Accessibility Guide

Groups of individuals with disabilities from an organization will receive free admission and parking if they have pre-registered the organization’s visit. Groups should present their confirmation letters from the Zoo showing that they have registered their organization with special needs, and present it to the Admissions supervisor. Please contact us for details on policy and to pre-register a visit. (Individuals with disabilities do not receive a discount on admission.)

The Milwaukee County Zoo offers Aira users free access to Aira services while visiting the zoo. For more information about Aira, visit www.aira.io.

Wheelchair accessibility via ramp (300 pounds max).

Accessible water fountains are available in various Zoo buildings and are typically located outside of the restrooms.

There are accessible elevators located in the Peck Welcome Center and the Karen Peck Katz Conservation Education Center.

All Zoo buildings that are publicly-accessible have a wheelchair accessible entrance.

Café 1892 is located on the northern end of the U.S. Bank Gathering Place. There are other concession stands located throughout the Zoo grounds that are open seasonally.

Wheelchair accessibility via ramp.

For the safety of our animals, service animals are not permitted in the Goat Yard.

The Milwaukee County Zoo features quiet areas and headphone zones, and also offers sensory bags for use (located at Guest Services in the U.S. Bank Gathering Place). The sensory bags include noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, feeling zone cards, a weighted lap pad, and more. Staff are trained, and supplies are provided by KultureCity. For details on what to expect during a Zoo visit using KultureCity assistance, read our social story.

The Milwaukee County was the first Zoo in the country to offer Mamava Lactation Suites – quiet, comfortable, and private areas for nursing mothers to use while visiting the Zoo. Three stand-alone, permanent lactation suites are located in the U.S. Bank Gathering Place, the Aquatic & Reptile Center, and the Family Farm Dairy Barn.

Mamava believes in offering a quiet, comfortable place to nurse or use a breast pump to help women meet their breastfeeding goals.

Each unit is equipped with keypad door locks and a phone number to access for the individual code, making the process easy and safe.

Accessible parking spaces are available in the front of Lots 1, 2, and 3. Vehicles parked in these spaces must display a Disabled Parking Identification Permit hangtag or Disabled/Veteran license plates.

There are picnic tables that offer accessibility throughout the Zoo grounds.

The Milwaukee County Zoo does not allow the open or concealed carry of any weapons in any Zoo building or during any posted special event on Zoo grounds.*

The Zoo is a smoke-free attraction (including e-cigarettes and vaporizers). Smoking is allowed only in the Zoo parking lots.

* Wisconsin Statutes Sections 175.60, 939.22 (10), 943.13 (1m) (c), 943.13 (1m) (c) 4, 943.12 (2) (bm)
General Ordinances of Milwaukee County Sections 63.015, 63.016, 63.0165 & 63.09 (2) (d)

Accessible restrooms are located in the following buildings: Aquatic & Reptile Center, Crust & Copper, Giraffe, Family Farm Marketing and Communications Offices, Dairy Complex, Peck Welcome Center, Primates of the World, Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country, Café 1892, and U.S. Bank Gathering Place. Family restrooms with changing areas are located just outside the Zoo’s main Gift Shop and at the West Entrance.

Accessible only for transfers. There is a separate gate for wheelchairs and other mobility devices; please notify ticket seller. Wheelchairs and other mobility devices may be left on the platform while on train ride.

Currently not ADA accessible.

Emotional support animals and pets are not allowed on Zoo grounds. Owners will be asked to leave.

Service animals that assist individuals with disabilities and comply with the Milwaukee County ADA Service Animal Procedure are welcome. If your visit includes a service animal, please stop in at the Administration Office upon arriving.

Currently not ADA accessible.

Currently not ADA accessible.

These Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) bus routes provide service to or close to the Zoo:

• CONNECT (Bluemound Road/95th Street)
• 28 (Bluemound Road/108th Street)
• 92 (Bluemound Road/95th Street)

From Waukesha County, you can also take the Waukesha Metro Route 1.

If you have a loved one who needs help with toileting, you’re welcome to use the Zoo’s Universal Changing Station. Just outside the Zoo’s main Gift Shop, the safe, clean station includes an adult-size table holding more than 300 pounds, a toilet, and a sink.

ADA-accessible for people with disabilities and accessible for people with sensory challenges (there are no flashing images). The virtual reality headsets can be unplugged (they are plugged-in for charging purposes), and you do not have to be seated to enjoy the film.

Gorilla Trek and Shark Dive are available in English, Spanish, German, Polish, Japanese, Chinese, and Ukrainian.

The Great Migration is available in English, German, Polish, Japanese, Chinese, and Ukrainian.

Wheelchairs are available for $10/day. Mobility (ECV) scooters (maximum weight is 500 pounds) are available for $35/day (cashless transactions ONLY). For more details, click here.

Wheelchairs, mobility aids and other power-driven mobility devices that comply with the Milwaukee County ADA Wheelchairs, Mobility Aids, and Other Power Driven Mobility Devices Procedure are welcome on Zoo grounds.

One of the Zoo’s three trams is accessible. Please call ahead to ensure availability of the accessible tram on the day of your visit.