A zoo and aquarium in Tacoma, certified Sensory Inclusive with KultureCity, with sensory bags (headphones and fidget tools) and a visual schedule binder to borrow at the front gate, social stories for the zoo and for Zoolights, and a Zoolights Sensory-Friendly Night with adjusted lighting and reduced music.
Through December 20 2026: 9 am to 3:30 pm Thursday to Monday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday; closed Thanksgiving (November 26 2026). December 21 2026 to January 3 2027: 9 am to 3:30 pm daily; closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; open New Year's Day. Zoolights (separate evening ticket): November 27 2026 to January 3 2027, 4:30 pm to 10 pm nightly, last entry 9 pm, closed December 24 and 25, open New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Later hours are on the zoo's hours page.
5400 North Pearl Street, Tacoma, WA 98407 (inside Point Defiance Park)
“Sensory bags containing special KCVIP badges, fidget tools, noise canceling headphones and other resources are available for checkout (at no cost by leaving an ID) at the front gate.”
“Or you can checkout (at no cost by leaving an ID) a Visual Schedule Binder at our front gate to use during your visit.”
“Our staff is trained, and we offer tools to help guests with sensory needs and challenges have the best experience at the Zoo.”
“The evening will feature adjusted lighting and reduced music for a more comfortable way to enjoy the holiday magic.”
The zoo has a Zoo Social Story, a Zoolights Social Story, a Hand-Washing Social Story and a Visual Schedule Board to print, all on its Sensory Inclusive page. The KultureCity app also shows the social story on your phone.
A 1:1 caregiver who is required to assist a guest with disabilities gets a free daytime ticket. These tickets are not sold online: the caregiver and guest check in together at the front gate. You can also bring a caregiver or therapist free with a paid membership or admission: buy your own online ticket and show it to a staff member at the front gate.
For any other accommodation for a zoo visit or program, Parks Tacoma has an ADA Accommodation Request Form linked from the zoo's accessibility page.
If your kid needs help finding the way, staff and volunteers wear a uniform and a nametag; at Zoolights, the nametag has a polar bear on it.
Tropical Reef Aquarium (may be loud when you walk in; the lower part is a little dark)not stated
Kids' Zone playground (sometimes very busy, with many kids climbing, sliding and laughing)not stated
The carousel (it can be loud inside)not stated
Some bathrooms (have loud automatic flushes)not stated
The Shimmer, on the ramps in the Pacific Seas Aquarium (art that looks and moves like the reflection of water; it's okay not to like walking through it)not stated
Zoolights (very bright lights of all colors, some that blink or move, music through the zoo and a lot of excited people)not stated
Quieter, in the zoo's words
Quieter bathrooms near the Carousel, the Nature Play Garden and the Arctic Tundra, and the family bathroom in Kids' Zonequiet zone
A bench near the goat yard in Kids' Zonequiet zone
At Zoolights: the bathrooms near the Carousel or in the lower part of the zooquiet zone
Daytime tickets: adult (13 to 64) $25 online or $32 at the front gate, senior (65+) $23 or $30, youth (3 to 12) $17 or $22; children 2 and under and members free. U.S. military and Pierce County residents pay the online price at the front gate (with proof; not online, not combined with other discounts). Daytime tickets are valid for one visit up to one year from purchase and are non-refundable. The zoo is cashless (cards and mobile pay).
Wild Access: $8 daytime tickets (up to 6 per visit, for you and your dependents 3 to 17) or a $75 annual membership for Washington residents in Washington Quest EBT (P-EBT and SUN Bucks are not accepted), WIC, or foster or kinship care. Buy in person at the admissions window with a Washington photo ID and proof of the program. Not for Zoolights or special programs.
Zoolights (not the Sensory-Friendly Night): November 27 to December 13 2026, Monday to Thursday $16, Friday to Sunday $22; December 14 2026 to January 3 2027, $22 nightly; members $8 or $11; 2 and under free; a Flex ticket valid any night is $30. Online timed tickets only. BECU members get a discount through the BECU ticket page; there are no military, Pierce County, Wild Access or reciprocal-zoo discounts. Other Zoolights tickets can be rescheduled once, subject to availability, at least 48 hours ahead, for a $5 fee.
Parking is free. Pierce Transit bus routes 10 and 11 stop near the Point Defiance Park entrance (Pearl St & Park Wy).
Food: you can bring food and water, or a family picnic; the Plaza Cafe is open daily. Not allowed: skates, skateboards, wheelie shoes, scooters, balance bikes, bicycles, hover boards, Segways, balloons, balls, frisbees and other recreational equipment, outside alcohol, drones, and pets, therapy or emotional support animals (service animals check in at the admission window). Minors must be with an adult.
Rentals at the front gate, first-come, first-served (you may be asked to leave an ID): wheelchair $15 a day, stroller $15, powerchair $40 (18 and older), umbrella $6, tax included. The elevator in the Tropical Reef Aquarium is temporarily out of service.
First aid and lost and found are at the front gate. A family restroom (all genders, accessible) and a breastfeeding suite are in Kids' Zone.
At Zoolights, the aquariums are closed and the animals are asleep. The path is one way in the dark, with rope lights along it, and some daytime paths are closed. Dress for rain and cold. The Plaza Cafe and stands sell food to go, and the carousel is open every night. Pets are not allowed except on select Dog Nights through January 3 2027.
