Tucked inside historic Druid Hill Park, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore has been introducing visitors to wildlife since 1876, making it the third-oldest zoo in the United States. Nearly 150 years later, it’s grown into an AZA-accredited conservation institution spanning about 135 acres, home to roughly 1,500 animals across some 200 species.
Its headline attraction, Penguin Coast, houses the largest colony of African penguins in North America — a critically endangered species the zoo has helped breed and protect for decades. This guide covers everything you need to plan a visit: hours, ticket prices, parking, what to see, and the zoo’s conservation story.
Quick Answer
The Maryland Zoo is open daily 10 AM–4 PM from March through December, and Friday–Monday 10 AM–4 PM in January and February; it closes only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. General admission runs about $33 for ages 2–64 and $28 for seniors (65+), parking is free, and admission includes unlimited rides on the train and carousel. The zoo’s biggest draw is Penguin Coast, home to the largest African penguin colony in North America.
Hours, Tickets & Admission Prices
The Maryland Zoo runs on two seasonal schedules. From March through December it’s open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM. In the leaner winter months of January and February, hours narrow to Friday through Monday, still 10 AM to 4 PM. Across both seasons, last admission is 3:30 PM, a half hour before closing, and the zoo stays open rain or shine — it closes to visitors on just two days a year: Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
General admission (ages 2–64) is around $33, senior admission (65+) is around $28, and children under 2 are free. Admission includes access to the Zoo Choo train and Safari Carousel, plus daily keeper chats, penguin feeding narrations, and other included programming. Annual memberships are also available and pay for themselves in as few as two visits for a family. Because prices and special discount days change periodically, always confirm current rates and buy tickets in advance through the official Maryland Zoo tickets and hours page.
Parking, Strollers & Accessibility
Parking at the Maryland Zoo is free, with the main lot located just off the zoo’s Druid Hill Park entrance. Personal strollers and wagons are welcome, and single and double strollers, along with manual wheelchairs and electric convenience vehicles, can be rented near the main entrance for visitors who need them.
The zoo also offers sensory bags at the main gate — including noise-reducing headphones, fidget tools, and non-verbal cue cards — for guests who benefit from sensory support, and ADA-compliant shuttles run along Buffalo Yard Road to help visitors reach Zoo Central without a long walk from the parking area.
What to See: Exhibits & Animal Zones
The zoo is organized into distinct zones. African Journey is home to elephants, giraffes, lions, and chimpanzees, while Northern Passage houses grizzly bears and a resident bald eagle. The Maryland Wilderness area shifts focus to native regional wildlife, giving the zoo a mix of global and local conservation storytelling alongside its more famous African exhibits.
Most families budget at least a half day to see the major zones, ride the train and carousel (both included with admission), and catch a keeper talk or penguin feeding session — the zoo’s programming schedule is posted daily near the main entrance and on its website.
Penguin Coast: North America’s Largest African Penguin Colony
Penguin Coast is the zoo’s signature exhibit, letting guests watch African penguins swim and nest in a coastal-themed habitat. The Maryland Zoo maintains the largest colony of African penguins in North America and the second-largest managed population of the species in the world, and it breeds the birds under the AZA Species Survival Plan.
The program has been running since 1967, and more than 1,000 chicks have hatched at the zoo since then — offspring that have gone on to help establish and support African penguin colonies at other accredited zoos and aquariums across dozens of states and in Canada. The African penguin is now classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, with a wild population that has fallen to roughly 52,000 birds due to habitat loss, oil spills, and competition with commercial fishing for the small fish the birds rely on. The Maryland Zoo’s breeding program is considered one of the most important safety nets for the species outside of Africa.
History & Conservation
Originally established as the Baltimore City Zoo, the institution has undergone major renovations since 2004 and adopted a ten-year master plan in 2022 aimed at modernizing exhibits and expanding animal habitats. Its accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) reflects an ongoing commitment to animal welfare and species conservation standards.
Beyond its exhibits, the zoo participates in broader conservation work for threatened species, using its African penguin program as a flagship example of how accredited zoos contribute to global wildlife protection efforts.
Tips for Planning Your Visit
Arrive close to opening if you want to see the penguins active and beat midday crowds, and check the daily schedule for keeper talks and feedings so you can plan your route around them. Because the zoo is open rain or shine and closes only for Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s a reliable year-round outing, though winter visits mean a shorter Friday–Monday schedule, so double-check hours before a January or February trip.
Maryland Zoo in Baltimore FAQs
What are the Maryland Zoo’s hours?
The zoo is open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM from March through December. In January and February it operates Friday through Monday, 10 AM to 4 PM, with last admission at 3:30 PM. It closes only for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
How much are Maryland Zoo tickets?
General admission is around $33 for ages 2–64 and about $28 for seniors 65 and up; children under 2 are free. Prices can change, so confirm current rates on the official tickets and hours page before you go.
Is parking free at the Maryland Zoo?
Yes, parking at the Maryland Zoo is free for all visitors.
How old is the Maryland Zoo?
The Maryland Zoo opened in 1876 and is generally considered the third-oldest zoo in the United States.
What is the Maryland Zoo known for?
It’s best known for Penguin Coast, home to the largest colony of African penguins in North America and a decades-long breeding program that has hatched more than 1,000 chicks since 1967.
Are the African penguins at the Maryland Zoo endangered?
Yes. The African penguin is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, with a wild population of roughly 52,000 birds. The Maryland Zoo’s breeding program is one of the largest conservation efforts for the species outside Africa.
Can you rent strollers at the Maryland Zoo?
Yes, single and double stroller rentals are available near the main entrance, along with wheelchairs and electric convenience vehicles for visitors who need them.
How long should you plan to spend at the Maryland Zoo?
Most visitors budget a half day (around 3 to 4 hours) to see the main animal zones, ride the included train and carousel, and catch a keeper talk or penguin feeding.
Get More from Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.