What to Know Before You Go

(or the Zoo Field Trip Survival Guide)

Whether you plan to visit for one hour, two hours or the entire day, we want to help you experience an educational, entertaining, safe and successful trip to the Saint Louis Zoo. Here are some ideas, suggestions and valuable information to meet your needs.

We're lucky it's easy to get to the Zoo! From east and west, north and south, there is a variety of routes to get here. In the coming weeks, construction on Highway US 40/I-64 temporarily may cause traffic to be re-routed when lane closings occur. We'll be posting alternate routes so that your Zoo visits are not affected. Please check our web site before your trip. See alternate directions for driving and mass transit.

Zoo Hours

The Saint Louis Zoo is open daily, year-round, except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The Zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except where noted below.

Summer hours:

8 a.m. to 7 p.m every day., May 23-September 1, 2008 (Memorial Weekend through Labor Day)

Early Closings and Holiday Hours:

• June 20, 2008 (A Zoo Ado fundraiser) -- Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• July 23, 2008 (Jammin' at the Zoo) -- Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• August 27, 2008 (Jammin' at the Zoo) -- Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• December 24, 2008 (Christmas Eve) -- Open 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• December 25, 2008 (Christmas Day) -- Zoo closed
• December 31, 2008 (New Year's Eve) -- Open 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• January 1, 2008 (New Year's Day) -- Zoo closed

Check out our Calendar of Events for details on what's happening on the days you plan to visit.

Free Hour

During the first hour the Zoo is open, admission to Children's Zoo and Conservation Carousel is free.

Parking

Parking is available on the Zoo's North and South Parking Lots; please see map at right. The price for parking is $10 per vehicle. (Parking fees are subject to change.) Bus parking is $20 and is available on the South Parking Lot only. (Note:For information on bus parking, see If Arriving by Bus, below.)

Parking for cars is free on the Forest Park streets around the Zoo, but please pay attention to no-parking zones, marked by signs. Parking rules are subject to change.

If Arriving by Bus

Bus parking at the Zoo costs $20 and is available on the Zoo's South Parking Lot only. (Parking fees are subject to change.)

IMPORTANT! BUS/COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARKING PERMIT

To park a bus or commercial vehicle elsewhere in Forest Park when visiting the Zoo, you must obtain a permit through the St. Louis City Parks Department. You will also be assigned a designated lot by the Parks Department. The parking permit fee is $5 per bus or commercial vehicle. Parking permits are obtained by calling the Forest Park Permits Office at (314) 289-5330, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Please request your permit at least two weeks before your scheduled field trip.

Teachers or other bus users will need to provide the following information: their name, name and address of school/organization, date of visit, and the number of buses arriving at the time of their request. Permits will be mailed. Any permits requested less than two weeks of the scheduled trip will need to be picked up at the permit office.

Please note: your parking permit must be prominently displayed on the windshield of your bus during the time the vehicle is parked in Forest Park or you risk getting ticketed.

Buses dropping off passengers and then leaving the park may do so without a permit.

BUS SAFETY GUIDELINES

We request that school buses heed the following guidelines to help assure both a safe and convenient arrival and departure. Note that we will not allow buses to unload or load across the street from either of our two entrances. This practice is unsafe for students and creates traffic congestion. Further, by entering the park in the correct orientation, buses will not have to turn around, thus preventing traffic tie-ups and delaying the start of your visit.

See map at right:
To drop off students at our North Entrance (eg., you have an education program that meets in The Living World): Direct the bus driver to enter Forest Park from Skinker Blvd. at Wells Drive.Turn east on Government Drive and approach the North Entrance traveling eastbound. Unload students in front of the Zoo entrance.

To drop off students at our South Entrance: Direct the bus driver to enter Forest Park from northbound Hampton Ave., turning west (left) at Wells Drive. Unload students in front of the South Entrance, at the tall ZOO pylon (in photo at upper left).

A separate map and directions/guidelines for your school bus driver are included with the confirmation materials sent out for all education programs.

To assist both you and any Zoo staff in directing traffic and to identify your school bus, be sure your school name is clearly marked in the front passenger-side window.

Please note: Our heaviest school visitation occurs in April and May. Consequently, you will need extra time to allow for heavy school bus traffic. Please plan your schedule accordingly. Further, if you plan to enter the Children’s Zoo or Insectarium during the free hour, please allow extra time to unload and walk to those building entrances.

Group Safety

The Saint Louis Zoo Security Department recommends that large groups bring cell phones or group two-way radios. This way, group members can find one another easily if they get separated.

Also, please check in at the Welcome Desk at either Zoo entrance to leave a cell phone number in which you can be contacted in case of emergency.

Group Rates

For information on lunch at the Zoo, special attractions at special group rates and other savings for field trip groups, see Group Visits.

Order Souvenirs for the Class

Create a lasting memory of your field trip for your students by ordering souvenirs in advance. We know that time on your field trip is sometimes limited, and may not allow for a visit to the gift shops. So ordering souvenirs may be just what you need to do to round out your day. Gift bags are available for $5. Call (314) 781-0900, ext. 4857 for details.

Attention Teachers! Get a Class Pass for Zoo Fun

Special offer for school groups only: School groups of 15 or more may purchase a Class Pass for just $5 per person. Your group will receive all-day admission to Children’s Zoo, Zooline Railroad and Conservation Carousel. Just call (314) 781-0900, ext. 4857 or e-mail Hinshaw@stlzoo.org.

Edward Jones is a proud supporter of the Saint Louis Zoo's Education Department and its conservation education programs.