Palm Beach Zoo Visitor Guide: Hours, Tickets, Parking, Zoo Lights

When guests ask for an easy half-day that works for kids and adults, I often point them to Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society. It's 23 acres of lush, shaded pathways in West Palm Beach, with hundreds of animals from around the world, from primates to big cats. Here's what I'd want a friend staying with us to know before going, with the details checked against the zoo's own visitor pages in November 2026.

Where it is and parking

Palm Beach Zoo is at 1301 Summit Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33405. The zoo's phone line is (561) 547-9453, and its website has a directions link.

Parking is always free, which makes it one of the simpler family outings in town.

If you're visiting without a car, rideshare is the practical option. My guide to getting around West Palm Beach without a car covers the rest of the city.

Hours

Daily: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Last entry: 4:15 p.m.
Closed: Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day (the zoo notes it is open on Thanksgiving evening for Zoo Lights)

Most guests spend two to four hours, according to the zoo. Arrive closer to opening if you want cooler air and more time before last entry.

As of early November 2026, the zoo says a few areas are still closed after a recent storm while cleanup finishes. It's open rain or shine, and severe-weather updates go on its website and social channels, so glance at palmbeachzoo.org the morning you go.

Tickets

The zoo says ticket prices change depending on the day and time of year, so check the current price on palmbeachzoo.org when you book. All tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Active, reservist and retired U.S. military get free admission with valid ID, plus 50% off admission for up to three additional guests. That discount doesn't apply to after-hours events, and family members can't use the service member's ID in their place.

Outside food and beverages are not permitted inside the zoo, so plan snacks for before or after. The zoo is stroller-friendly; pets are not allowed (service animals are welcome under ADA rules).

What you'll see

This is a compact, walkable zoo rather than an all-day mega park, with hundreds of animals from around the world, including primates, big cats, Florida panthers, koalas and sloths. The zoo no longer prints paper maps, so download its digital map before you go.

For wild Florida animals outside a zoo setting, see our guide to manatees and wildlife near West Palm Beach. For more gardens and greenery, there's also Mounts Botanical Garden.

Zoo Lights (holiday season)

If you're here from late November into early January, Zoo Lights: Magic in the Wild is an easy evening plan. For 2026–27 it runs November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027, after hours on select nights. Some evenings are 21+ nights for adults only, and popular dates can sell out; the zoo's event calendar shows which nights are which.

Expect holiday lights, a tree show, free photos and activities with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and nighttime viewing of a koala and sloth. For the wider holiday calendar, see our holiday season guide.

A few host tips

Go early for cooler paths and more time before the 4:15 p.m. last entry.
Bring sun protection. Shaded paths help, but the South Florida sun is still strong.
Don't bring a picnic inside. Outside food isn't allowed; eat before or after.
Check the homepage the morning of your visit for closures or weather notices.
Build a half-day. Zoo morning, then a beach afternoon, or fold it into a first-timers weekend or our top attractions list.
Holiday guests: book Zoo Lights tickets early.

Hours, prices and events can change, so give the Palm Beach Zoo Plan Your Visit page a quick look before you go. If you're staying with us at West Palm BnBs, we're happy to help you plan.

Chris Linteris is a West Palm Beach host at West Palm BnBs.