Services


Baby Changing/Nursing

Changing facilities are available in most restrooms. Nursing mothers can find privacy at one of four Nursing rooms throughout the Zoo. Please see EMS or Guest Relations for exact locations.

Credit Cards and Banking Services

VISA, Mastercard, Discover and American Express are accepted for park admission, most gift shops and select food stands. Please see map for ATM locations.

First Aid

Please ask employees for assistance.

Guest with Disabilities

Information for guests with disabilities can be obtained at any Guest Relations location. 

Guest Relations

Located at the entrance of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and at the entrance of Zoombezi Bay for services such as ticket/membership upgrades, ride wristband purchases, re-admittance hand stamping, separated guest assistance and information for guests with disabilities. 

Lost Children

Please report lost children to any staff member or volunteer. We will respond and initiate protocols. If you are separated from your child, experience has shown most are found in the same area where the child was lost in minutes. The Zoo is prepared to involve law enforcement whenever the situation dictates. Zoo Security can be reached at (614) 724-3434 or (614) 582-1844. 

Lost and Found

  • Found items are kept for 7 days.  
  • The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
  • The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay cannot mail Lost & Found items. 

*If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 614-645-3400 or email [email protected] with a description of the item and approximate day it was lost.

Lost Persons

If you are separated from someone, please ask an employee for assistance. 

Messages

Messages may be left at either Guest Relations location. No public address system is available. 

Wheelchairs/ECV/Strollers

Rentals are near the Zoo's entrance for an additional fee and are available on a first come first serve basis. 

Learn More

Policies


Alcoholic Beverage Policy

You must be 21 years of age (valid state-issued driver's license with photo or state-issued identification card with photo required by state law) to purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium or Zoombezi Bay.

The Ohio Revised Code (Ohio code number 4301.62) prohibits bringing beer, wine or intoxicating liquor on property, including picnic shelters, or leaving the park with alcohol purchased here.  Alcoholic beverages are not prohibited while in line for any attraction.

Area Closings

Due to mechanical, health, weather or other safety conditions, we may have to close certain areas or attractions. We will do everything we can to re-open as soon as safely possible. 

Bag and Cooler Policy 

To help ensure that all guests enjoy a safe experience during their visit, only authorized bags will be permitted inside the gates at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay.

Guests are welcome to bring bags up to 22” long x 10” wide x 12” high, and coolers (hard and soft) up to 14” x 14.” Bags, suitcases and coolers on wheels are prohibited.  Approved bags and coolers can be kept with guests or stored in several storage locations around the Zoo, including one just north of Lakeside Grill, and, during Zoombezi Bay’s operating season (late May through Labor Day), the Zoombezi Bay Cooler Cove and the Cooler Cove by Falcon Fall.  Bags and coolers left unattended outside of these areas will be confiscated.  Outside food and drink are permitted at the Zoo only, but glass containers, alcohol and straws are prohibited.  Guests are also welcome to store oversized bags and coolers in the Picnic Shelter located just outside the Zoo entrance adjacent to the parking lot, or enjoy use of the Picnic Shelter and then store the bags and coolers in their personal vehicles.  Guests can re-enter the Zoo on the same day after receiving a handstamp upon exiting. Pre-arranged groups, such as school groups or large private events, can request exceptions through their Zoo contact. When guests arrive at the Zoo’s entrance with these pre-arranged exceptions, our staff will direct them to Security to have their items screened. This will require a little extra time, so we kindly ask that guests build that into their schedule.

Code of Conduct

Disrespectful behavior, such as vulgarity, loitering, intoxication, line jumping, theft, and all other actions that negatively impact our guests will not be tolerated, and may result in ejection from the park without a refund. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay reserve the right to deny admission or cancel any membership if the bearer violates park safety and security rules or if the bearer has been convicted of any crime of a type that could pose a threat to the safety of our guests, including without limitation, any sex crime, or if the bearer is required to be registered as a sex offender (or words of similar import) in any jurisdiction.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Dress Code

Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. Swimwear must be sufficiently covered. Offensive or provocative items on clothing or swimwear is prohibited. Costumes or disguises that conceal identity are not permitted. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium reserves the right to refuse admission to anyone who refuses to comply with the dress code summarized above. If guests have any questions, please stop by guest relations.

Food/Beverage Policy

With the exception of special diet items for medical purposes or baby formula (which may be kept in a small cooler), outside food and beverage, are only permitted inside the Zoo, but not Zoombezi Bay.   

For the health and safety of our animals we do not permit straws or lids on beverage containers. Heavy duty lids and straws on sippers sold by the Zoo are the one exception to this rule.

Laser Pointers

For the safety of our guests, animals and employees laser pointers are prohibited on Zoo grounds unless used inside an event facility for meeting purposes. 

No Smoking

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a smoke-free facility. Our mission to lead and inspire by connecting people and wildlife starts with the health and safety of the animals in our care, Zoo guests and employees. This policy includes all use of smoking products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes as well as alternative smoking devices including e-cigarettes, on Zoo grounds. We join several other major AZA-accredited zoos including all of the other Ohio zoos that have enacted zoo-wide smoking prohibitions.


Pets

Dogs or other animals of any kind are prohibited on grounds with the exception of service dogs. Please be mindful of the danger of leaving pets in your vehicle while visiting our park.

Columbus Zoo Service Animal Policy

Photography and Videography

You are welcome to take photos and/or video for personal use only; commercial photography requires written permission from the Zoo's Community Relations department. On occasion we will photograph or take video of visitors for educational or promotional purposes. Entry to the Zoo, including Zoombezi Bay, grants permission for use of these images. 

When taking photos/videos guests are not permitted to cross barriers or use devices, such as monopods or tripods, to do so.
  

Readmission Policy

Guests wishing to leave the park and return the same day need to have their hand stamped at the exit turnstiles. 

Refunds

Rain checks and refunds will not be issued. 

Safety

The following items are not permitted: Firearms, knives, glass containers, balloons, bicycles, skateboards and other skating equipment (including hover boards), large beach umbrellas, lounge chairs, radios, rafts and floatation devices, grills or open fires. Please also visit the “Bag and Cooler Policy” section for additional information about prohibited items.

For your safety: No visitor shall go over, under, between or otherwise cross any guardrail, fence, moat, wall or other safety barrier, or seat, stand or hold children over such barriers.

Solicitation

At the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, we do not allow outside solicitation. While the Columbus Zoo sits on land owned by the City of Columbus and Franklin County, it is leased to the nonprofit private Columbus Zoological Association. Our policy to prohibit petitioning and/or the distribution of literature outside our sanctioned events/activities is supported by our objective to maintain a welcoming family atmosphere for all of our visitors, and to give them the opportunity to enjoy the Zoo without being solicited. 

Ticket Terms and Conditions

Tickets are valid only on date(s) indicated on the front. Tickets are a revocable license and may be confiscated without refund of purchase price. Violation of park rules will result in expulsion without refund. Only tickets obtained from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Zoombezi Bay, or offices authorized by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to sell/distribute tickets will be honored. Tickets that are distributed/ resold without the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s authorization will be confiscated without refund or exchange. Resale of tickets is strictly prohibited. If lost or stolen, tickets will not be replaced nor will the purchase price be refunded.

Unmanned aircraft systems (drones)

For the safety and wellbeing of our guests and animals, the launching and/or operation of a UAS (drone) from or above our properties is strictly prohibited.

On occasion, our internal team does operate a UAS (drone). This operation is in strict accordance with FAA guidelines, and the operator is in constant communication with team members to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests and animals.

Weapons Policy

The Columbus Zoo properties are all No Weapon facilities. No firearms, knives, or other weapons are permitted on Zoo property.

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