Sedgwick County Zoo is one of Wichita’s biggest attractions, home to over 3,000 animals from around the world. The immersive exhibits, from the Downing Gorilla Forest to the Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley, make it easy to spend a full day exploring. It’s a beautiful, spacious place for Wichita families to enjoy nature, learn, and make memories together.
The best way to find out about discounts to the Sedgwick County Zoo is to frequently check their website, follow their Facebook page, and subscribe to the email newsletter, which is what we do. We are constantly updating our list of new deals and sharing them with our readers, so to save time, you might want to subscribe to the Wichita on the Cheap email newsletter.
Sedgwick County Zoo Discount Days
Sedgwick County Zoo offers a variety of free and discounted days throughout the year. Here is a list of expected zoo discount days for the upcoming year.
As we have recently learned in a big way, events will at times need to be canceled or changed. The pricing for these events is also subject to change at any time without notice. We always try to give you a heads-up about fun stuff the zoo has planned, and we try really hard to be accurate about everything, but the best place to go for the latest information is the zoo website itself (scz.org).
Please note: Since plans can change on short notice, be sure to use the links in each post to double-check all events before you go.
- Mother’s Day
- Father’s Day
- Red, White and You Blood Drive
- Twilight Tuesdays
- Veterans Day Deal
- Back to School Bash
- Winter Wednesdays: usually every Wednesday from November through February
- Zoo Holiday Memberhips Deal
Sedgwick County Zoo Ticket Prices
These are the regular admission prices to the Sedgwick County Zoo (i.e., with no discounts applied). Do be sure to double-check the zoo’s website before you visit, because ticket prices could change at any time.
Young Children (ages 0–2): FREE
Children (ages 3–11): $19/person
Adults (ages 12–61): $24/person
Senior Citizens (ages 62+): $19/person
Sedgwick County Zoo Coupons & Event Deals
Wichita Explore Card: Save $2 on Admission
Use the FREE Wichita Explore Card to save $2 off regular admission to the zoo. Check out the full list of other participating attractions.
Tot Tuesdays Discount at the Zoo
The Sedgwick County Zoo Cargill Learning Center offers educational programs held every fourth Tuesday. (free with membership or regular zoo admission)
Winter Wednesdays at the Zoo
Winter Wednesdays at the Sedgwick County Zoo are back, and admission is just $5 for everyone! Bundle up with coats and hats, or take advantage of the beautiful weather we sometimes have during the winter months and enjoy your zoo discount.
Wheeling Wild Bikes at the Zoo Deal
Ride your bike at the zoo every 3rd Tuesday of the month through October. $5 per person ($4 for members).
Senior Wednesdays Deal at the Zoo
Senior Wednesdays at the Zoo include an informational program along with breakfast sundries and coffee!
Senior Wednesdays are hosted throughout the month by different locations around Wichita; the Sedgwick County Zoo hosts the second Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. Join us in the Cargill Learning Center!
Cost: Free
This program does not require you to purchase tickets in advance.
This program does not include admission into the Zoo. However, you may visit our front desk after the program for discounted Zoo admission.
Zoo Membership
If you plan to visit the zoo regularly throughout the year, a membership is a great way to save money. For my family, after we visit the zoo 3 times in a year, the subsequent visits are “free” with our membership.
Pro tip: Before purchasing a zoo membership, check with your employer. Some local employers offer discounted memberships to the zoo and other local attractions.
- Single Plus (1 adult + guest OR 2 named adults in the same household): $125/year.
- Senior Plus (1 adult age 62+ + guest OR 2 named adults age 62+): $100/year.
- Family (2 named adults in the same household + children or grandchildren under age 21): $225/year.
- Family Plus (same as above + 1 free guest each visit): $275/year.
- Family Plus Two (same as above + 2 free guests each visit): $300/year.
- Zoo Pride (premium donor level): donation of $1,200 or more earns unlimited visits for your family and guests, plus extra perks.
Besides unlimited visits, Zoo members do get some extra perks, like early entry every day, discounts on the Zoo’s event spaces, classes, and a few other events, a monthly e-newsletter that reminds you of upcoming programs and events, an annual wall calendar, and more.
Depending on the membership level you choose, you may receive free guest passes that let you bring one or two guests with you per visit.
Which Membership Gives Wichita Families the Best Value?
If you’re living in Wichita with two daughters like me and plan to visit SCZ multiple times during the year, the Family tier at $225/year is often the best value. It covers your whole household (2 adults + dependent kids) and gives unlimited free admission for a year—meaning if you visit more than 2-3 times, you’re likely saving compared to buying individual tickets each time. The Family Plus and Family Plus Two tiers are worth considering if you often bring extra guests (grandparents, friends, etc.) on each visit.
In short: pick the membership that matches how often you’ll go and how many people you bring. For many Wichita families who visit a few times a year, the Family tier delivers the greatest savings.
Reciprocal Zoo Admissions Program
Sedgwick County Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). This means that if you have a membership to Sedgwick County Zoo, you can get free or discounted admission to other AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums that participate in the AZA Reciprocal Admissions Program. For a complete list of participating zoos, visit the AZA website. It is also always a good idea to call ahead so there are no surprises upon arrival.
December Discounts
Sedgwick County Zoo usually offers some kind of Holiday Membership Bonus if you buy a membership in December. (Think Non-Toy Gift Ideas.) For example, in 2018, they offered 3 extra months with the purchase of a membership.
Related:
Family memberships at Old Cowtown Museum
Exploration Place membership deal
