School and Youth Group Visits

Thank you for your interest in visiting Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Below is information on pricing, booking your reservation, and available resources and programming for schools, youth groups and organizations that serve individuals with disabilities. Rates are dependent upon the agency making the advanced reservation.

RATES

Admission rates 

• Schools*
  • Cuyahoga County Schools: $2.00 per grade K-12 student, $4.00 per college student and/or adult
  • Non-Cuyahoga County Schools: $6.50 per person
• Youth Groups and preschools*: $7.50 per person
• Organizations that serve individuals with disabilities*: $4.00 per person
• Children under 2 years: Free

*Groups within Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township of Medina County remain eligible for free Zoo admission on Mondays except on Memorial Day, Independence Day (if it falls on a Monday), and Labor Day. 

Chaperone details

• For schools, youth groups and preschools: One free chaperone per each set of 10 students/youths ages 2-17. Additional adult admission can be purchased at the rate listed above.
• For organizations that serve individuals with disability: Max 1:1 ratio between staff and individual with disability at discounted rate

Minimum group size

5 students/youth/individuals with disability plus 1 teacher/adult/staff

Eligible groups

• Public and private schools registered with the State Department of Education with a school designation. Must have a physical location (school building).
• Pre-schools, day cares, faith-based youth groups, city recreation center summer camps, girl or boy scout troops, YMCA/YWCA youth camps, homeschool networks, online schools, and any other for-profit or non-profit youth groups.
• County board of developmental disability groups, community agencies/ specialized schools that serve people with physical or developmental disabilities, as well as nursing homes and similar adult care facilities.

Agencies and large groups that do not meet one of these eligibility criteria should check out our Group Ticket program for discounts.

Field Trip Admission Scholarships Request Form

Planning Your Visit

Information you will need to plan and book your group visit to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Booking your reservation

• Call 216.635.3391 or email 30 days in advance to book a visit.
  • Be sure to provide the following information when you call:
    • Organization/School name
    • Contact person name, cell phone and email address
    • Preferred visit date
    • Number of youth
    • Number of adults
• Admission to the Zoo is included in your purchase. 
• A minimum ratio of one chaperone to every ten children is recommended. Chaperones must stay with the minors in their care for the duration of the visit. 
• Final head count and payment are due no later than three (3) days prior to your visit. Preferred forms of payment are checks, Mastercard, Visa, Discover and debit cards with Mastercard/Visa logo. Please make all checks payable to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Purchase orders are not accepted.
• 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. 
• If you need to cancel or reschedule your visit, please call 216.635.3391 at least 48 hours in advance. Reservations cannot be rescheduled on or after the date of visit.
• Planning on eating lunch at Zoo? Refer to the FAQs below to learn more.

Make the most of your Zoo visit

Register for an Educational Program or utilize the many free resources available for grade levels pre-K to high school on our Online Resource Library. 

During Your Visit

Information that will be useful during your group visit to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. 

• Check out the Mandel Welcome Pavilion inside the Zoo's main 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 Zoo Ambassadors and interpreters located throughout the Zoo's wildlife areas. 
• Tackle a scavenger hunt to learn more about wildlife. 
• Check out the inquiry-driven educational kiosks at the Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter. 
• Check out these seasonal experiences and attractions.

After Your Visit

Actions you can take after your group visit to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

• Research your favorite animals on the Online Resource Library.
• Visit futureforwildlife.org to see how you can join this conservation community. 
• Share your Cleveland Metroparks Zoo experience on social media using #cmzooschool, #futureforwildlife, and @clemetzoo

FAQ