Atlanta's zoo in historic Grant Park, a KultureCity certified sensory inclusive destination, with free sensory bags (noise canceling headphones, fidget tools and KCVIP badges) at the Member Services Office, weighted lap pads to borrow, Quiet Zones and Headphone Zones marked with signs, and a KultureCity social story.
Sensory supports. Free sensory bags, Quiet Zones and lap pads.
Hours
Open all year, closed only on Thanksgiving (Nov 26 2026) and Christmas (Dec 25 2026). Through Dec 6 2026: 9 am to 5 pm. Dec 7 2026 to Feb 28 2027: 10 am to 5 pm. Last entry is 3:30 pm. The zoo gives two opening times for mid-December through February, 9 am and 10 am, so call 404-624-9453 (WILD) to check the opening time for your day. On IllumiNights nights (select nights from late November to mid-January), daytime guests are asked to leave the zoo by 5 pm.
“Sensory bags containing special KCVIP badges, fidget tools, noise canceling headphones and other resources are available to borrow (at no cost by presenting an ID) at our Member Services Office located just outside the Zoo Atlanta entrance.”
“Weighted lap pads are available to borrow by request (at no cost by presenting an ID) at the Zoo train station in KIDZone and at the World of Wild Theater presented by Georgia Natural Gas.”
“Look for signage inside the Zoo identifying Quiet Zones and Headphone Zones, and see the Zoo Atlanta map for in-park locations.”
“Zoo Atlanta has 3 locations I can visit to relax in a quiet space. The Scaly, Slimy Spectacular patio, Komodo Dragon Terrace and the ARC pathway.” venue.kulturecity.org
The social story is in the KultureCity Sensory Inclusive app, linked from the zoo's sensory page, and on KultureCity's Zoo Atlanta page. It covers picking up the sensory bag, waiting in line for tickets, the World of Wild Theater, the petting zoo, Nourish Cafe, the three quiet spots, and asking staff in navy blue shirts with Zoo Atlanta on them for help.
Print the zoo map at home before you go (the zoo calls it its Sensory-processing Map) so you can look for the Quiet Zones and Headphone Zones together.
Accessibility questions go to guestexperience@zooatlanta.org or 404.624.5670.
Free sensory bags with noise canceling headphones, fidget tools and KCVIP badges, borrowed with an ID at the Member Services Office just outside the entrance.
Quiet Zones and Headphone Zones are marked with signs and on the zoo map; weighted lap pads are by request at the Zoo train station in KIDZone and the World of Wild Theater.
Closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas; last entry is 3:30 pm.
The Living Treehouse and the main playground (these areas tend to be louder; the zoo calls louder areas Headphone Zones)not stated
World of Wild Theater (the social story suggests the headphones from the sensory bag here, and weighted lap pads can be borrowed here by request)not stated
Quieter, in the zoo's words
The Scaly, Slimy Spectacular patio, the Komodo Dragon Terrace and the ARC pathwayquiet zone
The smaller playgroundsquiet zone
Quiet Zones, marked with signs and on the zoo mapquiet zone
Tickets: Select Your Date tickets online are $27.95 to $39.95 for adults (12 and up), $22.20 to $31.95 for children (3 to 11) and $25.95 to $37.20 for college students with a student ID; prices change by date, may be higher on holidays, school breaks and weekends, and are highest on the day of the visit. A $3 processing fee is added to each online order. The Any Day Ticket ($39.95 adults, $31.95 children) needs no date and is good through April 30 2027. General admission is free for children under 3. Members get unlimited daytime admission with no reservations.
Discounts: military, 10% off daytime admission for active-duty, reserves, veterans and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces and up to three people with them, only in person at Zoo Admissions. Georgia SNAP and WIC: $9 plus tax per ticket for up to six tickets, no blackout dates, in person only with a valid Georgia SNAP/EBT card or WIC ID folder and a photo ID; the tickets must be used the day you buy them, parking and add-ons aren't included, and it can't be combined with other offers. SNAP and WIC benefits can't be used to pay. SNAP and WIC families can also get a $60 Family Membership at the Member Services Office. Atlanta CityPASS: $106 plus tax for adults (13 and up), $86 plus tax for children (3 to 12). College students: valid college ID at Zoo Admissions. Zoo Atlanta Members get 20% off the day's prices, and AZA Reciprocal Members get 50% off the walk-up prices for anyone covered under their home zoo's membership.
Changing your date: call the Call Center at 404-624-5937; you may need to pay the difference between what you paid and the new date's price. Tickets are not refundable. If weather significantly affected your visit, stop by the Membership Services Office outside the front gates.
Rules: Zoo Atlanta can search any bag, cooler or item. Not allowed: alcoholic beverages brought from outside, balloons, balls, drones, fireworks or explosives, frisbees, glass containers, lawn chairs and folding chairs, non-motorized scooters, bicycles, tricycles, skateboards, skates or shoes with wheels, spray paint and aerosol cans, straws and lids, and weapons except as permitted by law. No smoking or vaping. Use headphones or ear buds to listen to music. Costume masks aren't allowed for guests 12 and older. Tapping on habitat glass or shouting at or around animals isn't allowed.
Rentals: single stroller $11 plus tax, double stroller $13 plus tax. Manual wheelchair $14 plus tax per day and electric scooter $33 plus tax per day (18 and older), at the Zoo Atlanta Explorer Store or Safari Outfitters just inside the front entrance; scooters are limited, first come, first served, and can't be reserved.
Parking: the Cherokee Avenue lot (800 Cherokee Avenue SE) and the Grant Park Gateway facility (759 Boulevard SE) are public City of Atlanta lots run by AAA Parking, $3 an hour up to $12 a day; pay at the pay-on-foot machines or with the ParkMobile app. The zoo estimates an average visit at around three hours. During IllumiNights the Cherokee Avenue lot is a $6 flat rate.
Weather: the zoo doesn't close for rain. Indoor areas include Scaly Slimy Spectacular, the Zambezi Elephant Center, the Willie B. Gorilla Conservation Center and the naked mole rat building. Rain ponchos are sold in the Zoo Atlanta Explorer Store. Some species, such as giraffes, won't be in their habitats on days after heavy rain.
Nursing Stations: in the restrooms in Flamingo Plaza, outside Willie B's Pizza, and just outside Nourish Café in the Grand Patio area.
Service animals (dogs or miniature horses) are welcome; tell a Guest Relations Team member when you come in. Emotional support animals and other animals aren't allowed. Service animals can't go into the petting zoo, The Living Treehouse aviary and walk-through building, the Monkeys of Makokou viewing decks, the giraffe feeding area and behind-the-scenes areas.
IllumiNights, a lantern festival on select nights from late November to mid-January, 5:30 to 9:30 pm (last entry 8 pm), is a separate ticket: adults (12 and up) $20.99 to $24.99, children (3 to 11) $17.99 to $19.99, 2 and under free; no refunds or exchanges, and SNAP tickets, CityPASS and military discounts aren't accepted. Some lantern displays have flashing lights. The zoo animals go indoors before dark. Questions: 404.624.5937.
First Aid/Lost & Found is marked on the zoo's online map.
