Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium traces its roots to 1894, when it opened as the small Riverview Park Zoo. It was renamed in 1963 after a major gift from businessman Henry Doorly, and has since grown into one of the most acclaimed zoological parks in the United States, sprawling across roughly 160 acres in Omaha, Nebraska.
The zoo is best known for its record-setting indoor habitats, including the Lied Jungle, one of the world’s largest indoor rainforests, and the Desert Dome, built beneath one of the world’s largest glazed geodesic domes. In 2014, TripAdvisor ranked it the world’s best zoo, and it has since kept the momentum going with multiple USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice wins for #1 Zoo in the Nation — cementing its reputation as a premier Midwest attraction and one of the largest AZA-accredited zoos in the country.
Quick Answer
Henry Doorly Zoo is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Grounds run roughly 9 a.m.-5 p.m. from April 1 through early November, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. from early November through March 31. Admission is priced on three seasonal tiers — cheapest in winter, mid-range in spring/fall, and highest in summer — with separate adult, child, senior, and military rates, and kids under 2 always get in free. Parking is free. For the exact current schedule and prices, check the official Henry Doorly Zoo hours and admission page before you go.
Hours: What Time Does the Zoo Open and Close?
The zoo runs on two seasonal schedules. From April 1 through roughly November 3, grounds are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with most indoor buildings staying open later, until around 6 p.m. From early November through March 31, hours shorten to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with buildings closing around 5 p.m.
A few marquee exhibits close earlier than the rest of the grounds year-round, so plan around them if they’re on your must-see list. In the warmer season, the Butterfly Pavilion closes at 4 p.m. and the Lied Jungle closes in stages — the lower level around 3:30 p.m. and the upper level around 4 p.m. In the winter schedule, the Lied Jungle closes around 3 p.m. and the Butterfly Pavilion around 4 p.m.
The zoo is open every day of the year with only two exceptions: Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Because indoor exhibits like the Lied Jungle, Desert Dome, Kingdoms of the Night, and Scott Aquarium are all climate-controlled, the zoo is a genuine year-round destination regardless of Nebraska’s weather swings. Hours can shift slightly year to year, so always confirm the current schedule on the official hours and admission page or by calling ahead during severe weather.
Ticket Prices & How to Buy
Admission is set on three seasonal price tiers rather than one flat rate. Summer (May 1 through September 30) is the most expensive, spring/fall (March-April and October-November) is mid-range, and winter (December through February) is the cheapest. Within each tier, pricing is broken out by age group — adults (12+), children (3-11), seniors (65+), and active-duty/retired military — with children under 2 always admitted free.
As of this writing, summer general admission runs about $33.95 for adults, $30.55 for seniors and military adults, and $25.95 for children. Spring/fall pricing drops to roughly $28.95 for adults and $20.95 for children, and winter is the best value at around $21.95 for adults and $14.95 for children. Because these dollar amounts are reviewed periodically, use the zoo’s official admission page to confirm current prices before you buy — tickets can be purchased online in advance, at the gate through Guest Services, or at self-serve kiosks, and a discounted two-day pass is available when used on consecutive days.
Parking & Getting There
Parking is free in the zoo’s on-site lots, offered first-come, first-served, with the main entrance off 13th Street and Burt Murphy Avenue and a seasonal north entrance off 13th Street and Bob Gibson Boulevard. The zoo sits just off Interstate 80 at 3701 South 10th Street in Omaha, making it an easy stop for locals and road-trippers passing through Nebraska.
Because the grounds cover roughly 160 acres, the Zoo Train, Skyfari sky tram, and shuttle tram routes are worth using to cover ground efficiently or rest between exhibits rather than walking the entire property on foot.
Bag Policy, Strollers, Wheelchairs & Other Visitor Policies
You’re allowed to bring your own bags and coolers; everything is inspected at the gate and must stay with you throughout your visit, since abandoned items can be confiscated. Glass containers and alcohol are prohibited, but the zoo does allow outside food and drinks, so packing a cooler for a picnic-style visit is genuinely an option.
Stroller and wagon rentals are available year-round at the Main Gift Shop (and seasonally at the North Entrance from Memorial Day through Labor Day): single strollers run about $12 a day and double strollers or wagons about $15. Wheelchairs are also available year-round at the Main Gift Shop — manual chairs run about $10 a day, and electric shop riders about $32 a day; anyone operating a rented mobility device must be at least 16 with valid ID, and 16-18 year-olds need a parent or guardian aged 21 or older present.
Pets aren’t allowed on the grounds, though a limited number of dog kennels are available on a first-come, first-served basis at Guest Services near the main entrance, and service animals meeting ADA criteria are always welcome. When you leave, ask for a hand stamp for same-day reentry. For payment, plan to use a card or digital wallet — most venues inside the zoo don’t accept cash or personal checks.
Membership & Reciprocal Admission
The zoo sells several membership tiers — individual, dual, household (which typically covers two adults and several dependent children), grandparent, and military memberships — each offering a year of unlimited admission plus discounts on food, gifts, rides, and special events like the Lozier Giant Screen Theater. USA Today’s 10Best readers have voted it the #1 Zoo Membership in the country in recent years on top of the zoo’s own #1 Zoo ranking, a sign the membership itself is considered one of the best values in the industry rather than just an add-on perk.
Members also get free admission to the zoo itself plus a reciprocal discount, typically around 50% off admission, at participating AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums nationwide, which is useful if you travel and want to keep visiting zoos elsewhere. Because membership prices and exact benefits are updated periodically, check the official Henry Doorly Zoo site for current tiers and costs.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings, right after opening, are consistently the least crowded time to see popular outdoor habitats like the African Grasslands and big cat exhibits before the afternoon rush. Visiting in late fall through winter means smaller crowds and lower ticket prices, and since the Lied Jungle, Desert Dome, Kingdoms of the Night, and Scott Aquarium are all climate-controlled, you still get a full day of exhibits regardless of the temperature outside.
Summer offers the most outdoor programming and the longest hours, but also the biggest crowds, especially on weekends and holidays. If your priority is photos and shorter lines rather than splash pads and extended evening hours, aim for a weekday in spring or fall instead.
What to See: Record-Setting Exhibits
The Lied Jungle recreates an Asian, African, and South American rainforest under one 80-foot-tall roof spanning about 1.5 acres, complete with a 50-foot waterfall and free-roaming primates and birds overhead. The Desert Dome sits beneath one of the world’s largest glazed geodesic domes and houses three distinct desert ecosystems — Namib, Sonoran, and Red Center — stacked above the underground Kingdoms of the Night, one of the world’s largest nocturnal exhibits.
The Scott Aquarium takes visitors through a glass tunnel beneath a simulated Western Atlantic reef, and the African Grasslands recreate a savanna large enough for giraffes, lions, and African wild dogs to roam within view of one another. Between exhibits, the Skyfari sky tram and Zoo Train give tired feet a break while covering the property’s roughly 160 acres.
Henry Doorly Zoo hours, tickets, and prices FAQs
What are Henry Doorly Zoo’s hours?
Grounds are open about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from April through early November, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from early November through March, with indoor buildings typically staying open about an hour later. The zoo is closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
How much are Henry Doorly Zoo tickets?
Prices follow three seasonal tiers: winter is cheapest (around $21.95 for adults), spring/fall is mid-range (around $28.95), and summer is highest (around $33.95). Children, seniors, and military rates are several dollars lower at every tier, and kids under 2 are free. Check the official admission page for current prices.
Is parking free at Henry Doorly Zoo?
Yes, parking is free in the zoo’s on-site lots at both the main entrance and the seasonal north entrance.
Can you bring in outside food and drinks?
Yes. Outside food, drinks, bags, and coolers are allowed and inspected at the gate; glass containers and alcohol are not permitted.
Are pets allowed at the zoo?
Pets aren’t permitted on the grounds, though a limited number of dog kennels are available near the main entrance on a first-come, first-served basis. Service animals are welcome.
Does the zoo rent strollers and wheelchairs?
Yes, single and double strollers/wagons and manual or electric wheelchairs are available to rent, primarily at the Main Gift Shop, with seasonal rental also available at the North Entrance in summer.
Is Henry Doorly Zoo open year-round?
Yes, it’s open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Because the Lied Jungle, Desert Dome, Kingdoms of the Night, and Scott Aquarium are all indoor, climate-controlled exhibits, it’s a full-day destination even in Nebraska winters.
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