Hours

Searle Visitor Center

The zoo’s guest and member services are located inside Searle Visitor Center at the zoo's East Gate entrance. 

• Information Desk
• First Aid and Public Safety
• Lost and Found
• Strollers and Wheelchairs

• Join the zoo, renew membership, or purchase a gift membership
• ADOPT an Animal
• Purchase a gift for an animal from the zoo’s Wish List
• Make a donation in any amount
• Discover member benefits like free parking, members-only events, and discounts at retail and on the zoo’s ticketed public events

Memorial Day–Labor Day (May 28–September 5)

Weekdays 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (gates open 7 a.m.–6 p.m.)
Weekends 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. (gates open 7 a.m.–7 p.m.)

September–October

10 a.m.–5 p.m. (gates open 7 a.m.–6 p.m.)

November–March

10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (gates open 7a.m.–5 p.m.)

On select nights through Sunday, January 6, the zoo will remain open until 9 p.m. for ZooLights Presesented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ. See the full ZooLights calendar for details.

On Monday, December 31, ZooLights will be followed by Zoo Year’s Eve, a paid-admission event from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Learn more and buy tickets here. 

April–May

10 a.m.–5 p.m. (gates open 7 a.m.–6 p.m.)

Early Closures