is situated in Seattle, Washington.
Through its conservation efforts, the zoo does not just strive to protect and care for the animals but also educate and inspire people about the importance of wildlife.
This article covers everything you must know before booking Woodland Park Zoo tickets.
Top Tickets for Woodland Park Zoo
# Seattle: Woodland Park Zoo
# Woodland Park Zoo Day Admission Ticket
# Book This Combo
What to expect
Woodland Park Zoo has many exhibits, each showcasing a distinct bioclimatic region and animals that thrive in these habitats.
The exhibits at the zoo include African Savanna, Ambassador Animals, Australasia, Temperate Forest, Humboldt Penguins, Tropical Rain Forest, etc.
Other than the exhibits, guests can immerse themselves in the experiences and activities offered by the zoo, like Zoomazium, Call of the Wild, Bug’s Eye View, Brew at the Zoo, and many more!
The zoo also organizes the WildLanterns festival in November, which is a must-see!
Where to buy tickets
You can buy Woodland Park Zoo tickets online and at the ticket booth at the main gate.
We strongly suggest you purchase online tickets to save money and time.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.
Because some zoos sell a limited number of tickets, booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointment.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
How online ticket works
Go to the Woodland Park Zoo ticket booking page, select the number of tickets, time slot, and date you wish to visit and book your tickets right away!
Upon completing the payment, you will receive a confirmation email.
No need to take printouts.
On the day of your visit, show your smartphone ticket at the zoo entrance gate, and walk in!
Remember to bring your official IDs.
Woodland Park Zoo ticket cost
Woodland Park Zoo tickets are priced at US$27 for guests between 13 to 64 years.
Seniors over 65 years can buy tickets at US$25.
Kids between three to 12 years receive a US$10 discount and pay only US$17 for entry.
Woodland Park Zoo tickets
Get admission to Seattle’s most visited and renowned Woodland Park Zoo.
With this ticket, you can go through the lush green tropical rainforests, cold temperate forests, and dry regions of savannah.
Red pandas, monkeys, giraffes, rhinos, tortoises, cranes, and many other species can be seen at the zoo.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (13 to 64 years): US$27
Senior Ticket (65+ years): US$25
Child Ticket (3 to 12 years): US$17
Combo tickets
Combo tickets are the best way to explore two attractions on the same day, as they are available at reduced prices.
There are a few attractions and tours near Woodland Park Zoo, and to experience them, you can easily commute by car or public transport.
You can buy Woodland Park Zoo tickets in combination with tickets for Seattle Harbor Tour, Hop-on Hop-off Bus Seattle, National Nordic Museum, and Seattle Locks Cruise.
Woodland Park Zoo + Seattle Harbor Tour tickets
Distance: 6.1 miles (9.9 km)
Time taken: 14 minutes by car
With Woodland Park Zoo + Seattle Harbor Tour combo ticket, you get the opportunity to walk through the zoo, meet animals in their exhibits, and also enjoy an Argosy Seattle Harbor Cruise.
The harbor cruise is one hour long, and while booking tickets, you can even select a time slot that works best for you.
This flexibility of selecting time gives you an upper hand in planning your entire day and deciding whether to visit the zoo or take a cruise first.
Grab your combo ticket now and enjoy a discount of up to 10%.
Ticket Cost: US$6
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Seattle + Woodland Park Zoo tickets
Distance: 3.7 miles (5.9 km)
Time taken: 10 minutes by car
Get 5% off on this combo ticket of Hop-on Hop-off Bus Seattle + Woodland Park Zoo and explore the wildlife and Seattle city in just one day!
On the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Seattle tour, spot iconic landmarks like the Seattle Art Museum, Space Needle and Seattle Center, the Waterfront, Occidental Park, and more.
Ticket Cost: US$77
National Nordic Museum Tickets + Woodland Park Zoo tickets
Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7 km)
Time taken: 10 minutes by car
Get closer to nature, wildlife, and Nordic culture by purchasing National Nordic Museum + Woodland Park Zoo at a reduced price.
The exhibits at the zoo and museum will surely make your day!
The Nordic Museum is dedicated to Nordic immigrants and touches on various aspects of social justice, equality, and many more!
Ticket Cost: US$45
Seattle Locks Cruise + Woodland Park Zoo tickets
Distance: 6.3 miles (10 km)
Time taken: 15 minutes by car
Book Seattle Locks Cruise + Woodland Park Zoo combo ticket, experience the diverse wildlife at the zoo, and enjoy skyline views on the Ballard Locks cruise.
The tour narrators onboard will keep you entertained and informed about Seattle’s history, culture, and industries throughout the cruise.
From soaking in the stunning skyline to spotting aquatic species and popular landmarks, there is much to see and feel on the cruise.
Ticket Cost: US$77
Seattle CityPASS
Save time and money! Grab this Seattle CityPASS and visit the top 5 attractions of Seattle.
The pass is valid for nine consecutive days from the first use.
This pass grants you admission to the following: Space Needle + Seattle Aquarium + 3 attractions you choose from the list.
The list includes attractions like the Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Woodland Park Zoo, and Chihuly Garden and Glass.
To get admission to these attractions, show your pass at the entrance.
Ticket Cost: US$119 (per person)
How to reach
Woodland Park Zoo is located in the heart of Woodland Park in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood.
Address: Seattle, WA 98103, United States. Get Directions
You can reach Woodland Park Zoo by public transport or car.
By Bus
Phinney Ave N & N 55th St (Bus No. 5 & 16) is closest to the western entrance of the zoo and is just a few steps away.
By Car
If you’re traveling by car, turn on your Google Maps and get started.
There are four parking garages inside the park–the Otter parking lot, the Penguin parking lot, the Bear parking lot, and the Hippo parking lot.
Entrance of zoo
The Woodland Park Zoo has four entrances, three on the west and the other on the south.
- West Entrance
You can access this entrance through the Otter parking lot, Penguin parking lot, or Bear parking lot.
- South Entrance
You can access this entrance through the Hippo parking lot.
Timings
The timings of Woodland Park Zoo vary depending on the seasons.
From May to September, the zoo operates from 9.30 am to 6 pm daily.
From September to April, the zoo runs daily from 9.30 am to 4 pm.
The zoo remains closed on Christmas Day. The ticket booking page will have the latest information on timings.
How long does it take
You’ll need a minimum of 3 hours to explore the Woodland Park Zoo.
But when you’re here with kids, there are high possibilities you may end up staying longer.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Woodland Park Zoo is as soon as they open at 9.30 am.
There are four benefits of starting early – the animals are most active early in the morning, the temperatures are still moderate, the crowd is yet to get in, and you have the whole day to spend at the attraction.
As the day gets hotter, animals prefer staying inside their shelters. As a result, you may get disappointed when you don’t see them in the exhibit.
Weekdays are better for a peaceful visit because the zoo gets crowded on weekends and school holidays.
The zoo is most crowded on weekends between 10 am and 2 pm.
If you are on a short holiday in Seattle, starting early also allows you to add another attraction to the day’s itinerary.
Map
A map is a must when visiting an attraction like Woodland Park Zoo, which is spread on a large landmass with so many exhibits and activities.
With a map downloaded on your phone, you can easily navigate the zoo to spot exhibits, drinking facilities, washrooms, ATMs, gift shops, etc.
Click here to download the Woodland Park Zoo map.
Where to eat
The cafes and food kiosks in the Woodland Park Zoo offer fantastic drinks and food.
1899 Grove
From juicy burgers and crispy chicken strips, there is a lot on the menu to enjoy!
The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating.
Location: Near Zoomazium
Timings: 9.30 am to 6 pm, daily
Gather + Graze Café
At this cafe, you can hog on tasty nibbles like tacos, Mexican rice, churros, etc.
You have various options for drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Location: Across Wildlife Theater
Timings: 11 am to 6 pm, daily
Carts & Outposts
Wild Cup coffee carts can be spotted in the Education Center and across the African Savanna.
You can buy snacks and drinks at these outposts while walking past exhibits to keep yourself energized.
Exhibits in Woodland Park Zoo
Here are some exhibits one can see at the Woodland Park Zoo.
African Savanna
Be ready to see wild and giant species like the African lion, giraffe, hippopotamus, ostrich, patas monkey, and zebra at the African Savanna exhibit.
Ambassador Animals
Mammals like raccoons, Arctic foxes, guinea pigs, and armadillos and birds like hawks, owls, falcons, vultures, and hornbills can be spotted in Ambassador Animals exhibit.
Watch for creepy reptiles and insects, including snakes, geckos, turtles, and lizards.
Assam Rhino Reserve
Get close to Assam’s rhinoceros, who presently face the threat of poaching, illegal trafficking, and trade.
Australasia
Emu, kookaburra, snow leopards, and wallaby kangaroos rule the Australasia exhibit.
Butterfly Garden
You’ll be delighted to see a myriad of butterflies swinging and dancing in Molbak’s Butterfly Garden.
The exhibit opens seasonally (usually May to September) from 9.30 am to 6 pm and remains closed in winter.
Humboldt Penguins
Meet cute Humboldt penguins from Peru and Chile, who are adapted to live in hot and arid climates, unlike other penguins who live in cold climates.
This unique exhibit features excellent water filtering, warming, and cooling water systems to maintain optimal temperatures for Penguins.
Living Northwest Trail
Time to move to the Northwest to meet the region’s wild animals, some of which include river otters, gray wolves, brown bears, and Canada lynx in Living Northwest Trail.
Temperate Forest
At Temperate Forests, you can spot red pandas, Asian cranes, Chilean flamingos, and maned wolves.
Bug World
The Bug World houses beetles, tarantulas, and scorpions and is a part of the Temperate Forest exhibit.
Trail of Adaptations
Keep your ears and eyes out when you enter this exhibit because you’ll encounter animals, a few running on the ground, some hiding in bushes, and some hanging on tree branches.
Indian flying foxes, meerkats, tamandua, komodo dragons, sloths, Egyptian tortoises, etc., can be seen here.
Tropical Asia
Say hello to Asia’s beasts at the Tropical Asia exhibit comprising Trail of Vines and Banyan Wilds.
Orangutans, siamangs, and tapirs reside in the Trail of Vines, while tigers, sloth bears, Asian small-clawed otters, and various birds live in Banyan Wilds.
Tropical Rainforest
This exhibit presents the wildlife of African and South American tropical rainforests, and animals like jaguars, gorillas, Saiki monkeys, lemurs, and anacondas can be seen here.
Experiences and activities
You must take advantage of a few experiences and activities at the Woodland Park Zoo as their access is included in your admission ticket, and you need not pay an additional fee.
Zoomazium
Inside the Woodland Park Zoo is a huge building of Zoomazium where guests can enjoy puppet shows, video representations, and theatrical performances.
There is also a play area for kids featuring a mountain cave, rope bridge, waterhole, etc.
Kids up to eight years of age can access Zoomazium.
It is open from 9.30 am to 3 pm on all days of the week except Tuesdays.
Rose Garden
Take a relaxing walk in the Rose Garden in the Woodland Park Zoo, which sprawls on a vast 2.5 acres of land.
The garden boasts nearly 200 varieties of roses and 3000 individual plants whose bright hues and fragrances will calm your senses.
It opens daily at 7.30 am, and guests can stroll till dusk.
You can enter the garden via Woodland Park Zoo’s South Entrance (intersection of N. 50th Street and Fremont Ave. N).
Family Farm Contact Area
At the zoo’s Family Farm, see, touch, and talk to donkeys, sheep, and goats, and learn about them with zoo experts.
The exhibit is open daily from 10 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm.
Animal Keepers Talk
Hear survival stories of animals from zoo experts and learn about what it takes to ensure proper care and conservation of animals in the wild.
The Animal Keeper Talk runs daily from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm every half hour.
WildLanterns
The Woodland Park Zoo organizes a themed festival called WildLanterns, when the entire zoo is lit up with lanterns mimicking animals and nature.
The Woodland Park Zoo lights celebration usually begins in November and goes till January.
Apart from marveling at the glowed-up lanterns, guests can enjoy cultural performances and shop for unique presents for their loved ones from stalls.
One can dig into food at the onsite cafes and restaurants in the zoo or stop by food kiosks.
Guests must buy a separate ticket for WildLanterns as the event begins after the zoo’s regular hours.
FAQs about Woodland Park Zoo
You can buy online tickets by clicking here.
The zoo runs from 9.30 am to 6 pm in summer and from 9.30 am to 4 pm in winter.
The last entry to the zoo is one hour before the closing time.
You may enter and exit the zoo via the North Gate (near the Historic Carousel), South Entrance (near the African Savanna), or the West Entrance (near penguins).
Guests can shop at ZooStores open daily during normal zoo hours.
Yes! The zoo has mobility equipment available for rent for visitors with disabilities.
Printing the entry tickets is not mandatory. You can simply show a mobile ticket at the entrance and walk in!
The zoo has over 900 animals of 250 species.
Yes! Guests have to buy a separate ticket. Remember, the zoo closes at 3 pm during the winter, and visitors will be asked to leave at 4 pm. The West and South gates will be reopened for entry for the WildLanterns event.