School Reservations and Experiences

Booking your reservation

• Call 216.635.3391 or e-mail 30 days in advance to book a visit.
• Not with a school, but still looking to book a trip for a large group of people? Visit the Group Experiences page (hyperlink) for pricing and other information.
• Your admission directly supports the Zoo’s Future for Wildlife conservation program.
• A minimum ratio of one chaperone to every ten students is recommended.
• Final headcount, payment and signed contracts are all due no later than 3 days prior to your visit.
• Pre-registered bookings are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE.
• Discount rates will be administered at the Box Office for additions made on the date of the visit as long as the group had an existing advanced reservation.
• Call 216.635.3391 at least 48 hours prior to your visit if you need to reschedule or cancel. Reservations cannot be rescheduled on or after the date of visit.
• Planning on eating lunch at the Zoo? Buy lunches here or pack your own. Picnic areas are available on a first come, first serve basis unless you reserve a rental facility for your visit by contacting the Special Events team at 216.635.3304. Lunch can be catered by the Zoo’s on-site food provider Aramark, 216.398.5750.

Make the most of your Zoo Experience

The Zoo offers lesson plans, scavenger hunts, and supplemental resources on the Online Resource Library so you can prepare your class or group for this field trip. Choose your grade level below to see what programs and resources are available.

Pre-K/Kindergarten  Grades 1-3  Grade 4-6  Grades 7-8  Grades 9-12

During Your Experience

• Check out the Zoo’s Quarters for Conservation kiosk at the entrance to see which animals Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is committed to protecting in the wild.
• Explore the Zoo, stop and observe the animals and chat with one of the Zoo’s many knowledgeable docents located throughout the Zoo’s wildlife areas.
• Have your students tackle a scavenger hunt to learn more about wildlife.
• Learn more throughout the Zoo with KeyBank® ZooKeys.
• Check out the educational kiosks at the Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter or in The Rainforest at the orangutan habitat.

After Your Experience

• Research your favorite animals on the Online Resource Library
• Visit futureforwildlife.org to see how you can help the Zoo's conservation mission
• Share your zoo projects and experiences on social media using #futureforwildlife, #cmzooschool and @clemetzoo
• Upload your Zoo related class work to the Online Resource Library

Schools within Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township

• Who's eligible: Public and private schools registered with the State Department of Education with a school designation.
• Please note that school groups within Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township of Medina County remain eligible for free Zoo admission on Mondays except legal holidays that fall between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Admission on qualifying "Free Mondays" does not include The RainForest.

Schools Outside of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township

• Who's eligible: Public and private schools registered with the State Department of Education with a school designation.
• Admission to both the Zoo and The RainForest is included in your purchase.

Schools that Serve Students with Disabilities

• Who's eligible: Public and private schools registered with the State Department of Education with a school designation bringing students with physical or developmental disabilities.
• Should your group require more than a ratio of one caregiver or chaperone to one guest, each additional adult will be asked to pay the general admission rate of $14.95.
• If your school group is also bringing students without physical or developmental disabilities, discount rates from one of the above admission pricing categories will apply.
• Please note that admission to both the Zoo and The RainForest is included in your reservation.

What does the Zoo look like? Is it easy to find the animals?

Download a Zoo Map to see what the layout of the Zoo looks like and where you may find your favorite animals.

Who do I include in my headcount?

Include all students, staff and chaperones in your final headcount. However, please note that if any of your teachers or chaperones have an active Cleveland Zoological Society membership you do not need to include them in the final headcount as they will be able to gain entry to the Zoo by presenting their membership pass at the gate.

What is the best time to visit the Zoo?

When possible, avoid the spring crowds on Thursdays and Fridays from late April through mid-June. Plan school field experiences in the fall and winter months or early spring. Because fewer people are around, your Zoo experience will be more enjoyable and educational. Call as early as possible for school groups visiting Monday-Friday in the spring months. There is usually high call volume March through June and it may take a few days for staff to return reservation requests.

What are the Zoo and The Rainforest Hours?

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beginning the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day the Zoo stays open until 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and The RainForest are open all year except January 1 and December 25. The main gate opens at 10 a.m. and the Zoo Box Office closes at 4 p.m. Plan on one to two hours to view The RainForest and two to three hours to visit the Zoo.

Do you offer a bus or bus reimbursement?

Transportation vouchers may be available for schools using their own busses. Learn more about what is offered and eligibility requirements by visiting the Travel Vouchers page.

Where do we go upon arrival and where do we get our wristbands?

The Zoo’s Box Office is located in the Ticket Plaza between the main gate and The Rainforest. If you have not registered for any programming, just check in at the Box Office to let a staff member know you have arrived, get your wristbands and then you are on your own to explore. If you have registered for a Vet Bags, Connections to Africa or Collaborative Inquiry program please check in at the Box Office to let a staff member know you are here. You will be using Zoo resources as you lead your class through these activities, but a Zoo staff member or volunteer will need to connect you with those materials when you arrive. Only the group leader should wait in line to pick up the wristbands at the "Registered Groups" window at the Box Office. Please have the rest of your group meet you in the Ticket Plaza. Bus drivers are free and can sign in at any cashier window for their ticket after showing ID.

Do we meet a staff person upon arrival?

No. Your Zoo visit is your own and you are welcome to explore with your class or group. If you have registered for a program like Vet Bags at the Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine or Connections to Africa at African Elephant Crossing you will be escorted to those locations by a staff member or volunteer for your one hour self-guided program.

Will we be accompanied by a staff person on our field trip?

No, but supplemental materials are offered on the Online Resource Library like scavenger hunts, career guides and lesson plans to help make your Zoo visit more meaningful.

Do we have to do a program during our visit?

No. If you’d like to take advantage of one of the free programs offered by Cleveland Metroparks Zoo that you can do on your own with your class or group, check out the programs by grade page to see various ways to enhance your visit.

We’ve registered for Connections to Africa, where do we get our backpacks?

Let the Box Office know that you are scheduled for the program. They will radio volunteers or a staff member to meet with you and provide you with the program resources.

We’ve registered for Vet Bags, where do we go?

Let the Box Office know that you are scheduled for the program. They will radio volunteers or a staff member to meet with you and provide you with the program resources.

Where can I park and how much does it cost?

Parking is FREE. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is located at 3900 Wildlife Way. Buses park in the designated bus parking lot, behind The RainForest, posted on the sign at the entrance.

Where can I rent a wheelchair?

Wheelchairs can be rented from the gift shop just inside the main gate. Strollers and wheelchairs can be reserved by calling 216.661.7603. Please visit the Guest Services page for more accessibility information.

What about Lunch; are there restaurants on-site, and Can we bring a picnic lunch?

Check out our on-site Dining & Amenities page. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers a variety of dining options to meet everyone's needs. Picnic lunches may be eaten in the non-reserved shared spaces located inside the Zoo. To rent picnic facilities at a special discount (Mon-Fri), call the Special Events Office at 216.635.3304 for pricing and availability. To organize a catered lunch for your school or group, please contact Aramark at 216.398.5750.

What is the tram and are we allowed to use it?

The Zoo operates complimentary tram services. The Primates, Cats and Aquatics tram travels back and forth between stops at African Elephant Crossing and the Primates, Cats and Aquatics building. The Tiger Tram travels back and forth between stops at the Food Court and at the entry to Rosebrough Tiger Passage. Weather permitting.

Do you offer Programs led by Zoo Staff?

The following programs are offered for a fee; Inside Tracks, Career Day, Keeper for a Day, Professor Wylde’s Traveling Event Show, Rising Waters Overnight and Tiger Tracks Overnight.