What time does your zoo close?

[fhjmom]

Dh had the day off so we took the girls to the zoo today. We got there around 11:30 a.m. and took our time looking at the exhibits. I was surprised when we were in one of the inside exhibits and they turned out the lights (you could still see enough to exit) at 5:00 p.m. I know it is my fault for not looking to see what time the zoo closed before we went, but I didn't expect them to close so early. It just made me wonder what time other zoos close.

 

BTW, we are in Texas and lots of people expect to do outdoor activities later in the day after the heat starts to subside some.

[thescrappyhomeschooler]

Our zoo also closes at 5:00. I asked once why it closed so early, and they said the animals need a long break from the people! :001_smile:

[Sasharowan]

Ours closes at 5pm most days, but they have Free Sat. evenings in July and Aug. from 5-9pm. The animals exhibits are open, but the children's play areas are closed.

[cougarmom4]

That does seem early to me, too. Perhaps it's because it was because it was the day after the 4th of July? Here it has been a holiday with some businesses closed.

[Sonshine]

We are in Texas too and were surprised and disappointed to find out the zoo we were visiting in St. Louis closes at 5 p.m. We knew ahead of time, but still didn't have enough time to do everything. Our local zoo closes at 7 in the summer.

[Renthead Mommy]

When we were in San Antonio the zoo closed somewhere between 5-6. Most likely 5. I think the Atlanta zoo closed at 5:30 ish, but it's been 5 years since we lived there.

 

The Central Park Zoo and Bronx Zoo both close at 5/5:30 wd/we.

[ChristusG]

Our closes at 5 as well. Even Disney's Animal Kingdom is an early closing park. They usually close around 6 PM.

[MaMa2005]

We live in ATL and the zoo closes on weekdays at 5:30 and on the weekend at 6:30. I know during the school year they seem to close around 4:00 ish.

[Jen in PA]

Ours closes at 6 in the summer, 5 most of the year, and 4 in the winter.

[DaffodilDreams]

summer hours - last entrance at 5, close at 6

 

winter - an hour less each

[Tap]

Oregon Zoo exhibits-winter 4pm, summer 6-The park is open for one hour after that.

[newbie]

Summer 8

 

Winter 6

[m0mmaBuck]

Summer 6

Winter 4

[Mandamom]

The DC zoo is 10-6 in the summer.

[nmoira]

Oregon Zoo:

 

9-4 entrance (grounds open until 5) from mid-September to mid-May

9-6 entrance (grounds open to 7) from mid-May to mid-September

 

December open until 8 or 8:30 pm entrance (grounds close 1 hour later) for ZooLights.

 

ETA: Ooops. The Oregon Zoo was already mentioned.

[AuntieM]

The zookeepers like to go home and enjoy their long summer evenings, too!

 

Many zoos extend summer hours, but the smaller your zoo, the more diffcult it is to keep the staff later (or have additional staff members available for staggered shifs). It's not just about the animals.

 

Check the activities offered at your zoo. Many do use the longer days to host special educational and fundraising events. Keep in mind that the majority of zoos in America are nonprofit organizations.

[Rebel]

Ours closes at 5 year-round. (also in Texas)

[Jean in Newcastle]

6 pm

[AngelaNYC]

The Queens Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Bronx Zoo, & Prospect Park Zoo in NYC close at 5 weekdays and 5:30 weekends in Summer. In winter they close at 4:30 every day.

 

Staten Island Zoo closes at 4:45 every day all year.

 

I didn't realize they all closed so early, either.

[Joker]

I just looked and ours closes at five as well. I didn't know that but I guess it does make sense that the staff would need a lot of time to take care of the animals. I assume the animals need time away from people too.

[Parrothead]

I had to Google our closest zoo. We have a zoo and amusement park. The zoo closes at 5 the amusement park closes at 6.

[rwjx2khsmj]

Closes at 5pm exit by 6pm. During the summer, it's open until 7pm exit by 8pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

[momuv4girls]

seems early to me but I know it is the time the zoo closest to us closes.

[Carrie12345]

10-4 summer

10-3 winter

 

Our zoo does run programs after hours, including sleep-overs, but their regular hours are relatively short. Then again, our zoo is relatively small. ;)

[whitestavern]

We went to a zoo last week in RI that closed at 4:00!

[Dmmetler]

Usually at dusk-about 5:00 in the cooler months and 8:00 in the summer. There are some special event nights where from X to Y a certain group has access to the zoo, but after dusk, only a few areas are open (buildings, mostly).