One of the oldest zoos in the country, in New Bedford, partnered with KultureCity, with sensory bags (noise canceling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards) at the North Woods Gift Store and the Animal Ambassador Center, free parking, and 50% off with Card to Culture.
Daily 9 am to 4 pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The zoo may close early for special events. The Bear's Den Café is open daily 11 am to 4 pm.
“We have partnered with KultureCity to make your visit to the Zoo a positive experience for guests with sensory issues.”
“Sensory bags, equipped with noise canceling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards, will be available for guests who may feel overwhelmed by the environment.”
The sensory bags are at the North Woods Gift Store and the Animal Ambassador Center.
First aid help is at the main entrance, or ask any BPZOO employee.
Each year, on the first Friday in June, the zoo holds Dream Night, “a free, invitation-only event open exclusively to families of children with chronic health conditions and special needs.”
Non-residents: adults (13 to 61) $13, seniors (62 and up) or students $11, children (3 to 12) $9, under 3 free. New Bedford residents, with a valid ID with a current New Bedford address: adults $7.50, seniors or students $6, children $4.50, under 3 free. Groups of 10 or more get $1 off each ticket. Members get in free with their membership card and photo ID.
Card to Culture: Massachusetts EBT, SUN Bucks, WIC and ConnectorCare cardholders get 50% off admission, for up to four people per card. Online, use code EBT50 (EBT or SUN Bucks), WIC50 or CARE50, and show your card at the Admissions booth. Not valid with other offers or discounts, and the zoo doesn't process EBT transactions, so bring another way to pay.
Personal care attendants accompanying a guest with disabilities can receive half priced admission tickets.
Daily admission tickets aren't valid for special events such as Red, White, and Brew; First Taste of Fall; Boo at the Zoo; and Cookies, Paws, and Santa Claus.
Parking is free, with designated accessible parking spaces.
Not allowed: pets (service animals are welcome; emotional support animals are not), bicycles, scooters, roller skates or skate shoes, skateboards, sporting equipment, glass containers, drinking straws, balloons, balls and flying toys, noise devices, weapons or fireworks, alcohol or illicit materials. The zoo is smoke and vape free. Shirts and shoes are required.
Food: the Bear's Den Café, and snacks and drinks in the gift store. The zoo takes MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express; Apple Pay in the café and gift store. Outside food may not be fed to the animals.
Restrooms are in the Wildlife Education Center and the Animal Ambassador Center; all are accessible and have baby changing stations, and there is a family restroom in the Animal Ambassador Center. Special needs changing facilities are available.
Wheelchairs are first come, first served at the front entrance and the Animal Ambassador Center. Adaptive bicycles for children with mobility issues are at the front entrance. Strollers are welcome, and the North Woods Gift Store rents wagons for $8.
The Black Bear Express train and the Wildlife Carousel are $3 (1 token) per ride, from the North Woods Gift Store. They can't run below 45 degrees or in significant rain; to check that rides are open the day you go, call 508-991-4556 ext 114.
