Woodland Park Zoo: Visiting Tips and Getting There

Woodland Park Zoo is a 92-acre Seattle zoo with entrances on Phinney Avenue North and North 50th Street. Its history goes back to 1899, when Seattle established a public park on the former Woodland Park estate. The Woodland Park Zoological Society became the zoo’s nonprofit partner in 1965 and has operated it as an independent nonprofit since 2002.

Plan for some walking: the zoo’s main loop is approximately 0.80 miles around. The zoo recommends allowing at least two hours for a good overview, with more time if you want to include programs, a meal, or a stop at the ZooStore. From Marco Polo Motel, it’s about a 28-minute walk or a 5-minute drive to the zoo.

The entrances serve different parts of the grounds. The West Entrance, at 5500 Phinney Ave. N., is closest to the Humboldt Penguin exhibit. The South Entrance, at 750 N. 50th Street, is nearest to the African Savanna. Choose your entrance with the area you want to see first in mind.

King County Metro Route 5 serves the zoo. For the West Entrance, take a northbound or southbound Route 5 bus to Phinney Ave. N. and N. 55th Street. If you’re planning to use transit for other Seattle stops as well, see this guide to Seattle public transport.

Driving from northbound or southbound I-5, take Exit 169/NE 50th St. Go west to Phinney Ave. N., then turn right and continue north to the West Entrance just past N. 55th St. The zoo has parking lots accessed from its entrances, with different rates by lot.

The zoo is open daily except Christmas Day, December 25. Daily admission tickets must be purchased online, and tickets are available up to 60 days in advance. Children age 2 and under are free, but you must include them in the ticket order’s guest count.

General-admission prices vary by day based on anticipated demand. Full-priced general-admission tickets purchased at least four days in advance receive a 10% discount, which cannot be combined with other discounts. Zoo members receive unlimited admission year-round, and daytime admission does not require member reservations.

For a day visit, start at the entrance closest to the area you want to see, then follow the main loop and leave time for breaks. Hours can vary on special-event days and holidays. Before you go: check the official site before you go for current hours, prices, ticket details, and parking information.

Accessible parking stalls are available in all zoo lots. Vehicles displaying a valid disabled parking placard may park in any Woodland Park Zoo parking space without a parking fee. Wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters are available to rent at Guest Services near both entrances.

Rentals are first-come, first-served and subject to availability; listed prices are $10 for a non-electric wheelchair and $25 for an electric mobility scooter or ECV. Visitors with disabilities receive a $2 discount off regular admission, and one-to-one aides receive complimentary admission.

You may bring outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. Barbecues, disposable straws, and disposable lids are not allowed. Dining options at the zoo are cashless and accept credit, debit, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay; guests without a credit card may pay with cash.

Food choices include the 1899 Grove on the main loop across from Zoomazium, Gather and Graze Café, and Wild Cup. The Historic Carousel is another on-site option for a break in your visit. Its schedule can include annual maintenance and an early closure on ZooTunes concert dates, so confirm current details before planning around it.

The zoo’s Rose Garden offers a nearby outdoor stop: it is open to the public free of charge from 7:30 a.m. to dusk. The Hippo parking lot is the closest parking option noted for the garden; zoo-lot parking is charged during zoo hours and free while the zoo is closed.

Seattle Center makes a separate city-center stop for a longer Seattle day, and its visitor guide can help with planning. Keep the zoo’s two-hour overview recommendation in mind when deciding how much to add.