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Preparethe placeget us ready

Getting ready for the Denver Zoo.

A big place with a lot of people and a lot to see. The zoo's own advice does most of the work here.

Jump to the plan ↓

Sensory supports. Quiet spots, free sensory kit.

Hours

9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

2300 Steele St, Denver 80205

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Zoo Lights Sensory-Friendly Night, 4:30 to 9:00 pm. Reduced crowds, no strobing effects, more light, low-volume music, quiet rooms, sensory kits on request. Tickets on sale Nov 5; members Nov 2, at $23.35 adults and seniors, $17.05 youth. $25.95 adults and seniors, $18.95 youth, 2 and under free.

When it's quieter

“Mid-morning to noon is often our busiest time.” Arrive when gates open at 9:00, or early afternoon.

Quiet places the zoo names: the Wellness Room by the Primate Panorama restrooms, the bench at Duck Lake, the Woodland Garden by Carousel Meadows.

  • Wed Nov 11, Sat Nov 14 and Sun Nov 22 are Free Days. Free days are the busiest ones, so if your kid does better with fewer people around, aim for a different day. Free Day tickets are online only, with no walk-ups.

In their own words: denverzoo.org. Checked Sat, Oct 24, 2026. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us · How we check

Three things to know

  1. Parking is free. Four-level garage and the lot east of the Main Entrance.
  2. Free sensory kit at the Concierge booth just inside the Main Entrance: ear defenders, sunglasses, fidget tools. Weighted lap blankets can be checked out too. They hold a photo ID while you use it.
  3. Timed ticket required, booked online, on sale 10 days ahead. Adults 16 to 64 $27, seniors 65+ $24, youth 3 to 15 $19, 2 and under free (still needs a free ticket). SNAP/EBT $5 per person, up to 10 people.

Visual schedule

Zoo Day

  • Drive to the zoo
  • Park the car
  • Show our ticket
  • Get a sensory kit
  • Look at the map
  • See the elephants
  • See the giraffes
  • Snack break
  • See the gorillas
  • Quiet break
  • Bathroom
  • Walk to the car
  • All done
Make it yours →

Ask before you go

  • whether you can leave and come back in
  • personal stroller or wagon rules
  • where the first-aid room is
  • daily demonstration times (zoo app)
  • a drop-off zone
Call 720-337-1400
More about Denver Zoo

Louder, brighter or stronger

Gorilla Trek VR (may cause guests to become disoriented or nauseated)
Stingray Cove touch pool
Conservation Carousel (music and mechanical sounds)
Denver Zoo Railroad (train whistles and crossings)
Great Apes (animal smells indoors)

Quieter

Wellness Room, Primate Panorama restroomsquiet zone
Duck Lake viewing benchquiet zone
Woodland Garden, Carousel Meadowsquiet zone
Family restrooms, Main Entrance and Kamala Caféquiet zone
  • Family restrooms: Main Entrance and Kamala Café (Toyota Elephant Passage). Adult changing table: Primate Panorama Wellness Room.
  • Bring your own food; picnics are welcome. No glass (small baby-food jars are fine), no balloons, no plastic straws.
  • First aid: ask any staff member (lion-logo badge) or security (dark green shirt, tan pants).
  • An aide or attendant gets in free: email guestcare@denverzoo.org or call 720-337-1400.
  • Animal demonstrations at Wildlife Plaza are moderate noise at scheduled times; the times are in the zoo app.
  • Members need a photo ID and the digital membership card in the zoo app. Whether you can bring a guest depends on your membership type.
  • The zoo publishes its own Social Narrative and Sensory Guide. Look through them together before you go.
Email
guestcare@denverzoo.org Guest care

Source: denverzoo.org