The NEW Zoo welcomes groups of all sizes and strongly encourages you to coordinate your visit with us in advance. Plan ahead by reviewing the information below and submitting a Group Visit Request Form. Zoo staff will contact you to confirm your reservation after your form is processed.
Request a Group VisitTickets
- Groups should purchase tickets online in advance whenever possible. Tickets are required for all visitors entering the zoo ages 3 and up, including bus drivers, chaperones, teachers, etc. The Zoo is unable to offer discounted group admission rates due to Brown County policy.
- Admission prices for groups are standard for all guests. See our Admission Fees here.
- Print your ticket bar codes and bring them for scanning on arrival (these come in a separate email titled NEW Zoo eTickets).
- Tickets are non-refundable unless the zoo closes for safety. Please contact us with any questions regarding this policy.
- We recommend purchasing the minimum number of tickets you are sure you can use. If additional tickets are needed, we can “add on” few extra guests and take payment for their tickets when you arrive for check-in.
On Arrival
Check-In Process
- Send one representative into the Visitor Center for check-in.
- Please do not bring your group into the Visitor Center; space is limited. Groups can gather on the green space outside of the Visitor Center to organize.
- Bring your printed ticket barcodes with you and present them to the staff supervisor on duty.
- You can purchase additional tickets for any “extra” children or adults at this time.
- After check-in, when your group’s visit details have been verified with staff:
- Disembark your group and gather/organize outside of the Visitor Center
- Zoo staff will let you know how to enter the zoo (through the Visitor Center or through a side gate)
- Zoo staff may address your group to go over basic zoo visit rules
Chaperones
Keep in mind…
Your chaperones are here “to chaperone,” and we request that they watch the children/students in the group. Please remind chaperones about our basic zoo rules (see below) that include not letting children climb on fences, climb the mining sluice, hang on rope fences, chase peacocks, run in the zoo, etc. We appreciate their help in ensuring students adhere to those rules
If your chaperones are paying separately, we recommend they purchase their admission tickets online in advance. Individuals can then print out their barcode(s) on paper or pull up a screen shot on their phone for zoo staff to scan upon entry. To purchase advance admission tickets, send them to our zoo tickets page.
We encourage you to collect the phone numbers of your chaperones in advance, in case your group members become separated. Phone lists are helpful!
When you are ready to leave for the day, if you are planning to gather together, to leave all at the same time, we encourage your group to gather by the pillar with gorilla statues on it, just beside the Visitor Center on the Children’s Zoo side of the building. When the whole group has gathered there, a representative can head into the Visitor Center and ask staff there to open the side gate. Exiting through the gate is more convenient for groups.
Zoo Rules
The NEW Zoo asks all guests to follow the rules below, to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all visitors and for our animal residents. Thank you for your cooperation!
Zoo Reminders
- Carry-in meals are NOT permitted inside of Zoo gates. Groups that choose to bring bag lunches MUST eat them outside of the zoo, on any of the many picnic tables provided near the parking lots
- When the Mayan restaurant is not open, snacks and beverages are available in the Visitor Center gift shop. Beverage vending machines are also available throughout the zoo during the summer months
- All trash is carry-in/carry-out; garbage cans are NOT provided outside of the Zoo
- Catering CAN be done if you Rent a Room; details are provided on our Party Packages page
- Do not feed zoo animals unless participating in the zoo’s paid feeding experiences. Food brought from outside the Zoo can make animals ill
- Do not cross fences
- Do not climb on fences, benches, or other zoo structures, like the mining sluice
- Do not harass zoo animals: please do not shout at animals, chase animals (like the peacocks), etc.
- Do not throw or drop things into animal habitats
- Walk on guest pathways. Do not pick vegetation
- We request that a representative from the group comes in before your group guests to arrange for payment. That way your group can just head into the zoo and not have to wait in anticipation in the Visitors Center while the details are being worked out
Do More
Enhance your group visit with “extra” experiences!