Zoo Miami

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Zoo Miami, also known as The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens and long remembered as Miami MetroZoo, spreads across 138 ha (340 acres) in South Dade, where open-air habitats and about 6.4 km (4 mi) of walkways create a true subtropical safari rhythm. Between Africa, Asia, and Amazon zones, you get wide exhibits, shade pockets, and full-day variety.

For most first visits, start with a standard mobile admission ticket, then switch to skip-the-line or upgrade formats on busier days if faster entry or add-ons matter to you.

Select a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:

General admission tickets

Choose standard day admission when your priority is flexible entry and a full self-paced visit across the main habitat zones.

Zoo Miami: General Admission Ticket

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Skip-the-line and upgrade tickets

Pick these formats if you want faster entry on peak days, or extra features bundled into one booking flow.

Zoo Miami: Skip The Line Ticket

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6 tips for visiting the Zoo Miami

Arrive right at opening

If you want cooler paths and more active animals, enter at 10 am when Zoo Miami opens. By early afternoon, South Dade heat and queue pressure usually rise, so your first habitat loop feels slower. Starting early gives you calmer photos and easier pacing.

Choose your ticket format first

If your priority is value, start with standard admission. If your priority is faster entry on peak weekends, or bundled extras, choose a skip-the-line or upgrade option instead. Making this decision before arrival keeps your first hour focused on animals, not checkout choices.

Reserve mobility rentals early

Wheelchair, stroller, and electric scooter rentals can sell out on weekends and holidays. If someone in your group may need support later in the day, reserve equipment before you reach the gate. That way you avoid stress right when energy starts to drop.

Split the park into two loops

At roughly 138 ha (340 acres) with around 6.4 km (4 mi) of paths, Zoo Miami works best in two loops with a midday break. If you try to cover every zone in one push, families and first-time visitors usually burn out too early. A split plan keeps the day enjoyable through closing.

Plan transport before you leave

Driving is simplest via Florida Turnpike Exit 18 if you want full flexibility. If you rely on transit, check Route 152 timing before departure: weekend and holiday service reaches the gate, while some weekday trips may require a longer final transfer. Planning this early saves you a rushed last hour.

Add one nearby contrast stop

For a family-focused two-stop plan, pair Zoo Miami with Miami Seaquarium (Miami Seaquarium) on a separate day. If your priority is wetlands and big-sky landscapes, use Everglades National Park (Everglades National Park) as the nature contrast. This keeps your itinerary varied without repeating the same pace.

How to plan a low-stress Zoo Miami day

The smoothest visit follows a simple sequence: choose your ticket format first, arrive near opening, then pace your route around heat, walking distance, and energy levels. That structure helps families, first-time visitors, and repeat visitors get more from the same day.

Choose your ticket format before arrival

Best for most first-time visitors: start with standard mobile admission and enter at 10 am. If your priority is faster processing on peak weekends, or bundled extras, choose a skip-the-line or upgrade format instead. Deciding this before you travel keeps your first 30 minutes focused. Book now.

Build two habitat loops, not one marathon

At about 138 ha (340 acres) and roughly 6.4 km (4 mi) of walkways, Zoo Miami rewards pacing. If you are with children, or limited-mobility travelers, complete one core zone before lunch, rest, then pick a second zone instead of chasing every path. Your feet will thank you, and late-day photos are usually better.

Lock in transport and exit timing early

If you drive, Florida Turnpike Exit 18 is usually the lowest-friction approach. If you use transit, verify Route 152 timing before departure, because weekday and weekend patterns differ. Try to start your final loop before 3 pm, so you are not rushing as ticket sales and habitats wind down.

Why Zoo Miami stands out in South Florida

This is not a compact city zoo. Zoo Miami combines rare open-air scale, a warm-climate setting, and a long public history that still shapes how you experience it today.

From 1948 roots to today's identity

The story begins in 1948 with the former Crandon Park Zoo. The current South Dade campus opened in 1981, county voters approved the formal name The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens in 2008, and the visitor-facing name shifted from Miami MetroZoo to Zoo Miami in 2010. These layers explain why both names still appear in travel planning.

What feels different once you are inside

Instead of dense cages and short corridors, you get broad habitat views, long sightlines, and a subtropical pace that feels closer to a nature reserve. The walk between major zones is part of the experience, especially around palms, water features, and the Conservation Action Center. If you enjoy slower observation, this layout is a real advantage.

Nearby pairings for different travel styles

For families, Miami Seaquarium (Miami Seaquarium) adds another animal-focused day with a different show rhythm. For travelers who want a wilder landscape contrast, Everglades National Park (Everglades National Park) works best as a separate next-day plan. Choosing one of these pairings keeps your Miami-area itinerary varied and easier to pace. Book now.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I plan for a first visit?

A typical first visit takes about 4 to 5 hours. If you travel with children, strollers, or mobility support, a full-day rhythm usually feels better than trying to rush every zone at once.

What are the daily opening and last-entry times?

Daily hours are currently 10 am to 5 pm, with last ticket sales at 4 pm. Several animal habitats begin to close around 4:30 pm, so start your final loop before late afternoon.

Which ticket format is best for first-time visitors?

For most first visits, standard admission is the easiest starting point. If your priority is quicker gate processing on busy days, or bundled extras, a skip-the-line or upgrade format usually gives better flow.

Can I reach Zoo Miami by public transit?

Yes, but planning matters. Route 152 serves the zoo gate on weekends and holidays; on many weekdays, the nearest stop can be around 3.2 km (2 mi) away near SW 124 Ave/SW 152 St, with a listed shuttle connection on qualifying days.

Is Zoo Miami accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?

Yes. Main paths are broadly accessible, and on-site rentals are usually available until 4 pm, typically around $11/day for wheelchairs and $35/day for electric scooters. Weekend and holiday inventory can run out, so prebooking helps.

Can I bring pets or service animals?

Pets are not allowed at Zoo Miami. Service animals are accepted with required pre-entry documentation, while emotional support animals are not treated as service animals for entry.

Which nearby places pair well with Zoo Miami?

For another animal-focused day, Miami Seaquarium (Miami Seaquarium) is a practical add-on. If you want a broader nature contrast with wetlands and open horizons, Everglades National Park (Everglades National Park) is the stronger next-day pairing.

What rules should I know before arrival?

The site is smoke-free as of January 1, 2026, and pets are not permitted. Items like drones, coolers, balloons, straws, skateboards, hoverboards, and bicycles are typically restricted, so pack light and keep your bag simple.

General information

opening hours

Zoo Miami is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Last ticket sales are at 4 pm, and several animal habitats begin to close around 4:30 pm. Holiday exceptions currently listed are Thanksgiving Day 10 am to 3 pm (last ticket 2 pm) and Christmas Day 12 noon to 5 pm (last ticket 4 pm). During night events, daytime entry can close earlier.

tickets

General admission is typically listed from $25.95 + tax (age 13+) and $21.95 + tax (ages 3-12), while children age 2 and under enter free. Some official listings also show regular rates of $27.95 and $23.95 on certain dates, so check your exact visit day before checkout. Parking is currently free.

address

Zoo Miami
12400 SW 152 Street
Miami, FL 33177
USA

photography and filming

Personal photography is allowed in most guest areas. Professional photo sessions and commercial filming require permit coordination before your visit, especially when you plan staged setups or extensive equipment.

how to get there

By car, take the Florida Turnpike to Exit 18 (SW 152nd Street), then follow signs to Zoo Miami. Route 152 reaches the zoo entrance on weekends and holidays; on many weekdays, the closest stop can be near SW 124 Ave/SW 152 St, about 3.2 km (2 mi) away. A complimentary shuttle connection is listed from that area on qualifying operating days, so check same-day transit details before you go.

accessibility

Main routes are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, and service animals are accepted, while emotional support animals are not. On-site rentals usually run from opening until 4 pm, with typical rates around $11/day for wheelchairs and $35/day for electric scooters. Weekend and holiday inventory can sell out, so prebooking is the safer option.

security

Zoo Miami is smoke-free from January 1, 2026, and pets are not allowed. Items that can disrupt animals or guests, such as drones, coolers, balloons, straws, skateboards, hoverboards, and bicycles, are generally restricted. Travel light and keep refillable water ready to move through entry checks faster.

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