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Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is one of Connecticut’s top family attractions. Spend an hour or the whole day and see more than 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Come learn about our many endangered and threatened species, which include the Amur (Siberian) tiger, Andean condor, Red wolf, Maned wolf, Giant Anteater and Golden lion tamarin. Grab a bite at the Peacock Café, enjoy an outdoor lunch in the Picnic Grove and take a ride on our colorful carousel. We can’t wait to see you!
Zoo HoursConnecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is open 7 days a week from 9am-4pm.
We are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. We close at 12pm on the days before these holidays, with the last ticket sold at noon. Hours are subject to change due to weather and operational capacity. |
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Daily Hours
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Carousel
Open, 9:00am, last ride at 3:45pm Cafe Open, 9:00am-4:00pm (Grill closes at 3:30pm) See below for more details regarding the Cafe |
Gift Shop
Closed, Limited item kiosk outside of Gift Shop Rainforest Building Open, 10:30am-3:30pm |
Canteen
Closed
Hours are subject to change due to staffing and weather conditions.
Closed
Hours are subject to change due to staffing and weather conditions.
Beginning May 1st, the Zoo will follow the state of Connecticut’s and Governor Lamont’s recommendations and guidelines in regards to mask wearing. Although we strongly recommend that guests continue to wear masks while visiting the Zoo, when you are outside and are maintaining social distancing, you may remove your masks.
Please note that if social distancing cannot be maintained –for instance, in lines at the front gate, at the café, or gift shop kiosk outdoors—you should wear your mask. In addition, in any indoor area, masks are required.
OUTDOORS: Masks can be removed if you can maintain social distancing.
INDOORS OR WHEN SOCIAL DISTANCING IS DIFFICULT: Masks must be worn.
Please note that if social distancing cannot be maintained –for instance, in lines at the front gate, at the café, or gift shop kiosk outdoors—you should wear your mask. In addition, in any indoor area, masks are required.
OUTDOORS: Masks can be removed if you can maintain social distancing.
INDOORS OR WHEN SOCIAL DISTANCING IS DIFFICULT: Masks must be worn.
General Admission
FREE for Connecticut Zoological Society Members
Just a reminder, we are not able to apply admission ticket monies post-visit to membership purchases. Please consider becoming a member first and then your visits will be free.
Join now and receive free admission today. Click here to learn about membership benefits.
Adult Admission (ages 12 & older) = $16.00
Child Admission (ages 3 -11) = $13.00
Senior Admission (62 & older) = $13.00
Under 3 years = FREE
Purchase tickets here.
When you arrive at the Zoo, please have your confirmation email (phone or printed) ready for check-in.
All tickets must be purchased online prior to your Zoo visit. If you are unable to purchase tickets for a specific day and time, that means that day has sold out.
Your ticket is rain or shine. In case of an electrical storm, we will move guests to an indoor location but keep people socially distanced. We do not offer refunds due to weather.
Beginning April 1, 2021, the Zoo will begin accepting Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards for a reduced admission (not as a form of payment) of $9/person and up to 6 people on that card. The recipient will need to show their current EBT card and a valid photo ID to receive the discount. Additional persons will need to purchase tickets online. When you arrive to the Zoo, please visit the ticket window on the left to purchase your tickets.
We are currently unable to accept certain in-person discounts (AARP, Military Discount, etc.) at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Parking is free.
Some indoor buildings are currently closed. They include the Gift Shop, Canteen, Welcome Center, and the Research Station.
Food
The Peacock Cafe is reopened with the following guidelines:
Guests are also allowed to bring their own food into the Zoo. Please use social distancing guidelines when eating in the Picnic Grove.
Restrooms
Restrooms at the Café and Front Gate area will be open. Restrooms will be checked and cleaned frequently through during the periods of time when the zoo is open.
Rentals
All rentals (stroller, wheelchair, scooter) are currently unavailable.
Group Rates
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo offers discounted admission fees for groups such as schools and non-profit organizations with 10 or more paying people that make a reservation at least 3 weeks in advance, pay at least 2 weeks in advance using one group payment, and enter the Zoo as a group for a self-guided visit. Educational programs, rides, food, appliance rentals and souvenirs are extra cost items. For more information on prices and how to make a reservation, please email Group Sales at groupsales@beardsleyzoo.org. “Reminder for Summer Groups: Visit dates fill up quickly so please register early to secure the date you want and please remember to check out our website for our new programs - free with admission!"
Service Dog Policy
Service animals are limited to dogs that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, this does not include pets or emotional support animals.
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo welcomes trained service dogs. We pride ourselves on providing broad access by service animals throughout our park, but because sensitivities can vary with our animals, guests with service dogs are encouraged to check with Guest Services on the day of visit to determine if access to any Zoo area is restricted on that day.
It does not include pets or emotional support animals. Service dogs must always remain harnessed or leashed. If these devices interfere with the service dog’s work or the guest’s disability prevents them from using these devices, then the service dogs must be under the guest’s complete control. Due to the nature of our facility and for the safety of our guests, staff and animals, CBZ requires guests with service dogs to avoid the area between our tiger and leopard habitats. Guests are otherwise invited to explore the Zoo with their service dog.
*Guests are responsible for the clean-up and for controlling their service animal’s behavior.
**Guests will be asked to remove service animals if these guidelines are not followed.
Just a reminder, we are not able to apply admission ticket monies post-visit to membership purchases. Please consider becoming a member first and then your visits will be free.
Join now and receive free admission today. Click here to learn about membership benefits.
Adult Admission (ages 12 & older) = $16.00
Child Admission (ages 3 -11) = $13.00
Senior Admission (62 & older) = $13.00
Under 3 years = FREE
Purchase tickets here.
When you arrive at the Zoo, please have your confirmation email (phone or printed) ready for check-in.
All tickets must be purchased online prior to your Zoo visit. If you are unable to purchase tickets for a specific day and time, that means that day has sold out.
Your ticket is rain or shine. In case of an electrical storm, we will move guests to an indoor location but keep people socially distanced. We do not offer refunds due to weather.
Beginning April 1, 2021, the Zoo will begin accepting Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards for a reduced admission (not as a form of payment) of $9/person and up to 6 people on that card. The recipient will need to show their current EBT card and a valid photo ID to receive the discount. Additional persons will need to purchase tickets online. When you arrive to the Zoo, please visit the ticket window on the left to purchase your tickets.
We are currently unable to accept certain in-person discounts (AARP, Military Discount, etc.) at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Parking is free.
Some indoor buildings are currently closed. They include the Gift Shop, Canteen, Welcome Center, and the Research Station.
Food
The Peacock Cafe is reopened with the following guidelines:
- 10 guests will be permitted in the building at one time and is for ordering only. ( no dining room or bathroom access.)
- 1 person per household will be permitted in the building for ordering.
- Please adhere to the social distance 6 ft markers are both inside and outside.
- There will be a Pick-up zone outside café for both online and indoor ordering.
- Credit cards only accepted.
- ATM has no accessibility.
- There will be plexi-glass hanging between cashier and guest for safety.
- A limited menu with combos will be available for purchase.
- Food will be available for purchase from 9:00am-4:00pm (Grill closes at 3:30pm).
Guests are also allowed to bring their own food into the Zoo. Please use social distancing guidelines when eating in the Picnic Grove.
Restrooms
Restrooms at the Café and Front Gate area will be open. Restrooms will be checked and cleaned frequently through during the periods of time when the zoo is open.
Rentals
All rentals (stroller, wheelchair, scooter) are currently unavailable.
Group Rates
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo offers discounted admission fees for groups such as schools and non-profit organizations with 10 or more paying people that make a reservation at least 3 weeks in advance, pay at least 2 weeks in advance using one group payment, and enter the Zoo as a group for a self-guided visit. Educational programs, rides, food, appliance rentals and souvenirs are extra cost items. For more information on prices and how to make a reservation, please email Group Sales at groupsales@beardsleyzoo.org. “Reminder for Summer Groups: Visit dates fill up quickly so please register early to secure the date you want and please remember to check out our website for our new programs - free with admission!"
Service Dog Policy
Service animals are limited to dogs that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, this does not include pets or emotional support animals.
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo welcomes trained service dogs. We pride ourselves on providing broad access by service animals throughout our park, but because sensitivities can vary with our animals, guests with service dogs are encouraged to check with Guest Services on the day of visit to determine if access to any Zoo area is restricted on that day.
It does not include pets or emotional support animals. Service dogs must always remain harnessed or leashed. If these devices interfere with the service dog’s work or the guest’s disability prevents them from using these devices, then the service dogs must be under the guest’s complete control. Due to the nature of our facility and for the safety of our guests, staff and animals, CBZ requires guests with service dogs to avoid the area between our tiger and leopard habitats. Guests are otherwise invited to explore the Zoo with their service dog.
*Guests are responsible for the clean-up and for controlling their service animal’s behavior.
**Guests will be asked to remove service animals if these guidelines are not followed.
Zoo Etiquette |
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Behind the Scenes
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Why do our animals look so happy?
Good food and a clean home – that’s why! Think about it. Beef, for example – it’s what’s for dinner (and breakfast and lunch). Our tigers eat the equivalent of 161 steaks per week! A total of 8,395 pounds of meat go down the gullets of our tigers every year. That’s the same weight as two and a half Jaguars…the car, that is. What about those insects not lucky enough to end up in an episode of Survivor? Turns out that hundreds of thousands of ‘em end up in the mouths of our animals. We serve up 390,000 insects per year including our special mix of crickets, and mealworms. Mmm! You may be surprised to learn that it also takes a lot of newspaper to keep our animals in a clean and comfortable home – 12,672 pages per year! Newsprint makes excellent bedding because it provides lightweight warmth and animals can easily crumple, shred and scratch it to make their perfect nest, den or burrow. It also takes a lot of help to keep Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo clean and beautiful. Over 90 active volunteers donate almost 5,000 hours of their time each year. That’s 13.6 years of hard work in just 365 days! |
Visit Us!Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
1875 Noble Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06610 Using public transportation to get to the Zoo? Use Greater Bridgeport Transit's Trip Planner to find the best route for you! |
