Zoo Policies | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (2024)

You must be 21 years of age (valid state-issued driver's license with photo or state-issued identification card with photo required by state law) to purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium or Zoombezi Bay.

The Ohio Revised Code (Ohio code number 4301.62) prohibits bringing beer, wine or intoxicating liquor on property, including picnic shelters, or leaving the park with alcohol purchased here.Alcoholic beverages are not prohibited while in line for any attraction.

• Approved bags and coolers can be kept with guests or stored in several storage locations around the Zoo, including one just north of Wild Burger, and, during Zoombezi Bay’s operating season (late May through Labor Day), the Zoombezi Bay Cooler Cove and the Cooler Cove by Falcon Fall.
• Guests are also welcome to store oversized bags and coolers in the Picnic Shelter located just outside the Zoo entrance adjacent to the parking lot.
• Guests may alsouse the Picnic Shelter and then store the bags and coolers in their personal vehicles.

Bags and coolers left unattended outside of these areas will be confiscated.

Outside food and drink are permitted at the Zoo only, but glass containers, alcohol and straws are prohibited. Guests can re-enter the Zoo on the same day after receiving a handstamp upon exiting.

Pre-arranged groups, such as school groups or large private events, can request exceptions through their Zoo contact. When guests arrive at the Zoo’s entrance with these pre-arranged exceptions, our staff will direct them to Security to have their items screened.This will require a little extra time, so we kindly ask that guests build that into their schedule.

Disrespectful behavior, such as vulgarity, loitering, intoxication, line jumping, theft, and all other actions thatnegativelyimpact our guests will not be tolerated, and may result in ejection from the park without a refund.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay reserve the right to deny admission or cancel any membership if the bearer violates park safety and security rules or if the bearer has been convicted of any crime of a type that could pose a threat to the safety of our guests, including without limitation, any sex crime, or if the bearer is required to be registered as a sex offender (or words of similar import) in any jurisdiction.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium reserves the right to refuse admission to anyone who refuses to comply with the dress code summarized above.

• Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times.
• Swimwear must be sufficiently covered.
• Offensive or provocative items on clothing or swimwear is prohibited.
• Costumes or disguises that conceal identity are not permitted.

If guests have any questions, please visit Guest Relations.

Dogs or other animals of any kind are prohibited on grounds with the exception of service dogs. Please be mindful of the danger of leaving pets in your vehicle while visiting our park.

Columbus Zoo Service Animal Policy

You are welcome to take photos and/or video for personal use only.

Commercial photography requires written permission from the Zoo's Communications Team. On occasion, we will photograph or take video of Zoo visitors for educational or promotional purposes. Entry to the Zoo, including Zoombezi Bay, grants permission for use of these images.

When taking photos/videos, guests are not permitted to cross barriers or use devices, such as monopods or tripods, to do so.

The following items are not permitted:

• Firearms
• Knives
• Glass containers
• Balloons
• Bicycles
• Skateboards and other skating equipment (including hover boards)
• Large beach umbrellas
• Lounge chairs
• Radios and bluetooth speakers
• Rafts and floatation devices
• Grills or open fires

For your safety

No visitor shall go over, under, between or otherwise cross any guardrail, fence, moat, wall or other safety barrier, or seat, stand or hold children over such barriers.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a smoke-free facility on all Zoo grounds, including the use of:

• Cigarettes, cigars, and pipes
• Vapes
• E-cigarettes
• Marijuana (in any form)

Smoking on Zoo grounds may result in ejection from the park without a refund.

At the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, we do not allow outside solicitation. While the Columbus Zoo sits on land owned by the City of Columbus and Franklin County, it is leased to the nonprofit private Columbus Zoological Association.

Our policy to prohibit petitioning and/or the distribution of literature outside our sanctioned events/activities is supported by our objective to maintain a welcoming family atmosphere for all of our visitors, and to give them the opportunity to enjoy the Zoo without being solicited.

• Tickets are valid only on date(s) indicated on the front.

• Tickets are a revocable license and may be confiscated without refund of purchase price.
• Violation of park rules will result in expulsion without refund.
• Only tickets obtained from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Zoombezi Bay, or offices authorized by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to sell/distribute tickets will be honored.
• Tickets that are distributed/ resold without the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s authorization will be confiscated without refund or exchange.
• Resale of tickets is strictly prohibited.

If lost or stolen, tickets will not be replaced nor will the purchase price be refunded.

For the safety and wellbeing of our guests and animals, the launching and/or operation of a UAS (drone) from or above our properties is strictly prohibited.

On occasion, our internal multimedia team does operate a UAS (drone). This operation is in strict accordance with FAA guidelines, and the operator is in constant communication with team members to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests and animals.