Plan Your Visit to the Utica Zoo
General Info
Address: 1 UTICA ZOO WAY, UTICA, NY 13501
Having touble with GPS? Try our neighbor’s address: 220 MEMORIAL PARKWAY, UTICA, NY 13501 and follow the “Utica Zoo” signs.
Want to Meet Our Animals? Click the Button Below!
There is FREE parking in two large lots for your convenience! The lots are right on our grounds and only a short walk to our main gate.
We accept CASH, CHECK, CREDIT, and DEBIT (AMERICAN EXPRESS, VISA, and MASTERCARD). Please note: There will be a $25 service charge for all returned checks.
Our concession stand Polly’s by Kookie’s Q is OPEN from 11am until 4pm every day beginning in the Spring (date to be announced) through Labor Day! After that it will be open ONLY on weekends through the end of October. The concession stand WILL BE CLOSED November 1 through Spring (except on special occasions).
We also do have a selection of snacks – such as chips and ice cream – as well as cold drinks inside our giftshop.
Visitors are invited to bring their own food and drink items to enjoy while on Zoo Grounds. We ask that items containing allergens (peanut butter, gluten, etc) are not brought into the Playground area, located below the Rotary Pavilion deck.
Keeper talks are daily presentations given by our keepers about various animals around the zoo. Each talk happens at designated times (11:30, 12:30, and 3:00) at each specific animal’s exhibit (look to the map above to see exact animal locations)
Check the sign at the gate when you arrive to see the day’s talk schedule!
Located right outside the Sinnott Education Center. Part of the proceeds goes to the Utica Zoo.
Our BRAND NEW playground – Wadas’ Wild Play Park – is now open for visitors to enjoy. It is located right between our Rotary Pavilion and Children’s Zoo.
We have the option of 2 seat safari strollers or single seat strollers that you can rent for $4 for the day.
We also have a few non-electric wheelchairs available at no charge. You may call ahead to reserve a wheelchair.
Guests are welcome to take photos and/or videos for personal use. By entering the zoo, you grant permission for the Utica Zoo to use your image for promotional purposes. Permission is required for commercial photo use and access.
Bring extra quarters – or get some at our Gift Shop – to feed the Goats, Sheep, Zebu, Alpaca, and Chickens in our Backyards & Barnyards section. We ask that you do not feed any other animals within the zoo grounds including exhibit animals!
Want to bring your own lunch? No Problem! Enjoy one of our 3 Pavilions (Rotary, Eagle View and Zebra View) or one of the numerous picnic tables available throughout the Zoo. Please take care to clear any food or refuse from your eating area. We also ask that you do not feed any animals since they are on special diets and outside food can cause health issues.
NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE PERMITTED ON ZOO GROUNDS.
As of May 19, 2021, the Utica Zoo has lifted its mask requirements. However, we do RECOMMEND them. For the safety of our staff, animals, and unvaccinated visitors, we do ask that those who are not fully vaccinated to please wear facial coverings when unable to distance from other visitors, when inside any open buildings, when on our playgrounds, and when around certain susceptible exhibits (which will be marked with signage).
We DO, however, REQUIRE masks to be worn during animal encounters, presentations, meet and greets, and other similar activities. So we do encourage all visitors to pack a mask to be able to participate in any activities that we may have going on during the day.
Camps, birthday parties, education programs, and rentals will run in accordance with NYS requirements.
We ask that all groups maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other visitors at all times.
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Has it been a while since you've been to the zoo? We are constantly updating and growing every year! To see more about what we have going on here, click the button below:
