Houston Zoo Tours and Tickets

The Houston Zoo does have regularly closed days. The zoo is open seven days a week, all year round. It does close on Christmas Day (December 25) plus January 10 and January 11, but is open on all other major holidays. Some exhibits may close early for special events.

As with other family-friendly attractions, the Houston Zoo can get very busy on the weekends, particularly during school vacations. Visiting at 9am (right when it opens) offers the best chance of beating the crowds. Some animals are also livelier early in the day, and animal encounters generally happen in the morning.

Houston Zoo does not offer luggage storage, so bringing a large travel backpack to the zoo is not recommended. Bringing a small backpack with food, drink, spare clothing, sun protection, baby gear, and similar daily necessities is absolutely fine. Note that weapons are not allowed on zoo grounds.

Yes. Although the Houston Zoo has on-site dining venues, you can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks to the zoo, in a cooler if you’d like. Glass bottles, plastic straws, and alcoholic beverages are not allowed on zoo grounds, while food and beverage outlets only accept credit cards, not cash.

Yes. The Houston Zoo occasionally closes early or cancels the Houston Zoo Lights due to extreme weather, be that freezing conditions, heavy rain, or thunderstorms. When it does so, unused tickets for the day or the special event can be transferred to another date so travelers don’t lose out.

A Houston Zoo ticket includes admission to the 55-acre (22-hectare) zoo and a look at its more than 4,500 animals, as well as access to keeper talks and many shows and displays. The wildlife carousel, animal encounters, and giraffe feedings cost extra, as do stroller and wheelchair rentals.